I have been a member of B&B for about a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My thanks to the folks who run this forum. Recently, I have been perusing the Journals and Diaries section of B&B and I thought this would be a great way to chronicle my personal wet shaving journey.
A bit of personal shaving history: I started shaving more than 40+ years ago at the age of 14 or 15. Granted, the first few shaves were touching up a bit of peach fuzz, but I sensed even at that time that I would have to come to terms with this daily ritual for the rest of my life. I remember my first few shaves were with a Gillette Super Adjustable and then a Schick injectable of one kind or another. As the years passed I experimented with electric razors and finally settled on carts, the wonder-razor of the 1970s. Except for a brief foray into canned goo I always shaved with a brush and soap puck. Canned goo never did anything for me. Usually I used a cheap drugstore boar brush and a puck of Williams in an old porcelain restaurant coffee mug (I still have it).
I cant say I ever really enjoyed shaving. I took every opportunity to skip days and I always grew a winter beard. Then about a year ago I read an article in one of our national newspapers about the resurgence of traditional wet shaving. The article struck an old school chord with me and before too long I had picked up a vintage Gillette from an antique store and the experimentation (and acquisition of products) began.
After 40 years with Williams the exposure to a plethora of new shaving soaps and creams was like a breath of fresh air. Same with aftershaves and pre and post creams of various sorts. I have accumulated a den full of nice shaving gear. I am generally a DE shaver but I have the occasional fling with one of my shavettes when I am feeling bold.
Now shaving is a daily ritual. A necessary ritual for me. It is the one time of the day that is my time. It seems the rest of my day is tending to the needs of others. Shaving is, for me, a meditation, a relaxing time when I can do something I really enjoy.
My Dad was a DE Gillette shaver all his life. One razor, one soap, one AS, one brush. He was a one-pass-no-nonsense-shaver. I like to think I am carrying on the family tradition. I hope with this shaving diary I can share some of my favourite aspects of traditional wet shaving. I will also post some pics of my favourite combos.
My wet shaving goal is very simple: To have an irritation free, darn fine shave, every day. I dont like any kind of skin irritation from shaving, or nicks, or weepers, I dont like removing layers of skin to get the last bit of stubble. Shaving for me has to be relaxing and enjoyable. If I can achieve that, I will consider the days shave a grand success.
A bit of personal shaving history: I started shaving more than 40+ years ago at the age of 14 or 15. Granted, the first few shaves were touching up a bit of peach fuzz, but I sensed even at that time that I would have to come to terms with this daily ritual for the rest of my life. I remember my first few shaves were with a Gillette Super Adjustable and then a Schick injectable of one kind or another. As the years passed I experimented with electric razors and finally settled on carts, the wonder-razor of the 1970s. Except for a brief foray into canned goo I always shaved with a brush and soap puck. Canned goo never did anything for me. Usually I used a cheap drugstore boar brush and a puck of Williams in an old porcelain restaurant coffee mug (I still have it).
I cant say I ever really enjoyed shaving. I took every opportunity to skip days and I always grew a winter beard. Then about a year ago I read an article in one of our national newspapers about the resurgence of traditional wet shaving. The article struck an old school chord with me and before too long I had picked up a vintage Gillette from an antique store and the experimentation (and acquisition of products) began.
After 40 years with Williams the exposure to a plethora of new shaving soaps and creams was like a breath of fresh air. Same with aftershaves and pre and post creams of various sorts. I have accumulated a den full of nice shaving gear. I am generally a DE shaver but I have the occasional fling with one of my shavettes when I am feeling bold.
Now shaving is a daily ritual. A necessary ritual for me. It is the one time of the day that is my time. It seems the rest of my day is tending to the needs of others. Shaving is, for me, a meditation, a relaxing time when I can do something I really enjoy.
My Dad was a DE Gillette shaver all his life. One razor, one soap, one AS, one brush. He was a one-pass-no-nonsense-shaver. I like to think I am carrying on the family tradition. I hope with this shaving diary I can share some of my favourite aspects of traditional wet shaving. I will also post some pics of my favourite combos.
My wet shaving goal is very simple: To have an irritation free, darn fine shave, every day. I dont like any kind of skin irritation from shaving, or nicks, or weepers, I dont like removing layers of skin to get the last bit of stubble. Shaving for me has to be relaxing and enjoyable. If I can achieve that, I will consider the days shave a grand success.