A few weeks ago I started getting into the practice of shaving. For years (since my army service) I had some type of beard – saves time and money and avoids the irritation of shaving, ingrowns, pimples and burns.

But then I learned about the Double Edged Safety Razor (at /r/wicked_edge). They claimed shaving can be a pleasant experience. Well, why not give it a try? I did want to start looking a little more orderly and clean (and I work with food so I thought aesthetics could matter). I got some basic tools from Amazon – Prorasio shaving soap (everyone speaks against the canned foam), a Muehle R89 Safety Razor and a blade sampler. Brush Was bought at a local pharmacy (synthetic, I don’t like using animal product unless I have to) and an aftershave balm I already own.

First, the tools: The Razor is very nice to hold. It feels like a quality tool with a good finish and nice weight. It is something you could pass on to your kids – unlike the toy-feeling of a Mach3 and the likes. The brush is nothing special. It shads a little and probably performs not as good as a real badger brush. But it creates a lather and I like the slight pricking of the face. The Prorasio soap has a good smell and it lubricates the face well. I can understand why people object the canned stuff – like canned anything, things degrade.

The experience: I must say, I’m quite astonished. Within a week I got hooked. From 2-3 shaves a year I went to 3-4 shaves a week, and I’m sorry my hair doesn’t grow any faster. I can understand the infatuation with this activity, and it goes beyond the mere technical advantages. Shaving with a canned foam and a plastic-handle multiblade (Mach3 etc.) was a thing I’d do to get over with, not an activity I’d do to enjoy. Smear your face, run the blade across a few times, wash and go. Instant shave, and like instant coffee, it has been processed, packed and removed from the source so many times it is just a photo of a painting of the real thing. I never drink instant coffee. My shaving ceremony, much influenced by /u/leisureguy’s writings, starts with picking a fresh, brand new and super sharp blade and installing it into my magnificently crafted razor (I don’t want to handle the blade after the shower when my hands are wet and slippery). Then a nice, warm shower with much attention to my face – get it heated and hydrated. After the shower I’d throw a robe on myself and start preparing for the event. First, take my large china cup in which lather will be produced, wash it with warm water and put some soap in it. Then The brush is washed, shaken, and lather is produced. There is a lot of control here, how much do I need, how thick should it be, which soap you like most – everything is up to you, unlike with the cans that dictate a certain style of smell and cover you with a mountain of empty foam. Lather is actually slick, creamy and smooth. Once I have my desired lather I’d fill the sink with hot water, splash my face once more and use my SO’s blow-drier to de-fog the mirror. The razor gets dipped in the hot water so that I don’t have to place cold chrome on my face. Now we can begin.

Using the brush I’ll scrub my face, cleaning and covering it with shiny white lather. The blade glides smoothly on on my face. Slowly removing all the stubble, side-side-mustache-chin-neck, wash and repeat. I’ll do two, maybe three passes, washing my face in hot water in between and reapplying lather. Then, sadly, it is over.Face smooth, stubble removed and no need for any more passes. More hot water, rub with alum and clean the tools – yes, this is as important part of the ceremony as any other. Open the razor, rub it clean from left-over soap, dry it and put back together. Clean my china cup and brush, place the tub of soap back in the cup and the cup back on the shelf, next to the brush and razor. Now I can wash my face once more, and massage it with my aftershave of choice.

I feel that I am taking care of myself, and this actually feels nice. These are my 15 minutes to care for myself the way I want. I enjoy it and I like to be able to choose exactly the products I like – the right soap, the right brush, the right blade (Astra Brown so far is my favorite) to go in the right razor. When I step out of the shower with a smooth, good smelling skin I feel like a new man.