The lost and disappearing art of shaving.
If you're lucky enough to be genetically inclined to facial hair, then, as a gentleman, you should treat it as a personal style signature, not as a burden to get rid of as soon as possible at every turn.
Therefore, it must be kept neat and treated the same way you approach every aspect of your appearance. Grooming is just as important as finding a suit that fits. For a gentleman, a little grooming goes a long way.
Good grooming does not necessarily equal metro-sexuality, for those fearful of the eyebrow plucking and styling one’s hair for hours in the hopes of getting that just out of bed look.
The basics, a close shave and a sharp haircut, are all a man needs to face the world with confidence.
Proper shaving has become a lost art. Today’s average male is completely in the dark about the fine art of the traditional wet shave their grandfathers and some of their fathers used to enjoy.
Instead, they’re only accustomed to the cheap, disposable, mass-marketed shaving products that line the shelves of today’s drugstores.
It is unclear when or why it happened, but the tradition of passing down the secrets of a clean shave from generation to generation have faded away. Thankfully this glorious male ritual is making a comeback.
The basics:
- Safety razor or straight razor (for the brave)
- Shaving brush and bowl
- Shaving cream/soap (NOT FOAM!)
- After shave
ALL ITEMS FROM THE GOODFORIT BARBERCLUB STORE, TAIPEI
Good grooming does not necessarily equal metro-sexuality, for those fearful of the eyebrow plucking and styling one’s hair for hours in the hopes of getting that just out of bed look.
The basics, a close shave and a sharp haircut, are all a man needs to face the world with confidence.
Proper shaving has become a lost art. Today’s average male is completely in the dark about the fine art of the traditional wet shave their grandfathers and some of their fathers used to enjoy.
Instead, they’re only accustomed to the cheap, disposable, mass-marketed shaving products that line the shelves of today’s drugstores.
It is unclear when or why it happened, but the tradition of passing down the secrets of a clean shave from generation to generation have faded away. Thankfully this glorious male ritual is making a comeback.
The basics:
- Safety razor or straight razor (for the brave)
- Shaving brush and bowl
- Shaving cream/soap (NOT FOAM!)
- After shave
ALL ITEMS FROM THE GOODFORIT BARBERCLUB STORE, TAIPEI
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| Feel and shave like a warrior using this! |
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| The pimped-out kit every man needs. |
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| After all the fun, a little something extra... |
Benefits of the Classic Wet Shave
- Reduced costs. With the cost of today's nano-technology, self-teaching A.I.-enabled disposable razors and foams, shaving has become more of an expensive chore than a relaxing, manly ritual. Safety blades like the ones seen in the razors above are interchangeable between razors, last a long time and cost nothing in comparison. Investing in a good shaving cream or soap also cuts down costs in the long run, as you only need to use very little each time to get a great lather going.
- Reduced environmental impact. Not only do disposable razors have a larger impact on the environment every time the razor or blade cartridge is thrown out, but the chemicals and preservatives in the aerosol cans are definitely not helping the Gaea project along. Good shaving soaps and creams are generally made from natural ingredients, bio-degradable, and come in much eco-friendlier containers. As for the blades, they are much easier recycled or disposed of than their larger, clunkier cousins.
- Better, more consistent shaves. When a man shaves with the modern, disposable, high-tech girly kits, it is easy to tell. The difference in consistency and closeness of the safety or straight razor shave is very apparent. Not only does it look better, but it also feels better and is healthier for your skin, due to not having to run 5 blades over your skin multiple times.
- You’ll feel like a bad-ass. Do I need to explain this? Have you seen the way these things look? Nothing says 'I am a bad-ass, axe-swinging, warrior viking, in control of my own destiny!' than putting these bad boys against your jugular and smiling as you clean the rich lather off your throat.
The art of the classic wet shave
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| Get your face wet and warm, and the brush too |
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| Nice round strokes to spread it evenly |
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| Then even it out with some flat strokes |
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| Nice to see you again my old friend |
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| Closest, most comfortable shave |
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| For that precision cut 5 blades don't give you |
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| The smell, the feel of it... Amazing |
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| The indispensable duo every man should have |
A great, big 'THANK YOU!' to the Goodforit Shop for supplying me with my gear and their friendly assistance. Without them, I'd still be looking for a place to find the gear needed to set off on this journey of ruggedness.
