Thread: Did they get this close in the old days?

"Sometimes when you shave with a 100 year old razor or one that is older, you can't help wonder about it's shaving history." Lynn I couldn't agree more. I have a W & B with the VR stamp and every time I use it I wonder about the number of faces it has seen in its journey. Part of the reason I love using straights.

Fairly new to this world of Straight shaving but I tend to think that we're privileged. What I mean is that we are in an age of marketing. While there were things available, and in all reality their quality was likely quite good, we have an over abundance of accessories. (not complaining as they fuel my AD's) We are able to spread information and research much faster and from a much more varied array of sources then at anytime in the past. We also can afford to try more products than our forefathers could. The average man back then would not spend money to own nearly the quantity of items that we consider a good start now. He was likely to only be exposed to what was available locally and would have to settle for that. Of course their were exceptions but they were not the norm.

It's a good time to be alive and it's a great time to preserve, advance, and promote this great past time.

Charlie

I have no doubt that most got at least the shave quality most of us get today.
The quality razors, the hones, the strops and the availability of experienced users where in abundance back then.
Them guys got quality shaves, no doubt in my mind
Then again, We won't ever know for sure, will we?

I think it is just like today, it is a simple matter of skill. Many of us are using not only the same razors from 100 yrs ago, but the same stones. The greatest difference is that at one time in recent history the skills were all but lost, thank you Lynn for not giving up and for creating SRP.

As was stated before, this is entirely based on speculation. I would say that in those days if you wanted a shave you did it yourself; if you wanted a great shave to went to a barber....

I would tend to think that they didn't obsess about it in them days like we do now. They probably got away with just 1 pass, as water was limited, and they probably didn't like to waste cream. As it has been mentioned here, while we consider it a hobby, this is the only way they could shave. People these days don't go crazy about shaving with a Mach 3 either.

I for one, think that we are making our own history by preserving this art and ensuring that the next generations have the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of shaving that we enjoy from the straight razors or DE's and all the wetshaving tools.

Wow, nows there a statement I wish I had made. Thank You.

I would like to think that back when, there were many fellows who would never go to a barber and risk a"hack job" and obsessed about a keen edge and a DFS! Lessee, do we know anyone like that these days? By looking at some very old razors with nice, even hone patterns, a stropping away from shaving, I am convinced! I am sure they were in the minority then, as now! Some things never change!...get it on...Tom

Really great thread. I've felt the same way as Lynn described while using an old wedge, and Dave too most men just had an acceptable stubble. Hell they all tried but some fellows are just a little more curious about how sharp really sharp is. Remember that up to the late 1800s to the early 1900s the vast majority of families lived on farms. I am thinking that shaving once a week might have been the norm for 8 out of 10 fellows back then. In my opinion the greatest boon to shaving has been the stream of endless hot water. Anyone here ever tried to shave with cold water? I have and it's the pits. Alx

Originally Posted by Ryan82

As was stated before, this is entirely based on speculation. I would say that in those days if you wanted a shave you did it yourself; if you wanted a great shave to went to a barber....

My thoughts exactly. You'd find skill and a sharp blade at the barber and one could ask "second time over" for a BBS. At home, people would probably just get the thing done, as I don't believe there were many (if at all) who considered shaving as a hobby. My grand grandpa was shaving only with water, brush and cheap soap. No aftershave or other commodities.