Thread: How long?

Originally Posted by Phaedris

Sounds like a number of you shave in the evening. That's the only time I'll be able to spend learning to shave with a straight. We'll see, maybe I'll just keep that up.

Once you get good at it, DFS+ or BBS territory - this is an option.
The SWMBO has commented more than once that my "5 O'clock shadow" from a night before Straight shave is much less than my same day cart shave for instance.

This comes up when we travel and leave at O-Dark Hundred. So if I shave late on Sunday - skip the AM shave on Monday then Cart shave on Tuesday AM - the 5PM Monday looks better than the 5PM Tuesday.

Yet another reason to learn the way of the Straight.

Smooth shaving

I think its normal that a beginner take 30 minutes to even an hour. This also depends how involved your routine is. When I started I did the whole 2 hot towels, pre shave, lather, three passes rinse, alum or witch hazel sometimes both lol and moisturising balm and or scent. Yeah it took some time. Now its out of the shower face lather 2 passes and a cleanup after shave or balm and done. you will be able to save time if you need to but hey I like to take my time on occasion.

I believe replies would be more meaningful if respondents would indicate whether they use a straight razor, safety razor, or whatever other shaving device.

Talking at length about prep, hot towels, numbers of passes, etc. and then not mentioning the razor used makes a reply of "30 minutes" irrelevant, as that would be near normal for a straight shave, but quite long for a DE shave.


Gents, don't keep us in the dark, if you want to add a meaningful reply, please do mention the type of razor.


B.

Originally Posted by Steel

About 15 minutes for me total. Lather, strop, shave 3 passes and a touch up, strop= 15 minutes give or take a minute.

This is with a regular straight razor as indicated by the stropping clues

No prep except splashing water on my face.

For a straight shave I'm at around 15 minutes from prep to AS application. I can do a DE in less than 10.

Taking less than 10 with a straight is strictly forbidden according to sect 271.38 of the straight razor shaving act of 1876 and is punishable by a fine of not less than $500.

Originally Posted by beluga

I believe replies would be more meaningful if respondents would indicate whether they use a straight razor, safety razor, or whatever other shaving device.

Talking at length about prep, hot towels, numbers of passes, etc. and then not mentioning the razor used makes a reply of "30 minutes" irrelevant, as that would be near normal for a straight shave, but quite long for a DE shave.


Gents, don't keep us in the dark, if you want to add a meaningful reply, please do mention the type of razor.


B.

Very well B. All my before mentioned routines are with Straight Razors. I use blade sizes of 4/8, 5/8/ 6/8 and 7/8 . When I was first starting out the 4 and 5/8 blades went much quicker due to being more confident with them. The larger blades I tended to take a more careful approach and this added about ten minutes more to my shaving time verses the 15 minutes it took to complete it otherwise. I'm going to say this is shaving time only and not any other ritualistic behavior associated with the shaving process. Currently I find the larger blades to be more time efficient I don't have to rinse them as often and the seem to cover more area a bit faster. In conclusion time doesn't matter unless it matters to you. What matters is technique, good stropping, sufficient beard prep and lathering and most of all a good shaving angle of attack. None of these should be skimped on in order to save time. Expeditious Straight razor shaving will happen with practice but it takes time.

A one pass shave, everything wet shaving related, takes about 15 minutes with only 3 or 4 minutes actually shaving.

Straight for me.

I don't use training wheel shavers, no De's, no shavettes (just the ette is unmanly), only straights!

Originally Posted by Scareface

I don't use trying wheel shavers, no De's, no shavettes (just the ette is unmanly), only straights!

Agreed!

We be He-men.

Originally Posted by beluga

...Talking at length about prep, hot towels, numbers of passes, etc. and then not mentioning the razor used makes a reply of "30 minutes" irrelevant, as that would be near normal for a straight shave, but quite long for a DE shave.

Gents, don't keep us in the dark, if you want to add a meaningful reply, please do mention the type of razor.

Yes! Photo op! 14 minutes by the clock today - linen and leather 7/60 laps before, 10 after; Noxema preshave, Omega cream and a boar brush with a 5/8 Gold Bug; 2 passes plus neck/jawline 3rd pass; three rinses, pat dry and aftershave. I had an excellent shave without any feeling of time pressure.

18 months ago it took me every bit of 45-minutes to prep, shave and clean up.