What's The Origin of the Face Shaving Map?

[MensSoapCo]

I wrote an article, Beginners Guide to Wet Shaving, and used a shaving map graphic shared on Reddit. Though many websites and articles use same or modified version of it, I want to add credit to the rightful owner.

Do any of you know? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Omar

[drmoss_ca]

I believe that same map was used by Charles Roberts, the inventor of Method Shaving. I don't know if he borrowed it (as he did with most of his 'inventions') or whether he actually came up with it himself.
Method Shaving was like the Scientology of shaving - you'd go into his shop Enchantè (nb the incorrect grave accent instead of the acute is how he spelt it) in Austin, take a personality test - no, a shaving consultation and then find yourself enmeshed in a cult that stripped your assets as fast as it could. We lost a few good members that way.
The method itself varied over the years, but in classic form involved using pure olive oil soap for the first pass, then a decent cream for the second. It evolved into an elaborate ritual utilising many expensive items and products (most of which could be bought much cheaper under their original brand names) instead of his 'Hydrolast' brand. They included a best badger brush (marked up to around $175, IIRC), and then, more outrageously, the use of a brush was declared heretical, and one had to buy his 'Shaving Rag'™ to remain in good standing in the congregation. The actual shaving technique was described in purple prose ('shaving terrain', the 'glacis' - sans cedilla) and conducted in a bizarre way. Recklessly fast short repeated strokes made it look like he was sanding his face rather than shaving 'evenly and with care, in silence, seriously' as James Joyce described it. It was blade-buffing on benzedrine.
You don't hear of it any more now Charles has passed on.

[MensSoapCo]

He passed away in December 2015. Some reason I thought it would be long ago.

Just watched one of videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3DlZewauFY and it sure does look strange, definitely would scare the crap out of beginners trying to get into wet shaving. I can't imagine the buffing method is good for sensitive skin. Is this method popular?

I believe that same map was used by Charles Roberts, the inventor of Method Shaving. I don't know if he borrowed it (as he did with most of his 'inventions') or whether he actually came up with it himself.
Method Shaving was like the Scientology of shaving - you'd go into his shop Enchantè (nb the incorrect grave accent instead of the acute is how he spelt it) in Austin, take a personality test - no, a shaving consultation and then find yourself enmeshed in a cult that stripped your assets as fast as it could. We lost a few good members that way.
The method itself varied over the years, but in classic form involved using pure olive oil soap for the first pass, then a decent cream for the second. It evolved into an elaborate ritual utilising many expensive items and products (most of which could be bought much cheaper under their original brand names) instead of his 'Hydrolast' brand. They included a best badger brush (marked up to around $175, IIRC), and then, more outrageously, the use of a brush was declared heretical, and one had to buy his 'Shaving Rag'™ to remain in good standing in the congregation. The actual shaving technique was described in purple prose ('shaving terrain', the 'glacis' - sans cedilla) and conducted in a bizarre way. Recklessly fast short repeated strokes made it look like he was sanding his face rather than shaving 'evenly and with care, in silence, seriously' as James Joyce described it. It was blade-buffing on benzedrine.
You don't hear of it any more now Charles has passed on.

[ShadowsDad]

I forgot just how screwey that method was until I watched that video yet again. Let me be more specific, tried to watch the video again. I have never been able to get through it due to his "cult terminology". For me it's a turn off each and every time.

[MensSoapCo]

I concur! SMH

I forgot just how screwey that method was until I watched that video yet again. Let me be more specific, tried to watch the video again. I have never been able to get through it due to his "cult terminology". For me it's a turn off each and every time.

[John Rose]

It resembles this one...

...from the Standardized Barbers' Manual (1911).
But is not quite the same.

[brothers]

This is what I would imagine would be the operator's manual for a 787.

[Tinman]

Mapping my face and really knowing the grain (and shaving accordingly!) is, IME, the largest factor is achieving close, irritation-free shaves. More important than soaps, creams, balms, lotions, brushes, etc.. Obviously, YMMV, as things like allergies or other individual conditions factor in.

[EL Alamein]

It resembles this one...

...from the Standardized Barbers' Manual (1911).
But is not quite the same.

Interesting manual! I have a more modern copy from the 1940's I believe.

I didn't get passed the face map pages but I did notice the section on strops and was surprised that it said horsehide strops are not recommended for barbers and that they are more for home use.

[John Rose]

...
I didn't get passed the face map pages but I did notice the section on strops and was surprised that it said horsehide strops are not recommended for barbers and that they are more for home use.

In the margin next to that it says "A strop can poison your razor, therefore should be sterilized by treating with carbolized vaseline."
I wonder if that's not also related to the whole post-WWI Anthrax From Shaving Brushes thing back then.

[brothers]

Mapping my face and really knowing the grain (and shaving accordingly!) is, IME, the largest factor in achieving close, irritation-free shaves. More important than soaps, creams, balms, lotions, brushes, etc.. Obviously, YMMV, as things like allergies or other individual conditions factor in.

Tinman, I agree with you 100%.

[fallingwickets]

beg to differ. for example, using a merkur blade isnt going to make shaving comfortable and irritation free just because you know the 'map' Talking about maps is just a low energy way to avoid the hardship of choice: blade choice, razor choice, cream/soap choice etc etc etc etc etc

clive

[CMur12]

beg to differ. for example, using a merkur blade isnt going to make shaving comfortable and irritation free just because you know the 'map' Talking about maps is just a low energy way to avoid the hardship of choice: blade choice, razor choice, cream/soap choice etc etc etc etc etc

clive

Not to mention technique!

- Murray

[fallingwickets]

49 thumbs up on the technique addition...thanks

clive

[brothers]

The gent referred to the largest factor, not withstanding the others that have been mentioned. If he had represented it as being the only factor there might have been some discussion as to the comparative degree of importance of factors

[CMur12]

Gary, I think we agree with Tinman that mapping is a factor. Clive and I have different opinions on its relative importance to other factors.

I intend no disrespect to Tinman or his opinions, as they obviously reflect what he has found to work for him.

- Murray

[brothers]

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