What do your friends think?

[Mbuckwash]

As a wet-shaver in a cartridge-dominated world, it is oft that I am persecuted for spending the time, energy, and resources in shaving. Consistently, I defend myself by telling them all the reasons why I shave this way: the expected cost savings, the lack of pulling and tugging, the smoothness of the shave, etc, etc, etc. Some of my friends I have converted successfully, but for the most part, I continue to be looked at with a wide eye. What do your friends think? What have they said to defend their use of traditional cartridge razors and canned goo? I feel that if they talk to you with an open mind and actually try a go at wet-shaving, they will typically convert within only a matter of a few shaves...but some aren't so understanding or inquisitive.

So I ask you, what do your friends think of you wet shaving in a world that is so ridden with, what I would consider to be, improper shaving techniques?

 

[The Dean]

My friends who are aware of it think I've gone a bit cuckoo. I'm guessing they look at me as they would a man who has chosen to forgo using a knife and fork and has begun obsessing with finding the perfect set of chopsticks. And I can't say these guys are using "improper technique" because whatever methods they are using to shave--these guys all have great shaves. None of them seem to be having irritation issues and they all have other hobbies and obsessions. I'm not quite pompous enough to suggest they are doing it wrong (but I'm close to that pompous don't get me wrong).

Now understand, the friends down here are good friends, but they aren't my lifelong best friends. I will see that group in July and I have no doubt these guys will have a field day ripping on me. Should be a good time.

 

[Wingnut]

I don't make a big production about it. Most people go glassy-eyed after about the first 15 seconds of my spiel about wet-shaving. For those that show interest, I give them more info, but I've given up trying to convert anyone who isn't already open to it.

Sad, but true. There's an old saying about horses and water that comes to mind here...

 

[The Dean]

Sad, but true. There's an old saying about horses and water that comes to mind here...

Yup. You can lead a horse to water, but don't drink from it after the horse has done his business in it!

 

[Mick]

while traveling last year we stayed with a few friends around the country. All were curious about the large bag of shaving goods I traveled with. None converted to DE shaving but a did have a few converts to Clubman once they smelled it

 

[Foyle]

They mostly think it's a little strange, but no one gives me a hard time about it. I do have one friend from church that I discovered is a fellow wet shaver.

 

[Black Adder]

I've never been persecuted, and I've never had to defend myself. Rarely, I'll get a nasty nick from my Artist Club straight that is noticeable, but when I tell them I shave with a straight they back off, almost in a respectful sort of way.

A lot of the guys I know seem to view shaving as a chore, and they sport a "Dr. House" stubble that they're okay with. They do agree that cartridges are out of this world as far as price is concerned. They are under lock and key in most stores now, and most of my compatriots seem to try and get 500 shaves out of one cartridge; I used to be like that.

The wife will give me heat over the time I take to shave, but she appreciates the results.

If anyone wants to talk about wet shaving, I will, but I won't preach or spend time trying to convert anyone. It's just not my style.

Don

 

[AjaxLepinski]

Get a straight razor - even if you don't use it, it will inspire fear based respect!

 

[OMEN]

I have one friend who really wants to get a DE kit but he doesn't have a job. My parents think it's funny. If the topic ever arose I'd give my views but I'd never start a conversation about it.

 

[attime6]

My friends make fun of me for buying used razors saying things like "your gonna get AIDS" and such even after I explain the sterilization process that I put them through. I find that funny since one of them has had some "close shaves" (pun intended) with certain shall we say unwanted problems in the nether region. This same guy showed me a can of Aveeno and said "See, it says for sensitive skin". They do admit that I have a very close shave but I don't foresee them switching to wet shaving any time soon.

I gave my cousin my Lord L6 and a pack of Derby blades but he seemed skeptical and almost intimidated to use it.

 

[Eeyore]

I never saw a reason to share my shaving habits with my friends.

 

[mistercitizen]

Everyone I know would make fun of me so I don't talk about it. That's what B&B is for .

Ben

 

[MrLara]

My best friend got into it (he already owns 2 DE's), and my other friend (who travels because if his work) is also interested in it. But i haven't seen him in a while so i can point him in the right direction.

Edit: IF, the subject of shaving comes up (although it's rare, but it has) i explain how much money it saves me. And it definitely sparks up interest.

It may help that i don't have friends who look down on each other about the things other do.

 

[chrisf8657]

Noone I talk to seems to care - whatever floats your boat.

 

[JamesBlades]

I talk about it when asked, but I'm never the one to bring it up.

The first point I make in conversation is always about the price difference in blades. I tell them that my blades cost about 13 cents a piece, then ask them how much theirs come out to. Aside from blades, wetshaving probably isn't much less expensive, even if done cheaply, but the difference lies in the quality.

 

[The Dean]

I never saw a reason to share my shaving habits with my friends.

Yup. That's why my best friends, who don't live near me, have no idea. But my local friends frequent the same bar as I, and I tend to work, and surf at the bar. (I donated and installed the router at the bar so I could work there and have a drink and smoke a cigar.) They see me looking at razors, creams, posting here, etc, My very best friends are likely to find out when we are all staying at the same cottages on Lake Erie.

But I never really try to convert anyone or talk in length about it. Should someone show interest, I will certainly talk to them about it.

 

[Eeyore]

The first point I make in conversation is always about the price difference in blades. I tell them that my blades cost about 13 cents a piece, then ask them how much theirs come out to. Aside from blades, wetshaving probably isn't much less expensive, even if done cheaply, but the difference lies in the quality.

It probably is!

Yes, you have the initial cost of a brush, and a razor. But shaving soaps can be had cheap, and last a long time. Given that even a basic boar brush (< 10 euros) lasts for years, the costs per shave are pretty low. If you stick to basic inexpensive soaps, like Palmolive, then a wet shave probably will cost you less than what a canned foam shave costs you.

Now I must admit that I never used canned foam or gel myself, so I don't know how many shaves are in a can. But it must be more profitable than traditional soaps (which means; more expensive for the consumer), otherwise the canned stuff would have disappeared from the shops already a long time ago.

 

[brooks_bro]

Many of my friends scoff at the idea of "1 time startup costs"....therefore they would never purchase a nice brush, razor, and some software to get started.

But then again, most of them are not as financially inclined as I am either

Then, there's my group of friends that would call this a "metro-sexual" thing.

I think I've been able to convert 1 or 2 of my friends, but that's been about it.

 

[sharpen]

I am also not the one to talk about it.

It's kind of a secret I keep to myself, since I enjoy this so much - I'm weird but don't want this to become too mainstream.
If the shaving subject comes up, I might talk a bit about it, but I don't brag or try to promote wet shaving.

One of my friends is into wet shaving. I like talking about this with him, but I won't be the one starting aconversation about this with other people.

Anyway, most of my friends use an electric. So I guess money-wise I can't convince them to try wet shaving because electric razors have no operational costs except for their acquisition price. They are very economical - probably more than DE or straight shaving.

But I never really try to convert anyone or talk in length about it. Should someone show interest, I will certainly talk to them about it.

This sums it all for me.

 

[Niles]

At best they think I'm a bit odd (true enough). At worst, they look at me as if I've lost my mind.