Customer Reviews

The Art of Shaving

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found some useful information in this book. However, most of the tips are display in a fairly well done video at the author's website. Just do a google search on "The Art of Shaving" and view the "Perfect Shave" video. You will see all of the tips acted out. Like shave after a shower, shave with the grain, use a preshave oil, how to dry afterwards, etc.

The book itself is not bad, and a very quick read. The book is not a direct advertisement for the author's products. He actually rarely mentions them in the text. The book is useful no matter who you buy your supplies from.

Shaving is something most of us men do anyway, so it makes sense to do what we can to change it from a chore (or a butchery) into an enjoyable or even luxurious experience. If you're trying to look professional for a day at work -- or attractive and manly for a night on the town -- why drag a 20-cent disposable blade across your face when there are more rewarding alternatives out there?

As part of the fashion and grooming industries' efforts to get men to take as much time preparing themselves for the day as women stereotypically do, Myriam Zaoui and Eric Malka produced this book on shaving that -- wonders! -- happens to have the same name as the store they run and the line of products they sell in it. I have a copy of their store catalog here next to this book, and there is a good deal of overlap, no question. The sorts of products they say a good shave requires just so happen to be the sorts of products they sell. Whether this is a conspiracy to create a need where none exists or their attempt to be helpful and inspire men to share the authors' passion for the topic, depends I suppose on your degree of cynicism.

To the extent this book is an infomercial for their shop, you're certainly welcome to keep the info- and disregard the -mercial. I wouldn't throw the razor out with the soapy water and say the book is useless because there's a mercenary element. Every author hopes you'll spend money on his book. You can still learn some useful theory and tips for your morning ritual without having to drop any cash in the authors' store.

The essentials of how to get a good shave have been covered countless times, at article-length, in publications like "Esquire." You don't really need an entire book on the history and techniques of shaving. The fact that one exists is harmless enough, and men interested in fashion, grooming, or just not going to work with blood on their collars may find it worth a few minutes' reading.

It would not have surprised me if this book was nothing more than a commercial for the products sold at The Art of Shaving shops. Indirectly, that's what it is, with all its emphasis on creams, lotions, gels, soaps, and balms--all sold as the mainstay of the namesake brick and mortar boutiques. Although none of these products are hawked in the book by specific brand. But what did surprise me is the way this book seems to be a commercial for Gillette Mach 3 razors. It's a surprise because the majority of those dedicated to the "art" of wet shaving generally eschew cartridge systems.

I evaluate this book for its textual and photo content. In the early text about the history of barbers, we read "Fortunately, over the years, the two roles [of barber as groomsman and surgeon] have become separated, and barbering has become a serious and respected art." (p. 16) What?! Surgery wasn't serious? The book is full of statements of this kind, so take all the text with a grain of salt.

As another example of lax quality of content in this book, consider the large "Essential Oils Chart" on pp. 32-33. The table is riddled with dots to indicate some sort of relationship between 29 kinds of oil and 18 skin types (I'm not sure what "tired" skin is, or the difference between "dry" skin and "dehydrated."). What the table fails to mention is what the relationships are. To take one data point, there is a dot at the intersection of lavender oil and dry skin. This could indicate that lavender oil causes dry skin, or it should be avoided if you have dry skin, or you should use it if you have dry skin. I think the last is the case, but nothing explicitly says that. The book dedicates two chapters (38 pages) to skin and lotions. And even the chapter on shaving technique is largely dedicated to the same, rather than to the act of shaving. Finally, there is a section titled "The Actual Shave," but that is mostly again about lather; its smaller subsection on "Shaving Strokes" amounts to a couple hundred words.

At 6¾" x 6¾", this really is just a miniature coffee-table book, which would be fine. If the text isn't to be taken seriously, at least we should enjoy the pictures. But here we are disappointed too. All the photos are in black and white. While black and white photography as an art form certainly has its place, this is not it. True color is needed to properly convey the subtle difference in the gleam of polished nickel, chrome, silver, or gold plate. Lotions and oils have distinct hues of their own. The tips of badger hairs should be shown as silver, compared to the brown shades of the rest of the hair. Even the slight colors of creams and lathers are lost in these photos. And if you were hoping to see many pictures of many different razors, don't get your hopes up. Almost all the razor pictures are of the same swivel-head Gillette, whether perched in a stand, or being dragged along a man's face. There are only three small partial photos of double-edge (DE) razors, and a handful of straights.

The presentation of razors in the "Tools" chapter is oddly sequenced in reverse chronological order. Many sections in the book cover elements of shaving history in their historical sequence, highlighting the evolution of shaving, so it would have been much more organic to explain the development of shaving tools and their incremental improvements along the way. The only explanation for abandoning that style here is to sell cartridges. Of course it starts out with all the accolades of swivel-head razors, with plenty of hype for the Mach 3 and Sensor by name. Throughout the book these are the only recommended shaving implements, with all others positively denigrated.

Fixed-head razors in general are described as "uncomfortable," "difficult," and "always lead to nicks or cuts" (pp. 62-63). DE safety razors are described as not safe "when compared to swivel-head cartridges" (p. 64), but adjustable DE razors offer "five blade positions". (Merkurs offer five, but vintage Gillettes offer nine positions.) Then a strange recommendation to "try to get blades made in Solingen, Germany." While the Solingen shout-out might not be an open recommendation of a particular company, it certainly narrrows the field: It just so happens that Merkur is located in Solingen, and Merkur is the only brand of safety razor sold in The Art of Shaving shops. But in fact, you can get good blades made in Egypt, Israel, Japan, the UK, the USA, and many other places. Finally, on to straight razors, for which we're told to take lessons from a professional, and the honing of which should be done by a professional (pp. 66-67). It's a wonder anyone ever learned to shave himself in the several centuries when straights were the only option.

To complete the sales pitch for swivel cartridges, the final chapter is on shaving injuries. Of the three injuries discussed, two are explicitly blamed on not using a swivel-head cartridge razor. Nicks and cuts: "the primary culprits are ... razors that don't swivel. [...] So use a razor that has a swiveling head." (p.108) Razor burn: single blade razors tempt you to "shave over the same area more than once, unnecessarily removing a layer of skin each time." (p. 104) Yet, most wet-shavers claim that multiple blades remove more skin than do multiple passes with a single blade. They experience less razor burn with a DE than with a cartridge. And the third injury (ingrown hairs) is commonly believed by wet-shavers to be caused or exacerbated by multiple blade cartridges that pull the hair and supposedly cut it below the skin. So two of the three injuries might very well be caused by cartridge razors, despite the claims in this book. And the third (nicks) is more a matter of technique and preparation than of the instrument.

Despite the authors' claim that this book is the "result of seven years of professional shaving and skin-care expertise," (p. 9) it would seem that the authors have never used a fixed-head razor of any kind.

In conclusion, this small volume fails to deliver either convincing text or satisfying photography. It's interesting to pick up and peruse, and for that I give it two stars. But if it's successful at all, it's in selling Art of Shaving lotions, Merkur razors, and Gillette swivel-head razors; all coincidentally available at your neighborhood Art of Shaving store. This book should be handed out free at the store as a promotional brochure, not sold for $17 to people looking for unbiased and factual information.

UPDATE: Recently both Gillette and The Art of Shaving chain of shops have been acquired by Proctor and Gamble. The circle is almost complete.

This book covers a lot on technique, tools, and supplies. Some people might not care about the historical elements of shaving, but I found them interesting. A few elements might seem common sense, but not everyone was taught to shave properly. Some of the tips (like using pre-shave oil) were invaluable. It was nicely compiled and a quick, informative read. The "aromatherapy" seemes a bit like snake oil selling, but staying away from alcohols and petro-chemicals is good advice.
Bottom line, I'm getting better shaves after reading this book.

More of an artsy book then a how to. The Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving is a better how to book.

I have been shaving for 40+ years and now realize that I did not know how to do it right! This book is terrific and tells you what you need to know. I'm now enjoying my morning shave as this book has made it into a real pleasure and a small luxury to start the day. Skin looks and feels better, shave is actually closer, and it is a relaxing moment in the day. Yes, there are some commercials for the authors' store, but if you don't like that just skip over those bits and go on the Internet to find alternate supplies (Casewll Massey has some great products too). Buy the BEST badger hair brush you can find and follow the rest of the authors' advice and you will start enjoying the ritual and how you look and feel afterward. Very highly recommended.

This is a very short book that would be reasonably priced at $5 or below, but really not worth the price it sells for. It has a few useful things, but nearly all of them I'd already seen--free--on various web sites. It fails to go deeply into a few things that could use it, and excessively promotes one particular brand of razor that isn't anything great to begin with. Overall I'm disappointed with the book and would not recommend it.

As a straight-shaving newbie, this book was a fun read and helpful for the guidance it gives on the shaving products and equipment to look for. Gives great tips on product types to avoid in order to give you the best shave and maintain healthy skin.

This book provides good reading to understand a proper shave. It does give some insight to using straight razor, safety razors even electric shavers. the books mostly concentrates on the care of your skin during and after your shave. This is good because this is what most people miss when they shave and go through out the day with a crappy feel to there face if not razor burns and cuts. if you are willing to take shaving serious and care for your face then I suggest reading this book. if you are looking for a fast way to get through a basic don't care shave, go to Walgreens.

I have just started trying the Art of Shaving products buy purchasing there sample kit. this I say is worth it. you get a $25.00 coupon with it to use for your next purchase. yes it cost you $25.00 to purchase it but once again are you serious about a proper clean close shave. I have been shaving for over two years using a straight razor and a safety razor and learned allot along the way. I will never go back to the chemicals and plastic again.

so food for thought treat yourself and toss out those disposables pieces of plastic for good.

This is a handy book for those of us in the man's world who have been shaving for some time with no real idea of how to do it, just our best guess. Some of it might be old hat to the experienced shaver, but some of it won't be, particularly the addition of lotions and a skin care regimen.

This is a manual on how to shave, as well as how to care for your skin. We need to get past thinking of these as separate things. They are not. If you do one and not the other you have an inferior product. Take care of your skin prior to and during the shave and half the battle is won. In fact, with proper skin care and proper shaving technique and equipment you will actually look forward to shaving.

My only complaint with this book is its adoption of the multi-razor cartridges of today. These expensive and inefficient heads are one of the banes of my existence. I have adopted the older safety razor for my use, which provides a far closer shave and for infinitely less money. Further exploration of this topic would have made the book better, in my opinion, and offered a realistic contrast to the status quo of today.

Still, it is a minor quibble with a great little book.