The Journal — notes worth keeping

The perfect shave is not fast. It is not a cartridge dragged across a dry face at a red light. It is fifteen minutes, warm water, a brush, a blade, and the understanding that you are removing hair from an organ, not stripping paint.

Shave after the shower, never before. Hot water softens the hair shaft and relaxes the follicle so the blade cuts the hair instead of tugging it. If there is no shower, a towel soaked in hot water held over the beard for two minutes does the same work. This step alone eliminates half of all folliculitis.

And drink something. Daddy taught you the pinch. A dehydrated dermis does not shave clean. Liquid I.V. is in the collection for exactly this reason, and yes, Daddy is serious.