I do it every morning...one reference I found said the average man will shave 20,000 times over the course of his life. If you're involved in shaving - either for yourself, or someone else - enough to make your own shaving soap, then you should definitely be using that carefully crafted soap in the best way possible. These books are my favorites on the subject - illustrating how simple, and luxurious, it can be to have a great shave (wherever you are shaving) every time.
1. Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving: Shaving Made Enjoyable
Lulu.com Publishers
An outstanding primer/guide to traditional wet shaving. Michael Ham writes clearly and gives good, simple reviews of what to buy and how to use it. Lots of good online links and references too. His goal is to make you truly look foward to that morning shave!
2. A Closer Shave: Man's Daily Search for Perfection
Artisan Publisher
This book is more about the history of shaving, rather than how to shave - but it's a really fun read nonetheless. The author takes you on a "multicultural, multicentury, and multifaceted tour of the human face as seen from the stainless steel railway of the razor." And shows that throughout history, men have been obsessed with achieving the "perfect shave."
3. The Art of Shaving
Clarkson Potter Publisher
A lot of "info" and a little bit "-mercial," the authors of this book are also the proprietors of the store and product line of the same name. Like the other books, it touts the benefits of the simple safety-razor over our modern mult-cartridge shavers. It also gives good information about skin-care, which goes hand in hand...or rather face in face...with good shaving. If you look past the product placement, there's a nifty video on their website.
4. Beyond Soap, Water and Comb: A Man's Guide to Good Grooming and Fitness
Abbeville Press
A nice, light book about both shaving and grooming. Lots of good insights, great layout, and nice photos.
