are younger people getting into wet shaving or is this relegated to older folks?

[White Power Ranger]

i'm in my early 40s and no one i know is even open to the idea of using a double edge razor, even though they sometimes complain about the high cost of cartridges

i've tried to communicate the advantages but it's a waste of time

do you have any anecdotes of the youth of today taking up wet shaving or is this seen as a relic of a bygone era exclusively for old people?

 

[silverlifter]

If you look in some of the places younger folk hang out, like reddit or discord, you'll see that it is holding it's own with that demographic.

Incidentally, they refer to forums like this one as "Boomer Boards"

 

[WThomas0814]

Seems like most of the "utes" have either a beard or something that wishes it could be a beard.

They may be afraid of a DE, or not know where to find the necessary gear. Also, they probably grew up with fathers who used cartridges or electric shavers.

Welcome to B&B, by the way.

 

[WThomas0814]

I was born in '63. I barely made it into the Boomer ranks.

 

[NorthernSoul]

There's some interest from the younger people. The reasons vary. For instance, lower cost, lower environmental impact, enjoying using vintage things, or just having an older person in the family who encouraged them to try it out. Tending to the practical, as far as I can see, instead of going for a luxury experience.

 

[TOVT]

i've tried to communicate the advantages but it's a waste of time

I know that feeling!

If someone told me 30-40 years ago, that I could get a fantastic, smooth, clean, comfortable shave by ditching my Gillette Sensor and clippers for any DE razor of that time, it's doubtful I would have changed.

Now I look back, wish I would have known. I was always scruffy faced and fully bearded because shaving with a cartridge and canned shaving cream only worked well for one shave. Shaving was an unenjoyable waste of time that more often than not didn't deliver a good clean shave.

Took until I was 39 to try DE shaving. My friends, from late teen and early twenties years, see my face now and are surprised that I'm walking around with a clean shave.

 

[NorthwestCorner]

I’m in my early forties and just took up wet shaving about two years ago.

Just speaking personally, I feel like if we’ve played our cards right, we can start slowing down and picking up new hobbies and leisure activities in our forties. IDK.

I got one buddy to buy a DE razor about a year ago but he hasn’t touched it yet. I think he was impressed with my excitement. He bought the same razor I did. But he’s busy. The poor guy runs his own business and works long hours.

 

[Odinarcade00]

i'm in my early 40s and no one i know is even open to the idea of using a double edge razor, even though they sometimes complain about the high cost of cartridges

i've tried to communicate the advantages but it's a waste of time

do you have any anecdotes of the youth of today taking up wet shaving or is this seen as a relic of a bygone era exclusively for old people?

Im in my mid 30s just now getting into it. I had no idea it existed in my 20s.....I tried to get my friend in his late 20s into it but i dont think hes interested. I even told my friends around my age I dont think they give a crap. Its hard convincing people. On the plus side im only offering it to my kids when they get older. Probably hand them down some mild razors like the henson or merkur 34C to start with and see what they like about it. But thats far into the future. Honestly my dad just got into it but hes just edging up his beard. My mom convinced him not to shave his beard because of "baby face" but whatever he looks older I just think he likes his beard. Makes him feel manly I guess. I just go with the mustache and shave everything else cuz thats what my wife likes. I think brands like henson, rockwell, and leaf are getting younger people into it slowly. I dont think I wouldve tried it without trying a henson first tbh.

 

[Odinarcade00]

Seems like most of the "utes" have either a beard or something that wishes it could be a beard.

They may be afraid of a DE, or not know where to find the necessary gear. Also, they probably grew up with fathers who used cartridges or electric shavers.

Welcome to B&B, by the way.

Definitely guys who CAN grow a nice beard these days definitely go towards that route for sure. They would rather not even shave if they havea nice bushy beard. Guys like me that cannot grow a big long bushy beard tend to shave but ill be honest I was trying to grow it out cuz i got lazy and then one day my wife was giving me a haircut and then took the clippers and mowed my wiry thin beard down and then thats what prompted me to start shaving again. First with cartridges and then finally took the wet shaving plunge. But there are younger guys that just do a normal cartridge shave that I know of. I will say the more I shave the more my beard starts to show when its time to shave. Even my kids notice when my face is "scratchy" now. I think they prefer me to have a baby smooth face.

 

[Odinarcade00]

If you look in some of the places younger folk hang out, like reddit or discord, you'll see that it is holding it's own with that demographic.

Incidentally, they refer to forums like this one as "Boomer Boards"

absolutely not. Reddit is ridiculous for saying that. Im only in my mid 30s and when I was in my early teens I was a big gamer. I used to use gaming website boards like this all the time. Definitely not a boomer thing. Gen Z and gen alpha saying that are completely dumb in my honest opinion. People that stay on reddit all the time live in a bubble.

 

[WThomas0814]

I think they prefer me to have a baby smooth face.

This is what led me to revisit more efficient razors, only in my case, it is my grandkids. I'm personally fine with a DFS, but, after a few hours I get a bot too scratchy for nuzzling toddler flesh.

 

[sylbub]

Plenty of gen Z/millennials interested in wet shaving on Reddit.
I have no idea how most people fall into this rabbit hole

 

[Goblin]

Plenty of gen Z/millennials interested in wet shaving on Reddit.

Also, a lot of Henson's growth and popularity came from specifically targeting kids on TikTok and Instagram. I think their success with that demographic is one reason they stopped marketing the mild model as a woman's razor.

 

[Odinarcade00]

Also, a lot of Henson's growth and popularity came from specifically targeting kids on TikTok and Instagram. I think their success with that demographic is one reason they stopped marketing the mild model as a woman's razor.

I dont even have instagram or tiktok I found it on youtube. I see alot of people getting into the henson on youtube. People like me enjoy the mild and some people prefer the medium and even the aggressive. Im good with the mild and a feather blade. Perfect combo.

 

[Odinarcade00]

This is what led me to revisit more efficient razors, only in my case, it is my grandkids. I'm personally fine with a DFS, but, after a few hours I get a bot too scratchy for nuzzling toddler flesh.

yeah my toddler looked at me after a day of not shaving and said "dad your face is scratchy" lol

 

[PintoPlain]

I think there is a bit of interest from younger people, but using the older methods is still very much a niche area. My former manager almost had conniptions when I mentioned I use and restore straights, and we were of a similar age.

There must be some interest in straights as the prices don't seem to be coming down. I can only assume there must be some youngsters, i.e. those under 40, driving demand.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I have learned a new word today

conniption
noun
informal North American

A fit of rage or  hysterics.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

My local packaging free/buy in bulk/no waste shop is mostly frequented by younger people (much younger than me, anyways) and it stocks quite a wide range of DE razors, blades etc, so there must be demand for it. Unfortunately most of the shaving gear in the shop is not very good, and overpriced, so I don't buy it. The foodstuffs they sell are good, however, and very reasonably priced so I go in for those and glance at the shaving items.

 

[Dan05]

I’m 40 and have been wet shaving mainly with a straight since 34. My son is almost ready to shave and I’m going to introduce him to double edge shaving first

 

[Odinarcade00]

Stores like target have two De safety razors in stock as of late. The cheap van der hagen and the 50 dollar bevel razor. Both good options for beginners I hear. Its on the up and up!