Shave Dad Gives Back - A Conversation with Jerry Plesi

Shave Dad

It was 7:30 PM on a Thursday night. I was home, catching up on some Netflix, when my phone rang. Actually, it wasn’t my phone—it was Facebook Messenger. And the call was from none other than the original Shave Dad himself, Mr. Jerry Plesi.

If you're a wet shaving enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard of Jerry. He’s the founder and moderator of one of the most active and beloved shaving groups on Facebook: Shave Dad. While there are countless wet shaving groups online, Shave Dad has earned a global reputation for its loyal, passionate, and welcoming community.

For those who don’t know him, Jerry is a retired police officer from Brooklyn—a tough guy with a heart of gold. He’s serious, straight-talking, and deeply committed to fostering a space that feels more like a family than just a forum.

“Hey! Why did you change the label on Devil’s Den on Instagram?” Jerry asked as soon as I picked up.

Was I in trouble?

“Oh, hi Jerry. Actually… that wasn’t me. It was ChatGPT. I thought it’d be cool to change the background and when I ran it through the tool, it tweaked the label a bit,” I stammered.

“Oh, ok. Now that I know, that’s no problem. It’s kinda cool! Leave it.”

That brief exchange captures a lot about Jerry’s approach—not just to the Shave Dad group, but to life. His philosophy is simple: everyone is welcome, as long as their heart is in the right place and their intentions are good. No drama. No politics. If you break the rules, you’re out. Otherwise, enjoy yourself and contribute in good faith.

Jerry isn’t new to wet shaving. He started in the 1970s with a Gillette Slim and a Red Tip passed down from his father. For most of his life, shaving was just something you did—not a hobby. Then one day, like so many of us, he stumbled across a few shave videos on YouTube… and down the rabbit hole he went.

But here’s where Jerry stands apart. As he watched reviewers showcase their free soaps, splashes, and razors, he didn’t think, “How do I get those?” Instead, he thought, “They should be giving back to the community—not just taking from it.”

That was the spark that ignited Shave Dad.

Jerry’s vision was simple: create a platform that connects artisans and wet shavers, make it open to everyone, and ensure the community receives something in return. Thus, the giveaway was born. His rule? Any artisan is welcome to promote their products on Shave Dad—as long as they contribute an item for a giveaway first. A win-win. Artisans gain exposure, and shavers get a chance to try new gear for free. It was never about Jerry. It was always about the community.

During our conversation, Jerry shared his concerns about the risks of the rabbit hole. He’s seen friends go overboard—spending too much money, neglecting family, losing balance. He reminded me that everything, even soap (wink wink), has a shelf life. “Don’t overdo it,” he warned. “Enjoy it—but remember what matters most.”

For Jerry, that’s family—he speaks proudly of his two grown children. It’s health—he hits the gym daily at 66. And it’s peace of mind—which is why he’s so committed to keeping Shave Dad free of politics and negativity.

As we wrapped up, we both agreed that what makes wet shaving special is the spirit of being a gentleman. Jerry may always be a Brooklyn cop at heart, but he’s also the very definition of a modern gentleman: generous, grounded, and fiercely dedicated to those around him.

The big daddy with a big heart.

Jerry Plesi