First post on B&B, so here's my follicular tale:
"Hi, I am Shane, and I was a cartridge addict". <group response> Hi Shane... </group response>
I am a 37 year old male, who grew up using Barbasol then gel, shaving with multi-blade cartridge razors (15 blades MUST be better)
No prep, no post, just razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Like a lot of folks, did things this way because I didn't know any better (should have had my grandfather shown me before he passed). Probably didn't help that I was 12 when I had to start shaving, and was living at a boarding school then (pre-internet & 500 miles from family). Have thick course facial hair growing in multiple directions, and it grows fast (rough face by noon; stubble by dinner). And my skin gets razor burned after butchering it up with the cartridge.
I finally got to the point where I wouldn't shave for weeks (even a couple months) just because I got tired of dealing with it. Then I would just take electric clippers, chop off the fur, use the cartridge & neon goo, and deal with ingrown hairs & razor burn for another cycle. Rinse & repeat.
About a month ago, a friend emailed me a link to the site http://artofmanliness.com/ on a non-shaving related manly topic. There I saw a recommending article on "Shaving" and figured, "eh, what they hey". That article was a revelation to me, and somehow spoke to me. After reading it, I immediately sought out more (was like facial crack). It enlightened me to the dark underbelly known as "retro male shaving". They had it right 50-70 years ago, and somehow, we as a society, lost our way. "Big Blade" has kept the public in the dark for years so they can peddle their overpriced facial manglers, all in the name of profit. "What is real?", asks Morpheus...
After searching a few online retailers, I saw a comment about B&B, and it was here I found my new follicle "crack pusher". Razor types, techniques, lotions, creams, soaps, pre & post treatments, brushes and cups (oh my!). Was like when Neo learned about the rules of the Matrix "There is no spoon".
Through my quest for enlightened follicular Xanadu, I observed, kept notes, and complied data (being the good little scientist I am), and decided to pull the trigger and GO FOR IT!.
Have decided to go down the Gillette path for my initial proof of concepts. Have won a bid for a black handle on Ebay, but will be amassing a small shaver arsenal for my initial shake down runs. My choice was made on two simple points:
1: Lots of available gear & options (I mean they did make a few bazillion razors, and they don't really "wear out")
2: Reasonably priced
Will be looking here on B&B and Ebay for the following follicle fighters (got to love alliteration) to add to the black handle:
- Blue tip
- Red tip
- Fatboy
- Slim adjustable
Will also get a good "variety pack" of blades to find the magical "sweet spot" which every face has. Am compiling tips and tutorials on techniques as well so that I won't look like Dick Cheney's hunting partner.
For the rest of the variables, I will be keeping things simple: starting out with a liquid soap & a low priced (but well received) badger brush, a simple pre-treatment (or after shower), and post-treatment aftershave (TBD). Once I have a good handle on the cutting hardware is where I will really "stretch my legs" on the accoutrements.
So there is my tale, and the start of my journey to a baby smooth face. I humbly throw myself on the mercy of B&B to act as my follicular spiritual guide into my new razor burn free life. If anyone wants to offer guidance as a Yogi/Guru/Avatar/Jedi/etc, or have equipment that has been relegated for too long in the dopp kit & in need of a good home, PM me. I live under the creed "knowledge is power" (thanks Schoolhouse Rock!).
My journey will begin in the next week or so, after I amass my shaving arsenal (will have to claim a drawer in the bathroom for my "man tools" now).
Shane (shaving Padawan)
"Hi, I am Shane, and I was a cartridge addict". <group response> Hi Shane... </group response>
I am a 37 year old male, who grew up using Barbasol then gel, shaving with multi-blade cartridge razors (15 blades MUST be better)
No prep, no post, just razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Like a lot of folks, did things this way because I didn't know any better (should have had my grandfather shown me before he passed). Probably didn't help that I was 12 when I had to start shaving, and was living at a boarding school then (pre-internet & 500 miles from family). Have thick course facial hair growing in multiple directions, and it grows fast (rough face by noon; stubble by dinner). And my skin gets razor burned after butchering it up with the cartridge.
I finally got to the point where I wouldn't shave for weeks (even a couple months) just because I got tired of dealing with it. Then I would just take electric clippers, chop off the fur, use the cartridge & neon goo, and deal with ingrown hairs & razor burn for another cycle. Rinse & repeat.
About a month ago, a friend emailed me a link to the site http://artofmanliness.com/ on a non-shaving related manly topic. There I saw a recommending article on "Shaving" and figured, "eh, what they hey". That article was a revelation to me, and somehow spoke to me. After reading it, I immediately sought out more (was like facial crack). It enlightened me to the dark underbelly known as "retro male shaving". They had it right 50-70 years ago, and somehow, we as a society, lost our way. "Big Blade" has kept the public in the dark for years so they can peddle their overpriced facial manglers, all in the name of profit. "What is real?", asks Morpheus...
After searching a few online retailers, I saw a comment about B&B, and it was here I found my new follicle "crack pusher". Razor types, techniques, lotions, creams, soaps, pre & post treatments, brushes and cups (oh my!). Was like when Neo learned about the rules of the Matrix "There is no spoon".
Through my quest for enlightened follicular Xanadu, I observed, kept notes, and complied data (being the good little scientist I am), and decided to pull the trigger and GO FOR IT!.
Have decided to go down the Gillette path for my initial proof of concepts. Have won a bid for a black handle on Ebay, but will be amassing a small shaver arsenal for my initial shake down runs. My choice was made on two simple points:
1: Lots of available gear & options (I mean they did make a few bazillion razors, and they don't really "wear out")
2: Reasonably priced
Will be looking here on B&B and Ebay for the following follicle fighters (got to love alliteration) to add to the black handle:
- Blue tip
- Red tip
- Fatboy
- Slim adjustable
Will also get a good "variety pack" of blades to find the magical "sweet spot" which every face has. Am compiling tips and tutorials on techniques as well so that I won't look like Dick Cheney's hunting partner.
For the rest of the variables, I will be keeping things simple: starting out with a liquid soap & a low priced (but well received) badger brush, a simple pre-treatment (or after shower), and post-treatment aftershave (TBD). Once I have a good handle on the cutting hardware is where I will really "stretch my legs" on the accoutrements.
So there is my tale, and the start of my journey to a baby smooth face. I humbly throw myself on the mercy of B&B to act as my follicular spiritual guide into my new razor burn free life. If anyone wants to offer guidance as a Yogi/Guru/Avatar/Jedi/etc, or have equipment that has been relegated for too long in the dopp kit & in need of a good home, PM me. I live under the creed "knowledge is power" (thanks Schoolhouse Rock!).
My journey will begin in the next week or so, after I amass my shaving arsenal (will have to claim a drawer in the bathroom for my "man tools" now).
Shane (shaving Padawan)
