Thread: If you had 30 minutes to discuss Wet Shaving...

I have been asked to do a panel/discussion at a small event here in Atlanta in July. I will have 30 minutes to talk about Straight Razor Shaving/Wet shaving.

My thought is to give a little 5 min on the "history of shaving," followed by going into "how to use a straight razor." During the process, i can talk about the brushes (Horse/Boar/Badger), the razor (Stropping/Honing), Soap/Cream, and Aftershave/Preshave. Follow that up with offering suggestions on where to buy stuff, what NOT to buy, and incredible resources of information (SRP for example).

Anything else you would suggest to discuss? There might be an HOUR long panel discussion where I will whip up some lather and maybe even "mock shave" - since I am not a Professional Barber, there wouldn't be any cutting going on.

I look forward to any/all suggestions/guidance.

many thanks.
Moose

I find the most interesting aspect is that I have been asked to do two of these this summer also, hmmmmm ya think the message is getting out there ????

Good luck with yours

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I find the most interesting aspect is that I have been asked to do two of these this summer also, hmmmmm ya think the message is getting out there ????

Good luck with yours

There appears to be a great interest...but along with that...there are great fears. "I'll cut my head off!" - add to that the whole "Sweeny Todd" thing - If I hear that again...I just might have to become the mad barber myself!

Once I have a "script" I'll pass along. I love the little trivia bits - like the reason horse hair lost popularity -ANTHRAX! People died from shaving...and not because of cuts. I never knew the Egyptians would actually pluck all their hair off...eyebrows, eyelashes...the works. OUCH!

That sounds like a blast!

I say get the whole lop off your head stuff out of the way right off. Its going to be talked about - control it. Tell them how the the guy who discovered tutincommon's tomb was struck down via an infection from a straight razor cut, but you are more likely to die from a... people love that stuff. Then move onto all the different names. Cabbage cutter (used in eastern europe I think), cut... well we all know that one, wiener scraper (yup I got one from Germany - I think it means stash trimmer)... there's tons but those are all I recall.

As for the whole Egyptions plucking... are you speaking of "threading?" It's still a common practice out east and making inroads here in the States. Google it.

I say you make a video of it and post it on the tube - good luck!!

I would probably stay away from how-to's and talk about the history and then all the advantages of straights and wet shaving. The history of modern means and all the bad aspects of the modern methods would be next.

Make sure that you touch on the fact that in these uncertain economic times How inexpensive the art is

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I would probably stay away from how-to's and talk about the history and then all the advantages of straights and wet shaving. The history of modern means and all the bad aspects of the modern methods would be next.

I agree with Nelson.
Most people will be interested in the history, so that is a good start. The ones who are 'considering' using or at least trying a straight might be interested in the advantages of our way: less pollution of disposables, much cheaper (barring collecting), better for the skin, smoother results, etc. It is easy to talk a couple of minutes about that.

And then at the end I would give a quick demonstration. I would not go into any detail about sharpening and things like that. I think most people will lose interest at that point. If you don't have the option of doing a live demo, have someone take pictures of you going through the shaving process.

And of course, tell the people about SRP if they are interested in more information

Awesome Moose!!

Share your passion for the art and I think the thing that really gets to people is letting them hear how shaving goes from being a chore to something so pleasurable that you look forward to it every day.

Most of all, have a great time!