Do you grind your coffee beans? Do you like rituals? Are you a man who likes to prepare, to put everything in its place, and then slowly start a process that requires precision and gives you satisfaction? I know I am. But not always. Only four and a half years ago I learned and began wet shaving. Probably one of the last manly rituals left in this beautiful world of ours.
Introduction
Some men have to shave every day, while others may require it only every couple of days, it all depends on your beard type and how fast it grows. I myself shave every other day, I could do it less but since I have an office job and I like to look good and presentable, I like to shave often. Not only that, I like the process itself.
A wet shave is shaving with water, or to put it more simply, not using any electrical devices. It is a shave that cuts very close to the (wet) skin. Usually, wet shaving involves a razor blade or a safety razor (T-type razor), shaving soap, and on rare occasions or used by connoisseurs an Alum block as well.
Think long-term about wet shaving
Wet shaving is cheaper, although it may require a substantial initial investment. From my own personal experience the tools I bought four and a half years ago I still use to this day, namely, the safety razor and the brush. I don’t remember it correctly but I may have paid for both a little under 100 EUR. Yes, the next razor and brush that I am going to buy will cost more than 100 EUR, but again, that is going to be an investment that will last more than ten years at least.
Then the Alum block cost less than 5 EUR and it lasts a year or two. Good quality shaving soap is between 15 and 35 EUR and it will last you for more than five to seven months, although if you shave once or twice a week then that soap will easily last you a year. During the COVID-19 pandemic when I had to work from home and I did not shave that often, I think I managed to survive the lockdowns and restrictions with a soap that I bought some time before everything closed.
So pause for a moment and think of how often you have to buy your regular shaving cream and your Gillette razors. Every other month, maybe less?
The only piece of equipment that you have to buy often are razor blades, or you can buy a couple of boxes at once as I do. I buy a particular brand of razors since I have found these to be the most suited for my skin. They are softer than other razor blades, they do not irritate my skin and the after-feeling is much more pleasant compared to other brands. And trust me, I have tried various razor brands.
The same can be said about shaving soap. The more expensive the soap the longer it will last, also, at least for me, I have found that some soaps irritate my skin after shaving. I did not figure out why, but that is a point worth noting.
How to wet shave properly
Just to make it clear, this is how I do it and it does not mean that this is the only way, some people may shave slightly differently, but I think that the main steps are common to us all.
- Boil hot water that you will use to dip the razor in and with which to foam the soap;
- Put in a clean, new razor blade if you use a safety razor or sharpen your shaving knife;
- Dip your shaving brush into the hot water to make it wet and then foam the soap, take your time on this one, don’t rush it;
- Wet your face with cold water, spread the foam from the soap on your face, and start shaving;
- Remember to put the razor blade into the hot water each time you put it on your face; it softens the blade and the shave is much more pleasant;
- After you have done the first shave, spread the foam on your face again and shave once more to have a clean, smooth look;
- Once the second shave is done, wet your face with cold water;
- Wet the Alum block and palm your recently shaved face; if you have not done it before or if you made a cut then it may sting, but that is a good thing so don’t be alarmed. After a couple of shaves and when no cuts (major or micro) are made, the Alum block will not sting.
- Dry your face and put on Nivea cream. Nothing beats a classic.
- Wet a towel with the hot water from the beginning and clean your face off the cream.
- Clean your instruments and wait for the next time you can practice this wonderful ritual.
Final thoughts
Yes, wet shaving takes time. Yes, for wet shaving you must prepare. Yes, wet shaving is not advertised as much as other types like shaving with an electrical device or with some plastic Gillette razor. But wet shaving is worth the time and effort. What other manly rituals do you know? Can you name at least two others? I can’t. If I will ever have kids and a son in particular then I will do my best to teach him how to wet shave, because I think and I do really believe this – it is worth it. And it is a ritual that needs to be passed on to future generations.
Kind regards,
Olaaf
