Thread: So, what IS shaving anyway?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You know, in 1698 King Peter in Russia ordered all court officials to shave their beards and Alexander The Great ordered his soldiers to shave off their beards and in 1531 King Francis of France proscribed beards period.

Throughout history being clean shaven was the way it was like it or not. What does this all mean? Search me, In 800 in England if you shaved you were fined 20 Shillings.

Just be thankful for modern times and free choice.

Well don't forget what Mosaic Law says: "You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard." LV 19:27

Also the Romans were clean shaven because to them growing a beard was for savages. In fact the word "barbarian" comes from the latin word "barbarus" meaning hairy. Barber comes from the same root.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Shaving is sooo passé! Hardly anyone I know is clean shaven.

Well, I guess that you don't know many people. Hardly anyone that I know is not clean-shaven.

Originally Posted by Aggelos

Alright, so to sum up the answer to the question "What is shaving anyway" is
- using a DE, since this is the DE section which talks about shaving, and specifically not a slant, which are inferior since there are fewer of them. Is using an open comb shaving, or do I have to use a closed comb ?
- loosely hold the handle so that the blade rests at the correct angle as intended by the manufacturer
- whatever the length of the stroke, it has to be perpendicular to the blade


Alright, color me impressed and educated, thank you for your insight, have a nice day

I agree with you totally. I use a conventional DE razor -- actually several -- and have no need for a slant type. We're just cutting hair after all.

Originally Posted by Barbudo

Well, I guess that you don't know many people. Hardly anyone that I know is not clean-shaven.

Really? Maybe it's an English or age thing. I'm 45 and only one of my friends is clean shaven. The building site I am currently working on has about 100 blokes, I think there's only 2 of us that shave. Everyone else has either a beard or stubble.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Really? Maybe it's an English or age thing. I'm 45 and only one of my friends is clean shaven. The building site I am currently working on has about 100 blokes, I think there's only 2 of us that shave. Everyone else has either a beard or stubble.

My take is that it is not just an English thing but an age thing. Older generations tend to be clean shaven and younger one not so much. I think the break line is about 50 years of age.

Bob

I've always looked at it as a social thing. Upper class business type...clean shaven.

The rest is what it is, a choice. I've chose to never shave off my stache, again. Once was enough. Looked like a skinned rat.

Originally Posted by BobH

My take is that it is not just an English thing but an age thing. Older generations tend to be clean shaven and younger one not so much. I think the break line is about 50 years of age.

Bob

Yeah, most of the blokes on site are not English Definitely an age thing.