Thread: Timing Your Shaves

As of yet, I have not made my straight razor shaves a daily ritual, for fear of irritating my skin. I've been waiting two or three days in between shaves, and when I do take up the blade, it's in the late evening. I estimate I've done about eight or nine straight razor shaves now, and each has been better than the one that preceded it.

The first couple of shaves took me about an hour or more, and even when I finished, I wasn't overly pleased with the result. But at around the fifth shave I got myself a brush and some shaving soap (I had been using regular "canned-cream") and everything seemed to fall into place. It was as though I wasn't "faking it" any longer, and the razor felt more natural in my hand. I was steady and confident and I got a great shave.

Now I'm pretty proficient at it. I shaved minutes ago and made a point of timing myself. The majority of the shave was done in under fifteen minutes and after a second and third pass (lathering each time) my face was super smooth and it was all accomplished in less than half an hour. So I've "shaved off" over fifty-percent of my shave time recently. Yeah! I plan to go even more quickly before long.

So I ask you: how long does it take you to complete your shaves now? And how long did it take when you were first starting out?

Blade,

Like yourself, I am new to straight razors, although I have logged a few months using double edge razors. With a double edge and three passes, I spend about 10 minutes. With a straight, I am at about 15 minutes.

Randy

Hi Blade Wielder and Randy,

For me, shaving with a straight is pleasure to be extended not shortened. It has become a sort of ritual, the sole purpose of which is to deliberately slow down in order to be more mindful of what I'm doing. Nothing wakes me up in the morning more than the fear of messing up my face. Out of sheer necessity, I slow down.

Straight razor shaving involves much more than the shave itself. There are the preparations: choosing the bowl, soap, brush and razor; whipping up a nice lather; enjoying its wonderful aroma and fresh feeling on your face; stropping the blade and testing it for keeness; the slow exacting moves of the shave itself. When done with full attention, this straight razor ritual will elevate you beyond the automatism of routine. Instead of dull mechanistic habit, you will experience a cornucopia a sensations exploding within the immediacy of the moment. Having discovered this, you'll want to spend more time each day enjoying the pleasures of this lost art.

Hal

It takes me at least 30 mins for a half decent shave. I am quite new in the shaving straight bit as well. Then again, with a safety it even takes me 10-15 minutes to get a decent shave.

I think times cannot be compared between eachother. As Hal said, some like the whole ritual. In my case, with a scar here and there, the hairs go so many ways that even after the following I stay have a stubble here or there.

All preps and shower
oil, lather, shave
relather, shave
rewater, shave
wash face and do a "dry" pass

Yes stil a stubble, but always the same spots (with any razor).
The faster I go, the more disappointed I am with the result.

But still, who is going to set the 1st record for the Guinness Book of Records?

Hoekie

Originally Posted by HoekmanX

But still, who is going to set the 1st record for the Guinness Book of Records?Hoekie

Well now that you mentioned the Guiness Book of Records, have you seen this? Don't try this at home....

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/.../100074_bb.ram

Hal

normal daily shave ~ 15 min or so. First few times were 45 min to an hour, but that goes down quickly. I get most of my passes done in 5-7 minutes, but the touch-ups are where I spend most of my time. Especially with a "date" shave, then trying to get my chin perfect can make the total shave run 20-30 minutes.

20-30 minutes, but I cheat, have a goat and a stashe.

My full shave, from the time I first wet the brush, to when everything is dry and put away is about 12 minutes... 2 passes (so an actual 2-pass shave may be about 10 minutes, sans the clean-up and what-not). At first, It took me about 45 minutes to get a crappy, chock-full-o-nicks shave. But actually, after about my 3rd attempt with a str8, things started falling into place. I don't hurry through my shaves, 12 minutes is all I need. However, I have refined my technique a little bit over time. It's quite a bit of fun. I've been at this for a little over a year.

Keep at it... the next milestone is when you can hone your own razors. I remember the first butter knife I bought off of ebay that I honed into very good shaving shape. That may be a better feeling than actually getting your first really good shave. At that point, you know you'll be able to do this the rest of your life, and not have to count on someone else.

Drew

It takes me about 15min or so now. I shave every day, and have been doing so for nine months. When I first started it probably took me 45min. And another 10 minutes to clean up the blood

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

As of yet, I have not made my straight razor shaves a daily ritual, for fear of irritating my skin. I've been waiting two or three days in between shaves, and when I do take up the blade, it's in the late evening. I estimate I've done about eight or nine straight razor shaves now, and each has been better than the one that preceded it.

The first couple of shaves took me about an hour or more, and even when I finished, I wasn't overly pleased with the result. But at around the fifth shave I got myself a brush and some shaving soap (I had been using regular "canned-cream") and everything seemed to fall into place. It was as though I wasn't "faking it" any longer, and the razor felt more natural in my hand. I was steady and confident and I got a great shave.

Now I'm pretty proficient at it. I shaved minutes ago and made a point of timing myself. The majority of the shave was done in under fifteen minutes and after a second and third pass (lathering each time) my face was super smooth and it was all accomplished in less than half an hour. So I've "shaved off" over fifty-percent of my shave time recently. Yeah! I plan to go even more quickly before long.

So I ask you: how long does it take you to complete your shaves now? And how long did it take when you were first starting out?

English and straights and victims .... hmmmmm

Then again, you can't cut yourself at least ... :-D