One of the better things in wet shaving is not only collecting and or "acquiring" the various different types of shaving soaps, creams, Safety Razors and Straights. It's about introducing new people into the wet shaving community.
Recently I introduced my friend Dennis into the world that is wet shaving. I gave him the usual spiel... "it's cheaper than cartridge or electric razors... It saves time... 30 - 50 cents a blade for up to 5 shaves... Maybe more of your growth is light!".
Although the above statements are ALL true, we all know that once you get bitten by the wet shaving bug.... That inexpensive hobby becomes some what of a beast, just because there are so many amazing artisan soaps, razors and brushes that, after some time, wet shaving turns into a game of "gotta catchem' all". Yes, a Pokemon reference!
I gave Dennis a starter kit, just to get started on his wet shaving journey. A Parker 95r razor, some Shaver Heaven Summer Breeze shave soap, a pack of Polsilver Super Iridium blades, a sample of PAA Al-Fin after shave cologne and some aftershave balm. The look on his fave when he saw the DE blade... Priceless. He looked terrified, probably thought he'd cut his whole face up!
First came the face prep, the hot water application on the face (best applied in the shower), then the lathering technique within a soap bowl, which I must say that the shaver Heaven shave soap is amazing at.
Lathering the face was also another technique delivered, with some "figure 8" rotations and little additions of hot water into the lather to keep it hydrated.
The first pass went great, with an emphasis on letting the razor's weight do all the pressure needed on their face, going with the grain. I performed half the shave on the first pass so that Dennis knew what he was getting itself into, and then he gave the other half of the face a go. He could see the different wet shaving had on his face after 1 pass, as opposed to electric shaving.
The second pass required applying some hot water on the face, keeping some residual slickness there from the soap, and then lathering again. Dennis did the lather this time, and I performed the "cross the grain" pass on half the face, he did the second half. Dennis did love the audible feedback the razor game him, giving him more confidence that he was taking whiskers off.
The third pass went well, going against the grain, he performed all by himself with light pressure. After the third pass, he was over the moon, a magnificent close shave.
I then taught him how to "buff", which included putting some remaining lather on the face by hand and feeling for and whiskers. He took a few areas off, and then rinsed off with hot water, then cold water to close the pores. I believe this is best done with a face cloth.
Finally, the after shave balm and lotion application, which dennis loved the smell of the Al-Fin, as well as the cooling effect. Overall, I myself am proud of introducing another wet shaver into the community. Dennis was also very happy and impressed with the experience. And the best thing... No nicks or cuts. Wish that was the case for myself my first go around. Good luck mate!
A final word to Dennis, map your beard growth with some shaving cream in order to get a flawless shave! Look at one of my previous posts, "My tried and Tested Wet Shave Routine".
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