Thread: The most efficient shave?

Originally Posted by Kees

@ Bart: does your 6-7 minute routine get you BBS?? Or does that require one of your more elaborate rituals?

No, it looks perfect, but to the touch, it leaves a few slightly rough spots. They need some weird shaving angles that I usually perform during a final third pass.
But when I'm limited in time, I skip that part of the shave.
My wife does not notice the difference, but I do.

Bart.

Boiled water vs hot tap water

For me, if I use the tap, I find I use more water waiting for it to get hot. I get more water in the sink, most of it luke warm.

Using the kettle is less wasteful for me - I boil the kettle before my shower and while I wait I do something useful like prepare my lunch or wash some dishes.

Of course, if I just went for cold water shaving I'd save more water (but probably not have as pleasant a shave!)


Thanks for sharing your routines and thoughts - lots of different ways of approaching a shave!

My routine seems pretty elaborate compared to some of others. I start by turning the shower on to get hot water in the shower. I use my brush to apply hot tap water onto my whiskers and then lather using a few drops of glycerin, shower saving washing my hair and face 'till last. When I get out of the shower I blot excess water that would run down onto my chest but do not dry my whiskers. I apply another supply of lather while I apply hair products, apply deoderant, use a Q-tip to remove water from my ears, and strop my razor. I re-wet the lather or rinse my face in hot tap water and reapply fresh lather. I then make a WTG pass using an XTG in areas where it is necessary to be close. Finally, I re-lather and make an ATG pass and reach BBS. I have tried many other routines and find this one the most efficient so far.

All of this takes about 20 minutes from the time I get out of the shower.

For me, an efficient shave (7mins yesterday) is run the hot water, get an adequate amount of water in the sink whilst stropping. Get the brush warmed up/damp. rinse my face, shave stick, face lather. 1 WTG pass, rince face, 1 ATG pass, rince face. Alum block, shave balm.

I don't feel particularly rushed doing that, to be honest. I bought a shave stick to go on holiday with, brilliant things I think.

For a regular work day, I can do pretty well with a 1.5 pass shave. On my face, I'll do one stroke with the grain, then one across. I still do two passes on my neck and under my jaw. Whatever works.

Jordan