Why I Got Into Wet Shaving: From Daily Chore to Morning Ritual

17 Apr, 2025

In my previous post, I shared how I discovered the Rockwell 6C and entered the world of traditional wet shaving. But that post skipped over something important—why I started exploring wet shaving in the first place.

Here’s that story. A journey that begins with teenage fuzz, detours through dull cartridge blades, and lands in a place where shaving is no longer a chore—but a ritual I genuinely look forward to.

From College Whiskers to Cartridge Years

I started shaving when I was 18. Back in 2004–2005, when I entered college, clean-shaven was the norm in India. Beard culture wasn’t really “a thing” yet. So as facial hair started showing up, I shaved once every two weeks—more for neatness than necessity.

Naturally, I grabbed what most people my age used: a Gillette cartridge razor and a can of foam. It seemed modern, convenient, and fast. My dad, on the other hand, was still using a DE razor—and not a particularly fancy one. I used to tease him about his “outdated” gear. Looking back now, I realize it was probably more about affordability for him, and lack of exposure to better-quality DE razors. Ironically, I’m now a convert to the very method I once mocked.

I kind of wish we had dived deeper into that world together. Maybe I could have introduced him to better gear, and we’d have had one more shared ritual. But I digress—that’s long in the past.

Irritation, Habit, and the Lack of Alternatives

For years, I stuck with cartridge razors even though I found the shaves average at best. The blades dulled quickly, and because they were expensive to replace, I stretched them too long—often leading to irritation and tuggy shaves. But I never explored alternatives. There weren’t enthusiasts around me, and frankly, I didn’t have the time or motivation to look deeper while juggling studies and work.

From Twice a Week to Daily: The Turning Point

Fast forward to my mid-30s. Around age 36–37, my beard began growing in more densely. What used to be twice-a-week shaving slowly became 3–4 times a week. And with that, the flaws of cartridge shaving became more obvious: more irritation, more money spent on blades, and a general sense of “why is this still so bad?”

Then came the white hairs. They started showing up at 37–38—and suddenly, skipping a shave was no longer a viable option. I was also in a senior role at work where presentation mattered. Shaving became a daily affair, and the experience remained… dreadful.

Around this time, ChatGPT had started going mainstream, and I had a habit of falling into rabbit holes with it. One day, I just asked, “What’s the best way to shave daily without irritation?” That question kicked off a spiral of suggestions, Reddit threads, deep dives into r/WickedEdge, r/Wetshavers_India, and old-school forums like BadgerAndBlade.com.

I quickly learned: I’d been doing it all wrong.

Discovering a Better Way

Soon I was reading about alum blocks, pre-shave creams, real lathers, brush techniques, and multi-pass shaving. I learned how affordable and effective a safety razor can be, and how proper prep transforms the whole experience.

That’s when I picked up a Merkur 42C and gave DE shaving a shot. The difference? Night and day.

It felt like upgrading from a dusty old hatchback to a precision German sedan. Smooth, controlled, deeply satisfying. No more razor burn, no more bland foamy shaves. Just me, the blade, and a few carefully chosen products that made all the difference.

My Routine Today

I take my time—about 30 minutes for a full shave, from prep to finish. On rushed mornings, I can get it done in under 15. But I rarely want to rush. Even on weekends, when I technically don’t have to shave, I still do it. I enjoy it too much now.

Also, I’ve got a toddler daughter, and I take tons of selfies with her. That gives me all the motivation I need to stay well-groomed.

And my skin? It feels better than ever. I live in a hot climate, so my collection leans heavily toward mentholated products. I love that fresh, cooling sensation—whether it's in the pre-shave, the soap, or the aftershave.

Scents, Sensibility & Small Joys

I haven’t explored a ton of scents yet, but so far, sandalwood has my heart. Especially Stirling’s Sandalwood, which has a subtle, classic vibe that works perfectly for me.

Sometimes, it's not just about function—it's about starting the day feeling calm, centered, and a little bit pampered.

📸 My Setup – Early February 2025

Early Feb 2025 Wet Shaving Setup
My wet shaving setup as it looked in early February 2025 — compact, functional, and proudly hanging off a bathroom hook. The essentials included Proraso Green & White creams, aftershave, alum, a synthetic brush, and my trusty safety razor.

Since then, I’ve upgraded to a standing shelf and added PAA Cube 2.0 (Mentholated), Frostbyte Aftershave, and more. It’s still evolving—and that’s half the fun.

📸 Lather of the Day: April 17, 2025

April 17 Lather with Stirling Sandalwood
Lather of the day – April 17, 2025. Built using Stirling Sandalwood, Yaqi lather bowl, and a synthetic Ubersuave brush. The Yaqi bowl makes lathering so easy, it’s become one of my favorite parts of the process.

Shoutout to the Community

Massive thanks to the folks over at r/Wetshavers_India — where I’ve shared my photos, setup, and gear learnings. Some of my original posts:

And a nod to BadgerAndBlade.com — a goldmine of traditional shaving wisdom that kept surfacing during my early research.

Still to Come: The Straight Razor Dream

I’m happy with DE shaving right now, but someday, I’d love to try a straight razor. There's something timeless and poetic about it—the ritual, the risk, the artistry. I’m not there yet… but it’s on the bucket list.

Final Thoughts

This whole journey has been about more than just grooming. It’s taught me that even the most mundane parts of life can be turned into something intentional, enjoyable—even meditative—if you take the time to do it right.

Shaving used to be a hassle. Now, it's a quiet moment I get to enjoy every day. And that, for me, has made all the difference.

From Blades to Balance: My Recent Shaving Journey

📌 Note to readers: I’ll keep updating this post as I try new gear, blades, or maybe when I finally gather the courage to try that straight razor. Stay tuned.