Hobby???

[Alfredo Becerra]

Hello gents! I've read some interesting comments on this site and maybe you can shed some light. Please keep in mind that I am not criticizing anyone's point of view, I am just interested in others opinions.

I had never, ever, in my entire wetshaving years come across a single guy who said wetshaving was a hobby until I found this website.

To me shaving has been nothing more than grooming. Granted, proper shaving is an important and pleasant ritual, but still just grooming. I would not, for instance, say that taking a bath or clipping my toe nails is a hobby, so what makes shaving different? you could argue that you have fun sampling different creams/aftershaves, but there's a pretty big leap between that and a hobby.

Now, I could be confused or misread some comments. I can see how collecting specific antiques like old safety razors or straight razors and restoring them would be a hobby, especially if you care enough to research their history. However, some have made it clear in previous postings that the actual action of shaving is a hobby, and this is what confuses me.

Another question I would like to pose to you gentlemen: If you view this as a hobby, do you list it on your resume where you have your list of hobbies? if so, what kind of looks or responses do you get?

Again, this is all curiosity and please, vote.

[tominabox1]

i think lots of it has to do with the community here; the forums, the chat. Its more of a communal hobby than one that takes a lot of time, like building cars or something. I dunno..thats my take on it

[King of Kailua]

I agree with the previous caller.

It's grooming for me peppered with the communal uplifting effect of B&B. There is a revelation aspect to re-discovering wet shaving and I am super stoked to have found a fine group of people that promote it. I think of the conversion from cartridges shaving and electric razors as a kind of born again moment (hallelujah!). I 'spose this site and community are more of a hobby for me then the actual shave. This could be all just good intentions talking though as I have a bit of the AD itch every now and then, and I still drool over SOTD pics.

[maxman]

I agree with tominabox1. The community makes it a hobby for me. I've learned so much about technique and products. That makes it fun for me. It also helps that my Father and Brother are into it as well. I enjoy sampling different creams, running the scents by my wife for approval (TOBS Eton College is a go!) and spending the time to do it right.

[PigKnappster]

I see it more as a Hobby now. If i was asked that question about shaving a few months ago, i would have said a grooming chore.

The reason I now look at it as a hobby is bottom line is I enjoy shaving now and actually look forward to it. I enjoy using both my DE and Straight, I enjoy changing up between the soaps and creams and seeing if I can make a better lather than the previous time, I enjoy coming on this forum, and i definatley enjoy the healty look and tone of my face now more than ever before.

[mmack66]

To me, the act of shaving itself is not a hobby. Spending time on B&B and AD's and stuff are the hobby part.

[mkevenson]

As with previous callers, (I like that), I view WS as a grooming method. The collection and refinement of the tools of the trade is the hobby, the discussion of this method and hobby happens here on the forums, this is an activity. The association with the members of B&B is pure enjoyment.

Welcome to the train, hold on tight, bumps ahead!!!!!!

ALL ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!

[jpkunst]

Just grooming for me.

[bradyarz]

i recall reading a thread where the poster had put something to the effect of "seriously interested in wet shaving" on their resume when they applied at AOS. later, he applied at verizon but forgot to take that line off, and they called him in for a second interview because of that very line.

if it's far enough off the beaten path, people will notice!
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I'd say the hobby aspect comes in when you really start paying serious attention to detail in a shave. with threads like sotd, you can see how many people put serious thought into what their daily shave will consist of: which brush do i want, which razor, which family of scents, etc etc. wet shaving (or rather wet shaving as viewed by members of b&b) is at it's base form, tinkering, which is what hobbies are all about. i tinker with computers (ram, hd, monitor, video card, software, operating systems), rc cars (electric, nitro, oil shocks, scale size, lipo vs nimh), woodworking (type of wood, application, finish), occasional small scale metalwork, etc. the same thing happens when i shave-- razor, blade, cream or soap, boar or badger, ad infinitum.

[agent005]

It's all point of view. You would say someone who loves flying or building model planes does that as a hobby. You can make anything you want a hobby..including shaving. I agree with the posts above that the B&B is more of the hobby part because my guess is that we spend more time here than on actually shaving. Heres the web definition of hobby:an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation: Her hobbies include stamp-collecting and woodcarving........or shaving

[baba]

That's why it is so damn addictive.

It is a hobby that you can test on yourself...you are the guinea pig so to speak. Shaving has something that many other hobby's don't, we are chasing something...the journey towards perfection, finding the elusive "perfect shave".

Even if we never find it, the trip alone is worth the effort.

[ChipBlood]

I view the necessity of shaving as an annoyance but the ART of wet shaving as a hobby. It makes a necessary task far more enjoyable for me.

[bazwalk]

Earlier today I was stood in front of the bathroom mirror, hot flannel on my face softening bristles. My thoughts turned to consider if I was in the mood for a straight shave, or maybe it would be better to go with the Merkur Slant or even the HD ? Boy, I was looking forward to trying the SS I ordered earlier in the week.
Then the blade. Derbies have been getting a bit of a pasting on B&B recently and I'm running low on Feathers. Go for an Iridium. T&H preshave oil or Skinfood ?
Cream or soap ? I'm in an Arlington mood today, but looking forward to the Castle Forbes that has been recommended on the Forums. Alum block - of course ! ASB ? No its hot today, I'll go with the aftershave.
Hobby ? Of course its a hobby. Face scraping with a plastic monstrosity and a can of goo is mere grooming, ours is a wonderful art practiced by a league of likeminded Gentlemen.
Another point, has anyone carried out research into the average value of a member's shave gear ? I think it would be extremely difficult to justify to our better halves as just for 'grooming'
Well I'm glad I got that off my chest ! Of course your opinion may differ.

[DFrancis]

Very much a hobby, everything associated with it too.

[ChipBlood]

Face scraping with a plastic monstrosity and a can of goo is mere grooming, ours is a wonderful art practiced by a league of likeminded Gentlemen.

Double plus brilliant!!!

[markb]

I consider it a "hobby" in as much as it's something that I derive pleasure from and which can be relaxing or invigorating, in addition to the collecting of various items associated with it. But there's the practical side as well. Ultimately it's personal grooming, no different than clipping your nails or trimming your nose hairs. We're just doing it the RIGHT way now.

[talibeard]

It is a bit hard to pick the best answer for me here. The hobby part certainly is about collecting; not just the razors but also in new soaps, new blades etc.

The shaving is about grooming for sure but maybe the fact that a lot of guys see it as a hobby too has something to do with the fact that we are not really used anymore to do a thing like this with joy.

I think grooming should be this good; taking your time, picking the products you fancy and the fun to toy with the tools that are part of the job. It is so good that it is tempting to call it a hobby while it is in fact just taking good care of yourself. Are we so rushed and unaware during daily rituals that we forgot simple things can be so good that once we become aware we call it a hobby? Hard to say.

[Go West Young Man]

I would call it an 'interest' of mine, not necessarily a 'hobby'.

[JPM]

I agree with the previous caller.

It's grooming for me peppered with the communal uplifting effect of B&B. There is a revelation aspect to re-discovering wet shaving and I am super stoked to have found a fine group of people that promote it. I think of the conversion from cartridges shaving and electric razors as a kind of born again moment (hallelujah!). I 'spose this site and community are more of a hobby for me then the actual shave. This could be all just good intentions talking though as I have a bit of the AD itch every now and then, and I still drool over SOTD pics.

Pretty much the same for me.

[Johhny Schleps]

It's just grooming for me......I don't collect, but, I enjoy all the old school stuff.

Examples: I love Shulton Old Spice.....I buy it to use, not to look at. Same with shaving mugs. I have 4 and they are all loaded with different soaps.
I own 4 DE's, and they all get used as well.

I do display some of it in my shave den, but it's not there for looks!