Thread: Shaving Videos That Have Taught Me

Scores of instructional videos have fed me invaluable information through the years on the art and the craft of wet shaving with the straight razor. Since I will always consider myself a straight razor pilgrim, these videos also continue to serve as refreshers for me in this distinct form of wet shaving.

The big number of videos I have seen and studied range from gems to clunkers out of gas, with a fair number falling somewhere in between. I have learned some things from all of them. Even those one might consider a waste of time have served as lessons for me — in what not to do.

That I have been a wet shaver for many years has amplified the pleasure and the artistic satisfaction I derive from the straight razor. Those with the most influence on me among my favorite straight razor shaving videos have been a good beginning in my continued exploration of the straight razor’s complex characteristics.

Lynn Abrams’ DVD, “The World of Straight Razor Shaving,” has provided me with the most comprehensive course in the straight razor shaving universe. In the DVD, Lynn covers types and brands of straight razors, stropping, honing, lathering up and ultimately shaving.

The video is exceptionally good in its conversational tone. Lynn’s down-to-earth and intimate approach, highlighted by his effective eye contact, takes the viewer along on a detailed yet comfortable educational ride. I recommend this DVD to all newcomers to straight razor shaving.

Lynn’s subsequently condensed version as a U-Tube video concentrates on the shave itself. Here, too, Lynn displays the same quality characteristics used in his DVD. He limits the conversation to the essentials without being abrupt or telegraphic— unlike some videos that drone on with talk, dotted by an occasional shaving demonstration.

I have adapted Lynn’s two-handed shaving technique and added my own variations on the theme. Jockeys’ shaving technique also has had some influence on mine, especially shaving across the grain from the mouth to the ears on both sides. His demonstrations of how to shave the difficult parts on the neck are an enormous help. Here, too, I have adapted some of Jockeys' two-handed style and technique and added my own variations.

Jockeys is a member of Straight Razor Place (SRP), whose well done video covers lathering and shaving. His tone also is conversational and intimate. I like the eye contact. The close-ups are quite good. Talk is just enough to convey the message. This video, too, I recommend for those new to straight razor shaving. It serves as an excellent straight razor shaving textbook.

Xman, also an SRP member, offers a different shaving technique in his video. Although he is a one-handed shaver, I have managed to adopt some of his technique as well for myself. Until I saw Xman’s method of shaving the upper lip against the grain, I had been in a losing battle with that area of my face.

The move, which I like to call “Xman’s Blue Plate Special,” requires holding the razor blade with two hands and shaving northward from upper lip to the nose. It’s a dangerous move to an extent, but the use of two hands gives me a comfortable safety cushion.

This video is silent, with the necessary explanations written in little sidebars. Xman’s shaving technique is different from those of Lynn’s and Jockeys, but it is just as effective for him. The video is also another one of my favorites, especially in its attempt to offer a different choice in straight razor technique. In essence, it is an apt demonstration of using a straight razor technique that works best for the individual shaver, and that there are no right or wrong ways, but, rather, different ways.

Mantics has produced a series of fine videos on the world of wet shaving. Although he shaves with a double edge, I have learned an enormous amount from him as well. His videos I also recommend for those new to the world of wet shaving — with the double edge.

In the meantime, I continue to explore the Internet for more shaving videos. Those that I like I will visit from time to time, because there is always a chance I might see something in them I have not seen before. In a way it’s like listening to a symphony by Brahms, where after the fiftieth or the sixtieth hearing, you’ll hear something you haven’t heard before.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks for the comprehensive review of these videos!
I find that watching it done in a video is even more valuable than reading about it.
I just placed an order on Straight razor designs, and for reasons unknown to me, opted to de-select the "The World of Straight Razor Shaving" DVD.
The 20 bucks wouldn't have mattered really, since my order was a bit above $700 already
Anyhow, I am sure gonna order it the next time around!!

Just one quick thought though, How is the quality on the DVD?
I have seem the youtube thing, and that leaves quite a bit to be desired quality-wise.

Hello, Birnando:

Thank you for reading, and for the kind remarks.

The DVD's quality is quite good. The whole video is not Hollywood slick. That's what I especially like about it. It's down-to-earth, conversational, and viewing it, you feel as if you're listening to a friend in his living room. I like that particular tone of the DVD.

Good stuff.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks for the nod, Obie. I'm glad you're getting useful information of of my vid and others.

My dear Xman:

Thank you.

Thank you for creating such a fine the video. I love it.

Regards,

Obie

I could've sworn I left a reply in this thread. Maybe I replied to the wrong one or something.

Anyway, I said thank you to Obie for sharing his thoughts, and asked him to tell us more about the other videos that have influenced him.

I have seen these and other vids. Didn't Blade Wielder do a vid too? Bozzing before the job? I loved it. Anyway's Jockey's vids are the ones I saw first, and I too find his vids to be of the best. It was after I saw Jockey's on youtube that I joined this wonderful forum and began to pick his brain. Jockey's has been my biggest help. Thanks pal-J

At some point you'll also have to check out Jimbo's shave video. Unless of course you already have

Jimbo's Head Shave

The other video I must suggest is dwessell's shave received at the hands of coully last summer in Asheville; however, this video may only currently exist in the webcast loop

My dear Hoglahoo:

I had seen Jimbo's head shaving video, yes. The color is slightly off, at least on my computer, and the left arm occasionally gets in the way. Overall, though, the video is very well focused on demonstrating head shaving. It's straight ahead and without any gimmicks. I like that, because it keeps its focus on the main subject, and which in turn doesn't draw the attention away from what he is doing. I think head shavers should definitely watch it.

Not to get off topic — Shaving Videos That Have Taught Me — since my head is already naturally shaved, what especially stands out in Jimbo's video is his mature confidence in handling the straight razor. Not only that, but also his confidence in shaving by feel and sound.

Well done, Jimbo.

One more thing: I am not aware of the DWessell video.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

I could've sworn I left a reply in this thread. Maybe I replied to the wrong one or something.

Anyway, I said thank you to Obie for sharing his thoughts, and asked him to tell us more about the other videos that have influenced him.

Blade Wielder:

I am sorry I am not aware of the post to which you refer. This is the only one I have seen.

And, yes, you are welcome for reading.

The only videos that have taught me, which is the subject of my post — Shaving Videos That Have Taught Me — are the ones I mentioned. Other videos I have liked to various degrees — and I have seen just about every shaving video there is, since as a writer and journalist I am a firm believer in research — but they have somehow failed to move me and, therefore, teach me.

Sometime in the future, if my schedule permits, perhaps I might do a review of sorts of some other shaving videos I find with merit — for me.

Obie