Yep, I'm a total newbie here.
Here's some background on me.
When I was an early teenager, little tiny hairs started popping out of the skin around my mouth. That years, my parents gave me an electric razor to remove them. I used that electric razor until it died, then got another one.
When I was 22, I got a job working at a hotel. One day I came in with a bit of a beard, and my manager looked at me and told me to go into the back with one of the disposable razors and tiny packs of cream that we give to the guests.
Somewhat amused that I'd never shaved wet, he sent a supervisor to accompany me in the bathroom to show me how to do it. The same supervisor who, when I was hired, was the one to show me how to tie a tie. He was a few years younger than I, so he probably thought I was a little strange. But, after replacing the facial hair with facial blood, I considered myself a success. Then my managers left and got replaced with someone who had a nice goatee. So I grew mine back, trimming it regularly with either a cheap cartridge razor, or just using the plastic disposable single-blade Bics from the hotel. They're free, and free is always good. Especially since they only do about half my face before they start pulling more than cutting. But when you have an unlimited supply, who cares?
Well, now I'm 27, and I'm planning on leaving the hotel business shortly, as I just graduated this week as a CMT. I also hadn't trimmed my goatee for a month or two, so it was looking quite long. As I stood in the mirror admiring the ability of my face to grow long dark hairs, I realized with horror that amidst the jungle on my chin were several hairs undenyably lacking in hue.
Well, that was unacceptable, so I pulled out a Bic, reached for my trusty $1 spray can of Beard Buster foam, and then paused as I contemplated the excruciating pain that would probably result. I put down the Bic, grabbed some scissors, and trimmed as much as I could of the inch-plus strands until I went back to the Bic.
And I thought to myself....there has to be a better way.
And thus I found Badger and Blade.
Here I found a wealth of information on an activity that I never knew could be so complex. I'd always likened shaving to brushing my teeth and applying deodorant--one of those things that I just plan have to do whether I want to or not if I ever hope to get a girlfriend.
Now I'm intrigued. Not only could I get a closer, less painful and less bloody shave, but I could also begin a whole new journey. This is the weapon of a Gentleman. Not as clumsy or random as an electric; an elegant weapon from a more civilized age.
Could I really learn the ways my great grandfathers shaved?
Could I really gain the respect of friends by knowing how to handle a straight razor?
Could I really gain the respect of all the Thespians obsessed with Sweeny Todd?
I delved into the FAQs here and perused the Wikis.
Could a simple one-time investment really give me a lifetime of satisfaction?
..well, no, not that last one.
I'm certainly in no financial situation to buy a straight razor, a strop, a hone, a brush, and a good supply of soaps and solutions, then send out a razor for sharpening while I buy another few razors to practice honing myself so I don't damage the good one.
No, as much as it appeals to me, now is not the time for me to invest in a Straight Edge.
Perhaps, though, a classic "safety" razor is what I need. Before I began lurking here, I'd always assumed a saftey razor was what they called those Gillette Warp Speed cartidge razors with the 17 blades they advertise as giving the best, closest shave imaginable.
Now, I discover, Safety Razors are the single-bladed devices that despite being made 100 years ago, are far superior to modern advances in technology.
You'll have to forgive my lack of knowledge of the subject. I know so little that it's embarassing, though I know we all must start somewhere. I don't even know the difference between a double or single edge razor, and though common sense indicates that one has twice the cutting surfaces, I'm bewidered as to how one would use both edges at once. I suppose the purpose is simply so you don't have to change the blades as often?
And I certainly know nothing about shaving soap, or what advantages it has over my trusty $1 aerosol can or free packets of cream from the hotel. On the other hand, were I to cook someone a magnificent Filet Mignon dinner, I'd hardly serve it to them on a styrofoam plate with plastic knives and forks. And I certainly wouldn't pour ketchup on it. So while I may not grasp the mechanics of it, I do appreciate that some things, while perhaps even functional, are still just wrong.
Aftershaves, on the other hand, are subjects about which I am completely clueless. I've never used them, and don't know what they are. As best as I can determine, they make shaving painful by giving a burning sensation, proving that you must be a "real man" to shave. The fact that they contain perfume negates this theory somewhat, though.
With all that said, I'm looking for a good razor. And a brush, and some soap, of course. If I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. I'll want a nice razor: something pretty, and something good. I don't mind paying a little more for something classic or something with some culture, but still reasonable.
There is a "Gold Fat Handle Tech" for sale here which has caught my eye, but when I don't know the difference between a double or single edged razor, let alone be able to figure out which this particular one is, I feel I'm hardly qualified to make an educated purchasing decision yet.
Any advice you could provide me would be well appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Here's some background on me.
When I was an early teenager, little tiny hairs started popping out of the skin around my mouth. That years, my parents gave me an electric razor to remove them. I used that electric razor until it died, then got another one.
When I was 22, I got a job working at a hotel. One day I came in with a bit of a beard, and my manager looked at me and told me to go into the back with one of the disposable razors and tiny packs of cream that we give to the guests.
Somewhat amused that I'd never shaved wet, he sent a supervisor to accompany me in the bathroom to show me how to do it. The same supervisor who, when I was hired, was the one to show me how to tie a tie. He was a few years younger than I, so he probably thought I was a little strange. But, after replacing the facial hair with facial blood, I considered myself a success. Then my managers left and got replaced with someone who had a nice goatee. So I grew mine back, trimming it regularly with either a cheap cartridge razor, or just using the plastic disposable single-blade Bics from the hotel. They're free, and free is always good. Especially since they only do about half my face before they start pulling more than cutting. But when you have an unlimited supply, who cares?
Well, now I'm 27, and I'm planning on leaving the hotel business shortly, as I just graduated this week as a CMT. I also hadn't trimmed my goatee for a month or two, so it was looking quite long. As I stood in the mirror admiring the ability of my face to grow long dark hairs, I realized with horror that amidst the jungle on my chin were several hairs undenyably lacking in hue.
Well, that was unacceptable, so I pulled out a Bic, reached for my trusty $1 spray can of Beard Buster foam, and then paused as I contemplated the excruciating pain that would probably result. I put down the Bic, grabbed some scissors, and trimmed as much as I could of the inch-plus strands until I went back to the Bic.
And I thought to myself....there has to be a better way.
And thus I found Badger and Blade.
Here I found a wealth of information on an activity that I never knew could be so complex. I'd always likened shaving to brushing my teeth and applying deodorant--one of those things that I just plan have to do whether I want to or not if I ever hope to get a girlfriend.
Now I'm intrigued. Not only could I get a closer, less painful and less bloody shave, but I could also begin a whole new journey. This is the weapon of a Gentleman. Not as clumsy or random as an electric; an elegant weapon from a more civilized age.
Could I really learn the ways my great grandfathers shaved?
Could I really gain the respect of friends by knowing how to handle a straight razor?
Could I really gain the respect of all the Thespians obsessed with Sweeny Todd?
I delved into the FAQs here and perused the Wikis.
Could a simple one-time investment really give me a lifetime of satisfaction?
..well, no, not that last one.
I'm certainly in no financial situation to buy a straight razor, a strop, a hone, a brush, and a good supply of soaps and solutions, then send out a razor for sharpening while I buy another few razors to practice honing myself so I don't damage the good one.
No, as much as it appeals to me, now is not the time for me to invest in a Straight Edge.
Perhaps, though, a classic "safety" razor is what I need. Before I began lurking here, I'd always assumed a saftey razor was what they called those Gillette Warp Speed cartidge razors with the 17 blades they advertise as giving the best, closest shave imaginable.
Now, I discover, Safety Razors are the single-bladed devices that despite being made 100 years ago, are far superior to modern advances in technology.
You'll have to forgive my lack of knowledge of the subject. I know so little that it's embarassing, though I know we all must start somewhere. I don't even know the difference between a double or single edge razor, and though common sense indicates that one has twice the cutting surfaces, I'm bewidered as to how one would use both edges at once. I suppose the purpose is simply so you don't have to change the blades as often?
And I certainly know nothing about shaving soap, or what advantages it has over my trusty $1 aerosol can or free packets of cream from the hotel. On the other hand, were I to cook someone a magnificent Filet Mignon dinner, I'd hardly serve it to them on a styrofoam plate with plastic knives and forks. And I certainly wouldn't pour ketchup on it. So while I may not grasp the mechanics of it, I do appreciate that some things, while perhaps even functional, are still just wrong.
Aftershaves, on the other hand, are subjects about which I am completely clueless. I've never used them, and don't know what they are. As best as I can determine, they make shaving painful by giving a burning sensation, proving that you must be a "real man" to shave. The fact that they contain perfume negates this theory somewhat, though.
With all that said, I'm looking for a good razor. And a brush, and some soap, of course. If I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. I'll want a nice razor: something pretty, and something good. I don't mind paying a little more for something classic or something with some culture, but still reasonable.
There is a "Gold Fat Handle Tech" for sale here which has caught my eye, but when I don't know the difference between a double or single edged razor, let alone be able to figure out which this particular one is, I feel I'm hardly qualified to make an educated purchasing decision yet.
Any advice you could provide me would be well appreciated. Thank you in advance.