First Blade, Familiar Sensation

—Many people associate wet shaving with a barber's shave. Is that the image you have as well?

My father practiced wet shaving, so that's the impression I have. He was a strict man born in the Taisho era, and he never loosened his tie until he took off his shoes at home. Looking back, I think my father's ideal of a gentleman was shaped by his experiences in England. Breakfast was always toast, fried eggs, and milk tea, and wet shaving with a brush was his daily routine. On weekends, he was always tending to the garden.

—So, influenced by that, you practice wet shaving yourself?

Not really. My beard isn't that thick, and when I wet shave, I just use a T-shaped razor in the bathroom while bathing. I never used a shaving brush. But as a child, you're drawn to the tools adults use, aren't you? I think it was the same for my generation; toys were limited, so we played with adult things. The brush, razor, and shaving soap were always in their usual places on the bathroom sink, and seeing my father shave every morning with them must have sparked my interest. I still remember sneaking them when my father wasn't looking and pretending to lather and shave by mimicking him.

—Indeed, razors and shaving brushes have a certain appeal to the male psyche.

They do. I think my father used a double-edged razor, not a safety razor. It was clearly foreign, with knurling on the handle and an exposed blade. I remember feeling very tense the first time I held a blade. It felt like stepping into the world of adult men. Trying this out brought back those nostalgic feelings.

—It's enviable, environmentally speaking, that your father practiced wet shaving with a brush.

So, I'm quite adept at lathering with a shaving brush. I've had a break, but my career is different. I always imagined shaving brushes to be very soft, but when I actually applied it to my skin, it was a little prickly. It also brought back memories of the nostalgic scents of the shaving soap and cologne my father used.

The grooming tools, brought back from Yatsugatake and settled in their usual spot on the bathroom counter. Their presence is utterly classic.

Why He Disliked Fragrances

—How was it, actually practicing traditional wet shaving with a shaving brush?

First, the scent. I chose "West Indian Lime" from the four available fragrances. Having the bath and shower gel, soap, shaving cream, aftershave balm, and eau de cologne all unified in my favorite scent felt incredibly luxurious.

—I imagine having such a complete set is unique to Truefitt & Hill.

It is. Actually, I've always disliked fragrances. Shampoo, hair products – manufacturers create whatever scents they like, forcing users to combine multiple products. I can't stand the resulting clash of scents. When I was first approached about this, I was honestly hesitant.

—Indeed, unless one specifically seeks out unscented products, most people unknowingly mix fragrances.

I wanted to try it in clear air for the first time. To experience the true scent without interference from other odors. I happened to have a summer retreat planned in Yatsugatake, so I opened and used the products there. Since the bathroom has its own smell, I decided to test the fragrance and shave on the wooden deck, free from artificial scents.

—And how was that?

In conclusion, it was very enjoyable. Previously, I was forced to mix scents, but with Truefitt & Hill, I can unify the entire grooming process, from start to finish, with a single fragrance.

—Did wet shaving with a shaving brush feel like a hassle?

No, not at all. I already shaved with a T-shaped razor every day. I usually use an unscented, all-natural shampoo that's also suitable for face washing and shaving, and I would shave in the bathroom with that. But lathering cream with a shaving brush again felt very pleasant.

—A proper wet shave can even change your mood in the morning, can't it?

Firstly, the tension of handling a blade is good. With an electric razor, you might shave without much thought, but even with a safety razor, there's a certain tension involved. As I shave, I gradually feel more invigorated, thinking, 'I'm ready for the day!' That's the appeal.

—Indeed, brushing and carefully shaving with a razor requires concentration, which in turn sharpens the mind. Next time, please tell us about the fragrances.