Why do you shave 'properly'......

**Unknownsoldier** · 02-14-2009, 01:50 PM

Hi Guys,

Recently had someone ask me why I bother to shave with a DE......... he was listening in to a conversation I was having with a friend who hates proper razors and uses only electrics........ my answer "Because shaving (as well as doing other things properly) makes you feel civilised in an uncivilised world"

Anyone else ever thought this????

Tom

**LagerLover** · 02-14-2009, 02:10 PM

A good shave with a DE and the right pre-save, soap/cream is a fantastic start to the

: "first day of the rest of your life"

Apes and other animals groom themselves. Good grooming habits that reinforce your self image gives you confidence and motivation to go give 'em hell.

**harman** · 02-14-2009, 02:13 PM

In an indirect, and perhaps off-topic, response to the thread... I just want to say... Thank God I discovered wet shaving.

**SepticTank** · 02-14-2009, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier

"Because shaving (as well as doing other things properly) makes you feel civilised in an uncivilised world"

Because I get a better shave with less irritation - end of story.

**SlyGI** · 02-14-2009, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier

Hi Guys,

Recently had someone ask me why I bother to shave with a DE......... he was listening in to a conversation I was having with a friend who hates proper razors and uses only electrics........ my answer "Because shaving (as well as doing other things properly) makes you feel civilised in an uncivilised world"

Anyone else ever thought this????

Tom

OMG! You are so right. That is one of the main reasons I shave. Plus, for me, it's a way to connect with the past, more traditional, more manley society of my father and grandfather's generation.

I try to be civilized in everything I do. As an example, I was just in the field for 7 days, and some of the privates stopped shaving (it was cold and snowy) so I go on their butts about shaving, keeping their uniform and equipment clean, etc... Their big response was "I'm in the field why do I need to shave." My reply is always "just because our job is to kill people, doesn't mean we have to be barbarians about it."

Same goes with shaving. Why be a barbarian about shaving when you can make it a civilized, pleasurable, experience?

**Dennard** · 02-14-2009, 06:24 PM

I wasn't drawn to de shaving because of bad experiences with other methods. The main reason I was drawn was the "old school" cool factor of it. I definitely feel more manly and civilized when I pull out my double edge rather than a cartridge or electric.

**Bluestaco** · 02-14-2009, 07:12 PM

I like your "...civilized world..." answer.
Mine:
Because with shaving, like with a lot of other things, mankind finally got it right somewhere along the line and since then they've just been messing with it. The DE is probably where, for most people, they got it right. Why mess with it?

**arghblech** · 02-14-2009, 07:23 PM

I enjoy "the right way" part of it but really I just don't want to suffer. If mach3s didn't cause me so much physical discomfort it would be harder to continue this hobby.

**Deftim13** · 02-14-2009, 07:46 PM

I had someone ask me the same question. I asked them what pizza they would prefer, frozen pizza or a fresh New York pie from a little mom and pop place. Of course they said the NY pizza. I told them wet shaving is like the NY pie and Mach 3 and electric shaving is like frozen pizza from the grocery store. Just not as good and not anywhere near as enjoyable. Plus when I shaved with a Mach 3 my neck looked like a frozen pizza

Made sense at the time....

**prewt** · 02-15-2009, 04:09 AM

My family is amazed every time they see me and my face isn't hamburger.

" I see you quit using those old razors and blades "

' No, I haven't picked up a plastic razor since '07.'

"hmmpf, just wait, you will slip and cut off a lip or something".

I gave up on my family. They can use what they want, just don't dare touch MY shaving items.

**ScotchDave** · 02-15-2009, 06:56 AM

Simply put: I hate paying over the odds for a crappy shave!

**Bulldawg** · 02-15-2009, 07:01 AM

For me it's simple. It's something I have to do everyday. I can either suffer through it

or enjoy it. Using electrics and carts I suffered through it. With DE I enjoy it.

**Bulldawg** · 02-15-2009, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by prewt

My family is amazed every time they see me and my face isn't hamburger.

Oh yeah, and it produces better results and is good for your skin

**expatCanuck** · 02-15-2009, 07:35 AM

While I started with an electric, I quickly moved to TracII/Atra
(to my father's continued bewilderment), and shaved like that
for 20+ years.

I dabbled with a cartridge-style straight 10-15 years or so ago,
and put it away for good shortly after a nice slash in my cheek.

The original motivation to leave cartridges was the rising cost.
When they rose above $1 each, I was offended.
Wanted something cheaper. (Hah!

)

I don't quite recall how I happened upon B&B, but one Schick Krona
and WCS sampler pack later, ingrown hairs became a thing of the
past, and with a plethora of appealing soap scents and a comfortable
Tweezerman to apply them, shaving became a welcome activity
rather than a chore.

With the AD's mostly under control, I stay because I just plain enjoy
'proper' wetshaving, and I get better results. Certainly the romance
of a straight razor appeals to me, but the reality is that the honing
& stropping would likely again make shaving more like a chore. That,
and I think that there's a reason that DE razors are known as 'safety' razors.

**JonnyAngel** · 02-15-2009, 07:50 AM

Straights are one of the coolest, most masculine things on the face of the planet. The smells of the Creams, Soaps, Splashes and EDT's. The feel of warm lather from my scuttle. Knowing that I have quality hand made products that will be around longer than I will.

**Unknownsoldier** · 02-15-2009, 07:56 AM

So many seem to agree with me, I'm glad.........

I have just ordered some St.James AS, Bay Rum and some lemon and lime shaving cream, hoping it will make me smell older...... and perhaps encourage me to be more mature......

I honestly thought with that guys question..... A). Whats it to do with you? and B). With so much else going on in the world is the way someone chooses to shave, contrary to your own way, really that bigger deal.... ;-)

Tom

**dpm802** · 02-15-2009, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by prewt

My family is amazed every time they see me and my face isn't hamburger.

When I meet family and friends that haven't seen me since I started wet-shaving, they invariably make the same comment.

"Wow ... you look GOOD!"

That's all that counts.

I gave up on my family. They can use what they want, just don't dare touch MY shaving items.

This past Thanksgiving, I gave my brother a pristine FatBoy F3 (his birthday razor,) a new tube of Cremo Cream, a blade assortment, and instructions to watch the Mantic videos.

He watched the videos, thought they were neat, but I don't think he's actually shaved with the gear I gave him yet.

What more can I do?

**Stubblefield** · 02-15-2009, 08:32 AM

I shaved with an electric for about 6 months. I quit because I got tired of constant razor burn and a lousy shave. There is something about a sub-par shave that has the potential to ruin your day, as you are not starting the day with your best foot forward.

I use my morning grooming ritual to put me in the right frame of mind for having a successful day; Which, in my opinion cannot be achieved when you have a daily argument with your razor.

**NorthALABeeKeep** · 02-15-2009, 09:53 AM

I like DE shaving because it is something that has proven itself over decades of shaving. Just because Gillette now has razors with 4 or 6 or even 8 blades to me does not mean that it is better. IMHO is only better for Gillette's profit margin. Just because something is new doesn't mean it's better.

**Mojo88** · 02-15-2009, 10:43 AM

For me it's a connection to the past, that requires me to slow down and take time. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and remember seeing my father use a DE, then he switched to electric. I endured poor shaves for years until my oldest son discovered AOS products. Now, both my sons and I shave with fatboys that we use daily. Occasionally we all go to antique stores together looking for razors. It has developed into a family hobby, that allows use some "man time" apart from the wives. And if I must say we are the best shaved group, when we show up at family functions.