Reflections on 2 months of DE shaving

[fsturnz]

Hi, everyone. I’ve been doing this for exactly 2 months now, and this site has been supremely helpful in getting me here without any trips to the emergency room…so first of all, a big thanks to every one of you for making this site so valuable.

So I’ve never used an electric razor. I always had some form of cartridge razor and canned goop, and thought I was a wet shaver! My last cartridge razor was a Gillette Sensor Excel, and I had used it since Gillette mailed it to me in one of their grand marketing schemes back in the early 90’s. It was a very good, comfortable shave, and I never thought twice about it…until I came across my father’s old Ever Ready brush (unfortunately, no razors). It started me down a nostalgic path which ultimately led me to this forum, and my new life of DE shaving. By the way, the RAD has me already…so much for saving money on blades. But those vintage razors are like fine jewelry, and the shaves are so different with each razor.

Anyway, I just returned from a business trip, where I brought my cartridge razor and a travel size can of Barbasol. Ever since the trip, I’ve been musing over the differences of shaving with cartridges and cans versus DE razors and soaps.

A few things I will say for the former: For me at least, it’s faster, it’s closer, and it feels safer.

But even though the elusive BBS escapes me with my DE razors, I will admit I’ve learned a lot and I’m having a lot more fun. Shaving is no longer the rote chore that it used to be. I’ve also noticed that I’m more conscious of a good prep, of how I hold the razor, of proper aftershave treatments, etc. Now, when I shave, I’m “in the moment,” and the rest of the world is held at bay for a time. And that’s a good feeling in itself. And the scents of all the products are just mind-blowing.

But one of the best things for me is that with this new ritual and routine, even though my shaves aren’t as close (at least yet), my face has never felt better. It’s softer and not nearly as dry…and as a 57 year old, I’m thinking I wish I was more aware of this when I was a much younger man. It’s never too late though, I suppose. So I’ll continue experimenting, and working on technique, and trying different products, and just plain having fun.

Just wanted to share my thoughts, and again thanks to this forum. I’ll get that BBS one of these days, and when I do, I know it’ll be magical…at least for an hour or so (lol).

 

[n2hql]

I feel the same, although I will carry a DE razor, soap & brush rather than carts & goop. I feel better & don't skip shaving like I used to.

 

[Reevers]

I'm at a similar point I guess, and you've hit a chord with "having fun"! I actually look forward to each shave now & relish the result, even if its only a SAS.

I addition I too now look after my skin better than ever before! Great post

 

[aaaargh]

I thought I wasn't getting as close with my DE as I was with my old Mach 3. My wife agreed, and said that the M3 used to "make it look like you never had any beard at all." I kept it up, thinking that practice makes perfect.

But then... I went on vacation and brought the M3 with me. After a week of M3 relapse, it was clear: the M3 wasn't as good as I'd remembered. There was some faintly visible stubble up close, same as with my DE. And I could only ever use it every other day, because of irritation. Those in-between days were definitely *not* cleanshaven.

 

[blade08]

Now, when I shave, I’m “in the moment,” and the rest of the world is held at bay for a time. And that’s a good feeling in itself. And the scents of all the products are just mind-blowing.

That's what it's essentially all about isn't it? In my opinion it's no so much about a 'better shave' because in all honesty, a great shave is still possible with a cartridge razor and canned goo as (as long as you do a good prep) but there is no fun in that. Keep it up. It seems you've caught the virus and in this case, that's a good thing!