Thread: 35 and finally learned how to shave

Nice to find this place!!!

6 months ago I decided to treat myself to a straight razor shave at a local barber that was highly recommended. Best thing I could have done probably the most amazing experiance on my life.

I used to dread shaving to the point I would feel sick which was really bad cause due to my full-time and my part-time career I must be clean shaven all the time. Everytime I would put that canned gel crap on my face and then drag that retardedly expensive cartridge across my face. I was under the impression that if the cheaper cartridge caused so much trauma to my face then obviously if you buy the more expensive one it must be better. How misled I truly was.

I left the barber shop with a face so smooth and zero irritation I was almost delerious. The seed was planted I had to learn what was diffrent and the studying began. That week I bought my first Edwin DE safety razor which I could only find one store in the whole city that sells them. And a pack of darby blades and a some feather blades. Stopped on the way home got some shave soap and a brush. That night I jumped in the shower cleaned my face jumped out whipped up some lather with the soap slapped it on my face and cut myself to shreds with horrable irritation.

Confused I hit the book (internet) again and studied. 2 days later I had a passable nice shave and learned that I should go with the grain of my hair. I spent the next week molesting my face and reading how to do a correct 3 pass shave. On the following sunday I went into the bathroom took my time and completed a correct 3 pass shave with my safety razor. That whole day I was in my glory I constantly was touching my face for how smooth it was and how little irritation I had. But I still had irritation about 90% less than normal though. (I am a red head with stupid sensative skin)

I spent the last while reading and learning more about this amazing world of shaving. This was amazing I didnt understand how come it was taught to everyone in school in like health class. I will admit it has turned into an obsession of mine. I can wait now to shave and go through the whole religious experiance everyday now. I feel let down if I dont get to shave EVERYDAY now.

Last week I broke down and bought myself my Dovo 3rd shave on it now. First shave was rough and patchy, second not bad but not what I would call a passable shave. Last night I took my time and managed a 3 pass shave and walked out of the bathroom feeling like a god.

The whole process takes me from shower to end of shave takes me 45 minutes and my wife bugs me about it, I just tell her she spends hour and a half in there shaving everything she does. This is my time.

Old way:
1. Put foamy gel stuff on face
2. Drag cheese grader across face
3. Use half a roll of toilet paper to stop the bleeding

New way:
1.Shower
2. Re-moisten face and apply Proraso Pre-shave cream
3. Apply a mixture of my original cheap shave soap and Castle Forbes shave cream
4. First pass WTG
5. Repeat step 2 and 3
6. Second pass XTG
7. Repeat steps 2 and 3
8. Third pass ATG
9. Cold water rinse and Dry face lightly
10. Apply Castle Forbes skin food

My wifes first raction after I figured it out was its hard to get use to cause she feels like she is kissing a girl its so smooth. I did ask her how she new what kissing a girl feels like....lol. And my youngest daughter told me that I have girl skin thats smooth like baby's.

I trolled here alot and ofcourse alot of other sites on the internet. However I decided now I have to say Thank You. You guys here have taken one of the worst experiances of my life and turned it into something amazing. I cant tell you how greatfull I am especially when I put my mask on in the firetruck and not cringe knowing how much its gonna sting and burn my face when the sweat started to roll.

Your experience sounds fairly similar to mine save for the fact that I went directly to a straight razor. I never had much sense, else I might have tried the DE transition that many members seem to have followed.

Welcome to your new obsession.

Welcome to SRP!
sounds like a nice little journey which will only get better and the time will decrease. just do not try to rush. as for SWMBO just remind her that "you want the best shave for her... it is all about her and only about her" keep telling her this every time you buy more gear too you can also try
"i'm thinking about the planet and cutting down my carbon footprint" or the ever popular "honest, this will save US a lot of money"


enjoy,
jim

Mon Dieu! Why degrade that lovely Castle Forbes shave creme with the cheap shave crap? Throw the damn stuff out and get some good shave soap if you want to mix it.

Welcome to SRP. Glad you found us, isn't funny how a chore we dread can become a hobby/addiction we look forward to everyday if you just have the right tools.

Hey! No fair! I didn't start wet shaving until I was 45. You're a decade ahead of me! smile. Enjoy!

John

I was 54 before I learned how to shave. The safety razor was pretty much an immediate hit, but I had this fascination with straights and persevered for two years before mastering that.

Like you have discovered, something that was previously a chore can become something enjoyable if you have the right equipment.

I feel like a first class sucker for all of those years dating back to the time I was a teenager, thinking that my only options were disposables, cartridges, and electric razors. The cost is one thing, but to pay all that money and feel like my face was freshly slapped by a wet hand on a cold day most of the time kind of makes me mad.

Originally Posted by johna2231

Hey! No fair! I didn't start wet shaving until I was 45. You're a decade ahead of me! smile. Enjoy!

John

and two decades ahead of me. 'Wish I'd have started when you did.

I don't plan on rushing this ride. Spilt too much blood already lol. Nice little scrape on my right cheek and other lesson is make sure the razor is not in your ear when you are removing your side Burn stubble.

I have already converted 3 others 2 went to DE and 1 went right to straight.

I still think there needs to be a class in high school health on this. Like when they take the girls away to show them childbirth videos.

I figured out that I was ripped off to the tune of around $17, 000 so far.

Welcome to the fold Brother!


Mick