I wrote about wet shaving several years ago of course and in the comments that followed received instruction from several readers who were more familiar with the process than I. Well, I am still no expert but I did take what they said to heart, progressing, if that is the term, to a double-edged safety razor from a Gillette disposable.
Those same comments also opened my eyes to the existence of wet shaving forums like Badger & Blade online, where personal preferences and technical disagreements support active discussions as they do in other parts of the internet for wristwatches, automobiles, arcane audio equipment and, yes, men's clothing. From the arcana of shaving soaps to serious talk about technique, a visit or two is recommended to any man who applies razor to face in the mornings.
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6 comments:
I moved to a double edged safety razor chiefly on a cost basis; Mach 3 blades are simply too expensive for what they are and double-edge blades cost 5 cents each for a 10 pack.
A safety razor takes some getting used to after being able to press quite hard with a modern razor head, but once mastered there's no going back.
Call me a miser, but there was also this nifty gadget available for "stropping" these blades to make them go for longer. Something my grandfather did during the war using his belt to even out the irregularities of the blade edge!
I am a 100% convert to a DE safety razor. As Roger notes, DE shaving saves money over high-tech multi-bladed contraptions and gives you a better shave. To me it's a natural extension of wearing tailored clothing and caring about my appearance. It also forces me to slow down and savor a moment in my otherwise hectic day.
Great comments Will. As readers of your blog might have found their eyes opened to the big world of mens classic clothing, there is a whole unknown world of shaving out there. Everyone who grew up in the multi-blade razor era has been missing out on a better gentlemanly pastime.
It's appealing to me using a double edged razor, shaving brush and shaving soap because there's much less throwing away of plastic razors and metal cans. Shaving soap lasts very long. The only thing thrown away is small double edged blades.
Will,
Went back to your wet shave post from 2007. Pleased to see you're now a DE-o-phile. What blades are you using now?
Pleased to see you at B&B too. Great place.
Wet shave every day and always have. Electric shavers always leave one feeling unshaven. Until about 20 years ago always used a safety razor but then switched to the throwaways in plastic bags which work just as well as the safety I find. Large Badger brush and sandalwood soap from Taylors in Jermyn Street. It's a satisfying ritual which mentally prepares you for the day.
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