A little background info.... I'll be 45 in January and have pretty much hated shaving my whole life. That is, until I discovered wet shaving with a DE razor about 5 months ago. I've used mainly electrics, and every once in a while something like a Gillette Sensor. My father died when I was 2 and my mother never remarried. My grandfathers on both sides were also deceased by the time I started shaving. So, I really didn't have anyone to teach me. I don't remember the first razor I used, but I'm sure it was something disposable. I have a fairly heavy beard and get 5 o'clock shadow pretty quickly (except for the past 5 months). So, needless to say, I'd shave only as much as I needed to. I'd get pretty grizzly at times, and I know my wife didn't like it, so that's what prompted me to try something different. So, the question my wife asked me is this: Why are you so into shaving all the sudden? It took me a few days to be able to come up with what I think is the answer. I think what it boils down to is that this is what I imagined my father would have taught me. It would have been a bonding experience, and I can imagine me teaching it to my 2 year old son when he's old enough. I enjoy shaving now, and my wife does appreciate the fact that I'm clean shaven much more often. But, I also know that she thinks it's pretty funny that I got into it so much, and so late. Anyway, just thought that I'd share my story in case anyone had insomnia and needed something to help them get tired. Now, I just need to convince her that trying a straight isn't as dangerous as it looks. That's the next step! Thanks for reading, Matt
Hi Matt, Welcome to the club. I used to go weeks/months without shaving, now I find myself eager to shave especially when I have have something new to try. Part of the fun for me is reading reviews, and getting others peoples perspectives on shave prep, lather technique, razors used, creams used,....ect ect. There are so many variables you will constantly be searching for the shaving Nirvana. I have learned a lot from this and other forums, this is by far the friendliest and most laid back of all the forums I have found. Also, I just got my first straight last week, they are not as intimidating and difficult to use as one would believe, just make sure if you get one, get one that has been hand honed and stropped to be shave ready before you use it. Tell your wife you are not alone and there are plenty of other wackos that are just as crazy about wet shaving as you are.
Yeah, she catches me on the forums all the time, so she knows I'm not the only crazy one out there. However, she doesn't understand why it costs so much. I only have to ask her how much she spends on her cosmetics and creams and such to end that discussion though. I have explained that in the end it's really not more expensive that buying new cartridges all the time, or cans and cans of shaving "cream". And, she does see that I enjoy it, and now that I've explained my reasoning, she's much more understanding. Just need to make sure that I don't fill all the available space in the cupboards with creams and soaps! Matt
It doesn't have to be overly expensive, IMO best bang for the buck for creams is JM frasers, for a little under 10 dollars you get 8 ounces one of the best performing creams, (other creams are 14-20 dollars for 4 or 5 ounces) they even have a menthol version. And for soaps Tabac is one of the best and cheapest, some love the scent some hate it, there is little in between, but if you like it it's a great bargain. they are both available here http://shavingessentials.net/shaving_creams.html It is fun to try new stuff and I am guilty of trying to get every obscure shave related product I can, but I use these 2 as a standard to compare to. also the shave den's own products are supposed to be very good, I'm going to be placing my first order soon.
Glad you enjoy shaving. My father never tought me. He handed me a free kit that gillette had been giving away at his gym that had some foam and a mach 3. That was that.
"Because I can!" That's what I told my wife. I can shave every day of the week now with no breaks if I want to (and I usually do). And it can cost as little or as much as you want it to. And I never got the shaving instruction from my father although I am fortunate enough to still have him around. He wears a beard. Maybe I should teach him - he claims to wear the beard because he hated shaving - obviously he must've been doing it wrong.
Glad to hear you've found a way to get satisfying shaves for you and the missus! You're gonna convince her that a straight is not dangerous, because it isn't. Just don't let her watch Sweeney Todd and you should be fine
I am 47, and started DE shaving about 8-9 months ago, until I tried a Gem SE now I have a new addiction. I wore a beard for most of my adult life, because I could not shave more that twice a week due to pain and irritation. My Dad had DEs and I remember trying one a couple of times, but being a multiblade shaver, I did not know what I was doing and looked like I lost the fight with Freddie Kruger. Dad shaved every morning for almost all of his adult life, but never instructed me in the art. I think my wife had seen me sans beard/mustache twice in 17 years. I now wear a goatee, so it has still been a while since my chin had seen day light. So don't think that you are the only late bloomer here, and I am sure that we are not alone.
At 36 years of age my 'addiction' kind of formed naturally when I began shaving my head... guess it was never questioned, just not understood.
Tell her it's because you know she didn't like you being grizzly and you're making an effor to look nice for her. This is the same excuse she will give you when you ask her why she needs another new pair of shoes or a dress or a jacket etc etc...
LOVE my Pops.....................but. never taught me 1 Iota abourt shaving. Taught me how to: Bowl, Fish (still the only thing he whups me at ), play baseball and golf..................... But I learned to shave on my own. Prolly why I sucked at it for SO long
I never really gave it much thought that he wouldn't teach me. It's something that I really haven't asked my friends about, but based on some of the replies here, I'm guessing many of them learned on their own as well. At least I can still imagine that he would have though! Matt
Although I don't seem to have more time today, then I did when I was younger, I would have to tell her that I just like to learn as much about something, and do it as well, as I can, then move on to the next challenge. Keeps life interesting.
It's never too late! I am 57 and have been wet shaving for 7 months now and enjoying every shave! My dad taught me how to use a DE in the 60's, but for some unknown reason I switched to disposables somewhere along the way. Never gave up the brush and soap though. Now I've gone full circle and am actually shaving with my dad's '64 Super Speed. Not only great shaves but I get to reconnect with Dad in spirit every morning.
I wish my mom had kept some of my dad's old stuff. It would have been nice to use it and get that connection. I think my wife's grandfather had some really old shaving stuff that I've inquired about possibly using. Her family has pretty much adopted me as one of their own, so it won't be quite the same, but it would be nice to shave with something that a family member used to use. Matt
