Thread: The exception to the "go slow" rule

I feel like the speed needs to be natural, and speed will come naturally the more efficient you become with the blade. As long as you maintain focus and control at all times, knowing where the razor is and what it is doing

I am practicing scything at the moment and will shave every second day in the evening, SWOMBO makes dinner so might as well take my time and enjoy the process, 30 min start to finish. SWOMBO does complain how it takes me longer to get ready on the weekend now thoguh.

I like to take my time. I have a full beard so lots of trimming and tough angles. Once you get a pattern down it goes faster...

I don't really know - I haven't watched too many others shave. I think I shave quickly though. Generally speaking, I take quick long sweeping passes on my first run, then a bunch of short "re-strokes" on my second pass in the direction I know I need to take them in (I have mapped my face and know it intuitively now).

I like going "fast." It's not utilitarian - it's efficient. I don't mess around. Don't see a need for it.

That's not to say that I don't sometimes take longer - I do. Normally, when taking my time, I'll use my scuttle and I take a third pass.

It's funny how your individual shaving experience changes over time.

For me, first, it was the obsession with the BBS shave and the elaborate prep work. Then the utilitarian phase of cutting almost everything out, cold water, lather, 2 passes and the whole shave done in under 10 minutes, from start to finish clean-up bathroom.

Now, back to a full 3 or even 4 pass shave, no elaborate prep work, just taking the time to do a good shave, enjoying the blade, enjoying the lather, and the re-lathering 2, 3, or even 4 times to really get a great shave which also happens to be extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Still only takes about 15-20 minutes, could do it much quicker, but at this time, am enjoying it, who know's what the next iteration will be.

I find the whole ability to enjoy the shave, and enjoy how it evolves on its own, to be a lot of the Zen in this hobby IME....cheers!

Originally Posted by Phrank

It's funny how your individual shaving experience changes over time....

Absolutely true! I changed from trying to reach BBS to getting the best skin feeling I can. After all, I discard the hairs and keep the skin, the latter might as well be in good condition.

Apart from the long hot shower to soften the whiskers, my shave takes under 10 minutes. But then again, I'm new to this, and do my mo and the line down my neck/adams apple with a DE still. I don't aim for a BBS, just a comfortable shave experimenting with different angles / passes.

My problem areas need some momentum but the rest of my face slow does it.

As to overall shave time, it still takes me about 45 minutes a shave from getting my supplies to tucking everything away.

If I need to shave quickly, I just use a DE.