Back 15-ish years ago is when I started my wet shaving journey. The shaving community was very different back then, forums were few and far between, and there were self appointed gurus who tried to make sure they were recognized as the keepers of all shaving knowledge. Dissent with the popular opinions was met with ridicule and mob mentality attacks. For instance, using Arkansas stones to hone straight razors was ridiculed as heresy. You were expected to use a certain amount of strokes on a certain hone, regardless of steel hardness, grind, or bevel condition. If you couldn't follow these commandments, then you couldn't hone. It was your fault. If you used a pasted strop to hone your razors, then you were basically a second class citizen.
Products were few and far between as well. The internet and sales were nothing like what is today, artisan soaps were unheard of, custom straights and high end DE razors were simply non existent.
Well I sort of digressed from my titular intention, but I feel the background and history was a good precursor to my own discussion on how my routine has changed.
Yes, I hone rather well on Arkansas stones. I've used the internet to buy products from all over the world. I can discuss a half dozen ways to hone a razor, and learn from others how they do it too. No one is "less" of a wet shaver. I used to use an immersion heater in a mug to get water even hotter than my water heater could put out. Now I only use cold tap water. Along the way, I have learned to enjoy DE razors too. I had to use a badger brush back in the day, because that's what all the cool kids used, lol. Now I can't see myself not using a ten dollar synthetic brush. I'm perfectly happy with a stick of Arko, but I have also spent ten times what Arko costs on artisan soaps. I no longer wish to chase the next best soap or cream. I've learned a few products that I like and am happy using just them. I want to enjoy my shaves, instead of doing the wet shaving equivalent of blind dating or speed dating, haha. I've also learned that YMMV is a very real thing, and your experiences may be opposite of mine, and that's fine. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Please share your experiences on how your routine has changed.
Products were few and far between as well. The internet and sales were nothing like what is today, artisan soaps were unheard of, custom straights and high end DE razors were simply non existent.
Well I sort of digressed from my titular intention, but I feel the background and history was a good precursor to my own discussion on how my routine has changed.
Yes, I hone rather well on Arkansas stones. I've used the internet to buy products from all over the world. I can discuss a half dozen ways to hone a razor, and learn from others how they do it too. No one is "less" of a wet shaver. I used to use an immersion heater in a mug to get water even hotter than my water heater could put out. Now I only use cold tap water. Along the way, I have learned to enjoy DE razors too. I had to use a badger brush back in the day, because that's what all the cool kids used, lol. Now I can't see myself not using a ten dollar synthetic brush. I'm perfectly happy with a stick of Arko, but I have also spent ten times what Arko costs on artisan soaps. I no longer wish to chase the next best soap or cream. I've learned a few products that I like and am happy using just them. I want to enjoy my shaves, instead of doing the wet shaving equivalent of blind dating or speed dating, haha. I've also learned that YMMV is a very real thing, and your experiences may be opposite of mine, and that's fine. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Please share your experiences on how your routine has changed.