The Shaving Thread

[Nebu]

Maybe laser is better these days, but I wasn't a good candidate when I tried years ago.  Light colored hair with almost colorless roots.  Electrolysis is okay for shaping eyebrows and the few stray hairs, but no way I'm going through that for any sizable patch like my legs.

It has improved a great deal over the past 5 years.  I had to have several scars lasered as they were the cause of ingrown hairs.  The technology is now less painful, more seelctive, and can be done over larger areas in less time.  I'd seriously look into it if you have the means.

[Morat20]

It has improved a great deal over the past 5 years.  I had to have several scars lasered as they were the cause of ingrown hairs.  The technology is now less painful, more seelctive, and can be done over larger areas in less time.  I'd seriously look into it if you have the means.

I'm looking into it myself -- although it's below LASIK for me. But I have dark hair and pale skin, so I'm good even with the old stuff.

[Nebu]

With regard to my scars comment, here's a tip to everyone here:  If you get a serious facial laceration, ask for a plastic surgeon to sew it up.  I made the mistake of letting an ER colleague sew me up after a chin trauma and he fucked up the margins something serious.  Took me years of having to lance, drain, and resew to keep hairs out of the old wound. 

[Lantyssa]

I'll check it out then.  I have some friends in the field I can ask for details.  That can be my next big expense after all my dental work is taken care of.  Buying a home looks to be out this year, so I might as well feel good about my looks while being houseless.

[apocrypha]

Ok, I have to ask. Why would any male, short of a porn star, have to shave his testicles? Or want to?

Shaving? No way, right out, get that sharp thing the fuck away from my manberries. A quick trim with clippers & a No.3 guard once a month because my girlfriend likes it, yeah no problems.

[Brogarn]

Took me years of having to lance, drain, and resew to keep hairs out of the old wound. 

Gah! 

Or...



Still, though... /shudder

[Nebu]

Looking back, I should have filmed sewing my own chin in the mirror.  Might get a few youtube hits. 

[Oban]

So...

Received my box of goodies this morning.  Only one nick, feels smooth and I smell great.  Now I get to see if I have any ingrown hairs over the next week.

[Nevermore]

What's with the tortilla warmer?

[Viin]

So...

Received my box of goodies this morning.  Only one nick, feels smooth and I smell great.  Now I get to see if I have any ingrown hairs over the next week.

Where'd you buy the stuff from?

[MrHat]

Damn Oban, that's hella manly.

I mean, I feel more manly just looking at it.

I suddenly want scotch.

[Jeff Kelly]

Well blades are usually blunt after my third shave. Don't know how that happens. Cut up my face good this morning. This gets really expensive when you have to throw a set of mach 3 blades into the trash every other week.

Any suggestions for a replacement?

[bhodi]

Any suggestions for a replacement?

That gets the full size...


I suppose you could read the last 4 pages, since that was the whole point of why I made this thread in the first place...

[Brogarn]

Damn Oban, that's hella manly.

I mean, I feel more manly just looking at it.

I suddenly want scotch.

And a cigar.

Seriously, though. Let us know how it goes. My neck gets easily irritated from shaving from using everything from cheap Bics to Gillette fusions to electric razors. So, I only shave 2 or 3 times a week and even then, still get an irritated neck. Beard grows in too patchy to have anything other than my current goatee/mustache thing.

[Reg]

If you're only getting three shaves out of a Mach 3 you have to be doing something wrong. Are you only shaving once a month or something? Are you not rinsing it off when you're done?

[Jeff Kelly]

I suppose you could read the last 4 pages, since that was the whole point of why I made this thread in the first place...

Yeah, I know I just thought I'd ask for recommendations regardless. There are a lot of tips in this thread I'd just rather not try four different methods until I find one that works, so I described my special problem in the hopes that somebody else has it and could recommed something.

@reg: I don't know. I shave twice per week and I rinse it off just as I should but usually after a few shaves the blades get so blunt that I get skin irritation and small cuts even if I don't shave against the hair. I always supposed that it should be that way, but after I read in this thread that most of you get weeks or even months out of a single set of blades I got curious.

[Reg]

Hmm, maybe you just have really sensitive skin. The only way I can justify spending money on Mach 3s is because they do last me for weeks. If I were just getting 3 shaves off of them I'd use the cheapest disposables I could find.

[Abagadro]

Alot of it is beard type.  I shave daily and a Mach 3 starts to get grabby after 3-4 shaves for me and I have to ditch it without doubt after 5.

[Teleku]

Hmm, didn't know people had these sorts of problems.  I use a 5 bladed mach whatever and it works great.  Very smooth.  Can't imagine how you could actually possibly get it smoother (except for the odd crevice or angle on my neck that causes it to not shave perfectly, but I'm doubting a safety razor would make a difference their either).  I can also use one blade for weeks at a time, before I move on, though I only tend to shave every other day or so.  Never had a problem with razor bumps except on my neck, were their are a few spots where I habitually get them.

Interesting info in the thread, just never realized anybody could want anything other than the Gillette's.  They just work so damn perfect for me.

[JWIV]

I suppose you could read the last 4 pages, since that was the whole point of why I made this thread in the first place...

Yeah, I know I just thought I'd ask for recommendations regardless. There are a lot of tips in this thread I'd just rather not try four different methods until I find one that works, so I described my special problem in the hopes that somebody else has it and could recommed something.

@reg: I don't know. I shave twice per week and I rinse it off just as I should but usually after a few shaves the blades get so blunt that I get skin irritation and small cuts even if I don't shave against the hair. I always supposed that it should be that way, but after I read in this thread that most of you get weeks or even months out of a single set of blades I got curious.

I stand by my recommendation of a Merkur HD or any other quality safety razor (the HD is a nice entry level razor and I've yet to discover a reason to go for a more expensive adjustable), a badger brush, and some soap from the Art of Shaving or any other high end line.  I've tried the cheaper soap and regretted it.

[Iniquity]

Those of you who are trying electric shavers and don't like them.. Have you ever tried a trimmer?


I feel like a trimmer salesman here, the way I keep talking. But really.. What the hell do you want to be completely shaven for anyways? Down with shaving, I say. Stubble or beards. That's how you should roll. 

This.

For serious.

I use a trimmer without a guard, and life is perfect.  Gives you that clean "one day of stubble" look that looks far better than clean-shaven anyhow.  No hassle, no cuts, no replacement costs, doesn't irritate the skin, takes a minute, tops.

Just about the only reason I can think of for not using a trimmer is if your girlfriend/wife/ladyfolk prefers you babyfaced, or if you've got some "real men make shaving a pain in the ass" complex.

[Engels]

doesn't work real well if you have a beard and only want to use it on your neck. I just look like Yassir Arafat.

[NowhereMan]

if you've got some "real men make shaving a pain in the ass" complex.

Actually I found switching to soap and brush with a nice safety razor (got pretty much the same stuff as Oban) made shaving actually quite a nice part of my morning routine. I guess it's like comparing instant coffee to a cafetiere in the sense that making the whole thing take longer can be a bit more relaxing and overall enjoyable (leaving aside the fact that instant coffee tastes awful). I can definitely see not wanting to go through that bother if you're in a hurry in the morning but I like to take my time, plus lime scented soap lather is nice.

[Oban]

Where'd you buy the stuff from?

Because I am in Canada at the moment, http://www.fendrihan.com/  The items were delivered within two days of the order being placed, so not bad.  The price was about the same as the US stores, and sometimes cheaper considering the exchange rate of ~1.26.

What's with the tortilla warmer?

Ha, that is shaving soap.  Sandalwood shaving soap in fact.  I use the badger brush to build up a lather and it smells quite nice.  Extra bonus, I can actually travel without having to worry about exploding shaving cream containers sitting next to my suits.  I even bought sandalwood pre-shave lotion, shampoo and aftershave so everything goes together.  

Seriously, though. Let us know how it goes. My neck gets easily irritated from shaving from using everything from cheap Bics to Gillette fusions to electric razors. So, I only shave 2 or 3 times a week and even then, still get an irritated neck. Beard grows in too patchy to have anything other than my current goatee/mustache thing.

Yes, this whole search for an alternative to the single blades was caused by ingrown hairs around my neck caused by the lifting of multi blades.  That lifting action plus my penchant for wearing medium spread collared shirts with my suits caused a damn near constant source of irritation around my neck.

[murdoc]

Alot of it is beard type.  I shave daily and a Mach 3 starts to get grabby after 3-4 shaves for me and I have to ditch it without doubt after 5.

This is me as well. I'm changing blades at least once every 10 days.

Oban, I think I'm going to put your list of shaving gear on a Xmas list and see what comes of that. Problem is that I'm always in  a hurry and that seems like a recipe for disaster.

[NowhereMan]

Certainly at first trying to rush a traditional shave is going to result in a shitty shave, if you're lucky just not very close but probably a few cuts and some overly close shaving with irritated skin. I'd say at least make sure you start off getting used to it, give yourself 15-20 minutes in the morning for getting a proper lather and shaving carefully the way most of those guides recommend. That way if you start rushing you at least know how it should feel and basically know the right way to do it. Also get an alum block for antiseptic/stopping bleeding from any nicks.

[Rasix]

Alot of it is beard type.  I shave daily and a Mach 3 starts to get grabby after 3-4 shaves for me and I have to ditch it without doubt after 5.

Those things start to get grabby minute one for me.  

I've been using an electric for a while now.  I don't particularly care for the shave, but at least it's not incredibly painful for me and my face doesn't end up with a plethora of nicks.  Plus, I pretty much abhor ritual.

Still, neat thread.  Really tempting, but I'm just afraid any thing I'd try here would end up mothballed in cabinet somewhere or just end up raping my face like most shaving shit does.

[DeathInABottle]

if you've got some "real men make shaving a pain in the ass" complex.

Actually I found switching to soap and brush with a nice safety razor (got pretty much the same stuff as Oban) made shaving actually quite a nice part of my morning routine. I guess it's like comparing instant coffee to a cafetiere in the sense that making the whole thing take longer can be a bit more relaxing and overall enjoyable (leaving aside the fact that instant coffee tastes awful). I can definitely see not wanting to go through that bother if you're in a hurry in the morning but I like to take my time, plus lime scented soap lather is nice.

Good analogy.  Using a safety or straight razor, you know you'll need the time, so you set it aside, and you enjoy yourself.  If you haven't set aside the time and you have to shave that day, default to the electric or the disposable.  Me, I had a nice 20 minute shave this morning - two passes and one small nick, and I feel great.

[Teleku]

See, I guess that's why I couldn't get into this.  I try to use up as little time in the morning as I an, and adding to it would be a complete pain in the ass.  Can't really understand how adding more time to your morning chores would make you feel any better...  But I guess its a moot point for me, as (since I don't like taking time in the morning) I've moved to shaving and other stuff like that at night, and only doing the bare maintenance I need for the day after I roll out of bed in the mornings.

Though can somebody explain to me the point of the brush and lather?  Why is a brush so important, and what does that whole soap/lather set up offer over your average shaving gel or cream from a can?

Maybe I'll just use that in combo with my mach 5 

[Morat20]

Damn Oban, that's hella manly.

I mean, I feel more manly just looking at it.

I suddenly want scotch.

And a cigar.

Seriously, though. Let us know how it goes. My neck gets easily irritated from shaving from using everything from cheap Bics to Gillette fusions to electric razors. So, I only shave 2 or 3 times a week and even then, still get an irritated neck. Beard grows in too patchy to have anything other than my current goatee/mustache thing.

Might try the Magic Shave Powder I mentioned up-thread. It not for shaving -- it's basically like Nair or something, but not nearly so harsh. It's designed for people who get easily irritated by any form of razors.

[bhodi]

Though can somebody explain to me the point of the brush and lather?  Why is a brush so important, and what does that whole soap/lather set up offer over your average shaving gel or cream from a can?

The brush is just to get a good lather. The higher quality the brush, the less you have to spin it / fuss with it to get a good lather from the cream or soap you use.

If you use the wrong soap/gel/cream, you'll get razorburn, bumps and irritated skin. A more expensive cream is going to give you better 'performance' than a $1.99 bottle from wallmart. This is especially true if your shaving gel or cream from a can contains alcohol - then it's utter crap and will dry out your skin and should never be used ever. The higher quality creams are applied with the badger brush since the come in condensed format which need to be lathered to work.

[Murgos]

Mach 5, hot water and bar soap.

No ingrown hairs, no razor burn, no irritation, two minutes tops.  I used double/triple bladed disposables when I am away from home and they just plain don't work as well.

The few times I have tried an electric razor my face could have been the before example on a late night TV acne commercial.

[Reg]

If you do nothing else you should just try the soap and a brush with your regular Mach 3 or whatever. Shaving soap really is much nicer than that gross chemical goo we smear on our faces most of the time.

[Oban]

Mach 5, hot water and bar soap.

No ingrown hairs, no razor burn, no irritation, two minutes tops.  I used double/triple bladed disposables when I am away from home and they just plain don't work as well.

Sure, but it looks like it would be easy to shave your face considering you have no mouth and no chin.

Also, not quite sure how much time it takes me to shave now, but it is definitely not over ten minutes.  

[Big Gulp]

I should be getting my razor and blades from Amazon today (if the goddamned UPS guy shows up before I head to work), but sadly my badger brush and soap are coming from a different vendor.  Pics of me massacring myself to follow if I get the stuff on time.