The Joy of Shaving

[JeffOlson]

I am now 54 years old. I have been shaving since I was a teenager. That makes it what, about four decades?

Until this year, when I "discovered" DE razors and other traditional wet shaving devices and products, I really did not enjoy shaving. It was not all bad. I got very good shaves (and still do on occasion) from my expensive Braun electric (as long as the expensive cutters and foil cap are newish). I even got very good shaves (and still do on occasion) from a Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power (as long as the expensive cartridge is no more than two shaves old). However, shaving was not something to which I looked forward. It was a chore, and I would even skip a day here and there.

Now, I look forward to shaving. It is truly a joy. It is a time to relax with a beverage and weapon of choice and feel the cares of the world slipping away. Afterwards, I feel refreshed and whole again. (I am NOT saving any money, but I don't care!)

Most if not all of you here at B&B probably feel the same way. Here's to a great shave!

PS: I'm even thinking of taking up pipe smoking again!

 

[joshua1970]

I'm with you on the Zen of Wet-Shaving, shaving is a joy, not a chore and I"m also with you on not saving any money (an not caring) LOL

and would love to hear your thoughts on pips/tobaccos if you pick that up again over in the Brown Leaf

 

[oc_in_fw]

I was drawn here by googling "straight razor shave". I am old enough to remember getting shaves at the barber. It was so relaxing. I started poking around, and went from there. Shaving time is now "me" time.

 

[The Kiwi]

I'm not quite twenty years older. I started shaving in late 1953, early 1954. I was not yet 14. My only definition of "Dry" shaving is the electric shavers that don't work with water, and any non-moist depilatory chemical. Everything else involving a blade should never be performed without a liquid product to allow said blade(s) to function properly.

In 1953, all of the adult males I knew all used electric shavers. I think at the time, there was a split at the 45-50 year age mark. Middle Age and less, the majority used electric shavers, upper Middle Age and older, the majority used bladed razors, mostly Gillette. Young men tended to use what their fathers used; but the electrics were useless for me. I shaved with old-fashioned razors until I was 21, and tried shavers again, eventually giving up again.

Instead of returning to Injectors in 1965, which is what used from 1956 to 1961, I started using a DE, and while I agree that electric shavers turn shaving into a "chore", I have no recollection of having "fun" shaving traditionally from 1965 to 1993, when I swapped from occasionally using a modern cartridge razor, to occasionally using a DE razor. I don't recall DISLIKING my shaves from 1965 to 1993; it wasn't any kind of onerous necessity. I didn't mind shaving, but I really didn't notice any particular pleasure sensations.

1993 was when I just didn't have the time any more to shave the traditional way, for about 4-5 years, roughly, but I let that fast shave become habitual, when I did have sufficient time again, and speeding through shaves using any kind of razor at all isn't particularly fun, it's more like a chore. I wasn't actively thinking about changing back to traditional implements and products, and I wasn't particularly concerned with the costs of my Sensor's cartridges, but after several years without an "away" vacation or trip, I'd planned leaving for several days, and my toiletries kit didn't have a spare Sensor razor in it any more.

(The choice of "Dopp" for such a kit is totally new to me. I never heard it before last January or February, in one of the B&B forums.)

I was disappointed at not finding new Sensors to purchase. Poking around the 'net with Google kept giving me hits into this place. I joined up. I dug out 16 old razors I had squirreled away, including two Sensors, one NIB. There were five DEs, zero SEs, zero Injectors. I used an SE during 1953-1955, and had three heirloom DEs I couldn't master, two of which I held onto.

I swapped back from only shaving occasionally with a DE to mostly shaving with one or another of those.and occasionally using one of my sensors. I was curious about SE shaving and Injectors, and eventually got several SEs, and a couple of Injectors. When I added a third Schick, an I2 Hydromagic, that's when I started having "fun" shaving. I don't recall it being fun 50 years ago, when I last used Injectors, but it really is now.

 

[celestino]

Congratulations and enjoy the journey.

 

[johnf7478]

100% agree with you. Although i am only a couple of months DE shaving now, orectically from day one of it i really apprecieted the time as a "kick back" time, for me to "treat myself". I never rush shaves now, I get the whole thing done, shower, shave and clean up, done in around 40 minutes.
I started in college last week so a few weeks ago I changed my routine around to getting myself organised, ie; showered/shaved, clothes pressed etc at night, so when I wake up all I need is a coffee and a couple of smokes and I am good to go. To be honest, I might have found that a difficult change if it were not for the fact that the shave is SO enjoyable now, I find myself looking forward to it during the day

 

[Loganpass]

I am now 54 years old. I have been shaving since I was a teenager. That makes it what, about four decades?

Until this year, when I "discovered" DE razors and other traditional wet shaving devices and products, I really did not enjoy shaving. It was not all bad. I got very good shaves (and still do on occasion) from my expensive Braun electric (as long as the expensive cutters and foil cap are newish). I even got very good shaves (and still do on occasion) from a Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power (as long as the expensive cartridge is no more than two shaves old). However, shaving was not something to which I looked forward. It was a chore, and I would even skip a day here and there.

Now, I look forward to shaving. It is truly a joy. It is a time to relax with a beverage and weapon of choice and feel the cares of the world slipping away. Afterwards, I feel refreshed and whole again. (I am NOT saving any money, but I don't care!)

Most if not all of you here at B&B probably feel the same way. Here's to a great shave!

PS: I'm even thinking of taking up pipe smoking again!

You speak the truth Sir! I would however recommend you skip the pipe thing...

 

[Shave_Rat]

Looking back to when I was a kid, I looked forward to the time I was old enough to have to shave. I have always enjoyed shaving, I just loathed the cost, and was never satisfied with the results. I am so completely thrilled now since I can enjoy the experience, love the results, and not feel I'm throwing $5 away every few weeks on carts. I'm actually thinking of putting some mp3 speakers into the bathroom now to step it up another notch.

 

[Graybeard57]

I find the shave time to be a pleasure now. It's worth the cost of admission.

 

[OldGreyGuy]

Now, I look forward to shaving. It is truly a joy. It is a time to relax with a beverage and weapon of choice and feel the cares of the world slipping away. Afterwards, I feel refreshed and whole again. (I am NOT saving any money, but I don't care!)

Most if not all of you here at B&B probably feel the same way. Here's to a great shave!

+1. Agreed, this is how I feel about my daily shave.

-1. Drop the pipe.

 

[sandmountainslim]

It actually bothers me when i hear people say they hate to shave I always just tell them they must not be doing it right because I LOVE to shave and can't wait until my next one. I guess having a good lather, good brush and quality razor brings more to the table than a can of foam and a Bic.