Thread: How much of this is silly nonsense?

First of all, before anybody get's upset by anything, this is not a particularly serious post. It's mostly editorial, and an invitation for more editorialism. This post is for fun, not mean-spirited flame baiting. So, let's all keep a good sense of humor here.

Ok, I'm not claiming to be an expert here, but this just came up in another thread about lather and I thought I'd make a separate post about it, because I can't help wondering?

There seem to be a lot of things around here, that a lot of folks do, that just seem like complete non-sense.

Things that really don't improve a shave, and some that actually hurt a shave. (It's entirely possible that they only seem like nonsense to people who don't get it, or course)

I thought we might open up a discussion about all of those things, and give everybody a chance to list the things they just don't get.

I have a few:

1. Using a shave brush as big as your head. What's the point? I've always found that at least in terms of size, a $5 drug store boar brush was just about the right size. If your brush is 30mm at the knot, and 10cm across when dry, doesn't it just make it harder to use? I mean, I don't want a shave brush that can apply lather to my eyebrows and nipples at the same time.....

2. Insisting on creating enough lather to fill a quart jar for every shave. I've always found that the "right" amount of lather is "just enough" to cover my skin so you can't see through the lather. Any more than that just makes a mess. Also, you're wasting a huge amount of shave soap and/or creme. And let's face it, the soaps and cremes that most of us use aren't exactly cheap.

3. 30,000 grit hones. Seriously? 30k? WTH for? Is it like owning an italian sports car? "Sure it sucks to drive and it's impossible to park, and sucks gas like the Kennedys suck down bourbon, but I have one and you don't, so I must have a bigger endowment."

4. Modern scuttles. Completely useless, especially if you just use them with hot tap water. Discuss.

5. I'm almost scared to mention this one.... but I've got to include taping the spine of every single razor for honing. Come on guys, 90% of us use antique razors, and enjoy them because of their age. Isn't taping the spine to prevent perfectly normal and arguable attractive spine wear a little pointless? I get doing it to correct a problem, or make a heavy grind easier to hone, but come on.



So, what about you guys?

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

a chance to list the things they just don't get.

OK, a small thing. People who shave with shirts on - why?

I'll admit to throwing on a t-shirt when it's really cold. And some people making videos might be modest, or sparing us the sight of something that might make us want to rip our eyeballs out.

But some people seem to dress to shave, knowing full well they will get their clothes wet, lathery and even covered with blood! What's the deal?

Great questions Steve!

Someone will be along any minute with a rope!

It's all silly nonsense. The whole thing.

I hate shaving

Hail, Don Quixote! Those giants are formidable, indeed!

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

First of all, before anybody get's upset by anything, this is not a particularly serious post. It's mostly editorial, and an invitation for more editorialism. This post is for fun, not mean-spirited flame baiting. So, let's all keep a good sense of humor here.

Ok, I'm not claiming to be an expert here, but this just came up in another thread about lather and I thought I'd make a separate post about it, because I can't help wondering?

There seem to be a lot of things around here, that a lot of folks do, that just seem like complete non-sense.

Things that really don't improve a shave, and some that actually hurt a shave. (It's entirely possible that they only seem like nonsense to people who don't get it, or course)

I thought we might open up a discussion about all of those things, and give everybody a chance to list the things they just don't get.

I have a few:

1. Using a shave brush as big as your head. What's the point? I've always found that at least in terms of size, a $5 drug store boar brush was just about the right size. If your brush is 30mm at the knot, and 10cm across when dry, doesn't it just make it harder to use? I mean, I don't want a shave brush that can apply lather to my eyebrows and nipples at the same time.....

I would say yes, yes it does. A 30mm knot is ENORMOUS...but, you know, it's actually pretty rare that anyone uses one of these. I won one in a contest on this very forum, and I'll admit, it intimidates me.

But here's the thing--the most important sentence in this post is that one that starts "I don't want..."

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

2. Insisting on creating enough lather to fill a quart jar for every shave. I've always found that the "right" amount of lather is "just enough" to cover my skin so you can't see through the lather. Any more than that just makes a mess. Also, you're wasting a huge amount of shave soap and/or creme. And let's face it, the soaps and cremes that most of us use aren't exactly cheap.

How long have you been a wetshaver? I'm not being conescending--I'm genuinely asking. Because I have been a wetshaver for about a year now, and I have YET to use even half of a single product; granted, I have a large rotation. But generally, these things last forever (except for cold pour soaps...they go FAST--which is why I don't use them.) and I really really think that "wasting" soap is a pretty weak complaint...per shave, even if you're wasteful, the most expensive soap runs to about a penny a shave. Usually less. Creams are faster, it's true, but not more than 2 cents per shave.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

3. 30,000 grit hones. Seriously? 30k? WTH for? Is it like owning an italian sports car? "Sure it sucks to drive and it's impossible to park, and sucks gas like the Kennedys suck down bourbon, but I have one and you don't, so I must have a bigger endowment."

Can't speak to this, but the guys who use them seem to like them. Why not?

And you really want a Ferrari, don't you? It's ok, admit it...we won't judge you.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

4. Modern scuttles. Completely useless, especially if you just use them with hot tap water. Discuss.

What? Why are they completely useless? They evidently keep the lather warm, which is the point...I honestly don't understand this one.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

5. I'm almost scared to mention this one.... but I've got to include taping the spine of every single razor for honing. Come on guys, 90% of us use antique razors, and enjoy them because of their age. Isn't taping the spine to prevent perfectly normal and arguable attractive spine wear a little pointless? I get doing it to correct a problem, or make a heavy grind easier to hone, but come on.

So, what about you guys?

Hmmmm this one brings me to my own idea of "useless"... Complaining about how other people shave and/or hone their razors.

If someone does something differently from you, that's their business, eh? Telling people that they're wasting their time when they are doing something that they ENJOY is pretty pointless, if you ask me. If someone wants to hone their razors up to 30,000 grit, and they enjoy the shaves they get, then good for them. If you enjoy your shave off an 8K stone, well, I'm glad for you.

What's the point in criticizing how other people do things that have no effect on you?

I'm with ya on the big-headed brushes...they feel like a wet octopussy on my face. Yuk! (Staying rated G here.)
As for the 3000000000.....K hones: What is the grit size of the pores of our face...do we need a hone with a grit size much smaller than that?
Hmmm...

Cool fun Steve, thanks.

Mac

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

First of all, before anybody get's upset by anything, this is not a particularly serious post. It's mostly editorial, and an invitation for more editorialism. This post is for fun, not mean-spirited flame baiting. So, let's all keep a good sense of humor here.

Ok, I'm not claiming to be an expert here, but this just came up in another thread about lather and I thought I'd make a separate post about it, because I can't help wondering?

There seem to be a lot of things around here, that a lot of folks do, that just seem like complete non-sense.

Things that really don't improve a shave, and some that actually hurt a shave. (It's entirely possible that they only seem like nonsense to people who don't get it, or course)

I thought we might open up a discussion about all of those things, and give everybody a chance to list the things they just don't get.

I have a few:

1. Using a shave brush as big as your head. What's the point? I've always found that at least in terms of size, a $5 drug store boar brush was just about the right size. If your brush is 30mm at the knot, and 10cm across when dry, doesn't it just make it harder to use? I mean, I don't want a shave brush that can apply lather to my eyebrows and nipples at the same time.....
What brands of these have you used???? I would be interested to know, because I find the larger Shavemac to be very good and nonmushy at all....

2. Insisting on creating enough lather to fill a quart jar for every shave. I've always found that the "right" amount of lather is "just enough" to cover my skin so you can't see through the lather. Any more than that just makes a mess. Also, you're wasting a huge amount of shave soap and/or creme. And let's face it, the soaps and cremes that most of us use aren't exactly cheap.

Yes those cans of foam are much more economical????


3. 30,000 grit hones. Seriously? 30k? WTH for? Is it like owning an italian sports car? "Sure it sucks to drive and it's impossible to park, and sucks gas like the Kennedys suck down bourbon, but I have one and you don't, so I must have a bigger endowment."

You have tried these??? on how many razors????? what ones did they not work on???? just curious here since you seem to be very knowledgeable....


4. Modern scuttles. Completely useless, especially if you just use them with hot tap water. Discuss.

5. I'm almost scared to mention this one.... but I've got to include taping the spine of every single razor for honing. Come on guys, 90% of us use antique razors, and enjoy them because of their age. Isn't taping the spine to prevent perfectly normal and arguable attractive spine wear a little pointless? I get doing it to correct a problem, or make a heavy grind easier to hone, but come on.

Yeah we really just do that to save our razors, stones, time, edges, but then everyone wants a well worn spine.... so it is rather a waste of time....Since when everyone shops for an antique razor the first one that get snapped up are those ones with the well worn spines....



So, what about you guys?

I actually only have one that I think is utter nonsense.....

Well, I'm glad that most people have seen the humor in my post, and we've got a couple of additions too. I never even thought about the whole shaving with a t-shirt thing, but now you mention it, I have seen that quite a bit, and it's a mystery to me too.

I also see that some may have "just missed" the hyperbole, but I laughed my butt off posting this. What can I say? I am my own best audience.

In case anybody is concerned about complaints or criticizing the way others do things in this thread, I'd direct them back to the extra large italic lines at the start of the discussion.





Now, as much as I have no intention of letting a good humored thread turn into a serious discussion, I will answer one of Jim's questions. I've been wet shaving for about 13 years. A bar of TGQ does last me a good long time, but when I look at some of the copious mountains of lather, I can't help but wonder if somebody had to eat through half an ounce to do it.

Wow! Just googled, my own question...a hair folicle seems to run between 100-125 microns, while our skin porousity seems to be about 35 microns.
I know, i know...a little ...sorry guys.

Oh...as for too much lather. I just got some Tabac awhile back and i love it. Cant seem to get too much lather with that stuff. Totally excellent smell...thinking of making enough lather to wash with it. lol

Mac

I love my GP scuttle...it keeps my lather warm and doubles as the mixing,lathering bowl

I shave with either a towel around my waiste or my robe on. Towel when its warm robe when its cool. This gives me a place to dry off my hands between passes.

My question is why would anyone shave naked. I can just imagine the horror of a slick lathered finger and a slippery razor...OOPS