OT: Shaving Talk
In the spirit of "Offseason LOL," I thought I would see how the people of this board generally shave the various hairs on their bodies.
I have been hoping to find something cheaper than the Gillete line of products, as I only have to shave 2-3 times per week. I have tried Harry's, Dollar Shave Club, and Shick. I have to say: NONE of these options are any good. Harry's was the worst, followed closely by Dollar Shave club. I had to sharpen the blades in both cases, and even then I had to stop and clean out the bladed about every other swipe. They also cut my face up like I was shaving with a cheese grater. The Gillete stuff is expensive, but a 1.5 month old blade still was better than these other options.
I think I may try a saftey razor next; is it worth the trouble?
April 20th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^
Love my Braun. It costs more up front, but I've had mine for years.
April 20th, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^
I have a 5 (which I love for quick shaves) and I had to take a second mortgage on the house to get a new blade and foil. It was around $50 IIRC. Although the internets are now telling me I overpaid.
Yeah, I pay about $30 for my replacement blade/foil. Just don't buy in a store, Amazon usually has decent prices on them.
April 20th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
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April 20th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^
I have a Wahl trimmer and I've only clean shaved once in the last 5 or so years. I just use the zero on the trimmer and go down to stubble as needed.
April 20th, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^
That's my gig too. Saves money, time and I look best that way.
April 20th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^
April 20th, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^
So you shave with the coco butter? If it just meant for use as an after shave do you see yourself going through 8oz of that stuff quickly?
April 20th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^
I have something that is a mix of cocoa butter and few other things. It acts as shaving cream and then you just let the rest absorb into the skin when you're done.
Do you have a link to the stuff that you use?
It says shaving cream, but it's more like a lotion. Shower, put a dab on your finger, rub it into the shaving area, shave, rub remainder into skin. It does clog up the blade a bit, so I just loosen the top and rinse with hot water, then tighten again.
Thanks. Wasn't expecting price to be that good.
April 20th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^
April 20th, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^
hated the DSC razors (even using the top one).
But i really liked their shave gel (they call it shave butter), luckily they just opened up their products to non razor subscribers.
April 20th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^
I switch to a DE safety razor. I got a Muhle, a decent badger hair brush, pre-shave oil, aftershave, and a good shave cream. Like others have said, there is a learning curve, and it is an event. I love it and I've never had a closer shave. I've managed to talk 2 guys at my work to make the switch, both were fed up paying for the disposable blades.
I've heard Astra is a nice sharp blade, but I am still using the blades that came with my razor. I won't ever go back to disposable razor.
April 20th, 2016 at 12:24 PM ^
Irritated skin is especially bad here in AZ because the sun will murder tender cheeks.
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April 20th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
I'm cheap but my friend swears by this stuff. He lives in CA and assumes that since I am from MI I must be friends with the owner. A premium razor store at a mall in Arcadia, CA told him that their shaving supplies could not possibly compare with Mike's and he has been loyal ever since.
http://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/Mikes_Natural_Soaps/Welcome.html
I just switched to a safety razor about a month ago. The first time, I cut myself a bunch and had some razor burn. As I've gotten better at it, I have gotten a better shave with less irritation. As others have mentioned, the blades are cheap once you get past the initial cost and there are options that are as cheap as buying a new blade holder from gillette. I think I put in $30 for the blade holder and the shaving lotion that acts like shaving cream.
A couple of years ago, I decided to grow a beard. The beard trend was just getting started, but for me it was primarily about convenience. I have never really been one to shave every single day, yet I get a five o'clock shadow pretty quick. Plus, I was also going through a period of transition in my career and just felt I needed a change...sort of hard to explain.
1. Wash face vigorously with Nivea for men face scrub with the hottest water I can stand
2. With wet face, lather with Edge sensitive skin shaving gel
3. *Critical Step* Leave shaving cream on face for at least a minute. It's even better if it's two or more minutes. While you're wating, fill the sink with a couple inches of hot water and let your razor soak. This will activate the lubricating strip and warm the blades. (I'm a Schick hydro 3 guy)
4. Shave with the grain at first, then rinse your face, smearing residual shaving cream all over, then shave against the grain.
5. Shower. Don't make it too long or hot, or it will dry out your face.
6. Lotion up the face/neck. No need for aftershave gel, just a light, oil free lotion. I prefer Nivea.
works like a charm to remove facial hair.
I use a safety razor. Amazing shave and saved more money than ever.
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Razors are too harsh for me...my liners never go wrong!
I had trouble with ingrown whiskers and general irritation. Went to a dermatologist. This doctor was, uh, quite gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. At the time I used a nice Norelco electric razor. He said that was the problem, along with bacteria. The solution:
- Shitcan the electric razor
- Use Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
- From the bottom of the beard on the neck to the middle of the Adam's apple, shave up. The rest, shave down.
- Do this in the shower, washing your hair and face first (which deals with bacteria).
Haven't had one problem since. I use Gillete Comfort Plus 3 disposable razors that I buy at Costco (I think they happen to be on sale now). One box usually lasts me a half year, depending on how many the wife and daughters steal. I am a weekday shaver who avoids shaving on the weekends and vacations when possible. One razor lasts two weeks. I then decommision that razor for the sink in case I missed a spot (so I don't have to go back into the shower). He said razors with 2-3 blades is sufficient. Anything more is overkill. I will also use the Target and Meijer knockoffs of the Aveeno shave gel.
Currently rocking my shitty, 14 year old beard that I've been trying to grow out for 3 years.
A safety razor is definitely worth the trouble, because it really isn't much trouble. I switched to one about nine years ago and have never considered going back. You can buy a 100-pack of blades online for about $12 (depending on which brand you get), so it's not a problem to use a new blade every 2-3 shaves. And it feels better than a cartridge ever will.
Then for blades for the razor I bought on Amazon. Was able to get 15 Mach iii blades for something like $15. But that may have been a sale. Still better than buying in a drugstore.
I have a beard, I trim it every other week with an electric razor. I don't think I could tolerate shaving more, hate it.
if you discover the secret. I admit when I am back home in MI, I get lazy and many days, after getting out of the shower(and I guess because its ingrained into all of us), I immediately think about shaving and then going on about business. But often time with nothing to do that forces me to be clean shaven, it's not difficult to convince myself there is no harm in putting it off. Well that one or two days can turn into six, and as any of you know that have used these disposables, they are designed to collect every possible hair over a certain length. Hell, it becomes frustraing just trying to rinse enough off to continue. This often results in using at least two of these cheap suckers to get the job done.
But for the other half of the year, along with other things that might be difficult to find down here in Mexico, I'll grab me a bag of bics, hell even generic Meijer razors, doesn't matter. Because I go out virtually every night while down here, it's mandatory to shave after shower. You don't even think about talking yourself out of it.
That obligation - to shave every night - prior to heading out lead to a great discovery on my part. Almost always, you are shaving again within 24 hrs so the lenth of the beard is minimal. Hell, I'm not sure one rinse is necessary during the entire exercise. Shaves are always smooth, about three times as fast as normal and then just set cheap razor back among all other other items men keep in the bathroom.
My first year down here, after about a month, I realized I hade been unsing the same razor, still effective 30 days later as it was the first with no signs that it needed to be disposed of soon. I guess its at about the two month period where you just decide, not based on need, to just toss it and use a new one. But seriously, if you make sure to shave everyday, thereby eliminating the razor from doing any real work, they stay usable for pretty much ever. i alwasy take about half of the ten razor bag back home with me after the 4 or 6 month stay. And given that it adds only about 30 seconds to your b.r. time, it's well worth it. Another bus to duration is that you will be nick free for that period.. Razor is not required to pull and when allowed to simply flow over face with virtually no obstruction, result is always good and most of us would do it to realize just one of the benefits.
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I'm a frugal old bastard at the young age of 30...
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Actually the secret to making razors last longer is to dry the blades after use. Moisture allows for quicker buildup of micro rust giving that jagged feeling when shaving.
April 21st, 2016 at 10:15 AM ^
Learn to read. Thanks, Tips!
Because I am highly prone to razor bumps (soft skin, coarse, curl hair) I only dry shave using hair clippers. Andis makes several models that get fairly close if you dont require a razor-close shave.
When I worked in an office I used a saftey razor, which reduced razor bumps compared the typical Gilette Mach 50 multi-blade razors that cause razor bumps galore. However it definitely takes some getting used to and you will probably cut yourself up pretty good for a while until you get the hang of it.
Easy to maintain, easy to sharpen, easy to use.
I had used the Gillette Fusion razor for years but got tired of paying a tidy ransom for the cartridges. I decided that my investment in the DSC's "Executive" (6 primary blades plus 1 trimmer) was reasonably close and half the price.
So far, I haven't noticed any issues with the blades, except that the point about shavings getting stuck between the blades is right on. I also kind of miss the swivelling head of the Fusion, but that's not worth double the price of the DSC.
I've also tried the shave butter and hair styling gel. Both are pretty good products - I'm totally sold on shave butter instead of cream, and I won't go back except in an emergency.
My grandpas Boker 6/8 straight razor (full hollow grind). 24 mm Silvertip badger brush from Whipped Dog. As good as an Omega et al but 1/8 the price.
Taylor of Old Bond Street shave soap. Not a fan of creams. I like to take my time and slowly build a lather. Taylor of Old Bond Street aftershave gel.
Soak soap and brush in warm to hit water while showering. Build lather on soap and in scuttle until frothy. Brush on face for 60 seconds to lift hairs. Shave (2 passes).
Since I have started shaving with a straight razor I have no more razor burn and I get a much smoother and overall better shave.
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April 20th, 2016 at 10:39 PM ^
I was setting around one night and decided to look through this "Missionary" desk , common place in the the 18th and 19th centuries. but ha been setting in my mother-in-law's foyer for years. They are the type where you pull the desktop down and then once finished, lift it to put back in place.
Well I found two items that really caught my attention. One was a small, handsomely built box, constructed of a leather exterior with a felt interior. GILLETTE in caps embedded in the leather. Setting inside the box was- what I guessed to be - one of their original double edged razors in immaculate condition. The topper though was a small pamphlet, laying underneath the razor. It was actually an instruction booklet in four languages, German, English, French and Spanish. Just the holder suggested to me not many members of the working class had one of these, and the pamphlet just added to this conclusion.
Then something I'm guessing is even more rare. I reached back and pulled out a straight razor. The blade was encased in a wooden handle that had seen better days but had no splintered wood or things of that nature. I opened it and two things caught my attention, with the first causing a hell of a lot more exfcitement than the second.
In the middle of the blade were the printed words, "The Union must and shall be preserved." Although somewhat smudged, lettering is clear. Finding and holding a razor that was roughly 150 years old is rare, but the significance of this particular one was, of course, understood immediatey. It was identical to all the others given to every member of the Union Army of that period, but to be holding part of what was standard issue to all Army personnel of the Civil War caused a feeling that is both rare, and for some reason very difficult to explain. Now that second one I referenced, I now realize I should have used the word surprised rather than exciting. I decided to test the sharpness and desite how many years that razor had set in the drawer, I have little doubt I could have shaved with it that night. I wasn't going to try though.
I got on the internet to check out other razors common with the Army of the civil war period.. Most, as I sad, were identical to mine as standard issue, but some of the officer's - even then over indulgent ass holes-, were made with pearl handles and other unique coverings. Was definitely a very cool find.
April 21st, 2016 at 12:14 AM ^
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Dry shave with a jagged conch shell
April 20th, 2016 at 10:01 PM ^
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April 20th, 2016 at 11:53 PM ^
April 21st, 2016 at 10:08 AM ^
Always thought about a safety razor but I have this weird fear of slicing off my cheek or something with it!
April 21st, 2016 at 10:30 AM ^
I think you're thinking of a straight razor. Safety razors have guards on them and, other than the occasional nick, I think you'd have to be trying to cut yourself to do any serious damage.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:17 AM ^
Ahh yes thank you! You're right safety razors give a great shave but can tear your skin up if you do it wrong!