Wet shaving

[alden]

For those of you young enough to still be shaving everyday, there is a site that may be of interest dedicated to "wet shaving" i.e. with a brush and soap:

http://www.enchanteonline.com/pages/men ... graces.htm

[jekarwoski]

Good timing, as I am seeing my barber this morning for a shave and haircut.

I went to brush and soap about 10 years ago, changed to cream about 5 years ago. There's no going back to any other way...I use a travel size brush and cream in tubes when traveling.

[ccox]

Gentlemen;

I'm not brave enough to risk the straight razor, but during the week I use a old safety razor -- the kind that takes a double-sided razor blade. It's adjustable to allow for closeness and sensitivity and heavy enough to do most of the work for me. It gives a very close and smooth shave when I use the pre-shave oil and brush/soap.

On the weekends, I switch back to my M3P (the vibrating Mach III) as a treat. It's quicker and sometimes more comfortable.

I have just received a refill for my mug of Truefitt and Hill's shaving soap and a bottle of C.A.R Hair Cream. Will post results of the trial by fire later.

I was pleased with the orering online at the Truefitt site, but rather disappointed in the packaging. The soap refill was just wrapped in paper and the hair cream comes in a plastic bottle. USD$38 with shipping. At least The Art of Shaving has hefty glass flagons... Ah well, the proof is in the pudding and the results may make me overlook the rest.

Regards,
CCox

[stagfoot]

I've never been to a barber.
Is there any risk of catching something like hepatitis or worse from a communal razor?

[BirdofSydney]

For those of you young enough to still be shaving everyday

I thought one's beard only got heavier with age. Does it round a corner and start to resile at a certain age?

I like to shave everyday whether it's strictly necessary or not, it gives me a clean feeling and a little burst of energy, believe it or not.

I'd like to try using the straight razor, I think I have the requisite manual dexterirty. And I feel that if WWI soldiers could manage to use them in the treches with a helmet full of boiling water and a tiny mirror, while under artillery bombardment, surely I can manage with good cream and a spare twenty minutes.

I didn't like the Gillette multiple blade range (I think I owned a Mach 2), it got clogged up easily and was a bit of a nuisance, but judging by members' enthusiasm I may give it another crack.

Stagfoot: To my knowledge, hepatitis lives in the blood, and as such is theoretically tranferrable via a razorblade, and I don't imagine the strong alcohol does much to kill it. Of course, you shouldn't be patronising a barber who draws blood anyway! Though, it does raise an interesting question of legal responsibility for barbers (I know in the old times they were often sued for a few shillings for giving someone barbers itch).

I don't see why it shouldn't be possible, if you are really concerned, to actually purchase your own straight razor and take it in with you for your barber to use. I'd imagine if you asked first, to ensure it was a model that he was comfortable using, it would work out - if he has the concern for his customers that LL members look for in ANY service.

Short of this, talk to him about his means of ensuring health and safety, I'm sure he's already thought about it and has a solution.

Hope this eases your mind,

Cheers,

Eden

[jekarwoski]

Re: blood on the blade and contracting something from it...my barber uses a straight razor handle that takes disposable single use (and single sided, I think) blades. No danger of contamination from patron to patron. They still have strops on the chairs, but it seems only for effect. Of course this is in the US, and perhaps they are required by law(yers) (no disrespect intended!) to employ the single use blade.

Funny, I just realized the irony of my barber's name: Nick.

[alden]

I thought one's beard only got heavier with age. Does it round a corner and start to resile at a certain age?

A beard does get heavier with age along with a good many other things. So some of us decide finally to let the whiskers sprout, trimming each morning instead of shaving. Its just as much work at the end of the day, you simply feel more the gardener than the butcher.

Here's an example of one who has chosen the gardening path

[stagfoot]

Thank you both for your replies Eden and Jekarwoski.
It's something I'll have to investigate further, regarding the local practices.

[stagfoot]

I finally got around to checking on this.
New Zealand barbers use a disposable blade as well.

[DB]

I'm wondering if I am the only one who takes wet shaving a bit further.

Faced with my fairly tough beard I found that even shaving after showering was to much of a painful proposition. I have for the last 10 years shaved in the shower and believe its the best solution. There is nothing that softens up your skin like the steam and moisture arising from a shower. I use a small hand mirror (apply a tiny amount of soap to the face to avoid fogging) and a Mach 3. You also avoid all the hassle of disposing of excess shaving cream and hair.
This technique works for all climates as I've lived in both northern Australia and northeastern United States.
I must admit I have gone to some fairly ridicolous lengths when travelling (sans hand mirror) to get my shave in while still showering.

Am I mad? Violating some unwritten shaving etiquette? My father to this day shaving with a brush and soap and single bladed disposables. Makes me cringe just watching.

[Guest]

it may works; but it is a freightening waste of water.

[RWS]

. . . . I have for the last 10 years shaved in the shower and believe it[']s the best solution. . . .

With a tough beard and tender skin, I have for nearly thirty years often done as DB, save for use of a mirror. The shave is smooth, to be sure, but sometimes bloody and inaccurate; and it always is time-consuming. I persist in believing that a better way must exist and expect soon to return (more knowledgeable, I hope, this time) to use of a straight razor, out of the shower and before a mirror.

[Cliff]

Re: blood on the blade and contracting something from it...my barber uses a straight razor handle that takes disposable single use (and single sided, I think) blades. No danger of contamination from patron to patron. They still have strops on the chairs, but it seems only for effect. Of course this is in the US, and perhaps they are required by law(yers) (no disrespect intended!) to employ the single use blade.

Funny, I just realized the irony of my barber's name: Nick.

Re: original query, can one contract medical problems from a barbers blade. The answer is yes. One should always check their barbers process to insure blades are soaked in an antiseptic solution between shaves. Like most barbers now, in the states, my barber does not perform full shaves anymore but does the back of neck touch-up during the haircutting process. He has several razors that he rotates, always soaking the unused blades for a half-hour; he changes the antiseptic solution twice daily - once in the morning and at noon.

[JLibourel]

I thought one's beard only got heavier with age. Does it round a corner and start to resile at a certain age?

A beard does get heavier with age along with a good many other things. So some of us decide finally to let the whiskers sprout, trimming each morning instead of shaving. Its just as much work at the end of the day, you simply feel more the gardener than the butcher.

Here's an example of one who has chosen the gardening path

My second day in the Lounge and I am already taking issue with our esteemed host! Nonetheless, my experience has been very much to the contrary. My beard (at age 63) is not nearly as tough and heavy as it was, say, 20 years ago. I think this is explained by the substantial decline in testosterone production as we get older.

[uppercase]

Makes me feel like getting up and shaving right now!
What do you say, Michael?! You too?

http://www.trumpers.com/shaving_tips.htm

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