Thread: Technique, technique, technique

Originally Posted by sffone

I've been wet-shaving for my entire adult life, and now, in my mid-60s, I enjoy the ritual of shaving more than ever. I enjoy having a variety of shaving soaps and creams, and enjoy shaving with a good, hot lather, so I'll forego the water-only approach. My honing, stropping, and shaving techniques may well be lacking, but they work well enough for me. I enjoy my morning shave immensely -- it's the highlight of my day. And, ultimately, isn't that what it's all about -- just enjoying the Zen of the experience?

Not wishing to get on your bad side, but imho I would guess that all those things you describe enjoying, identifying with, are more accurately the opposite of zen. I'm no monk, but the pursuit of an end simply for the pleasure and self gratification of ritual and or sensual pleasure is not zen. That does not mean those things are bad or cannot be "zen". It's only that you cannot imagine going without them can be every bit as good and or enjoyable.

Same at work anytime someone mentions how much it sucks doing what we're doing, or how they would love to be somewhere else. I remind them that it is not the circumstances here and now , but their inner resistance to what is that is making them suffer.

In much the same way Ryans identity as one with sensitive skin will continue to prove itself, justify its ends, and actualize until he shifts the direction of his conscious thinking toward having healthy, hardy skin.

Originally Posted by kevint

In much the same way Ryans identity as one with sensitive skin will continue to prove itself, justify its ends, and actualize until he shifts the direction of his conscious thinking toward having healthy, hardy skin.

Lol - perhaps one day?

For the record, I don't think I actually said I have any issues with my skin health. I rarely get any irritation from shaving - unless I shave ATG on the sides of my neck, attempt to shave everyday, or (worst of all) shave without lather Every now and then I attempt(with an open mind) to do one of those three things, thinking that maybe my face is more leather-like and it will be fine.... until the predictable happens. I'm hardly the only one with this dilemma.

There are some physical realities in life that (for the most part) remain unalterable. By this stage in my life I know what will happen, just as one doesn't have to be a philosopher to know what happens when you put a gun to your head and pull the trigger; not the kind of thing you can just 'think' away.....

BTW Kevin, please don't take the above too seriously. It's just me being philisophical in a smart-ass way

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Lol - perhaps one day?

For the record, I don't think I actually said I have any issues with my skin health. I rarely get any irritation from shaving - unless I shave ATG on the sides of my neck, attempt to shave everyday, or (worst of all) shave without lather Every now and then I attempt(with an open mind) to do one of those three things, thinking that maybe my face is more leather-like and it will be fine.... until the predictable happens. I'm hardly the only one with this dilemma.

There are some physical realities in life that (for the most part) remain unalterable. By this stage in my life I know what will happen, just as one doesn't have to be a philosopher to know what happens when you put a gun to your head and pull the trigger; not the kind of thing you can just 'think' away.....

BTW Kevin, please don't take the above too seriously. It's just me being philisophical in a smart-ass way

Didn't "The Matrix" teach you anything man?

Originally Posted by sffone

I've been wet-shaving for my entire adult life, and now, in my mid-60s, I enjoy the ritual of shaving more than ever. I enjoy having a variety of shaving soaps and creams, and enjoy shaving with a good, hot lather, so I'll forego the water-only approach. My honing, stropping, and shaving techniques may well be lacking, but they work well enough for me. I enjoy my morning shave immensely -- it's the highlight of my day. And, ultimately, isn't that what it's all about -- just enjoying the Zen of the experience?

A man who knows what he wants and is comfortable with himself.

Thank you for smiling Ryan. My day is off to a great start. Yours is the best advice: Don't take anything too seriously.

I shall not.

Originally Posted by kevint

Not wishing to get on your bad side, but imho I would guess that all those things you describe enjoying, identifying with, are more accurately the opposite of zen. I'm no monk, but the pursuit of an end simply for the pleasure and self gratification of ritual and or sensual pleasure is not zen. That does not mean those things are bad or cannot be "zen". It's only that you cannot imagine going without them can be every bit as good and or enjoyable.

Okay, admittedly, I took some liberty with the concept of Zen. I was simply trying to suggest that shaving should be a mellow, peaceful experience, and I felt no need to stay within the confines of correct philosophical discourse.

Exactly. cold water face lathered soap, reap, rinse and done. All Peaceful like; except for beards who find the whole event extremely violent

Just imagine the feeling of one blade shaving....wait...that's what is actually happening...

Gave this a shot the other day, and I have to say that it went a lot better than I thought it would. I couldn't shake the feeling that a cut was imminent, but I finished unscathed.

Good tip -- it certainly did highlight the technique.

I went ahead and touched up The 132 case brand. Stropped minimally. Left the den unimpressed with both my hone touch and razoring technique.

What can I say? not very good.

Skipped a day I think. gave 20 laps (to my a good Jelliot )each on 8k asagi leather strop/ stopped mid shave to lather some MWF.

What can I say? The goatee area loves its lathery soap.

Earlier I mentioned nailing it. Really 1 pass bbs soaped. In that zone-to me at least- there is no need of technique. You can intuit the angle and the blade strikes the deal

I really don't think for three, or a couple times I just happened to have outstanding methodology. As I recall my prep was nothing unusual. Same old soap. I doubt I was granted limited access to honemeisterdom. I am always doing that the same old stubborn way.

The one thing that I have always resisted in one way or another or felt I knew better or did not need was straps. And when I Zenithed. It was always with a freshly prepared carefully practioned strap of leather. (by prepared I mean freshly sanded, 220grit 320? napped leather-no oil no lather) At OK meet Lee said of my strap- "I can see you been using it" or slt.

It gets dirty looking, even now after resansdng it. I dont think that's normal is it>?

PS I like soap.