Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Points and Figures (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

A Close Shave

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


How do you shave?  Been doing some research on it lately.  There is a nascent trend in the marketplace toward more traditional shaving.  They call it “wet shaving”.  Hard core wet shavers use a straight razor.

Straight razors were responsible for a few deaths back in the 1800′s. It’s one of the reasons that men of those days grew beards. Much easier to trim a beard than find water and soap and keep a steady hand.

The first patent for the safety razor was filed in 1880. But it wasn’t until 1901 when Gillette ($PG) filed a patent for a disposable safety razor blade that it received wide acceptance.

The success of Gillette’s invention was largely a result of his having been awarded a contract to supply the American troops in World War I with double-edge safety razors as part of their standard field kits (delivering a total of 3.5 million razors and 32 million blades for them). The returning soldiers were permitted to keep that part of their equipment and therefore easily retained their new shaving habits. The subsequent consumer demand for replacement blades put the shaving industry on course toward its present form with Gillette as a dominant force.

An aside, Coca-Cola ($KO) was able to set up its world wide distribution network because of World War Two. American business often benefits from conflict in tangential ways.

Men used double edged straight razors to shave until the 1970′s when Gillette introduced the double edged blade.  Gillette introduced the product because it allowed them to differentiate themselves from the rest of the market.  They had a nice blade business, but there were plenty of me too blades out there that could be substituted into their razors.  With the new technology, they could sell the razors, and all the blades.  Schick soon followed with their own blade/razor combination and the race was on.

Today, Gillette has continued to evolve the double edged blade into a five and even six blade system.  However, those darned things are really expensive.  This has caused the shaving market to look for alternatives.

Wet shaving has come back into style.   What’s old is new again.

Websites are out there with rabid fans and aficionados of wet shaving.  Videos are posted on YouTube instructing young gentlemen on the technique.  The Art of Shaving is a chain dedicated to selling products strictly for wet shaving.  Truefitt and Hill has a whole section in their barbar salon dedicated to it.

I did some investigating and posted a question on my Facebook page about it.  I was surprised at the response.  A lot of people are turning to wet shaving for a variety of reasons. I was intrigued, so I spent some time on the various websites and decided to take the plunge.

I bought an adjustable 1962 Gillette razor on Ebay.($EBAY).  Then I went to Etsy and bought a handmade shaving scupper and a handmade badger brush.  The scupper came from Oak Park, IL and the brush from Vietnam.

I cannot believe how close the shave was. Amazingly close, and so much better than shaving with a Pro Glide razor (which I will still use on my head for now).  It does take more time, but not that much more.  The trade off is worth it.

A whole cottage industry exists of people making shaving soap.  There is organic soap, goat’s milk soap and all kinds of scents and flavors for people to try.  I like the feel of the single edge razor, but also like supporting independent entrepreneurs by purchasing their products.

You also save money on blades and soap.  There is one time cost to buy the other supplies. In the long run, single blade shaving is cheaper.  You can tell there is a pain point in cost at current prices  because Dollar Shave was able to start a business on it.

I don’t think the airlines let you travel with them.  Too dangerous given what’s happened over the past 12 years.  Have you tried it?  What’s been your experience?

The post A Close Shave appeared first on Points and Figures.


Source: http://pointsandfigures.com/2013/05/25/a-close-shave/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!


Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST


Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser!  Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover -  Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.