Thread: Jawing in the Locker Room

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

I guess I was a little off topic.

Personally, I don't think I'd feel comfortable shaving in a gym locker room. I obviously can't know what your facilities are like, but most gyms I've been to have a lot of people coming and going all the time. They want to get in there, do their workout without having to wait for the various machines, get changed and get out. Myself included. All of that commotion (and I guess the traffic will vary depending on what time you go) isn't really conducive to a relaxing shave for me. I much prefer the white noise the hiss of the faucet provides in my personal bathroom to people clopping about all around me. As someone else mentioned, it'd be pretty unnerving to have to worry about some juicer clipping your elbow with his knapsack strap...just as you're doing your upper lip or something.

But yeah, not the environment I could enjoy a good shave in. Usually the guys there are groaning loudly about their tennis elbow or cursing to their buddies about some meathead who was hogging such-and-such a machine all night. They shake their newspapers violently in the stalls in an attempt to mask their grunts when they're dropping a deuce; they turn their hair-dryers on high, causing everyone else to talk even louder over the shrill whine of things; they're plugging one ear and talking too loudly on their cell phones to their wives about what take-out meal he's to bring home that night.

"Say that again, babe? Babe, I'm at the GYM, I can't hear...wha...KFC? You had that yesterday! Well you always say you'll have the salad, but then you eat all of Connor's fries and....fine. Yeah-yeah, see you at home." *Beep* "ARRGGHHHHHH!!"

I like that your initial post was kind of an exercise in creative writing and how it's obvious you're passionate about straight razor shaving and the "complete experience," but I'm curious: you said that guy sees you shaving "every day," and at over an hour per shave, how many hours a week would that be? Do you go three, four days a week, maybe? You also said how you do a lot of talking with other guys while shaving. Again, not something I'd like, but maybe your place is more of a social club atmosphere, kind of like a Roman bath house, or like Gordon Gecko's gym? Since the guy in your story was a little miffed as to why you bothered with such a time-consuming activity each day, and because you clearly didn't know one another that well, is it safe to say you enjoy the attention you get while you're shaving? Had his attitude changed at all by the end of your conversation? Will we have a new recruit at SRP soon?

Wow, so many questions! Sorry. I'm genuinely interested, though!

My Dear Blade Wielder,

Some people like attention. There is a member here who has made numerous shaving video's and bumped the threads a bunch of times to make sure everyone and their brother could see them and then brags about how many views they have had. .

Sorry good fellow, but you are at two strikes in my book. I think you should have let it go at the warning.

Have a nice day

Lynn

Used to DE shave at the YMCA - if I used a straight there, I'd be really worried about a stray accidental elbow (although most of the guys there probably used straights in their youth - fairly aged crowd).

Anyway, one day an elder gentleman used the sink next to mine, gargled, and for some reason spit to the sink without bending, so that his spit bounced from his sink and to my arm. Naaaaaaaaaaaaassssty.

I haven't shaved a the Y since. My other gym near work has a clever octohedron design so you don't spill on each other so I may start DE shaving there - still way too worried about catching an elbow to use a straight.

Thank you, Obie

I think your locker room, straight shaving, banter should be the topic of your next book.

I love it,
nate

Very well written Obie:


I used to take my kit to the gym in fact that was the first reason I made up a travel kit...

Many, many, questions asked and answered there while shaving, never really had a problem getting bumped either...not sure if that was because of the sharp steel or the fact that I am the martial arts instructor there

Always starts with the same statement it seems "I would cut myself" then they start to ask more intelligent questions and tend to get more and more interested when you explain the benefits to the skin... It has always amazed me that so many men do not take care of their face until you give them a "Manly" reason like 3 inches of the sharpest steel known to man ...

Great thread...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Very well written Obie:


I used to take my kit to the gym in fact that was the first reason I made up a travel kit...

Many, many, questions asked and answered there while shaving, never really had a problem getting bumped either...not sure if that was because of the sharp steel or the fact that I am the martial arts instructor there

Always starts with the same statement it seems "I would cut myself" then they start to ask more intelligent questions and tend to get more and more interested when you explain the benefits to the skin... It has always amazed me that so many men do not take care of their face until you give them a "Manly" reason like 3 inches of the sharpest steel known to man ...

Great thread...

I would cut myself too... in fact, I still do sometimes

I don't live close to an area where I could shave at a gym, but I think I'd really enjoy it. Actually, when I built my last house, I made the bathroom similar to a locker room feel (open shower, tile from floor to ceiling, etc.) because I just enjoy the relaxing feeling of it (comes from playing sports in college, I guess).

I agree with your comment on taking care of my skin... I never thought about it at all until I started using a straight razor. It has proven to be one of the best changes I've ever made for my personal wellbeing (specific to my state of mind and relaxation)... It probably has helped my attitude a bit as well.

+1 to the great thread comment too

Today I had my second ever shave in the gym locker room. I'm feeling a bit disapointed because no-one asked my what I was doing. Everyone behaved like propper gentlemen and went about their business as if it was perfectly normal to have a foreigner like me using a straight razor. It could also be that the Thai men in the locker room are aprehensive about trying to talk to me because they assume that we won't understand each other.
But that not withstanding, finishing a good workout with a sauna and a shave makes me feel refreshed and ready to get on with my day.

My dear Nathan,

I know what you mean about feeling refreshed and ready for the day after a good workout in the gym followed by sauna and shave.

I workout at the gym five days a week without fail. My daughter, being a dietitian and a physical trainer, makes sure I do or she will haunt my dreams.

For me, that 15-minute steam after the workout makes all the difference in the world. By the time I start to shave my beard is as soft as a bed of roses. Is this heaven or what?

I take the weekends off from working out and shave at home. The only thing missing in my little corner of Paradise is the steam.

Regards,

Obie

Hi Obie,

I know I've said it before, and its been said in this post many times, but I always thoroughly enjoy reading your posts!

I'd like to add to Nates request that your next book be a collection of straight shaving banter. We've all had conversations with people about our shaving fixation so I think that could be a very interesting and enjoyable read! Theres a possible idea for a sticky there as well... Hmm!

I look forward to reading many more of your posts..!

Best,

Stuart