How long with converts stay with it?

[Larry C in Texas]

Gentlemen & ladies,

First of all, thanks to all of you for the helpful advice you give. This is a great forum, and I'm very glad I found it.

I was thinking about wetshaving last night and I was wondering how many of the new converts we have seen (including myself because I am barely 6 weeks into the adventure) will stick with it for, let's say, a year. I am of the opinion that it will be under one-third, and this is my reasoning:

1) Wetshaving (let's say with a DE for argument, here - a straight probably takes even more time with the stropping, honing, etc.) takes probably twice as much time or even more than the previous method people were using. Most of the people I know have too much going on in their lives with work, school, kids, etc., and they are looking for ways to cut down the time that "mandatory" tasks like shaving take. Now, I don't have any kids and my job is under control most of the time so I have time at night to indulge myself in the creation of lather and 2-3 slow careful passes with the Merkur HD. But, I know I am in the minority with time to spare.

2) You can't multitask while you are shaving with a DE, lest you become an unwitting blood donor to the sink. You can with an M3 or other cartridge because it takes very little concentration to use. I don't believe you can talk on the phone or check for messages or even talk to the spousal unit while shaving with a DE without losing concentration and screwing up your technique. Again, this comes back to the time issue, and people are multitasking a lot to save time.

3) I believe most people don't view shaving as a hobby, just something they have to do, so if it takes additional effort, as DE shaving does, then they may not stick with it. I view this as a hobby, and love to read for forums and see what I may want to buy next.

This is JMHO, and not offered as any fact or prediction. I would be interested in your opinions as to how many people will last a year in the wetshaving business.

Thanks again for all your kindness. I am in this for the long haul and I love the fact that I am getting better shaves each time I do it.

 

[MasonM]

Interesting question. For some it may just be an experiment and they quickly go back to whatever they were doing before. Is much the same with many things I suppose.

 

[tam.audio]

I've been doing this since May or so, and I don't think I'll ever go back. At first it took me a good 30 min. to shave cause I didn't want to screw up and I wanted the best possible experience. Now I've cut that time nearly in half just from "practice", and now I don't think the time it takes is a factor in quitting. However on Sundays I take my sweet time.

I think the benefits of wetshaving out-weigh any of the negatives that may present themselves.

 

[webguru24]

You certainly pose an interesting question. Although, with virtually no statistical evidence to back up my assumption, I would think that the percentage of people who stick with it to be higher then 1/3. There are a couple of reasons for this:

1. Success -- As the converts start to gain more experience and start to have greater and greater success, they may see that the increase in time is worth the results. Most of the people I know, once they try something and get comfortable with it, they are more willing to keep it up.
   
2. Leisure -- I think that we can all safely agree that the average person is starting see a fundamental decrease in their leisure time. I know that this is at least true in America. The art/ritual of wetshaving is a small pleasure that can be indulged and makes people feel human, with a relatively low initial cost and lower time investment then say, sailboating, jet skiing, snowboarding, etc...
   
3. Man's Inherent Need for Toys -- Honestly, what is more manly then playing with dangerously sharp tools? More importantly, how manly is it to say that you actually use the tools on a somewhat regular basis? And the razors and brushs just look cool. (My apologies to the ladies on the board for leaving them out of this one).

However, with all of this being said, there are some people who don't feel that they need, want, or can do all of this. Personally, even though I've been a wet shaver for such a short time, I don't think I'll ever go back to the disposable cartridges and canned foams.

 

[Joedy]

Gentlemen & ladies,
,,,

1) Wetshaving (let's say with a DE for argument, here - a straight probably takes even more time with the stropping, honing, etc.) takes probably twice as much time or even more than the previous method people were using. ...

15 minutes. From start to finish. Hardly anymore ingrown bumps and boils.

Worth every second of the additional 5 minutes of time.

Won't ever go back.

-joedy

 

[av8or234]

I don't see shaving as a have to do, but a want to do now. Its only been about 4 weeks for me but I really hate the days where I don't get to shave because I slept in too long.

 

[rusirius]

1) ...Most of the people I know have too much going on in their lives with work, school, kids, etc., and they are looking for ways to cut down the time that "mandatory" tasks like shaving take. ...

And that is EXACTLY one of the reasons I converted to wet shaving. Your exactly right, I have WAY too much going on in my life. Wet shaving is like stranding myself on a desert isle for an hour or so in the morning. Sure I have to wake up a little earlier, but for that hour that it takes me to shower, shave my head, and wet shave my face, I get to completely forget about work, life, etc... I can escape the drum of normal life, and have a little "me" time. Sure there are other things I could do to provide this, for example, I could take an hour every night to sit in a quiet room and read. Something I enjoy and would offer that same "Escape". The difference is, shaving is something I have to do anyway... So why not combine the two, in that sense, I'm actually SAVING time....

3) I believe most people don't view shaving as a hobby, just something they have to do, so if it takes additional effort, as DE shaving does, then they may not stick with it. ...

I agree that NORMALLY shaving is considered something you just "have" to do, but again that's why I love wet shaving. I don't really look at it as a hobby. It's still something I "have" to do, it's just that now, instead of it being a chore, it's a pleasure. Same principle, I "have" to mow my lawn, but I don't look at it as a chore, rather a pleasure. The smells, being outdoors, it's something that can be enjoyed.


How long somebody "sticks with" it I think depends more on WHY they started in the first place. If they started wet shaving because they heard it was a closer shave, or whatever, then no, likely they won't stick with it. If however they started because they know how enjoyable it could be, if they started because wanted to take some time out of their fast paced day to slow things down and pamper themselves, then yes, I think they'll stick with it for a long time. IMO anyway...

 

[mparker762]

1) Wetshaving (let's say with a DE for argument, here - a straight probably takes even more time with the stropping, honing, etc.)

Not really. Straight shaving is like DE shaving in that it takes a while when you're new at it, but speeds up substantially with experience. I shave with a straight every day, and it takes 15 minutes just like the DE. Stropping, for example, takes a little over a minute, and is generally done after lathering up, during which time your beard is softening. Other factors speeding up straight shaves include: most straight shavers only need two passes, the blades shave a wider swathe of your face, and the blades don't need to be rinsed as often (I clean the blade about 4 times per pass).

 

[PalmettoB]

15 minutes. From start to finish. Hardly anymore ingrown bumps and boils.

Worth every second of the additional 5 minutes of time.

Won't ever go back.

-joedy

Well said. I know I will be sticking with it.

 

[BroJohn]

Just a gut feeling, but I believe that a majority of wet-shaving converts will stay with it. OTOH, I suspect that less than a quarter of the folks we see will remain active or even lurkers at B&B or other shaving sites. No basis for the opinion other than a 'feeling.'

-- John Gehman

 

[crispy]

The ingrown hairs I used to get on my neck from regular blades is definitely worth the extra few minutes it takes to shave. If I'm not going for BBS, I can do a pretty decent 2 passer in about 7 mins. I just can't see going back and causing my neck the pain that I used to have no matter how much more time it took, lol.

 

[Steelforge]

It's unlikely I'll ever convert back. I've been wetshaving for 4 weeks and already my shaves are substantially better than with Mach3/goo, and improving all the time. My shaving time is also decreasing as my technique improves, so it doesn't take much longer than before (with better results). Now I've made the initial outlay, the cost per shave should be lower than before - even with the occasional acquisition disorder kicking in!

Plus its a nice little period of meditaion/relaxation time, before I hit the office and have to deal with an inbox of angry emails!

 

[majkeli]

I really look forward to my 15 minute morning shave, it gives me a chance to relax, get a little aroma therapy, and play with my shaving toys. In the three months I've been doing this I've acquired a whole drawer full of stuff--very satisfying for both the gadget guy and pack-rat sides of me. I also have the benefit of losing the shaving bumps the multi-blade gave me.

But I also have the luxury of flextime. I'm never late!

 

[Mick2]

I am a recent convert, and wont ever go back to cartridge shaving. Sure, sometimes i think how easy it would be to shave in the shower the night before work with my mach 3... but i resist temptation, get up half an hour earlier than usual and whip out the HD and proraso.

 

[gc_30286]

I think for most of the people here wet shaving is a life style change. Like going from watching Tv and eating fast food to outdoor activities and food that used to be alive . I think that the arguments against wet shaving are the very reason many of us will stick with it. turning the worst part of my day into one of the best is somthing ill never walk away from. and as far as the time goes while i CAN shave in less than 10 min I usually take about 45 min to shave. this is because i really like to take my time and enjoy myself. somthing I had almost forgotten how to do (it usually takes me about 2 min to eat a full meal for example.)

matthew

 

[PottyDoctor]

I'm 53 years old and after spending several years shaving with cartridges, I returned to 'wetshaving' with a DE a little over 1 year ago. I'm still enjoying it today just as much as when I started and still wake up wondering what soap, etc. I'll be enjoying today. Thing about it is, I've always enjoyed my shaving time, even with Edge and cartridges...I just enjoy it more now!

 

[cblalock]

3 months or so for me. I'll never go back. I love the feel of my BBS shave and how its cleaned up all my facial irritation. I enjoy the stress relief the process gives me in the evenings as well.

 

[jimkuhr]

Great question, I've been wetshaving now since late June and I can't imagine going back to using an electric razor. I'd guess the "long term" converts will be at about 80 to 85% of folks who give it a try. I think the big trick is getting someone to give it a try for a full week. If they try it for that long and are getting good shave's then I think some of the other aspects will kick in and they will probably stick with it.

For me it's the perfect challenge! I have to shave anyway and this gives me both a way to try and get a better shave each day as well as a constant stream of new things to try be it a razor, brush, shave cream, or aftershave. My wife loves it as well since she no longer has any questions at all about what to look for as a gift for birthdays or Christmas!

 

[19george]

I think that probably most people would stick with it. Because wet shaving is an intricate process I think most people would either seek the advice of friends or go on websites like these to help them with technique. And all of us of course would encourage these newbies to stick with it. So I think that most people who take the plunge into wet shaving have a pretty good idea of how to get a good shave.

Also because wet shaving requires an investment of products most people will stick with it for a couple of weeks if only to justify the purchase. In that time I think that most people will realize some of the benefits of wetshaving, and not want to give them up.

 

[Folie]

[*]Man's Inherent Need for Toys -- Honestly, what is more manly then playing with dangerously sharp tools? More importantly, how manly is it to say that you actually use the tools on a somewhat regular basis? And the razors and brushs just look cool. (My apologies to the ladies on the board for leaving them out of this one).

That statement is soo true. Us men love our dangerously sharp tools.