On Shaving and Stewardship…
I shave, and my head has a significant amount of shaveable real-estate (more in recent years). Well, way back, [hummina-hoo] years ago when I started shaving I thought canned shave cream was a waste of money. The cans didn’t last long enough for me to justify the amount of waste–as a general rule of thumb, if the container outweighs the product, that’s bad.
Not long after I started shaving, I switched to a bowl and brush. I did that long before it was cool to think environmentally, and I bought a coffee mug, found a shaving brush at an old-drugstore in my hometown. I used that for years, even though there was a time when real shaving soap disappeared. During that time, I used Castile Soap, and I got by just fine.
A few years back, I discovered shaving oil, and I was hooked. Yes, it was expensive, but it provided the smoothest, most economical shave I’ve ever experienced. So I kept buying this particular brand of shave oil. A two ounce bottle cost me about $11,and lasted most of 9 months.
A couple of weeks back, I ran out. Then, I ran out to buy some more. Usual source: “No, we don’t carry that any more, but we can order it for you.” Alternative source, “No, no one buys it, so we’ve never stocked it,” and I had to admit, that was the most clever round-about argument that I’ve ever heard.
I decided to contact the company, via e-mail. They wrote back the following:
I apologize for the difficulty you are undergoing trying to obtain the Shave Oil. The best recommendation I have for you it to have your stylist/barber order it for you from their distributor….
Well thank you. That helped me exactly NOT AT ALL! Allow me to translate the response in more meaningful terms:
Bummer. We can’t help you. Find someone who cares.
Frustration rises. After some research on shaving oil, I learned a few things, and concocted my own recipe. I’ve used it now for a few days, and I pronounce it as good (maybe better) than the commercial brands.
Tomorrow, the recipe, and my recommendations for getting a good shave.