A good friend of mine has been blind since birth. I recently met him for lunch and he noticed a hint of my C&E Sandalwood shave cream. He has a heavy beard and always looks clean shaven. We got on the subject of shaving and I told him that I had been wet shaving with my Father's DE for about two months now. I asked him how he shaved. He told me that shaving was one of his greatest pleasures in life. He uses an older Gillette slim adjustable, a Simpson badger brush and has an assortment of shaving creams. He said that shaving heightens his senses of touch, smell and sound. He told me I should try shaving in the dark. More by feel and less by sight. I haven't tried it yet but I think he has a point here. In this over stimulated world of high tech, must stay in touch gizmos, I have found shaving to be a very relaxing pleasure.
Blind shaving - your senses
- Thread starter coop1960
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Thanks for sharing this. It confirms the sensual aspect of our hobby, which is clearly there for your friend.
jim
jim
When I sometimes shave in the shower without a mirror it is similar. But I can choose to use a mirror or not. Good for your friend.
This is probably a very good way for beginners to really get a feel for the angle of the blade against their faces, and the position of their hands.
It could also enhance the pleasure of a hot wet blade against your face, and the scent of a great shaving cream surrounding you.
It could also enhance the pleasure of a hot wet blade against your face, and the scent of a great shaving cream surrounding you.
I used to shave by feel, when I was in the Army and out in the field -- either I'd managed to forget my pocket mirror, or it was "0-dark-30" and a mirror wouldn't have been much help.
As I recall, it wasn't easy at first, but I got better at it (Gillette Trac II and a can of their "The Hot One").
Smooth shaving!
As I recall, it wasn't easy at first, but I got better at it (Gillette Trac II and a can of their "The Hot One").
Smooth shaving!
Thanks for sharing! I have a feeling that even without the sense of sight, your friend can probably shave better than most of us, let alone the rest of the population!
I think a lot of us put more faith in what we see rather than what we feel, and not just in regard to shaving.
I think a lot of us put more faith in what we see rather than what we feel, and not just in regard to shaving.
When I lived in North Carolina, the bathroom was connected to our master bedroom. So I woudn't wake up my wife at 4:30 in the morning, I would shower and shave (in the shower) in the dark. Since that was the only bathroom with a shower, I would finish up there and head to the powder room on the 1st floor to get dressed finish up. I remember getting the best shaves by feel alone.
Wow, I'd be too scared that I'd end up doing a VanGough maneuver and lose an ear.
I don't think you're to use a straight razor...
What?? Did you say something sonny??
Well put Matt.
Every so often I'll end up shaving with my eyes closed, but I have a finger of the other hand feeling the way. It's also a great way for identifying ATG.
At home, I have the luxury of a mirror in the shower. However, when I travel, that luxury doesn't exist. I have no problems shaving by touch/feel. The first time with a DE was a bit scary but after that, it has been smooth and might I even add, Zen-like.
Great story! Makes whatever obstacles I have in pursuit of a nice shave seem pretty trivial.
I recall on one of Bill Cosby's comedy records, there was a bit where he went to call on Ray Charles, and cautioned Ray against shaving in the dark even as he realized that he was making an *** of himself.
I recall on one of Bill Cosby's comedy records, there was a bit where he went to call on Ray Charles, and cautioned Ray against shaving in the dark even as he realized that he was making an *** of himself.
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