Men: Do You Wet Shave?

[Ringer]

The latest trend in shaving seems to be going back to the good ole' days when men used to shave with a safety razor or the feared cutthroat blade. Probably due to the lack of time or for the convenience factor, disposable razors slowly started to replace the classic DE shavers along with the shaving brush counterpart and shaving cream/soap. But, in our quest to shave off time in the morning, we've taken a step backwards in what should be a relaxing and pampering routine for us men. Not to mention, the 10-20 minutes it takes to wet shave could be used for contemplating the meaning of life, making our RF conversations more thought provoking. I've expressed interest of wet shaving to my gifriend and for our 1 year anniversary she picked me up my first safety razor. I may eventually graduate to the cutthroat razor but I'm taking things one step at a time. You can buy the disposable blades that you'll see represented to the right of the shaver. Not all blades are created equal and you'll find that some are sharper than others making your face either very smooth or nicked up depending on how good your technique is. Either way, they aren't expensive when comparing to the disposable razors.




The next stage is to find a nice badger hair shaving brush. After spending a bit of time on shaving forums (yes, they do exist), I've narrowed it down to the one below. The point of the shaving brush is to hold hot water and lather which is vital for a close shave. Is also serves as a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skill cells making sure that there is nothing between the blade and your face.





These are probably the two most important items but don't forget that you also need a high quality shaving cream or soap. These are not like the creams you find in the aerosol cans but are made of all natural ingredients while at the same time producing a rich lather that is vital for a smooth and irritation-free shave. It's a personal preference on whether you want to use a shaving cream or a soap. A beginner would probably be better off with a cream because it is more forgiving with shaving technique, giving less of a chance of nicks and cuts.





The last factor in the equation is something to hold your soap or cream. For those who have the money to spend, a shaving scuttle is the last piece of coolness and will make your bathroom look more manly than you thought possible. If you don't want to use a scuttle, a shaving mug or even a large coffee cup will do. You want to keep the water used to whip up your lather as hot as possible. A hot lather will be sure to keep those whiskers pliable and easier to cut, extending the life of your blade as well as less skin irritation. For this is reason it is also recommended that you shave after you shower.



Your supplies may be a little pricey depending on how extravagent they are but if you are like me and go through Gillette Fusion disposable razors like water, you save yourself money in the long run. I'm hoping I enjoy it and making it an art that I can pass on to my son when he is older. I will be, like, John Wayne-in-the-western-movies-cool and a face as smooth as a baby's butt to boot! It would be cool if anybody in RF uses this method of shaving. I don't anticipate there will be many, if any, but for you men out there, I'd give this type of shaving system some consideration if you are all about pampering yourself in the morning a few times a week and have had problemsm with skin irritation from your current shaving method. If people are at all interested, I'll post some pics of my supplies when I get them as well as some step by step instructions.

[Seyorni]

So electric shaving in the car en route to work is no longer fashionable?

[Ringer]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

So electric shaving in the car en route to work is no longer fashionable?

Whatever works for you.

I personally can't use electric shavers because I can never get my neck area smooth without causing some major irritation.

[Caladan]

I only wet shave, and have been for years, apart from a short while mostly when I was a soldier and just wanted to take out my shave-machine and fix my shave.
wet shaving is much smoother.
also it doesnt take me that long, certainly not 20 minutes. I suppose its because I don't do the entire 'ritual' like using a shaver brush, although I recently got one for myself.

[gnomon]

Ringer has a new job.


Actually I detest electric razors but have stuck with disposables. My game plan has always been wait three months then shave. Go another three months then shave. I made it over six months before my prior shave but after my cousin screamed "Al Qaeda" and tackled me I decided the beard just wasn't fitting for me. But then again, my cousin is a bit strange.

I have not been able to find a true razor anywhere around here. Not that I've looked recently.

I'm with Ringer. Electric just irritates my skin. I now use a beard trimmer to knock away the months of growth and use a disposable to clean it up but you can never really get a smooth shave with a disposable.

[Dream Angel]

Originally Posted by Ringer

Not to mention, the 10-20 minutes it takes to wet shave could be used for contemplating the meaning of life,

I know I am female, but it takes you 10-20minutes to wet shave? I can shave my male residents (I am a HCA) in about 5minutes and I am actually rather good at it, if I do say so myself! . I always wet shave my residents as I don't like the finish of an electric razor!

[Ringer]

Originally Posted by Dream Angel

I know I am female, but it takes you 10-20minutes to wet shave? I can shave my male residents (I am a HCA) in about 5minutes and I am actually rather good at it, if I do say so myself! . I always wet shave my residents as I don't like the finish of an electric razor!

I've heard many on wet shaving sites say that this is about how long it will take them. That's because they will make multiple passes on their face with latherings in between. For instance, the first pass they will shave with the grain of their facial hair. The next, diagonal from north to south. After than, diaganol again from south to north. To finish up you will go against the grain which is what causes the most irritation and the reason why you save it for last. I could see this taking at least 10 minutes and possibly a bit longer depending on how much experience you have. I have yet to hold the blade to my face so if I was to do this method it would probably take considerably longer than a seasoned veteran.

[Ringer]

Originally Posted by Caladan

I only wet shave, and have been for years, apart from a short while mostly when I was a soldier and just wanted to take out my shave-machine and fix my shave.
wet shaving is much smoother.
also it doesnt take me that long, certainly not 20 minutes. I suppose its because I don't do the entire 'ritual' like using a shaver brush, although I recently got one for myself.

What type of shaver did you use?