Thread: A Rookie All Over Again.

So here's the deal. Those of us who have been at this for quite a while consider ourselves professionals at shaving. The daily shaving process becomes almost automatic. When guys are starting out and talk about feeling clumsy and nicking themselves we really can't relate anymore.

But here's the thing, you see I know for a fact that there is some area of your face that's maybe a tad less smooth than the rest. Right? Admit it. You just accept it move on and don't worry about it. . However I know for a fact that deep down it bothers you immensely just that you don't realize it but Uncle Spendur knows.

So tomorrow your going to do something about it. Your going to use that other hand or use a dramatically different stroke and you know what is going to happen? It's not going to feel so automatic. It's going to feel clumsy and your not going to like it because your going to feel like a rookie all over again. Maybe you'll even nick yourself.

But in the end it will give you inner peace and contentment and good karma and a better shave and make you more agile and make you know what it is being a rookie all over again.

Hello, thebigspendur:

In shaving my neck I still am not where I want to be. That's why the experimentation and improvisation with razor angles and creative skin stretching continues. Also, always striving to learn new things keeps the mind hungry for more.

Regards,
Obie

I have been getting great shaves by following a book i picked up written in 1900! the best i have ever got. I use one mt right hand as the book tells you and some times i cant believe the quality of shave is truly fantastic. The only area of trouble is under my nose some times its not just clean enough, i have started with some across the grain action after the first pass bit awkward at first but boy is it close!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

But here's the thing, you see I know for a fact that there is some area of your face that's maybe a tad less smooth than the rest. Right? Admit it. You just accept it move on and don't worry about it. . However I know for a fact that deep down it bothers you immensely just that you don't realize it but Uncle Spendur knows.

Wow ! Reading that was eerie.... and I thought nobody knew. Who knows what lurks in the minds of men ? The spendur knows.

Originally Posted by Hoopei

I have been getting great shaves by following a book i picked up written in 1900! the best i have ever got. I use one mt right hand as the book tells you and some times i cant believe the quality of shave is truly fantastic. The only area of trouble is under my nose some times its not just clean enough, i have started with some across the grain action after the first pass bit awkward at first but boy is it close!

What book? Always looking to learn more.

I travel quite often and use a mach 3 when I do. When I get home, the first shave I do with my srt8 is horrifying. I am still pretty new so I loose my skill quickly. Last night, upon returning home, I proceeded to take a nice hot shower and had a great shave up until the moment I removed some chin. It was still worth it, but I think I am going to have to consider traveling with a str8.

Originally Posted by smarullo

What book? Always looking to learn more.

Its called "What every man should know" i downloaded it as an Ebook jonks ago it has no copyright as far as i can see, i use the prep from a barbers book i read hear lathering twice using fingers ect ect but the technique i use from the Ebook there is some stuff about cold water shaving, i ahve tried it when in the mountains skiing in Czech Republic, it was ok but i am a hot water man. If you want a copy i might be able to email you it. It took a few shaves but i mostly get fantastic results now.!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Wow ! Reading that was eerie.... and I thought nobody knew. Who knows what lurks in the minds of men ? The spendur knows.

Jimmy, he's got us dead to rights! OK Spendur, ya got me, I'm coming out with my hands up! I'd a gotten away with it too if it weren't for that darned neck!

It's full title is "Shaving Made Easy: What the Man Who Shaves Ought to Know." It was published in 1905 by The 20th Century Correspondence School in New York. Somebody scanned the entire thing, including the front and back outer covers and put it online as a .pdf, which I have downloaded. I'll try to find the link and post it here. It's got some good stuff in it, and entertaining photos of a guy shaving while dressed in a really handsome Victorian-era vest with a shawl collar and a dress shirt with French cuffs. Talk about bold and confidant.

Brook

Yup, here it is: Shaving made easy; what the man who shaves ought to know .. : 20th century correspondence school, New York. [from old catalog] : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive

I first found out about this book (and, indeed, this forum) from The Art of Manliness website. You can download it from TAOM and pay $4--or, since this thing is in the public domain, for free at the link I posted above. It's available in a variety of formats there. Happy reading!