Confessions of a DE Junkie

[vroddrew]

I've been a confirmed DE and brush man for several years now. Like many of you, I've found invaluable tips and suggestions (for products, techniques, etc.) here at B&B. But sometimes I wonder if we don't, perhaps, get a little carried away. That we forget Voltaire's maxim: Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien - often translated as "The Better is the Enemy of the Good."

Take, for instance, the number of passes (with the grain, against the grain, etc.) Surely the objective here isn't to remove every scrap of evidence that we ever had facial hair? Rather, isn't the goal to make sure that every follicle that needs trimming be reduced to an acceptable length? To that end, I assert that two passes, performed thoroughly and carefully, can yield a better overall result. Especially if one factors in a) the additional time 3+ passes requires and b) the increased risk of irritation multiple passes creates. I'd far rather shave carefully once (and make sure I get those tricky whiskers under my nostrils) than whip through three or four passes - leaving me with a raw, blood-spotted chin and neck.

Look also at the number of steps we sometimes create in our barbering process. Granted, showering is pretty much essential to basic hygiene. But do we really need to add pre-shave oils? I'll admit it seems like its doing some good. But plenty of men managed to get perfectly good shaves before anyone had ever heard of ricinus communis or tea tree oil. And what, precisely, is that after-shave astringent going to add to the process that can't be accomplished quicker (to say nothing of cheaper) with a splash of cold tap water?

Lastly, I wonder sometimes about our quest for ever-more exotic supplies. I've shaved with Feathers and the mythical "Swedish" Gillettes, but I've also shaved with Wal-Greens generics, and truth be told, they both end up needing changing after a week.

My bottom line comes down to time. I've got enough flexibility in my schedule to take decent care of myself. But once I realized that the (simple?) act of shaving my face every morning was taking more than twenty minutes - I realized it was time to step back. Simplify. Slash inventories (did I really need five different flavors of shave soap and three brushes?) and concentrate on the bottom line.

I've been a happier man ever since.

[xdkeys]

Well said, sir.

[Taipei Personality]

Some are perfectly satisfied with Lipton and Folgers.
Why eat steak when hamburger will satisy your appetite?

For some, it's about the journey not the destination. If you have found a method and products with which you are satisfied then you are fortunate. However, advances in most human endeavors are not usually accomplished by those who are satisfied with "good".

[Avg_Joe]

well said, sir.

+1

[Just looking]

Some are perfectly satisfied with Lipton and Folgers.
Why eat steak when hamburger will satisy your appetite?

For some, it's about the journey not the destination. If you have found a method and products with which you are satisfied then you are fortunate. However, advances in most human endeavors are not usually accomplished by those who are satisfied with "good".

Big +1

It's all about the journey for me.

[guitarslinger]

I've posted stuff like the OP only to, the next day, switch from a crystal to a Swede midshave on a truly, bitterly cold, Indiana morning. Realizing, I had just made my shave 40% easier, I saw where the extra time and money went.

I used to tell preshave oil guys they were full of it, only to become addicted to that menthol blast known as Proraso preshave.


Moods change, faces change. Use what works in the time allotted. Buy what fits your budget. Remember, today might have been your last shave. Make them count.

Happy shaving.

[tblech]

I suppose it is what makes one happy. I enjoy my shave in the morning. Looking at myself in the mirror is therapudic in a way. SWMBO would buy into the thought that shaveing is takeing too much time but this is a woman who absolutly can't drag herself out of bed in the morning. She absolutly needs to hit the snooze at least twice and often times falls asleep in the bath tub until there is no time left. If time is a concern maybe shave in the evening? I do agree, however, that it seems we as a community are ever in search of the latest and greatest. I do want a quality blade that prvides a great shave, but I don't need Acqua di Parma or the latest from Floris to have a great shave. I think it should be about what makes you feel good, if it is a chore then I think the essence of the shave missed you.

[Trius]

Surely the objective here isn't to remove every scrap of evidence that we ever had facial hair? Rather, isn't the goal to make sure that every follicle that needs trimming be reduced to an acceptable length?

[Newfie slang alert]
No sir. The goal is to be able to rub my face all over and triumphantly say to myself, "Well done, my son, my trout!" :biggrin:
[/Newfie slang alert]

The other goal is to hear the sighs of resignation from SWMBO when another product enters the door. :wink:

[ateace]

[Newfie slang alert]
No sir. The goal is to be able to rub my face all over and triumphantly say to myself, "Well done, my son, my trout!" :biggrin:
[/Newfie slang alert]

Thanks for the warning!:lol:

[crocto]

I've posted stuff like the OP only to, the next day, switch from a crystal to a Swede midshave on a truly, bitterly cold, Indiana morning. Realizing, I had just made my shave 40% easier, I saw where the extra time and money went.

I used to tell preshave oil guys they were full of it, only to become addicted to that menthol blast known as Proraso preshave.


Moods change, faces change. Use what works in the time allotted. Buy what fits your budget. Remember, today might have been your last shave. Make them count.

Happy shaving.

i shave to impress her royal hotness giadia.

i think if you can afford the time and money then go right ahead and do 7 pass each with a different soap and brush. whatever makes you happy.

[guitarslinger]

i shave to impress her royal hotness giadia.

i think if you can afford the time and money then go right ahead and do 7 pass each with a different soap and brush. whatever makes you happy.

My skin is sensitive, plus my technique is thorough.

two passes for me, please.:wink: Any more is irritation time for me.:frown:

[sol92258]

OP, you are correct in your observations, that, to get the job done all you need is hot water, soap or cream, a brush, a razor and blade, cold water, & maybe some aftershave. that will accomplish the task of whisker reduction that we seek. The majority of the shaves we do, that is all that is necessary.
However, do you listen to music? Not songs, music? Classical, orchestra or symphony? The object isn't to get to the end as fast as possible, but to enjoy the whole piece, as it flows together to produce an emotion, a response, and overall enjoyment? Some shaves, and some would claim all shaves, are like this. Sometimes it's not the end result that we're going for, every once in awhile it's the trip.

[Pogo]

vroddrew: Full endorsement of your position.

Complicated rituals and potions bring increased potential for injuries.

Pogo

[MaduroMan_wcp]

HERITIC! BURN HIM AT THE STAKE!!!! :eek:

[dmnall]

Well I can say after I joined the site my shaves from start to finish were 30 minuet, down to 20 minuets and now 15 - 20 minuets *including making my lather, cleaning of my brush and bowl, cold water rinse, wh splash and asb*, right after my shower and prep time before I even start shaving! The razor is my hd slant and a feather blade! 1 wtg pass, 1x atg pass and a touch up pass for a BBS shave! The best part is I enjoy every minuet I shave!

Cheers,

[ambrose]

Im the same way I usually only go WTG then ATG. I am also thinning out my shave den to keep to a minimum.

[Jcof3474]

Since I am still somewhat new to DE shaving, I am really enjoying a nice long shave. Of course I am shaving at night when my wife and child are asleep so I can really enjoy it and take all of the time I want. And, I really find it relaxing. I used to hate shaving with a passion, but since the switch to DE I have really enjoyed the whole process and if it is going to give me much better results then I will take the time.

I too like to compare it to music, not classical, but more along the lines of a good 20 minute jam from a great bank like Phish or the Grateful Dead where you get lost and just enjoy the ride the whole way!

Njoy Your Shaves,

J.

[Ferannia]

Rather, isn't the goal to make sure that every follicle that needs trimming be reduced to an acceptable length?

BBS or DFS or CCS are not really necessary; as long as gfriend/wife doesn't feel any stubbles in most romantic and intimate situations, it also counts as an acceptable shave.

[Mainecanefan]

Great post. I can't fathom doing more than a 2 pass shave but I make sure to focus on each pass to get the most out of it. I make sure to breathe whatever the scent of the shaving cream or soap of the day is and enjoy it (I don't have many soaps or creams thanks to some semblance of willpower). I make sure to take a deep sniff of the aftershave once it is on and enjoy it (Sorry, cold water alone doesn't cut it for me). In the end, I make sure to do all of that so that if the rest of the day goes to hell, I managed to find some happiness first thing in the morning. I think we can all agree that there have been some days where the morning shave was the only good part of the day.

[Houndawg]

Well I can say after I joined the site my shaves from start to finish were 30 minuet, down to 20 minuets and now 15 - 20 minuets *including making my lather, cleaning of my brush and bowl, cold water rinse, wh splash and asb*, right after my shower and prep time before I even start shaving! The razor is my hd slant and a feather blade! 1 wtg pass, 1x atg pass and a touch up pass for a BBS shave! The best part is I enjoy every minuet I shave!

Cheers,

What does shaving have to do with dancing?

Minuet = a type of dance
Minute = a unit of time

[castlebar]

I agree with your comments, but I think you have to be shaving for a while to realize that less is more. What's that famous saying- "the path of excess leads to the tower of wisdom".

Only after purchasing 25 razors, sampling every soap, cream, brush, and DE blade on earth, and having liters of aftershave do we realize that one razor, one blade, brush, and soap is what it's all about. But unless you've tried 'em all, or most of them, you can't have the perspective to downsize and make life simpler for yourself. Unless you obtain a Fatboy, Krona, Aristocrat, etc., you'll never know if they're for you and you'll be forever tempted by the mythic status many items have achieved on these boards.

We've all spent way too much on shaving stuff, much of which we'll never use - one big consolation is that one man's detritus can be another man's treasure via the B/S/T forum, and even if you go overboard, the cost of this hobby pales in comparison to others. Has reading the Barber Shop and Speakeasy forums caused me to buy a ton of non-shaving related stuff that I probably don't need? Of course, but that's a topic for a different time! :001_smile

[mketz747]

For me the goal is to remove every scrap of hair. An excellent shave every day is the standard. Since I ditched the cheap disposables and canned cream for traditional DE gear I have the ability to achieve that goal. The result is worth the time. If I have to get up 15 minutes early so be it. If a two pass shave is sufficient for you then go for it. Me, I'm not going back.

[ateace]

Thanks for bringing a measure of practicality to the discussion.

Participating in these forums makes it difficult to narrow things down. Always the temptation to buy something else that someone raves about. :redface:

[Drew]

Agree with OP. 2 passes for me, and I'm BBS... very little need for touch-up, or anyting else. If I did more passes, I'm not exactly sure what I'd be shaving at that point :confused:

I very much enjoy my shave, but feel the use of hot pots, and other such contraptions is overkill. To each their own.

shave well
Drew

[Tordu]

I agree " Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien" fits well to shaving .
keep it simple.

[dmnall]

What does shaving have to do with dancing?

Minuet = a type of dance
Minute = a unit of time

Yes I mis-spelled Minute, I was typing and not paying attention! :lol: Sheesh, can't anyone make a typing mistake? :001_rolle Hell I will admit I cannot Dance son!

Cheers,

[guitarslinger]

Remember, today might have been your last shave. Make them count.

Happy shaving.

Today was almost my last shave. 50 mph into a ditch full of snow.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=971139#post971139