Our little club

[julian0808]

Have any of us ever considered the possibility that our little habit of traditional wet shaving could ever become mainstream? Consider the possibility of walking into (in the states) any Wal-mart and seeing row upon row of the 3T's shaving creams, soaps after shaves etc. along with all our favorite Floids, Myrsols and Proraso products. Likewise in the UK the possibility of Boots stocking our products in highly unlikely.
Would we consider it "Mission Accomplished"? How would we cope when all our Acquisition Disorders were public knowledge? Perish the thought that my friends would ever know that I have over 16 shaving brushes or so many tuns of shaving cream. It's a select club and whilst membership is free, do we want the whole world knowing we sniff our after shaves when no one is looking or we crave our next shave like a junkie craves his next fix.

 

[Paco]

Have any of us ever considered the possibility that our little habit of traditional wet shaving could ever become mainstream? Consider the possibility of walking into (in the states) any Wal-mart and seeing row upon row of the 3T's shaving creams, soaps after shaves etc. along with all our favorite Floids, Myrsols and Proraso products. Likewise in the UK the possibility of Boots stocking our products in highly unlikely.
Would we consider it "Mission Accomplished"? How would we cope when all our Acquisition Disorders were public knowledge? Perish the thought that my friends would ever know that I have over 16 shaving brushes or so many tuns of shaving cream. It's a select club and whilst membership is free, do we want the whole world knowing we sniff our after shaves when no one is looking or we crave our next shave like a junkie craves his next fix.

i have. My initial reaction, on an emotional level, is a negative one. I've never tried to carefully think about why I don't like the idea, but will give it some thought over a double espresso.

 

[BrookR1]

The world economy would crumble if every man discovered traditional wet shaving. Women would setup communes for those that couldn't handle the power of the blade and brush. Menthol producers would soon become the largest special interest group in congress. Battleships would be melted down to produce more razors. But on the plus side, everyone would smell good.

 

[fuzinboston]

The world economy would crumble if every man discovered traditional wet shaving. Women would setup communes for those that couldn't handle the power of the blade and brush. Menthol producers would soon become the largest special interest group in congress. Battleships would be melted down to produce more razors. But on the plus side, everyone would smell good.

And we'd have new terminology like 6PM shadow, and the Olympics would have to include speed-stropping!

 

[mrb7]

Hmm,,, early Sunday morning.

I don't think you should be posting before taking your meds. They don't give me mine until mid morning.

 

[OMEN]

As someone in the UK it would be nice to have a local chain with all the goodies in stock rather than having to order online and take a gamble every time the PayPal confirmation goes through.

 

[Demaskee]

MMMM so much shaving gear right before my eyes ....I'm sorry, what were you asking again???

 

[redrako]

Of course the world would be a better place if all men and women traditionally wet shaved. People would be in better spirits, less likely to start the day in a fowl mood after a quiet, meditative, morning shave. Traffic would flow better, there would be fewer traffic accidents. Women would find there husband's to be more attractive with smoother faces and a hint of fine aftershave.

The environment would be less affected as empty aerosol cans in landfill were replaced by the cardboard boxes that carried shave soap. Millions of discarded plastic disposable razors and cartridges would be replaced by well used razor blades. Much more natural ingredients used in soaps and creams would wash down the drain instead of stew of chemical additives to canned goo that serve to create ersatz, airy lather.

Yet I suspect that most people will continue to use mass market, alleged convenience items; while those who choose to wet shave will continue to seek a better way. I have long suspected that wet shavers are by nature contrarians, who don't automatically do what they're told without thinking about it. I think that we will remain a small, but steadily growing niche.

However, if one looks at the prevalence of online wet shaving merchants, the fact that many of them have hired additional help and some have expanded there facilities, I think that''s indicative f something. (The Lady of the House tells me that it's indicative of the fact that I've bought too much stuff ). I think another indicator is that Amazon.com actually offers a lot of good shaving products. Not to mention the number of artisan soap makers who have refined some really fine shave soaps or created new razors. We may be a bit larger than we would imagine.

 

[August West]

Hmm,,, early Sunday morning.

I don't think you should be posting before taking your meds. They don't give me mine until mid morning.

"With your permission I would like to post now."

 

[Icebear]

i have. My initial reaction, on an emotional level, is a negative one. I've never tried to carefully think about why I don't like the idea, but will give it some thought over a double espresso.

I am also still lacking the caffeine shot but so much is clear :

Traditional wet shaving is taking more time, there is a learning curve and you will need to acquire some skills before the result is surpassing the easy quick and convenient multi blade & canned goo shave.

So for 90% of the consumers it's gonna be the highway in a automatic, auto climate SUV instead of the long winding road in a stick shift MG, Morgan or Triumph.

And btw, I completely don't mind traditional wet shaving NOT becoming mainstream.

 

[archimedes5044]

I find the thrill of the hunt for products almost as satisfying as the wet shaving process (i have to have something to do between shaves). I enjoy walking in to a store and being surprised to discover that they carry shave cream/soap/brush/razor blade/etc. If the products were mainstream it would take some of the fun out of it.

 

[Cagliostro]

I think it would take the unique out of it, I would then have to switch from DE to straits or what ever to keep the unique in it lol. No, I've never really considered it, with the way people love those plastic things and goop...I doubt things will change heavily besides...not that I mid that...

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

As someone in the UK it would be nice to have a local chain with all the goodies in stock rather than having to order online and take a gamble every time the PayPal confirmation goes through.

Well you have TOBS, DR Harris, GFT, Czech & Speake, Trumpers, Santa Maria Novella, all in London.

 

[Luecke2326]

I like the thrill of the hunt for products almost as satisfying as the wet shaving process (i have to have something to do between shaves). I enjoy walking in to a store and being surprised to discover that they carry shave cream/soap/brush/razor blade/etc. If the products were mainstream it would take some of the fun out of it.

I'm with you! The best part of an AD is finding that new product... If it was common, it wouldn't matter.

 

[mrb7]

"With your permission I would like to post now."

View attachment 385711

Ask the charge nurse. I don't work here. I just have a room.

 

[General__Specific]

Wait, isn't that what Art of Shaving is? A mega-corps approach to wet shaving?

 

[Teppanyaki]

I have mixed feelings. There is a certain enjoyment in being part of a relatively small "club" with its collegiality and counter-culture sense. I strongly doubt that mass-marketed products would be as high quality or chemical-free.

On the other hand, I do believe that it is a better way to shave that is also better for the environment, and as such I would welcome my local drugstore carrying a nice supply of replated vintage razors (rotating, of course) with a variety of blades to try and various soaps/creams (every Stirling displayed in a rack would be awesome). A Gary's Sample Shop as a store with straights/SE razors/DE razors/Injectors on display and sold by a knowledgeable person would be tempting, indeed.

On second thought, my wallet would hate me. Maybe not!

 

[Trek2100]

I think it would be great! The only downside would be trying to find vintage razors. They would be scarfed up faster than performing a 3 pass shave. Perhaps Gillette would remake the great razors of old; aristocrat, slim adjustable, fatboy and the black beauty just to name a few. Get the word out, stock the shelves, a shaving revolution is coming! Oh yeah, back to reality, bummer.

 

[01HDFXD]

If everybody did it (i.e. wet shaving) --- and could easily do it, I probably wouldn't want to.

 

[cottontop]

Wet shaving will never go mainstream in a fast food speed up your computer society.
cottontop