Tips for introducing friends to safety shaving

[baba]

I'm trying to help open up the eyes of certain people in my life to the joys of safety razor shaving.

Would love to hear of any real life examples that you may have used to introduce it to your friends or family.

Thanks! and Merry Christmas !!

 

[brianw]

The best way I have found is showing and letting the person you showed try after whipping up a great lather for them and use of a Tech makes for a great shave. Have converted a couple of them this way. Of course it doesn't hurt that the swmbo mocks it to others and they get interested

 

[Sueto]

My wife will mock my shaving hobby to my friends. Unfortunately I think this just encourages them to go even further with it all. I got a couple friends hooked on it by showing them my razors, how they work, the differences between the creams and soaps and explaining on where they could get even better information(this board and ones like it).

 

[Grace]

Either I mention it in a conversation and they hear of it that way (I leave it up to them to ask), or I ask them if they're happy with their current shaving system, and if they say they are, that's good enough for me. Thus far I haven't converted anyone on it's merits performance-wise, but I think cost-savings might be different.

You could always give them an inexpensive brush and soap if you're determined. If someone gave me a gift for no particular occasion, I'd at least give it a fair chance.

 

[baba]

Thanks for the good advice, it is much appreciated!

 

[Ferengi]

Haven't converted anyone yet. Tried to talk to a couple of friends about but all I got were patronizing smiles. They gladly accepted the extra cans of foaming goo and M-3 cartridges that I no longer required though! Let's face it. This isn't for everyone. It requires a level of dedication and concentration that few possess or are willing to invest. Doesn't hurt to continue to spread the gospel just in case you come accross a potential true-believer.

 

[AndyL]

I was actually just pondering something as I was scouring ebay...

I gave a bunch of kits for christmas; pretty inexpensively as I had the razors anyway... But I realize some (including some I gifted them to) might be averse to a used piece of kit...

Wondering if it's not possible to put together an 'intro kit' with all new gear for >25$

Found some boar hair brushes on the 'bay for 5-6$; williams or a tester of a better soap is only a few $; we've pretty much all got a overstock of blades... That just leaves the razor - Any thoughts on a 10-15$ razor? I saw some disposable-ish plastic gillette on ebay; those chinese knockoffs are 15-20$ landed...

Bundle it together, throw in a CD/DVD of shaving techniques... Might have a good start...

 

[luvmysuper]

Every single person who I have successfully encouraged to make the switch has done so after getting a starter kit PIF from me.

Telling people about it will only get you the glassy eyed stare, and if kept up will result in people avoiding you in the hallway or at coffee break.

I always keep a few Walmart VDH kits handy, in case it comes up, and a Tech or a Superspeed for those guys who do display some modicum of gumption and intelligence.

Last night, it was the stuff below, and a beautiful Blue Tip to the son-in-law. (along with a tube of Godrej and a spare Omega Brush)

 

[Zombasaur]

Just got my first convert a few weeks ago. I'm at a 50% success rate now. My friend knew that I had been wetshaving for a while. He mentioned that his neck was always sore after shaving. We had a little talk about shaving, and the next day I brought him some blades, a Tech and some Proraso. He tried it and was in pain the first few days, but a few pointers, and I think he's hooked! He talks about how his SWMBO loves how smooth he is, and he's amazed at how long the shave lasts.

I would say if I had to include anything else, I'd give a brush and some styptic. Really just round out the whole package. Oh, and warn them that the styptic burns!

 

[Ace$N8s]

A couple of us started at work and just by talking about it we managed to get a small cult following, no groupies yet, though keep your fingers crossed. I would guess about a third of the guys in my unit (of 25) are now using safety razors. Even some of the guys that thought we were crazy. I even picked up a lot of 6 blem WEISHI razors for $.99 with $10.00 shipping then gave them to the guys along with some blades.

As a selling point we used the lower cost and the therapeutic nature of a slower shave.

One of the benefits out of this is buying blades. 4 of us just went together and bought 600 blades, 100 each of 6 different brands (Derby, Israeli reds, Sharks, Feather, Super Max and Wilkerson) then split'em up. Kind of a mega sampler pack.

 

[mdunn]

I just lay the seeds of 'better & cheaper' and never mention it again. A few weeks later they ask me about it, and thats my in to convert

 

[baba]

As always, great info guys.

HUGE help.

Thanks.

 

[thunderball]

I am the worst wetshaving missionary ever...to date none converted.

 

[Ace$N8s]

I am the worst wetshaving missionary ever...to date none converted.

Your also post #13, don't buy any lotto tickets this week

 

[Mpugh77]

I know some people who hate shaving b/c of all the irritation etc. So, I just mention how much I love shaving and I start explaining to them how to love it as well. In addition I talked it up to my brother and even gave him a an old ballend tech and some blades, some proraso, and the link to mantic's vids. I know lots of youtube junkies and for them those vids change lives.

 

[benpayne]

My brother converted me. He talked to me about it a few times, then showed me how soft his badger brush was, and how cool his DE looked, and I was hooked. It helped that he gave me an excellent starter kit. Everything was included except the brush. I still haven't tried to convert anyone. My brother also converted our brother-in-law this Christmas. I guess he's pretty good at convincing people.

 

[A-Man]

I think with a lot of people it's a matter of effort. A lot of people don't want to be bothered taking extra time. Whether it's to go pickup all the gear, or when you tell em about the extra steps needed for a proper shave.

The best step to counter that would be to purchase or PIF a starter kit for them. Then once you provide them with the ability to skip that first step, the addiction will take over from there.

 

[Crueguru]

My wife also mocks my shaving gear to friends & family. She even refers to my brushes as being made from "Beaver Hair." Why do women choose to make fun of that which they don't understand?

 

[luvmysuper]

My wife also mocks my shaving gear to friends & family. She even refers to my brushes as being made from "Beaver Hair." Why do women choose to make fun of that which they don't understand?

The most powerful and effective attack against a sound logical argument is derision.

 

[Ferengi]

"The most powerful and effective attack against a sound logical argument is derision."

Rule #5 from Alinsky's Rules for Radicals: "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It's hard to counterattack ridicule and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."