Thread: Timeframes Survey

So before I abandon this quest for data (I am an engineer, I like data. Data tells me stuff), I want to be clear about the purpose for gathering the data.

I am not trying to remove the enjoyment of the ride. Many many posts in the forums have delt with aligning timeframe expectations for beginners from beard prep to honing. And they reason timeframes get posted is because beginners want to know if they are on the right track or not. I clearly remember the beginning honer being told that your not even beginning to learn until you're honed 1000+ razors. That provides an expectation.

proper expectations can help people keep motivated and remove discouragement.

I don't know if the granularity of the data is too deep or not, and I realize some people just don't remember because its been too long. But it was a place to start.

If nobody wants to do this that is fine too. I still think trending data is valuable.

Alembic

Originally Posted by Obie

Good morning, Alembic:

No, not at all. I chose to embrace the ritual and to hone my skills within my natural capabilities and without the need or interest to keep a diary. Whether other gentlemen should care or not is not for me to dictate.

Regards,

Obie

Ah - thank you Obie I understand. I was in the same camp as you. I did not care how long it took and enjoy the trip no matter where it takes me. Others are not. Now we could say that if you need to know how long it will take, then maybe this are is not for you. But I feel that is too simplistic an answer to a complex question. We do this all day long. Encouragement aimed at getting somebody to understand that the individual is doing great, stay the course, many of us have taken months and years to learn what we know. That does not detract from the journey, but mearly helps people to understand that they are still on the right road.

That is the point of encouragement - No?

Ah-ha, that's the problem here. You're an engineer.

Because of that you looking to over analyze this and trying to break this down to a set of statistics. It's no different than asking an artist-painter to analyze how he developed his skill and how long it takes to create a painting from sketch to signing and how he mixes colors and uses his brushes and makes his strokes and gets his ideas.

There are some things best left for folks to just find out by doing.

Having said that you could probably get what you want by having just a very few broad categories and that would make more sense and be more helpful to guys starting out.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Ah-ha, that's the problem here. You're an engineer.

Because of that you looking to over analyze this and trying to break this down to a set of statistics. It's no different than asking an artist-painter to analyze how he developed his skill and how long it takes to create a painting from sketch to signing and how he mixes colors and uses his brushes and makes his strokes and gets his ideas.

There are some things best left for folks to just find out by doing.

Having said that you could probably get what you want by having just a very few broad categories and that would make more sense and be more helpful to guys starting out.

Yeah - you would not believe how popular I am around my house even picking a hot dog brand

Ok so how about just something like

Beard Prep
Stropping
Comforatable Bloodless Shave
Post Shave Treatment

Still too broad?

I think if I was to do what you want to do I would be inclined to first keep it to strictly shaving with a straight and leave out the before and after things. Probably the first irritation free shave, facility with the razor, ability to shave entire face with what strokes? first BBS shave. Things along those lines.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think if I was to do what you want to do I would be inclined to first keep it to strictly shaving with a straight and leave out the before and after things. Probably the first irritation free shave, facility with the razor, ability to shave entire face with what strokes? first BBS shave. Things along those lines.

Thanks, that was the kind of input I was looking for. You never know the value of this kind of stuff until you compile it and see what it says. Sometimes it says nothing

I'm not even through learning yet, but so far ....


Beard Prep (finding a consistent preparation for my beard) - 1 week
Stropping (no strop nicks and smooth consistent motion) - hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
Ambidextrous Shaving (switching from left to right hand and back)- hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
WTG (know the angles and control the blade for a WTG Pass) -1 month
XTG (know the angles and control the blade for a XTG Pass) - hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
ATG (know the angles and control the blade for an ATG Pass) -hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
Beard Growth Direction (telling the direction my beard is growing and adjusting angles for it) - 1 day
Lather Building (learning the right water/air/cream or soap mix and what my face likes) - 3 months
Bloodless Shave (no knicks or weepers, though still get a weeper once in a while)- hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
Razor Burn-less Shave (no white knuckles while applying Bayrum - correct pressure) - hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
Skin Broken In (skin responds and replenishes after ex-foliation)- hasn't happened yet (after 4 months)
Post Shave Treatment (finding what your skin likes after a shave)- 1 month

That's about right....

Cool post. Show's where you are in the process too.

M