Look. I'm fully aware of the attraction of pomp and circumstance - a Badger shaving brush, Italian bowl. You know the idea and process. I get it, and admit I have all these tools, etc. But then I returned to a couple ARCO sticks and remain with them and here's why:
1. While mounds of foam may look cool, it's a lot of trouble, and frankly never seemed to improve my shave.
2. ARCO and hand lathering massages my face (like a facial), does (for me) a better job of softening the beard, not to mention the massaging of the face feels good and is good for me - improves circulation and a sense of being refreshed (facials and massage intend and achieve that).
3. I am not fanatical - my face is not a baby's bottom, and the ultra closeness of a badger shave doesn't last all that long anyway. What I want is a "pretty good, nice shave" that is easy, traditional in its own way, personal and in which the process (the massage and beard softening) feels and looks very good. It still fees intimate, is effective in both time and result - and allows me to shave more often, more easily and look good for the day.
Let's face it - I had an Italian barber who cut my hair for literally 50 years. I even occasionally experienced the steaming towel, lathering and stropped straight razor shaves he provided, followed by a shoulder rub and powdering. Fantastic. It was a special treat - but - not everyday, and very infrequently. The rest of the time I find my own hand lathering has its own tradition among the hoi polloi, of which I am one.
1. While mounds of foam may look cool, it's a lot of trouble, and frankly never seemed to improve my shave.
2. ARCO and hand lathering massages my face (like a facial), does (for me) a better job of softening the beard, not to mention the massaging of the face feels good and is good for me - improves circulation and a sense of being refreshed (facials and massage intend and achieve that).
3. I am not fanatical - my face is not a baby's bottom, and the ultra closeness of a badger shave doesn't last all that long anyway. What I want is a "pretty good, nice shave" that is easy, traditional in its own way, personal and in which the process (the massage and beard softening) feels and looks very good. It still fees intimate, is effective in both time and result - and allows me to shave more often, more easily and look good for the day.
Let's face it - I had an Italian barber who cut my hair for literally 50 years. I even occasionally experienced the steaming towel, lathering and stropped straight razor shaves he provided, followed by a shoulder rub and powdering. Fantastic. It was a special treat - but - not everyday, and very infrequently. The rest of the time I find my own hand lathering has its own tradition among the hoi polloi, of which I am one.