What is your finest achievement since..

Hello Gents.I have achieved many goals since switching to a different shave process.We have all had issues since we started shaving in our early teens.Most folks have endured with the status quo,others changed their process or tools.For me I started with Bic disposables in the early 80's to cartridge razors and then stepped back to DE technology to find a comfortable shave process.This thread is about your process..and your greatest achievement since you changed up..or down if the case may be..What did you gain?..

 

I started shaving with a Gillette 109. 1980. Still have it. That is all I used for 10 years. Then I got married and slowly fell into the disposable razors for 20 years. Then in 2009 or 10 not sure. I stumbled into an AOS store. That reignited my DE shaving. I purchased an overpriced Futur, brush and shaving cream.
After first shave I was sold. No turning back. I used the Futur exclusively until I stumbled upon this shaving forum (2015). Man were my eyes opened in a hurry to the true wonders of the shave. Several hundred razors later I have zero plans of ever stopping trying new stuff.

The best thing to come from all of this is “all of you”
Tom

 

Utilizing the collection.

I use most of the razors, vintage soaps, and aftershaves that I obtain.
I have duplicate razors that don’t get used, ages old aftershaves that no longer smell good, etc.; but for the most part, the things I collect get used for their intended purpose.

I have long enjoyed collecting so having a collection that does more than sit on a shelf is quite the delight.
In fact, collecting vintage shave items and then using them has led to collecting and using vintage coffee makers.
I’m not sure what’s next but I have a feeling it might be vintage hand tools someday.

 

It took me several years, but I'm back down to using 1 razor and 1 blade and well, we don't talk about soaps and creams. But I shave 5-6 days a week and have not had an ingrown whisker in 7 or 8 years. I used to have them monthly if not weekly.

 

Better overall shave quality.
Using a brush, nice soap, and DE, SE or Straight, I have achieved a shave that is not only closer and more comfortable, but a shave that I also enjoy taking the time to do.
Shaving used to be a "scrape the face, get it over with" chore. Now it's my ME TIME. I have achieved a shave that I can actually look forward to on a daily basis.
I get closer than I did with a cart - going against the grain always resulted in irritation. I can now shave ATG with zero irritation.
I get much, much less (if any) irritation than I did with a cart - too much pressure, I believe from a razor that's too light, because one is trying to get a closer shave.
I get longer lasting results than I did with a cart. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, but I feel less stubble at the end of the day than I did with a cart.
I get a shave that is more like a spa treatment - good smelling soap, a soft brush, tunes in the background, cup of coffee at the ready...

Yup. The quality of the entire shave experience is certainly better.
And because I have about a dozen soaps, over 40 razors, 20-some-odd brushes, 11-12 shaving mugs, every day is a different experience!!!

And the icing on the cake? I've met some great folks here at the Den!!

 

I fell into the disposable rabbit hole like most folks. An extra blade would be added, and my wife would buy a new handle as a gift. I felt a bit resentful that the blades became ever more expensive, but what alternatives were there? A friend saved me with a question. "You like antiques, why aren't you using an old style razor?"
A couple of weeks on the internet showed me that DE razors were still being made, and were easily available. I had not been looking, so I did not see them.
My skin is now blemish free, I enjoy shaving, picking an antique razor to suit my mood, soap to match how I feel, and an after shave to match the weather.

 

Shaving with cart thingys was 'just a daily chore'. Got to the point of 'how much are they now' when going to the store....for products that were causing (as I found out by switching to wet shaving) irritation and skin issues.

Now, shaving with a variety of tools and software.....turns a daily chore into a small daily 'indulgence'. Likely didn't save any $ at all, but the experience of the chore, and the resulting skin benefits are absolutely worth the switch.

Interacting/following along (and seeing the endless wet shaving options) with the fine folks here at TSD is extra icing on the cake.

 

I think this is my first summer where I have been on an equal level shaving with soaps&brushes vs. shaving with canned creams/foams. I'm proud of that.

 

I pretty much wore a beard my whole life due to shaving irritation even with electric razors. Started shaving DE full time in October 2020 and though a lot of difficulties at first with the help of Google and forums like this I've learned so much that I now actually look forward to and enjoy shaving. Thanks everyone!

 

After 60 years of shaving I'm liking my razor collection, for most of my years I was a one razor, soap, brush and AS. Now I'm starting to sown size.

 

Before taking up traditional wetshaving, shaving with a cartridge razor and canned gel was just a chore. Not necessarily unpleasant, but also not something to which I looked forward. Ditto for shaving with an electric shaver. With traditional shaving, it is never really a chore even when I am in a hurry.

I have now used a safety razor for nearly 1/3 the time I have been shaving. It was a chance discovery, and one that has made each morning that much better.

 

For my husband, who shaves his head and face, it's a tie between getting much smoother shaves and the substantial savings of money. The fact that he (obviously) wears out razor blades faster than most was costing him a ton of money in cartridge razors. That is actually what motivated us both to look into other options, settling on the use of DE razors.

For me it is also a tie between two things. There is the super-smooth shaves I get with DE's and now with Shavettes. But since I helped my husband with the initial research the other accomplishment is the pleasure I have had learning about classic shaving methods. On a side note, the research also led me here, which has also proven to be a pleasure.

 

I think that it all leads to better quality shaves. I chose technique because without that shaves can be painful. My biggest accomplishments was learning how to make my lather. I finally set my mind on the fact that the soaps that I own are thirsty. Sometimes the most beautiful looking lather is still under-hydrated. A proper lather protects the skin and I was lacking in that area.

 

My best accomplishment was eliminating irritation which has been key to improving the quality of my shaves. Along the way I’ve curated a small but fine collection of razors, brushes and assorted software. And like most, have met some great people across the fora. It’s a small but very congenial community.

 

I've built a collection I'd value upwards of $8k with little to no investment, and made good friends and trading partners along the way.
I use everything in my collection with exception to a NOS Executive complete with shipper, instructions and blades...though I did use it once, I have an executive in my regular rotation.
It's a fantastic hobby!

 

I started with a Gillette Slim Twist (G2000) back in the early eighties. My main change since I found the online shaving forums is my accumulation of shaving soaps, and especially aftershaves! I might have stocked up enough for the rest of my life already

 

Turning a dreaded chore into an extremely rewarding hobby (collecting vintage and rare razors and brushes). Highlights include:
Scoring a prototype New Forest shaving brush (1 of 5 made).
Discovering a Schick type F in a $7 Ebay razor lot.
Being lucky enough to own one of Tom’s early Bunny razors.
Obtaining a sizeable collection of New Forest shaving brushes (while competing with another forum member/collector).

 

Yep, the rare type F. Only mfg for one year before WWII (1940-41)

 

Since my journey into old style shaving probably has to be learning straight razors and how to keep an edge that’s comfortable for me. I always wanted to learn, do and maintain straight razor shaving since I was a kid. Now that I’ve gotten to this point, it’s not a chore but a practice of peaceful, zen like me time.