Humble shaving

[salisburyyates]

I've recently become very satisfied in a more down to earth, more traditional approach to classic wet-shaving. I use 1 razor, 1 soap, 1 brush and shave maybe every other day in order to utilize a closer shave. I've tried variations, but recently decided to cut off my AD's in return for what any working class Joe may have done in the 40's before heading off to his nondescript job. I get some kind of satisfaction from the diligence of sticking to my self-limited hardware and software. They do after all give fantastic results as it is.

This is in part influenced by people I have introduced to wet shaving or those who aren't aware of B&B. They know there are countless soaps and creams they could use, but rather stick to their initial setup and still enjoy their shaves.

 

[magelsen]

I sometimes think that there may be a lot of merit to this approach. I've been using a DE for almost a year and feel like I am finally starting to get it figured out. I think part of the problem was trying to many different things. All the variables slowed down figuring out what I was doing right and wrong.

 

[Luc]

How did you do it? Cutting the AD?

I'm not sure I can do it myself, there's always something that want to try... I could try to reduce the number items but down to 1... I don't think I'd enjoy shaving as much...

Good work on doing it!

 

[gull]

I only have one of everything as well. Yesterday I submitted to AD temptation and bought another soap, but then I got an email saying they ran out of that product.

The setback gave me time to remind myself that I still have a perfectly good soap that needs to be used.

 

[shumanfoo]

I kind of get this. I've traveled extensively in my life and been to many 3rd world countries.

Kind of hard to justify spending lots of money on soaps and creams and brushes etc once you've seen the bad stuff that happens and how most of the world lives.

On the other hand there's lots of worse things to spend your money on. Booze, drugs,junk food, and so on.

Moderation might be a key.

 

[Voomie]

It is easier to cut down on what you buy when you dont have the money to afford it.

 

[Ceri]

It is easier to cut down on what you buy when you dont have the money to afford it.

yup - I've a bad case of 'champagne taste and beer budget'. I'm aiming for one of the fancier Muhles at present, but have decided to save for it, in the hope I'll appreciate it all the more.

 

[kingfisher]

I think that's admirable. Perhaps you could tell us exactly what set-up it is that you have settled into?


For my part, I have definitely settled on one razor, and right now I'm only using one brush (my other was shipped off for repairs). I use a Slim and an Omega boar brush.

Software-wise, it's harder for me to be faithful, but I'm not out there too far. I have two MB soaps, one SCS soap, a puck of Provence Sante Green Tea soap, and a soap sample from TGQ. I have a tub of GFT limes, a small tube of T&H WIL, and a pump bottle of KMF Key Lime and one of the unscented.

 

[atison]

I started out with an HD, Derby, Vulfix brush, and Proraso as my standard setup. Only threw in a Merkur blade a few times since they came with the razor, but realized quickly they were not for me. I also added a few conk soaps to the mix.

I would go to the soaps a little here or there the first year or so, but mainly stuck with the proraso.

3 years later, I am just now venturing out to a blade sampler and a slew of soaps. I think taking that time got my technique, and what I did/didn't like about my setup.

Now I feel better prepared to pick a better blade for me than the Derby (who did quite well for me so far), and I feel better able to get lather from different products now that I have a standard feel down of what a good lather is.

I still have no strong urges to acquire another razor or brush, but will pick one up if I run across a deal.

 

[salisburyyates]

It is easier to cut down on what you buy when you dont have the money to afford it.

My issue wasn't money, it was that eventually I had accumulated so much shaving gear that it didn't make sense to me. I only had one face, the different razors all shaved in a reasonably similar fashion, and the good soaps get to be so easy to lather that you don't look for something better. Also, the cheapo Omega lathered the soap far easier than the expensive Kent brush.

I think that's admirable. Perhaps you could tell us exactly what set-up it is that you have settled into?

I settled on a Merkur HD, loaded with a feather. For a brush, I too use the Omega, and TABAC as my primary soap. When the TABAC runs out, I will likely get a puck of MWF as it is available locally.


I find that I have less of an urge to experiment when I am busy with other things. I don't concern myself with shaving until I decide to shave (except for my B&B activity), and then it is a pleasant return to a simple practice.

 

[tchmango]

I think the difference between the guy in the 40's and Mr. 2010 guy is that for us this is a hobby. We have many choices and we choose to do this as much for enjoyment as just a shave. We spend (at least I do) more on diesel some weeks than I have on my shaving AD. A round of golf, tickets to an NFL or NHL game. Certainly the DE shaving hobby is nothing in comparison. After I spend my money on a razor or some soaps I will have something that can be used for months or years to come. This isn't the 40's. We have air conditioned cars with radials, mobile phones with internet, and generally much more conveniences in our lives. Like one writer said keep things in moderation.

 

[Slivovitz]

I've kind of lost interest in trying new soaps and creams, but have already accumulated a large stock, including some that I haven't tried yet. I just won't buy any more until I'm running low on a couple of favorites, like Proraso or Williams.

Switching between razors continues to be fun, but I'm increasingly staying with one type of razor, my injectors. No plans to buy any more, although no resolutions not to buy any more either.

One reason for rotating brushes is to give them time to dry out, but the ones I use all work well for me.

 

[Frosty]

Salisburyates I really admire what you're doing. Ive now been DE-ing since June and so the AD is still rampant. I hope however that from the start of next year I can stop and settle on one set up or at least minimize the AD to a trickle.

 

[craig87c]

I've been cutting back too. I only want 2 razors (an injector and SE), 2 soaps (Palmovlive and Tabac) and two *** (Aqua Velva and Speick).

Getting better shaves with fewer variables, plus having more of a budget for those nonimportant things like rent? I'll take it anyday! I'll be passing along my extra stuff to BST in the coming days.

 

[grouse79]

I'd say many of us only find our humble shaving set-up (and come to find the idea of it attractive) after having acquired a lot of stuff. I know I have. I could get on fine with one Tech, Feather blades, boar brush and one of Palmolive, Tabac or MWF soap. I can also get good balm and aftershave (like Old Spice) from the supermarket. The knowledge that this is an excellent minimalist set-up has only come from buying probably several years worth of shaving stuff. It's all good and it won't be a chore using it up, but I do wish sometimes I hadn't got so much in such a short time. I just hope none of it goes off.