DE Proselytizing

[AlanL]

In addition to introducing my son to DE shaving, I have recently brought into the fold the boyfriends of two of my daughters. If fact, I gave each of them a vintage Gillette. (My son took a long-handled Super Adjustable, one BF took an Old, and the other BF took a 1951 Super Speed.) One might argue that such conversions are a necessary prerequisite to becoming part of the family.

My mother-in-law accepted back her '75 Super Adjustable she had handed over to me for cleaning and restoration.

Tell us about your proselytizing success stories. How have you spread the good news and converted others? I've seen some threads here in which B&B members offer PIF items if we promise to give them to first time wet shavers. I think that's a terrific idea!

 

[Mako72]

Gave my step daughters boyfriend a Flairtip SS. Hes from Liberia and unbeknownst to me had been buying DE blades because thats what the Barbers over there use. When he saw my Slim he went nuts. After I back got home I mailed him the Flairtip!

Jay

 

[DE Shaver]

Unfortunately, proselytizing seems to be counterproductive in most cases. For me, a bit of reverse psychology does the trick. If shaving comes up, I just say that I DE wet shave but I wouldn't recommend it to others. At that point, I'm usually asked why. I'll "reluctantly" explain the issues, emphasizing that it requires competency and most guys don't seem to be interested in getting a decent shave. If they're still interested, I'll describe why I wet shave and close off by saying that wet shaving has become 10 minutes of "me" time instead of 5 minutes of performing an annoying chore. Usually, they've become interested parties at that point and I supply them with some starting gear to try it out a while.

 

[Defend Tacoma]

So far:

• My wife- Lady Gillette in champagne, and the occasional straight razor
• My 13 yo son- Gillette SS
• 3 of my wife's lady friends got Lady Gillettes for their bithdays, and now use them regularly
• My best friend just got a full PIF setup from me, including a Gillette Fatboy, it's yet to be seen if he is a convert though!

 

[Hex]

Also so far, and I talk it up whenever I can. At least until I see their eyes begin to glaze over.

Son 1 :
Tech, Muhle De-87, Merkur HD
My old Tweezerman
Simpsons pure badger
Refurbed Ever-ready
Soaps & Creams, gave him his choice to pick any 1 of which I had more than 1.

Son 2: Is full bearded and told me to take a hike.

Brother:
Early 50s SS
Refurbed Ever-ready
VDH brush
Godrej
C.O. Bigelow

Neighbor:
Uses electric, but I am still working on him

Wife:
Lady Gillette Blue

 

[polaar]

Unfortunately, proselytizing seems to be counterproductive in most cases. For me, a bit of reverse psychology does the trick. If shaving comes up, I just say that I DE wet shave but I wouldn't recommend it to others. At that point, I'm usually asked why. I'll "reluctantly" explain the issues, emphasizing that it requires competency and most guys don't seem to be interested in getting a decent shave. If they're still interested, I'll describe why I wet shave close off and say that wet shaving has become 10 minutes of "me" time instead of 5 minutes of performing an annoying chore. Usually, they've become interested parties at that point and I supply them with some starting gear to try it out a while.

This is great!

 

[grouse79]

My dad, 2 years ago. He's in his early 60s and has had a beard almost all the time I've been around but still shaves around it. He asked to borrow my razor (HD) when we were on a trip and expressed some amazement at how easily it mowed down his stubble. I bought him a cheap TTO model for that Christmas, a tube of cream and some blades (no brush). As far as I know he's still using it but switched to aloe vera foam. My brother also borrowed the same razor on a trip but didn't think it was any big deal. He doesn't need to shave as often as me anyhow.

I'd say a good "in" is on a trip because most guys for whom shaving is a chore won't have any kit with them and may ask to borrow yours.

 

[BladeDE40]

Started with my dads Super Adjustable about 10 months ago. I recently got a EJ DE89 and gave the Gillette back to him with a few blade packs. After using carts for 30+ years he's back to using DE's again.

 

[luvmysuper]

I lure a bus load of College Football players into a soundproof room where I lock them in with 30 Vintage Superspeeds and 1000 7 O'Clock Black blades.
After about 6 months the Stockholm syndrome starts to set in so I release them, stock up and go look for another bus.

Talking doesn't work.

I have convinced quite a few folks to try traditional wetshaving, and in every case where it has succeeded, it was when I PIF'ed a razor, brush and soap to them.

Talking just gets you the glassy eyed stare.

 

[gaseousclay]

i've tried spreading the good word of DE shaving but no one listens.

 

[instpasr]

Converted the better part of my team 20ish guys on the last trip over the pond. Just hooked one of my bowling buddies, my son is in the club and I've given up on my brother.

 

[pauls51]

My dad several months ago has successfully rediscovered the beauty of the DE shave, after borrowing my 34C on a business trip!

 

[Bubu]

Yeeesh I wouldn't think that be many converts but I am seeing quite a few quite a lot actually. My brother probably had some interest in it, my mother had a little bit, and no one else in my family. Though I am probably thought kind of weird like by them having such things. But oh well more for me. And mantic's videos set me on my DE shave way.

 

[hollyholly]

My roommate (male) converted me (female) just by setting a good clean-shaven, non-razorburned example. It looked so much more comfortable I couldn't help but try it myself.

 

[FL shaver]

Son: uses the Merkur 1904 and brush and creams I've given him

Brother-in-law: Always open to new ideas. My sister bought some products I recommended (and others I didn't!), including and EJ 89 DL, brush, blades, and cream, and I was a little surprised to get a photo of his shaving gear sinkside when they were on vacation this summer. He'll continue to use the Fusion stuff he has, but mix in some DE shaivng.

Friend who I visited this summer: I sent him some soap, a brush, a Merkur 33C, and some blades. I don't think he's tried it yet, as he said he would send me a pic pf his bloodied face after using it!

Father: Got him a Tech, boar, blades, Williams, Bigelow, and Body Shop cream. I don't think he'll change from his Fusion.

 

[beemerscreemer]

It is nice you have had positive experiences in sharing de.
My wife likes the shave but thinks I am quirky. My other family members, especially my brothers laugh and think I am weird. They won't even consider trying the wet shaving/de approach. No matter I really like it!
I don't make a big deal about it and only respond now if someone asks about it or complains about their shaving experience.

 

[pelicano]

Successes:

My friend Matt. I sent him a Slim and some blades as a surprise package (he already had a brush and cream). Some months later on a visit, we bumped into a 37c Slant at a knife store in downtown L.A., which I bought for him.
Now that I'm shaving exclusively with straights, I gave him my Gem and all my SE blades, as well as all the creams I had.
Now that I live in L.A., we are talking about having his first straight razor shave.

My Mason brother Jorge S. He overheard a conversation between me and another brother named Jorge R. about his disastrous experience with the Feather AC. I referred him to Larry Andro. He recently received his straight and has begun very cautiously. He had been shaving with a Merkur (also my reference) for a few months before.

Failures:

My ex-live in girlfriend. She would either roll her eyes at my hobby, or complain that it was not something we could share, so I bought her a Lady Gillette and offered to shave her legs. Her reaction was not enthusiastic, and it never happened (so much for sharing, eh?). Anyway, when we broke up and she sent me my things, she included the Lady Gillette among them.

My Mason brother Jorge R. He knew that I shaved with a straight and was curious about it. I offered to show him how with one of my razors, and refer him where to buy one, but without telling me, he just went ahead and bought a Feather AC . The next month I ask him about when we do the shaving thing, and he tells me that he bought the Feather, that he kept getting cut, that it sucked, and that he sold it on ebay at a loss. And that was that.

(???)

Mi 20 year old niece, just moved here (L.A.), and stayed with me for a few days until she moved to her dorm.
We went to Walgreens together, and I see her eyeing the lady razor shelf, and tell her not to buy anything yet, but that I had something for her at home.
Anyway, remember my Lady Gillette? It's hers now, along with a couple of packs of Derbys, a nice chunk of P.160, and an Omega brush.
Is she using it? I haven't asked yet.

 

[SB1831]

I've actually converted some people over facebook. I estimate that I used roughly 2 fusion cartridges a week the last time i was deployed. Thats 104 razors in 1 year. Well the gillettes we were getting were coming in either 8 packs. So that's 13 8 packs a year for fusion cartridges. I then estimate a GENEROUS price of $25US for an 8 pack (of COURSE we got them cheaper that's stateside pricing) So 325 for blades alone for a fusion, let alone the cost of got or shapping so add in another $25 again being generous there. $350 total for enough blades to shave my face in one year.

I then point out that I can purchase something along the lines of Crystals 12/100 or 7O'Clock SEs for 34/100 or even Feathers in the mid 30's-40s and get more than a years worth of shaves.

I find that in general most men don't give a crap about their shave but their pocketbook? That's where it hurts them. Several friends have said "Yes but the quality of the shave can't be nearly as good if you're buying those "cheap" blades." Once you've gotten them intrigued to the point to ask even a single question it doesn't take much to convert. Meet up at the gym workout and then show them your shave process. Most tend to be intrigued by the amount of effort we go in order to achieve the desired shave.

 

[AlanL]

I converted two of my brothers (ages 54 and 59) last month. I offered them their choice of a 40's Super Speed or 70's Super Adjustable. I mailed them both a razor, soap, brush, bowl, and lots of links to Mantic's videos. They both jumped right in and never looked back.

 

[airmech]

Converted my 20 year old son. I got him a 57 Super-speed a VDH brush that I had and a QCS sampler. He seems to be enjoying his shaves! Not to many nicks or weepers!

Tom