I awoke this morning thinking about shaving. I realized that I went to sleep last night thinking about shaving, I spend time during my day thinking about shaving. What? I spent almost 35 years learning to despise the daily ritual of facial hair removal. I tried electrics, canned goo, 2 and 3 blade cartridges, disposables, full beards, mustaches, goatees, sideburns and all manner of facial hair to avoid shaving. I dealt with angry ingrown whiskers on my neck. I considered shaving to be among the most uncivilized and barbaric jokes played upon men in the history of the world. I would speak angrily about shaving to almost anyone who would listen (or who couldn't get away fast enough) and let everyone know that I HATED SHAVING! 11 months ago I purchased a couple of DE sets for my two grown sons for Christmas. I hoped they would find a better way and perhaps not hold such bitterness toward shaving as their father did. It turned out that one of my sons could not stand the scent of the shaving soap, so I headed toward the store to see if I could find something for him. A Van Der Hagen set was on sale for less than the cost of a puck of soap, so I picked up another brush and bowl. I took the smelly soap and the new brush and gave it a little bit of a try with my 3 bladed Wilkinson Sword disposable and had a nice experience. So I promptly got online and found a vintage Gillette and some more soap and a blade sampler. Before I knew what was happening, I had about 20 razors, 4 or 5 brushes, hundreds of blades and more soap than could fit in a drawer! I was blogging about shaving and felt like I was squeeling like a teenage girl over the Beatles every time I spoke to someone about this incredible new way of life. I could only shave my face once a day, but I could also shave my scalp once a day and so I could shave morning and night. I made my wife feel my face or pat my scull and say appreciative things about my quality of shave. Whoa....that did not fit with my dignified persona, so I put the brakes on this madness. I sold all of my razors except for one, gave away soaps, blades, brushes, aftershaves and started to gain a little reason back into my head. But, I kept going to sleep with the thought of shaving on my mind and waking up with visions of brushes and lather and the scent of aftershave almost in my nose. Could it be that I actually enjoyed shaving and it wasn't just about the tools? I realized something. I think I like shaving now.
Thanks VedderLG. I am slowly adding selected razors back in to my den. I don't need to buy any soaps or blades for quite a while.
Very good story. From a newbie perspective, less than 6 weeks in, I too understand and agree with what you have written.
Great story Troy! A true love/hate relationship played out many times by many people. It sounds a lot like my shaving history.
Ditto here. Very similar sentiments. I really like shaving! Something I once avoided and hated is usually a highlight of my day now.
That is another outstanding point @Adonis! Before DE, I would shave anywhere from 0 to 4 times per week. Since late December of 2013 I believe I have skipped shaving a total of 3 times. Crazy!
Great write-up, Troy! The DE changed my life as well as yours. Only the last few months shaving became sort of a nuisance again. But I guess that was the build-up to the burn-out. Luckily it is starting to be fun again! Phew!
A nice read. If I were to purge my DEs I would probably end up with my NEW SC as well. After the Trac II is when I started hating cartridges. I am glad to be back to DEs again.
I really like Bay Rum - my brother introduced me to it several years back. But I can't find any good stuff locally. Is that Genuine Ogallala Bay Rum any good? Where do you buy it? I noticed in your signature that you are also a head shaver - I've been doing it now since summer. I haven't tried doing it with a DE razor, though. I just use cheap disposable razors for that. I figured they were more forgiving, especially in the back where I can't see what I'm doing.
Hey @TideFan195 I actually obtained this bottle via trade with @Shotwell here. I love the stuff. The scent lasts longer and to my nose and my wife's nose, it is a very nice clovey scent. I expect it is available at most any of the larger online shaving suppliers such as West Coast Shaving or Duluth Trading post to name just a couple. I hesitated to shave my head with a DE, but let me tell you, it is dead easy for me! I make 2 passes, front to back and the old scalp is as smooth as a cueball. The back of the head is pretty easy by feel. I have a couple of spots where I might nick myself every 10th shave or so, but its not too bad. I'm glad I ditched the disposables and the head blade for my skull.
