Thoughts on shaving

[Nishy]

The voice of gloom again. Random thought.

If our razors, soap, brush, blade etc are of the best quality for the individual, does an excellent shave just come down to technique? If so are we buying the next best thing just as the merry go round rotates? Before accepting we may have the best tool, but we are ourselves are to blame for not reaching the understanding, of how to best use the tool?

Putting it into perspective. A precise angle of attack- the Mamba, is harder to shave with than say the ATT H1. However get that angle right and your less likely to experience irritation than if your cutting angle with the H1 is slightly off. Getting 'that' angle right is down to experience? So by limiting time with the razor surely it's limiting ones experience level?

Random, anyone agree? Hey it's fun to buy new stuff but is it not self limiting or non progressive towards the ultimate goal - a great shave.

An accomplished straight razor would most likely have perfected angle and pressure, or technique in other words. Given that the tools are best for the individual.

 

[iamsms]

Buying stuff frequently is obviously self limiting (when it comes to quality of shave). Professional Cricketers (or tennis players too I guess) do not use 20 different kind of bats depending on their mood.

I have been at this for a little more than 3.5 years, and I say that 34C is my best razor ( I do have a decent collection of what people call high end razors). And I don't think that it is because 34C has a better design than Wolfman/Karve/Paradigm/REX/BlackBird/CG etc., I mean don't get me wrong I do think 34C head design is fantastic. But I think my preference is simply due to spending so much time with it - even to this day whenever I am not sure what razor to pick up, I go for 34C.

But then again, maybe having the best possible shave isn't worth the boredom (!) of using same equipment over and over again. Maybe it is more fun to get 90% ultimate shave with plethora of equipments. Maybe quality of shave is secondary to the fun we get from all our new purchases.

 

[Mr Bigmem]

The voice of gloom again. Random thought.

If our razors, soap, brush, blade etc are of the best quality for the individual, does an excellent shave just come down to technique? If so are we buying the next best thing just as the merry go round rotates? Before accepting we may have the best tool, but we are ourselves are to blame for not reaching the understanding, of how to best use the tool?

Putting it into perspective. A precise angle of attack- the Mamba, is harder to shave with than say the ATT H1. However get that angle right and your less likely to experience irritation than if your cutting angle with the H1 is slightly off. Getting 'that' angle right is down to experience? So by limiting time with the razor surely it's limiting ones experience level?

Random, anyone agree? Hey it's fun to buy new stuff but is it not self limiting or non progressive towards the ultimate goal - a great shave.

An accomplished straight razor would most likely have perfected angle and pressure, or technique in other words. Given that the tools are best for the individual.

I don't believe its as simple as the bad workman blames his tools. What we have here is an Art and a Science combined in harmony. So what works for one doesn't for another hence us borrowing the term YMMV. Its such a blend of preference and skill that when you then add the marketing factor of how dam sexy some razors look or how sweet some soaps smell its then back up in the air lol.

 

[The Gentleman]

I don't eat the same food, drink the same beer, wear the same clothes everyday and so on. For me this is a hobby and I think it's great fun to buy and try new stuff. If shaving only was a chore I wouldn't spend any time on this (wonderful) forum.

 

[Dr Watson]

If my goal was consistently great shaves I'd go back to a cartridge razor and canned goo. I enjoy trying all the different products, expanding my knowledge and interacting with the online community... The actual shave plays quite a minor role in reality, it's 10 minutes every couple of days, I spend far more time on here

 

[Shaverrific666]

View attachment 36735

If my goal was consistently great shaves I'd go back to a cartridge razor and canned goo. I enjoy trying all the different products, expanding my knowledge and interacting with the online community... The actual shave plays quite a minor role in reality, it's 10 minutes every couple of days, I spend far more time on here

That's true James!
I can totally agree with you. I am getting great shaves whether I use a nice artisan soap or a 50p Palmolive stick..but life is full of differing experiences and it's really interesting to try different stuff.Not sure i'd want to go back to canned goo (due to some of the stuff in it) but I reckon I could get a decent shave from it. I haven't even shaved this morning and I am on this forum..what's going on haha.

 

[celestino]

I don't eat the same food, drink the same beer, wear the same clothes everyday and so on. For me this is a hobby and I think it's great fun to buy and try new stuff. If shaving only was a chore I wouldn't spend any time on this (wonderful) forum.

+1

The only other thing regarding our products that we settle upon is that, for most of us, they work better than others.
Your example of the Mamba is an illustration of how we all differ and how different items work well with some, but not with others. As much as I tried using the Mamba, or a few other 'mild' shavers, I just could not replicate the shaves I get with my more 'aggressive' ones. After eight years on this journey, I no longer believe technique is the principle factor in getting a 'great' or a 'close' shave - as this is all very subjective, regardless - with any shaver as there are so many other variables that have their affect, as well.

The most important aspect of this journey is that if you are enjoying what you are doing with whatever you are using, then don't question yourself and just keep doing what makes you happy.

 

[CastleShave]

Ohhh lol I’m much past this! Hahah I think I have more than enough to say i have the best of the best. But best does not mean rare. I would like to consider myself an avid vintage razor collector and I also have some of the top notch artisan soap bases. Even with such equipment, some days I’ll get an excellent shave, some days I’ll consider it DFS. But I no longer get a bad shave which I find is the most important thing. I do have a problem... I constantly buy new poop and I really need to stop lol. But it is just sooo tempting especially my infatuation with wade and butchers, Greaves, Elliot’s, j. Rodgers and all those other beautiful Sheffield razors. Not into DE’s and I am very grateful to not add anymore items to my list. But I think in terms of software I learned that we are no longer looking for the best base as much as we all rant and rave about it. We simply brag about the base to glorify and validate our purchases lol. Not to say we look for shitty soaps but our interests are more into the scent than it is in the base. When I first started it was definitely what will work the best! Now not so much... there is a reason why we all call this the rabbit hole. It’s like vintage cars, watches, comic books, coin collecting and other crazy thing us guys like to fill there time and money up with!


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[R181]

The ability to use a razor at it's optimum and make a lather that is optimum are the cornerstones on which a good shave is built irrespective of the razor or soap/cream/crop used. That requires familiarity with what you are using so constantly changing the tools used does not help in that regard.

OTH, variety is the spice of life and using all sorts of razors and soaps is a hell of a lot of fun and far less costly and painful that changing wives out.

So long as you enjoy your shaves you are doing it right no matter the approach you use.

Bob

 

[Deleted member 1881]

I strongly believe that if someone keeps buying stuff and everytime changes the variables in every shave, he won't be able to get the great shave he wants.. Never!

Hey wait a minute.. Did I just describe myself? Holy smoke!

Because I enjoy shaving but also have sensitive skin, when I shave I spend almost an hour on the ritual! And yes, I'm a night shaver!

 

[Wayne]

Nothing on my shelf will give me a poor shave. Some will give me a closer shave in less passes but it isn't about shaving as others have said. Buying fancy SS razors, hand turned brushes and soaps made in a shed is about more than just shaving for the kind of person who frequents these hallowed pages.
Using just one razor was, I believe, everyone's intentions upon joining the forum, unless you came from another forum. My intention was to save money and get a good shave, the bug then bit and I am where I am now, as are we all.
I'm so glad I have my little collection and another hobby to enjoy and I care not a jot for saving money.

 

[Batch300]

How many forum members are hoping their next car will be slower, less efficient, less reliable and cost more.

Next, name some hobbies where the goal in NOT the next better or best thing. My list would NOT include: mountain biking, audio, golf, technology, scotch/bourbon/beer and most of all - Shaving.

 

[halvor]

It’s a man’s thing. The ability and tendency to go all in, for any hobby as noted by the esteemed gentleman just above here. And we’re gadget freaks and magpies, some more than others.

I like shaving, I like getting new stuff, I like waiting for new stuff to arrive, I like unwrapping, I like the feeling of hairs or fibres against my face, I like the feel of a sharp blade, I like to find the equilibrium where soft meets sharp, I like to faceturbate after a shave, I like to focus on a task at hand as if meditating or going through a ritual, I like the smell of a soap and see how it changes from tub to lather or even the more the journeys some fragrances take me on, I like splashing on aftershave, I like the feeling of being smooth and groomed after a shave, I like talking to fellow shavers, see their stuff, hear their opinions, I like ... you guys!

 

[Mr Bigmem]

View attachment 36735

If my goal was consistently great shaves I'd go back to a cartridge razor and canned goo. I enjoy trying all the different products, expanding my knowledge and interacting with the online community... The actual shave plays quite a minor role in reality, it's 10 minutes every couple of days, I spend far more time on here

+1....well the spending more time on here. But for me its almost the Zen meditation in blocking out the world and all the noise. Its just me, one razor, soap and brush and total tranquility. Prep, load, whip up lather, apply lather, shave and repeat. Finally the wash off and post shave treatment. It is like a japanese tea ceremony and I take the ritual as calm and as serious as a 10th Dan Master in Shave-kan-Do. Does it make me weird lol

 

[Nishy]

Fair answers