Thread: Just Joining but been shaving for over 40 years

Unlike those who had to take those classes mentioned in one of those articles, my dad taught me how to shave. Strangley I can't remember if I taught my son. I was never really good with a straight so immediately jumped to a safety, which I used until about 15 years ago. At that point in time double edged blades were very expensive and hard to come by so I switched to a plastic handled disposable razor. I never really liked them and at first found they gave me a horrible shave. I wnet through various numbers of blades eventually picking 3 or less (less is better than more). There are some really poor quality disposables out there that give a horrible shave. When I switched to disposable I also stopped using a brush and mug set for lather. My first choice was Edge Gel. I've since standardized on canned foam (the $1.00 per can ones). I've gotten my morning bathroom routine down to less than a hlaf hour on have to go into the office work mornings. That includes shower, brush and comb har, shave, brushing teeth, and drying ears. Time is critical on days I have to go into the office. I am now looking to go backwards in my shaving routine. I plan to start with moving to brush and mug lather instead of the foam. Then to a safety razor. And hopefully to a straight razor.

MrBlimp, Welcome to SRP! Sounds like you have a great plan! I'm sure that the DE blades today are far cheaper (in cost) than what the latest modern razors have to offer. 100 blades can be had for $10-12 on-line. If you have any question's, you'll get get answers here.

Welcome , your plan is the right one! Its time to enyoy your shave and get the diposibles in the trash. Goodluck on your shave pad.

Wow. The history of shaving is encapsulated in your life. And now you have come full circle.

Great idea to get a brush and soap. IMO the brush and real lather is what makes shaving a luxury rather than a task.

Also don't hesitate to get a safety razor. They will give you a shave far better than the disposables. No need to wait on that.

Michael

Welcome! Good luck in tracing your shave roots! Yeah the time commitment is more but the experience is worth it. My wife still gives me an odd look when I start talking about how much fun and excitment shaving is now.

Oh well.

Welcome to SRP. Your story mirrors my own except I never gave up the brush and mug once I started that around '73. The DEs are cool and the straights , once you get past the learning curve, are the best way to shave devised by man. Going back to DE first is what I did too. Check out our 'beginner's guide' here and ask questions whenever you have 'em.

That's awesome, it's nice to appreciate the finer things in life.

I'm getting my dad to head the same route. I got him a DE and some blades for Xmas and am currently restoring an old EDACO for his birthday. I recall him having a mug and brush that he used when I was kid, though I don't know if he still has them. He picked up a nice Koken strop for me while antiquing with my mom, so I think he'll do ok.

Welcome Mr Blimp, and good to see you return to the Art of traditional shaving.

Jamie

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Also don't hesitate to get a safety razor. They will give you a shave far better than the disposables. No need to wait on that.

Michael

I already own two Safety Razors - one was in the medicine cabinet in my house and one was in my cabin in the mountains. I dug them both out. They are black handled adjustable Gillette razors with the barn doors. They needed a good cleaning so I soaked them in some foaming bathroom cleanser. Then I rubbed them with Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. They both came out real nice.

I also dug out my Straight Razor and gave it the same treatment. I have to find my stone so I can hone and sharpen it. I found my strop but I am not happy with its condition so I am thinking of buying a new one.

My brushes were also in great shape but I couldn't find my mugs so I'll have to buy new ones.

It's amazing how well older products stand up to time.

When they dig up our bones in 10,000 years we are sure going to confuse the archeologists. " Well Dr. Dig, it seems during this time period people were able to go back and forth in time. Their computer records indicate the use of straight razors? "