ok.. i've done several time tests and the longest i've taken to shave is 25 minutes.. that included a lather.. a massage of the lather.. a rinse of the lather.. an application of bay rum.. another lathering and a single pass with touchups with an artist club razor.. then a rinse and an aftershave splash..
shortest shave was 6 minutes.. and that was with the brushless gel and single pass with the de.. some touchups and a rinse. .then an aftershave..
i'm pretty sure i've tried it all and i'm just not one for hot towels and preshave oils.. or multiple layers of postshave care.. i mostly do an alcohol based splash or i'll use a balm.. sometimes i will do just witch hazel.. but either way.. i've stopped layering.. it's just not for me..
also.. i love my brush and won't be straying from it.. i just go brushless when i'm trying to save time and don't want to have to soak it first and then rinse and dry afterward.. the brushless gel does nothing with a brush other than gunk it up and make it look ratty. my general ideal shave is using c.o. bigelow with my artist club and finishing with either old spice or pinaud clubman bay rum.. average shave time.. 15 to 18 minutes.. from the time i start to lather to the time i walk out the den smelling pretty.