I’m a big fan of the Law of Diminishing Returns (LDR) and wrote about it some time ago, here. Like all true fanatics, I’m willing to go to great lengths and spare no expense in order to experience that elusive “a little bit better” that dwells in the stratosphere of any hobby or interest. The LDR is very important in human life because it constantly resets the bar upwards and keeps us striving for something better that we can only achieve by becoming better at “it” ourselves – it is the ultimate antidote to mediocrity, sameness, drabness, and the dreaded “rut”.
On the other hand, there are few things more disappointing than pursuing the LDR with things that are in fact the Anti-LDR, i.e. you pay more, work harder, and actually get less than you had before! That’s how I often feel with Method Shaving and its associated products. Yes, I have gotten some spectacular shaves with the Method…but they have been equaled and surpassed by other less expensive and less demanding products. The psychiatrist, Dr. Hans Selye (known as the “Father of Stress”) defined stress as what humans experience when expectation and reality diverge. Part of the problem with Method Shaving is that its performance doesn’t match the hype and mystique that Charles Roberts and his fans have created around the system. Yes, there are many important truths revealed in the Method Shaving philosophy – the importance of water; matching blade to lather; and the difference between cutting the beard and shaving…all valuable concepts to be sure. But in the end, the shave produced is not significantly better than what can be had from a host of other traditional products and with far less effort and pain.
In summary…I have learned a lot from Method Shaving and it is a worthwhile foray for any serious shaver because of the many lessons it teaches. For example, spritzing some water (or “tonic” in Methodspeak) on your face prior to applying the post-shave balm or moisturizer, really produces a superior effect. But in the end, it is and will remain, just an occasional part of my product “rotation” rather than my daily shave.
