Shaving: Embracing an Almost Forgotten Art
I decided to experiment with my shaving routine. Ever since I started shaving I have tried to find the perfect (for me) shave. My beard is thick and it grows fast. The thickness and speed of growth on my beard make finding a razor and shaving routine which work for me. Firstly I learned to shave watching an older friend. His style of shaving was to wet his face and take the blade to it. I followed his example for years. Then I tried an electric razor, and while I did not cut myself I had to shave two or three times a day to keep up with my beard. After the electric razor died on me I tried every Gillette razor made including the Fusion. I have used the canned shaving gel and the canned shaving cream. The cartridge razors leave me with razor burn and I still gash myself on them. Part of the problem is me. The cartridges are so expensive that I use them well past their best number of uses. So that has left me with some shaving goals.
My Goals
- Shave once a day
- Minimize bleeding from gashes scrapes and pokes
- Make my neck look good
My Research
In trying to solve this problem I conducted several web searches. One of my first finds were two articles at These Art of Manliness titled How to Shave Like Your Grandpa and How to Shave Like Your Great Grandpa.
These articles led me to decide to try a double bladed safety razor. In further research I discovered that different razors allow a different amount of blade to make contact with my face. This is referred to as the razor’s aggressiveness. I learned that the Merkur 33C, 34C, or any vintage Gillette razors would have a mild aggressiveness. I chose a 1954 Gillette Super Speed Flair Tip DE Razor. I was able to purchase the vintage razor at a slight discount compared to buying a new razor. I also like the fact that it is almost as old as my dad. The new razors I was considering were $35 to $50. My vintage razor was about $22 with shipping. When the razor arrived I checked to see if the blade sat straight in the razor. I was told that if the blade was not straight in the razor bleeding would occur.
Another part of my decision to shave this way was to try shaving soap and a brush. I have not settled on a soap, but I am using the soap they had at Rite-Aid. It lathers for me well. What took some research was learning about shaving brushes. I learned that brushes are made out of three different materials: synthetic, boar bristles, and badger. I learned that the goal with the brush is water retention and that the synthetic brushes are the worst at water retention. The next best is boar bristles, and the best is badger. I went looking at badger brushes and learned that they are divided into three categories: pure badger, best badger, and silver tip. I chose a pure badger brush, because that was where I found a balance between quality and cost.
My Shaving Kit
- My Gillette Razor
- Lords Razor Blades (came with the razor)
- A pure badger brush
- Stypic pencil
- Aftershave
- Shaving soap and mug
- Razor stand
My Experiences So Far
I have been shaving with this kit for a week now. I find that I am getting the shave I want. I shave once a day and its good until the next day. I also do not cut myself often, and then it is easy to stop with the stypic pencil and aftershave. My neck is still getting red, but I believe this to be my inexperience.