Thread: Shaving in the gym

Hi guys,

Just was wondering if any of you are using straight in the gym. Before switching to straight my morning routine included hitting gym first thing in the morning and then showering and shaving before going directly the office. At that time I could not care less if my M3 would rot in the gymbag through the workday, but now as I'm trying to reinstate the routine I'm wondering how I could minimize the damage to the razor as I will not have an opportunity to dry it in the open air, but rather will have to wipe it with towel/napkins and then keep in the bag with the rest of the staff for the day sharing same destiny with soap and brush. Stropping would not be an option, so I'll have to do it the day before at home, but this is not an issue. Any tips and pointers on how to care for the equipment and what routine you follow would be truly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by cmart

Hi guys,

Just was wondering if any of you are using straight in the gym. Before switching to straight my morning routine included hitting gym first thing in the morning and then showering and shaving before going directly the office. At that time I could not care less if my M3 would rot in the gymbag through the workday, but now as I'm trying to reinstate the routine I'm wondering how I could minimize the damage to the razor as I will not have an opportunity to dry it in the open air, but rather will have to wipe it with towel/napkins and then keep in the bag with the rest of the staff for the day sharing same destiny with soap and brush. Stropping would not be an option, so I'll have to do it the day before at home, but this is not an issue. Any tips and pointers on how to care for the equipment and what routine you follow would be truly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

I know we have several members who shave at the gym (not me, though). Obie comes to mind off hand as he's written some pretty interesting posts about conversations at the gym.

I'd imagine that as long as you dry it off at the gym and store the razor someplace secure (e.g. razor box or toothbrush holder) that it will be okay. You could use a packet of silica gel or throw in some grains of rice to absorb moisture as a safeguard.

I'm not sure how best to store the brush, but you might want to see if there are some inexpensive travel brushes that either come with a cap or have a handle that the bristles can collapse into.

i keep my razors in my bathroom cabinet and have a few packs of the stuff in there to keep them dry i have quite a humid bathroom and first time i stored my razor in there i got a bit manky since putting the silica in there tho no further problems

I don't shave at the gym, but I don't go through a big production to dry my razors either. I give them a good wipe with a towel (I use a stropping motion), put them in their case and put the case in the drawer. Years ago I used to put a light coating of oil on the blade, but I finally realized this was unnecessary and stopped.

I wouldn't want to be shaving with all those boneheads at my gym running around. Shaving is supposed to be relaxing not stressful. (Or so I've been told)

My dear Cmart:

I shave at the gym during the week, after a workout, followed by a delicious steam. Allow me to share some of my practices so that they might help you.

1. I pack my dopp kit the night before. That includes my soap or cream of the day; shaving brush, witch hazel, aftershave balm and, finally, aftershave lotion.

2. The straight is packed in the morning after the standard stropping (25/50 or 50/100, depending on the razor). The big razors go in the Thiers-Issard leather wallets, and the rest in smaller leather wallets. I always pack a backup double edge razor (Edwin Jagger L89 or Muhle-Pinsel R89) in case I get a writing or voice narration assignment on my cell phone while working out and have to be quick about my shaving.

3. I have an Edwin Jagger travel brush in its own protective tube, but I keep that in my roll-up travel dopp kit. For the gym, I have a different travel roll-up dopp kit. I rotate my regular brushes for the gym and carry them in a specially-made plastic brush travel tube. (bestgroomingtools.com carries these brush travel tubes.)

4. All other items go in the appropriate plastic and glass containers and in the different pockets of the gym dopp kit.

5. After my shave at the gym, I follow the same routine for cleaning my brush: rinse it thorough, dry it as well as possible, put in the travel tube and into the dopp kit. (At home I dry the brush again, fluff it up and hang it in the acrylic drip stand.)

6. The razor is cleaned at the gym, dried thoroughly with Kleenex and packed in the leather wallet and in the dopp kit. At home, I dry the razor again with Kleenex, strop it (15/25), oil it (Camellia oil), leave it part way open for about two hours and then close it up and put it in the rack.

That's my routine during the week, when I shave at the gym. I hope it is of some help to you. My shave usually takes about an hour at the gym, half of the time spent on chats with friends, acquaintances, and the curious who wonder about my straight razor shaving. Since I am well disciplined and well focused in everything I do, from cooking to shaving, I make sure not to lose my focus on the straight razor even with people coming and going.

I hope all this helps. Any more question about shaving at the gym, please post them.

Regards,
Obie

I do have a question Obie,
I go to a Russian/Turkish bath house often, and have pondered the joy of shaving having freshly walked out of the sauna or steam room. But you mentioned steaming AFTER shaving? I'm curious if you've experimented with doing so before vs. after the shave?

Originally Posted by bassguy

I do have a question Obie,
I go to a Russian/Turkish bath house often, and have pondered the joy of shaving having freshly walked out of the sauna or steam room. But you mentioned steaming AFTER shaving? I'm curious if you've experimented with doing so before vs. after the shave?

Hello, bassguy:

Thank you for your question.

I always shave after showering or steaming. The whole idea is to soften the beard, and steaming is perfect for that. At the gym, after a workout followed by a delicious steam, then I shave. By then my heavy beard is tamed.

After steaming, I wash my Hollywood face, then lather and proceed to shave with my straight razor, which already has been stropped at home.

On the weekends, when I rest from working out, I shave at home. There, too, I shave after the shower. For me, shaving is always after showering or steaming.

I have had the pleasure of Turkish-style baths in the Middle East. They are heavenly, and a straight razor shaver's paradise.

If you have more question, please drop me a note. Many thanks again for writing.

Regards,
Obie

My dear Obie,
I see now that I misread your first sentence.

Originally Posted by Obie

I shave at the gym during the week, after a workout, followed by a delicious steam.

One of these days I'll get up the gusto to bring some shave gear (dopp?) to the baths. Sounds like it definitely can be done and possibly to great advantage!

Cheers,
Justin

Originally Posted by bassguy

My dear Obie,
I see now that I misread your first sentence.

One of these days I'll get up the gusto to bring some shave gear (dopp?) to the baths. Sounds like it definitely can be done and possibly to great advantage!

Cheers,
Justin

Hello again, Justin:

Ah, yes, nothing like shaving at the baths. Talk about a state of bliss. Forget the gusto stuff, my dear man. Pack your dopp kit and do it. It's an experience, indeed.

Stay well, and thanks again.

Regards,
Obie