Thread: how long does it take you to shave?

Rarely more than six minutes. My record is a minute and 56 seconds.

Originally Posted by ace

Rarely more than six minutes. My record is a minute and 56 seconds.

I was told that without evidence it never happened, would like to see a 2 min shave...

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I was told that without evidence it never happened, would like to see a 2 min shave...

At some point you just have to trust. I went through a "speed-shaving" jag about six months after I started SR shaving, literally timing my shaves with a stopwatch. It was risky, and, at times, messy, but I learned a lot from it and was able to minimize my preparation as a result. I now do only those things that I know will have an effect on the shave. There's nothing wrong with all the showers and hot towels and all of that, but I never found that it made any difference and wasn't worth my time.

As for fast shaves, the 1:56 shave was actually a bit quicker than that for it also involved setting the stopwatch, putting it down then picking it up and stopping it after the shave. It was at that point, when I got under two minutes, that I terminated my "speed-shaving" adventure, figuring that was quick enough.

What I learned from doing it was that the short, quick strokes that Newbies are advised to start with slow down the shaves as the shaver gains skills. My strokes are now long, normally from the neck up over the jaw line then all the way to the top of the chin. After completing those long strokes all that remains is some touch up around the lip area, and I'm finished. My shaves now normally average 5 minutes. Lathering only takes 20 seconds or so, then a cold water splash and I'm done in a total of 6 minutes.

There is only one problem with this thread and that is everyone seems to have a different idea of what constitutes a shave. For me a shave is 3.5 passes and includes rewetting and relathering after each pass. There is no standardization as everyone's needs are different. A beginner reading this thread trying to gauge if they fall into a norm time wise may just get the wrong idea and feel they need go faster. Big mistake for a beginner to push themselves to go faster too soon.

Bob

Originally Posted by ace

At some point you just have to trust. I went through a "speed-shaving" jag about six months after I started SR shaving, literally timing my shaves with a stopwatch. It was risky, and, at times, messy, but I learned a lot from it and was able to minimize my preparation as a result. I now do only those things that I know will have an effect on the shave. There's nothing wrong with all the showers and hot towels and all of that, but I never found that it made any difference and wasn't worth my time.

As for fast shaves, the 1:56 shave was actually a bit quicker than that for it also involved setting the stopwatch, putting it down then picking it up and stopping it after the shave. It was at that point, when I got under two minutes, that I terminated my "speed-shaving" adventure, figuring that was quick enough.

What I learned from doing it was that the short, quick strokes that Newbies are advised to start with slow down the shaves as the shaver gains skills. My strokes are now long, normally from the neck up over the jaw line then all the way to the top of the chin. After completing those long strokes all that remains is some touch up around the lip area, and I'm finished. My shaves now normally average 5 minutes. Lathering only takes 20 seconds or so, then a cold water splattsh and I'm done in a total of 6 minutes.

i do trust, I just know what the guys here are like, :-).
Presumably this was when you were experementing with washing up liquid too?

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I was told that without evidence it never happened, would like to see a 2 min shave...

Check out that German guy on youtube, Willie I think his name is. I'm sure the vid is up here somewhere too but no link or time to find it atm.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Check out that German guy on youtube, Willie I think his name is. I'm sure the vid is up here somewhere too but no link or time to find it atm.

Yeah, saw it t'other day, everyone claims it is real time, but the audio sounds sped up, and even so that is 3.5 mins, did see bladeweilders vid, the 2pass shave took him about 5 mins of actual hair removal time.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Yeah, saw it t'other day, everyone claims it is real time, but the audio sounds sped up, and even so that is 3.5 mins, did see bladeweilders vid, the 2pass shave took him about 5 mins of actual hair removal time.

I remember someone suggesting that on here a while back and Willie turning up and being a little annoyed at it. I think he's Swiss.

Originally Posted by AlanII

I remember someone suggesting that on here a while back and Willie turning up and being a little annoyed at it. I think he's Swiss.

Not really sure what being swiss has to do with it, though I have a swiss colleague next to me if you want me to ask his opinion, you'll just need to expand a bit. :-)

Originally Posted by ace

Rarely more than six minutes. My record is a minute and 56 seconds.

That record was set with Lava shave soap & a full wedge Wade & Butcher, finished on a Norton 1K.