Christian Ortlepp of Germany Brings His Passion for Wet Shaving to the World
- Teutonblade
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Christian Ortlepp is a passionate traditional wet shaver from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost state, nestled between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. A trained businessman with a degree in business administration, Christian brings both curiosity and enthusiasm to the hobby he has come to love. Outside of shaving, he enjoys cooking, taking walks, spending time with his two cats, Leo and Blacky, and hunting for the next great bargain in the world of wet shaving. Through his two YouTube channels, Christian's Wetshaving World (German) and Shave-Off (English), and his involvement in the broader shaving community, Christian has become a thoughtful and engaging voice for traditional wet shaving. His passion for the ritual, the gear, and the people who make up the hobby, along with his unique window into the German wet shaving community, make his programs uniquely appreciated by his many followers. ShaveSplash caught up with Christian to learn more about his journey and his YouTube programs. Here's Christian... Outside of wet shaving and YouTube, what are some of the interests or parts of everyday life that help shape who you are?
I’m naturally curious and always open to new things. I really enjoy learning, and I try to discover something new every day.
Can you take us back to the beginning. How did you first get into traditional wet shaving, and what was it that drew you in?
My journey really began around 2010. I had always wet shaved, but I became curious about how our grandfathers used to shave and liked the idea of using something more environmentally friendly than cartridge razors. So I bought myself a Wilkinson Classic and the small five-pack of blades that came with it.
At that time, though, it was surprisingly hard to find good information online. There wasn’t much guidance for beginners, especially about things like the difference between a closed comb and an open comb razor, or which type would suit you best.
Do you remember the moment when wet shaving changed from a simple grooming routine into a real passion or hobby for you?
Yes, definitely. In 2023, I really fell down the rabbit hole. Before that, shaving was just something I did because I had to. My setup was very simple and budget-focused: a Baili butterfly razor, an Arko shave stick, and only a small selection of blades.
Then in 2023, I started watching several wet shaving YouTube channels and became fascinated by the world of artisans, premium gear, and the culture around the hobby. I also joined a German shaving forum, met a lot of great people there, and received some soap samples. Around that same time, I bought my first CNC-machined safety razor, a RazoRock MJ-90A, and from that point on, wet shaving became much more than grooming. It became a kind of wellness ritual for me.
What do you love most about wet shaving today. Is it the ritual, the craftsmanship, the scents, the results, or something else entirely?
For me, it’s really my personal wellness time each day. I love that sense of “me time,” and I also love the feeling of being fresh and smooth after a great shave.
I enjoy using high-quality products, but I also still appreciate an occasional inexpensive shave because it reminds me why I value the really good artisan products so much now.
What do you think makes the German wet shaving community unique? Are there any practices, views, or equipment that set the German wet shaver apart?
From my point of view, a big part of what makes the German wet shaving community unique is the long tradition of manufacturers in Solingen and the respect for the quality that comes from that heritage.
Many German wet shavers begin with, and continue to appreciate, that tradition of well-made safety razors and straight razors. I think that history still shapes the community quite strongly today.
What inspired you to start your YouTube channel, and what made you feel that sharing your shaves and opinions publicly was worth doing?
A big inspiration was Winni Wittkopp’s channel. When he began making wet shaving videos, I was watching regularly and leaving comments all the time. He was surprised by how much knowledge I had about wet shaving and kept telling me that I should start my own channel and share that knowledge with others.
It still took me about another year. A few other people also encouraged me to begin with tabletop videos because at that point I wasn’t yet comfortable being on camera. Then Winni sent me my first supporter parcels for the channel, and in the note he wrote, “Now you have to start your own channel and shaving videos.” That was really the final push, the true kick-off.
When you first began making videos, what were you hoping the channel would become, and has that vision changed over time?
Back in 2010, when I was first learning, I missed having clear information about the different types of razor heads and how to choose the right gear. So when I started my channel, I wanted to help beginners by sharing that kind of practical knowledge: what to use, what to start with, and what might work best for different people.
Over time, the vision has stayed similar, but I’ve changed personally. I went from feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera to feeling much more natural and professional. Now it’s part of my routine, and honestly, these days I can’t wait to make the next video.
For people who only see the finished video, what is it actually like to run a wet shaving YouTube channel day to day. What parts are most enjoyable, and what parts are more challenging than viewers might expect?
The most enjoyable part is definitely the shave itself while filming. That’s still the heart of it for me. The more challenging part is making sure the setup stays interesting for viewers. You always have to think about the right combination of razors, blades, soaps, and brushes so the content doesn’t become repetitive. And then there is all the time spent uploading, organizing, and handling everything around the video. A 20-minute video can easily require many more hours behind the scenes than people expect.
How has having a YouTube channel shaped your shaving journey. Has reviewing gear changed your tastes, standards, or the way you evaluate a shave?
Yes, very much. Over time, I’ve developed a stronger preference for CNC-machined razors and higher-grade materials like stainless steel and titanium. The same goes for the rest of the gear: soaps, brushes, blades, and everything else.
For me, the higher-end products often make the whole experience feel more like wellness. They tend to be more enjoyable and more refined. Running the channel has definitely raised my standards and changed the way I evaluate a shave.
You’ve used a wide range of razors, blades, and other gear. What are some of your personal favorites, and what qualities tend to win you over most?
One of my favorite razors is the Yaqi Titanium DC 0.9. With that razor, I can get an incredibly smooth, close BBS shave very easily. When it comes to blades, I especially like Feather Hi-Stainless, Treet Platinum, and Personna. Feather blades, for example, are fantastic in a milder razor because they give you more feedback. For soaps, I tend to prefer artisan brands like HC&C, MMGP Soaps, Areffa Soap, MSC, and others in that category.
What matters most to me is quality and ease of use. I also want good blade feel and feedback during the shave. Razors that feel too muted or disconnected are not really for me.
What does your own daily or weekly shaving routine look like when you’re not filming. Are there certain products, techniques, or habits you keep coming back to?
To be honest, it’s not all that different from when I’m filming. I still enjoy using quality gear, and I like to rotate through different setups rather than using the same things all the time.
One small habit I do keep is using blades for a second and final shave after I’ve already used them once in a video.
Looking back on your journey so far, what has the wet shaving community and your channel meant to you personally, and what would you still love to explore in the future?
The wet shaving community and my channel have meant a great deal to me. I’m very thankful that I’ve met so many people around the world who share this passion, and some of them have become real friends. One of the best feelings is when someone tells me, “I trust your opinion, and because of your advice I found the perfect shaving gear for myself.” That kind of feedback means a lot to me.
Looking ahead, I’d really love to explore straight razors more. That’s still an area where I feel like a beginner, and if I’m honest, I still have a bit of respect, or even fear, when it comes to using them.
If you could leave the wet shaving community with one message, what would it be?
Don’t fear the gap, the blade gap, of course. And I hope wet shaving becomes a daily wellness ritual for you too.
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