f13.net

This is the spinoff of our what do you want thread. I started thinking about changing my shaving seriously after reading the SA thread here (http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2398381).

I don't have a thick beard, but I'm tired of constantly buying disposable razors, and I flat out refuse to try mach-27 5 bladed monstrocities, or an electric razor, so I think I'm going to try wetshaving. It's not a lot of cash investment - just a shaving brush, some shaving cream, and a double-edged safety razor. Maybe some aftershave and an alum block.

A straight razor though, that's crazy. I honestly can't see a reason why I'd switch to that over a normal double-edged safety razor. Maybe someone can enlighten?

Something new to try! I get acne every once in a while, so maybe this will help with that as well.

How long does a Mach 3 blade last you? (Mine last 3 months each if I shave twice a week). Are you letting it grow out a lot before you shave? If you have long hair (ie: not stubble) it will dull the blades very fast .. it needs to be trimmed with a guardless beard trimmer first.

I'd like to try a straight razor but I hear they are very hard to do well yourself. The Mach 3 works perfectly fine for me, I buy a set of 4? once every 6-9 months for $9.

You should get the vibrating razor if you don't have one, I think they actually do help! But that could just be the marketing ..

I'm using a vibrating mach 5 righ  now. 

The same thread sold me the idea of a straight blade. Also, the best shave I ever had were the few times I tried a barber with a straight blade,.  I have no idea how I'll find one.  I'd use ebay but I'd like to "feel it" before I buy it.

I dunno.... I "wet shave" everyday in the shower and it's fine.  Cost is ridiculous, but I found some much cheaper Mach2 blades which funny enough last >1 month or more and are great blades.  I am convinced looking at them and the 3's that Gilette has dulled somehow the 3's to decrease life expectancy.

Otherwise the SA article is great, but not realistic for a daily get-to-work-on-time thing.  Very metro when you think about it.  And I expect more expensive really.

Just use a trimmer. I'm half Asian... I, unfortunately, will never get too bearded. :\ Grows a little patchy too. On the flipside, I'm blessed with not having to "pluck" my eyebrows either, like I'm finding that a lot of people do. Heh

Yeah see it's mostly my unwillingness to give gilette a single dime. If i can get normal double edged safety razors for 3 or 4 cents, I can change them every single week and have an incredible shave every time. Assuming I can avoid the OH MY GOD THERE IS BLOOD EVERYWHERE OH JESUS. I can probably use it just fine with normal shaving cream out of a can. I had never heard of an alum block, though. I'm definitely going to get one of those.

Edit: just to be specific, I hate the fuckers and their lock-in for razor blades that should be no more than a few cents but instead they want dollars or more for. This includes Schick and such. I want a higher up-front cost but cheap blade replacement option at the very least.

I can shave my entire head and beard in 4 minutes in the shower with the Schick Quattro Chrome.  7 minutes without a mirror.

Edit: Blades last a week each.

What's the best technology for ball shaving?

on principle, I like this approach. I mean,  I still want a hand crank for grinding my own coffee.  Let us know how the big blade experiment goes.

Straight razor and a dominatrix.

a friend  :grin:

If you do it badly enough shaving won't be a concern for you anymore.

Cold wax. Full brazilian.

why shave at all?  :awesome_for_real:

thats me on the right rockin my Yosemite Sam look after some kayaking

(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk112/Fraeg/zac_n_pete.jpg)

So my search for a single blade started after my doctor noticed I had an ingrown hair on my neck.

He commented that the Gillette Mach 9593 blades I was using caused ingrown hairs because they lift the hair out of the skin.  When the hair is cut, it then is under the skin, giving the hair a chance to grow inwards as opposed to outwards.

He suggested a straight edge or single blade. 

I am amazed at how long it took me to find one.

As soon as it gets here, I will update you guys on how it feels...

I'm not sure which Mach blades I was using (I used a Mach 3 and 4 before moving to the trimmer), and never had that problem.. But.. I just hated the completely bald look I was getting. I set the trimmer with no guard on - that looks just right. Besides, it's hardly any work, and takes no time at all.

I had the same issue with mach 3, i just downgraded to a double blade and it resolve the ingrown hair issue for me (not sure the name, gillette makes em "sensor"??).

anyways goodluck with the straight edge.  I have to confess, I don't think I have the testicular fortitude to hold a straight edge to my throat.

For shaving the head: electric clippers, no guard.

It's the length your hair will be 2-3 days after shaving to the skin anyway, takes 1/4 as long, has no disposable parts, and involves no bleeding.

I don't shave except to keep my beard off my cheeks and part of my neck.

I just use the cheapest bic razors I can find.

Judging by your avatar, no part of your neck is not beard

I use a Fusion multi-bladed thing to shave. I change the blade head about once a quarter. It does not shave all that well, but I never got too excited about it figuring that this was as good as it gets. Now I wonder...

...but won't find out. I'm thinking it's beard time lately. May go for the hair too and do the Jesus look to anger my balding friends.

I have not had a hair cut in over two months.

Someone commented to me that it is very European to let one's hair grow.

Figured, why not?

Also makes my boss, who may be going bald, a tad edgy.

++

Getting a proper straight edge shave at the barber is a near-religious experience.

I have mach 3.  Rocking the beard for winter lets me not worry too much about it, I shave the neck/cheeks maybe once a week if I'm up to it.  More than that and I get razor bumbs.

I might head into the Art of Shaving store and let them sell me something.

BAH.

Went to a Merkur double-bladed safety razor about a year ago.  Never looked back.  Just take your time and get acquainted with both it and your face.

Most important things:

Invest in a good brush and good soap. 

Take your time.

Triple pass shave is the way to go (With, Across, Against the grain)


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/2170482480_38150c77a8.jpg)

I hate shaving. I try not to truly shave if I can help it...I use an attachment on my electric to trim down to shard stubble once a week or so. Shaving with straight razors hurt me, but this wetshave thing....

I have an electric that I use in the shower if I HAVE to shave, which is rare. I find that being immersed in water fixes everything.


Draw yourself a bath, no soap. May want to just shower first. Sit immersed in water, and just take your time with a razer. Any stupid cartridge razer should be fine.

No oke. I don't do this often, as it's VERY time consuming.

Ya that's how I started out.  Then I got good (and faster) at using the blade.

Tweezers and vodka.

I stopped shaving my beard about halfway through the year, then stopped shaving my neck about 2 months later. I now have a large bushy beard, which I'm kinda seeing how long I can get away with at work.

I have this, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/pseudofolliculitis.html), and it sucks.  I prefer to keep my face smooth, but years of shaving make me get the nasty razor bumps.  I've tried electric and safety razor's, haven't tried the chemical depilatories, mainly because I can't stand around with a cream on my face for 5 minutes.  The best thing for me is a single blade razor or electric, but the electric takes too long for me.  I use the Bump Fighter Razors (http://www.greatrazors.com/bumpfighter.aspx), when I can find them.

My beard grows in pretty patchy, so I usually keep it clean shaven, heck I've even considered electrolysis and being done with shaving.

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.  :grin:

The trick to straight blade shaving (although it looks like you didn't go there) is always keep the skin under tension. I have a heavy beard growth myself and keep it in a jawline +chin + stache, and while I now use normal disposables (time mostly--I have to shave sometimes twice a day and can't take the time to do a straight edge shave anymore), the straight edge was always much nicer.

If you can figure out how to both hold the razor and keep your skin constantly taught, you'll never cut yourself, and will have an amazing shave.

PS: Keeping the skin taught works on all body parts, male or female. It's just sometimes difficult ;)

Great thread.  What do you guys find works best on legs and the bikini area?  Mine are kind of boney, so it's tough to get a good shave around the knees and other curves.

Wax.

If you want that area bald, the part when it all starts to grow out that sucks. I don't bother going down to the skin anymore.
Just set them in boiling water for a bit, and the hair just pulls right out. Like a chicken. (I greened it because I don't want to take any responsibility if anyone actually does this).

I concur.

*sigh* see, you guys start talking about shaving your balls, and a woman will only start going to you for advice on her legs. that's all you'll get out of that.

I have been intending to try switching to a safety razor for years now. I get a *VERY* mild form of the same thing Jimbo and even at the tiny level mine is at I hate it a lot. Do you get get it full-blown? :(

Maybe I'll finally give it a try in the New Year :)

As for the nether regions, I prefer a trim rather than full-on shaving, and electric clippers are the way forward there. My gf uses an epilator that actually plucks the hairs for god's sake  :ye_gods:  Bless her, she keeps it all nice and neat down there but it's a painful experience for her I can tell you! Plus the noise of it scares the cats lots.

shaving pussy scares pussy. interesting. /hand on chin

I use a Braun electric. One of those self cleaners. Works awesome. Every time I've stopped using a Braun product, I've regretted it.

Yes I get the full blown razor bumps, I'm even doing the shaving every other day.  For some reason it keeps getting worse, when I was 18 and started shaving every day, it wasn't bad, then about 25 the bumps came, then @ 35 I get these damn bumps on the underside of my jaw and neck like crazy!  My beard comes in so curly and patchy that it doesn't look good.  But on that note, I have had to take a shaving vacation of 4 weeks and try and let it rest and start shaving again, helps some, plus using the bump fighter razor or electric or trimmer helps, oh and shave every other day.  The crazy part is that when I have shaven my groin before I never got it down there.  Go figure!

There is no reason to shave your balls. This is why Man invented Nair and Veet.

Personally, I don't get much facial hair, but if I don't shave once every five days or so, I get this awful teenage-hobo look going on with half-centimeter wiry hairs growing like a chinstrap and in two little patches on my cheeks. Annoying as fuck. I've been using the Gillette twin-blade cartridges (Sensor Excels, I think?) which work decently well but still occasionally cause an ingrown hair or two.

Since I don't shave that often, I might explore going to a straight-edge safety razor as mentioned above. Taking a few extra minutes would be worth eliminating the possibility of ingrown hairs. Depends on the financial outlay, though. What's a starter kit usually cost?

There are two types being mentioned here. A double-edged safety razor, one that I am thinking of trying, looks like this:

(http://www.filedump.net/dumped/srazor1228584228.jpg)

The blade goes in the top, flat, and the edge of the razor pokes out from either side (the edge the razor is resting on and the one opposite) hence double-edged. They seem to run about $25-50, and blades are disposable and are in packs of 10 or so that run about $2 or $3 per pack. The shaving technique is similar to disposable razors, and you get sharpness from replacing the blades at regular intervals. The bonus over a mach or other razors is that the blades are extremely cheap and universal, and the razor itself has some heft to it which helps consistent shaving.

A straight razor, mentioned above, looks like this:

(http://www.filedump.net/dumped/strazor1228584382.jpg)

As you can see, there is nothing "safe" about it. It costs about $150. It's sharpness comes from regular honing, so you need to get a honing kit that includes a strop and such for about $75.

Quick edit: You CAN shave with a straight razor by yourself, you use one hand to manipulate your skin (pulling it tight) and the other to hold the razor. The benefits of a straight razor are that it can get you a closer shave since you have a lot more control over the blade. The downsides are that you have a lot more control over the blade, so you'd better know what you're doing. It takes a fair bit of practice, apparently.

I don't think you can shave with a straight razor by yourself, that is why before the safety razor (1st pic), barbers would be the primary people guys would go to and get a shave.  You can do some of your skin, but getting the right angle and doing it safely would be a pain and dangerous.

A quick note; In both cases, you need cream and a brush if you're going to do wet shaving, (starter kit $20 or so) plus alum and aftershave, if you want to do it right. Shaving with a straight razor uses a different technique, obviously. Acne/bump/razorburn control comes from using the right cream, preferred/correct shaving technique (3x with the grain 1x against for example), post-shave alum+cold water, and an aftershave/moisturizer finisher.

I've been using a double edged safety razor with a wet shave for about a year now and it can give a closer shave than a mach 3. I also find it quite a nice bit of the morning routine, wakes me up more than using a mach 3 and some foam ever did.

Blind doctor Albert A. Nast shaving himself with a straight razor. (http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=straight+razor+shaving&imgurl=a9c985e29bcd73f2)

I would wholeheartedly recommend a straight razor to just about anyone.  I asked for one for Christmas last year, and I've been using it since.  Initially, it took me about 45 minutes to shave; now, it's down to around 25, and I haven't had nearly as much practice as I might have, since I only shave twice a week.  After a lot of practice, the time you need gets even further reduced: this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6jVuUl5fgg) does three full passes in 12 minutes (and you never really need to do three).

That's on time.  Yes, it takes longer, but eventually you'll get to be just as fast as you would be with a Mach 3.  And frankly, I LOVE spending the time shaving.  It's nice to wake up and have a ritual to look forward to.  There's an almost existential reward to consciously appropriating a part of your life that used to be totally overcoded by fucking Gillette.

Cost: you can get a new, pre-sharpened Dovo razor from Classic Shaving for around $80 (http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522940.htm).  I have a Dovo 5/8 with a plain plastic handle.  I don't care about the aesthetics, so I went for a cheap model, and I don't regret it.  The blade is fantastic, barely requiring any stropping.  I've had it for a year, and I have yet to hone it.

In addition to the blade, you'll need a strop.  That's the bare minimum.  It's conceivable to get pay $100 for these two things together, and never have to buy a blade again.

Realistically, though, you'll also need a badger brush, soap, and aftershave - all stuff I would recommend to anyone who wet shaves, though.  Additionally, you'll eventually have to buy a honing block, but these aren't horrendously expensive - and like I said, I have yet to bother with this, because my blade still passes the hanging hair test.

And man, there are so many other wonderful advantages to it.  Straight razor shaving really does give you more control, and lets you cut closer than you'll ever get with a cartridge or (shudder) an electric razor.  You can do one, two, or three passes, depending on time, inclination, and how sensitive your skin is.  Even you only do one, you'll notice that it exfoliates your skin in a way that cartridges don't.  If you're interested, Dr. Chris Moss has written a wonderful guide (http://homepage.mac.com/drmoss/.Public/The%20Straight%20Razor%20Shave.pdf), complete with step by step illustrations, that guides you through everything from buying to stropping to shaving.

I also really hate shaving my chin. I have a dimpled/cleft/whatever chin, so it has some complex shapes and I've never known wtf I am supposed to do with it. I've never really liked the shave I get with either electric or cartridge - just not enough flat area to properly apply the blade.


Yeah, it kinda sucks when it first grows back, so I try to wear tighter boxer briefs to minimize skin-on-skin contact. I usually use some crap Wahl to trim down, and to me, at that point why not just finish the job.

And Lant...I still say keep it in water. I like to think it's the same principle of when you are cutting stone - much easier if the cutting area is immersed in water. It worked for the Egyptians, so I thought it'd work fine on my skin.

I really just wish I was unable to grow facial hair. As is, my beard isn't anywhere near dense enough to be usable, and even after I let it grow for about a week, the hairs just stick straight up like spears on my face.

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

Because they think it makes their dick look bigger.  :oh_i_see:


Or their girlfriend promised more blowjobs if there wasn't so much hair. But it's a trap, of course.


<insert trap image here>


a trap into what though, i'm not so sure.

Win the genetic lottery and you will!  I shave... once a month.  If that.  It's nice.  All of my hair is extremely fine and white with the occasional dark pokey one (I didn't start shaving "regularly" until I was 21 as I just used a pair of scissors to cut the 3 hairs I had).  I think I last changed my razor blade 3 years ago.

Two-bladed Gillette Sensor works well for me. They are a bit pricey for little bits of metal in a plastic cartridge, but one seems to last a good 2-4 weeks for me, it's convenient, and pretty hard for me to slice myself up with.  I tend to shave every other day, since daily is a little excessive (my facial hair doesn't grow super quickly) but after two days without shaving, I start looking kinda scruffy.

Also: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930
"Fuck Everything, We're Doing Five Blades"   <3 the onion

Deathinabottle, not to be mean but you've been using your straight razor for a year and it still takes you 25 minutes to shave in the morning.  Based on that, I find it kind of unrealistic to expect that "eventually you'll get to be just as fast as you would be with a Mach 3."

Since were getting into hairy business, how many of you shave / trim other parts of their body like Legs, chest, maybe arms? Anyone have experience with the chemical solutions (Veet and what not)?

Comfort, cleanliness...I guess.


I hate the hair on my hands, so I trim that off every now and then. I've thought about doing my arms before, but I'm pretty hairy (not Albanian-hairy though) and it would be a ton of upkeep; I'd have to do from the bottom of my shoulder down.

I do the top of my chest, as it grows up to the bottom of my neck and I think it's unsightly when I am wearing anything sort of a skin-tight collar or a tie. It's fairly sparse on my upper chest so it's not too bad.

I tried to flowbee my legs once, to see if I could thin the stuff out...that was a study in futility, especially when because the skin on your legs is a lot more elastic than your scalp - had to be careful to hold the skin down and not let it get sucked up towards the cutting area, or it would have been the same as just shaving.


Yeah, I'm a tad OCD about hair. I can't even have my actual hair long anymore, because I can feel when a few stands up top start to float out of place and then I have to go soak the bit down in the bathroom. Having the hair laying on my ears drives me nuts too. :oh_i_see:

This thread actually just inspired me to buy a safety razor and box of blades from Amazon.  My cheapness won't justify buying Mach 3 blades so over the years I've used disposable Bic razors, which frankly suck, but have the virtue of being cheap.  This looks like it's better and cheaper, so thanks to the thread starter because I've always thought of old school shaving as the straight razor and never would have thought about safety razors.

Sorry to double post, but I do this because otherwise my arm tattoos are covered by fur.  Just get a pair of hair clippers with a 1 guard and do your arms real quick.  Takes 5 minutes every other week or so.  Piece of cake.

This pretty much.

I don't really shave/trim hair anywhere else. I should probably shave the top of my feet, they are kind of hobbitish. But I guess I don't wear sandals, so fuck it.

Laser hair removal.  High up front cost for 3-6 applications, but then you NEVER have to do it again.  If you're a guy, this is the way to go for back hair as well.

As for me: I can't get through my entire face before a brand new blade goes dull.  I've been shaving for almost 30 years and I still cut myself everytime because of this. Sensitive skin + coarse hair is a shitty combination.   

Electrics take me forever to get my face clean, so I only ever use them on my head.  Help!

This. Hence my use of clippers and never being totally smooth. /shrug

I recently went home and my parents had a bic for me and I used it and my face looked like it had been attacked by dogs.

If you buy yourself a pretty high quality trimmer, they do a decent job and get closer than a clipper.  Not so great on the tight areas though (Adam's apple, mouth corners, upper lip).  I usually use a trimmer as well, but there are days when I have to give more formal presentations that I just go ahead and shave.  Using 2 blades to clean my face up pisses me off.

Next question:  Do these things (http://www.tvproducts4less.com/save-a-blade.html?c=1&kw=razor%20blade%20sharpener) work?

Nothing on TV ever works. Unless it was made by Dyson.

Those pet nail grinders work well... But nothing else.

Do they?  One dog has no problem with me clipping his nails, but the other one is a goddamned nightmare.  He just doesn't like people messing with his feet.  Add in the noise that these things must make and I can't picture it being any easier than the nail clippers.

I did find a patent for a razor blade sharpener in the patent literature, but it has a different design.  Is there some type of conspiracy in the razor blade market or is this just an impractical solution?

My cat is very calm, and I still had to train him to stop him from flipping out. So, it might not work on most animals... Didn't even think about it.

Both of my dogs flipped the fuck out when I tried it on them, it does work, and it's not too loud, but don't think your dog is just going to sit there and take it with a smile.  If my dogs werent 5 and 20lbs we probably would have never gotten it done.  At least with nail clippers its a quick snip so you don't need them to hold still as long.

RE the razor blade sharpener thing, local news did a "deal or dud" piece on it a few months back, and their results showed it was actually duller after a pass through the sharpener.

Appreciate the tidbit. 

Down the face and up the neck is the only way I can shave.  Otherwise I get ingrown hairs, especially on either side of my throat and under my jaw.  I've used the Sensor Excel razors for years.  I generally shave every day and do my best to take care of my skin.  I've always spent a fair amount of time outdoors and don't want the leather face look when I get older. 

Get a small mirror thing with a suction cup on the back and shave in the shower.  I've found it easier to let the steam and such make the stubble softer before shaving.  Less razor burn, virtually no clean up.  For skin care, I use a Nivea after shave lotion and an Aveda anti wrinkle cream around the eyes and forehead.  And I religously use sunblock/screen.  Keep it in my desk at work, in my car, golf bag, boat.  I got sunburned one too many times, a couple really bad ones (water bubbles, etc), and now I'm paranoid about skin cancer.

Take care of your mansuit, guys. 

I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.

And then you slip on your sun dress with a sassy pair of pumps and sashay your pretty little self to work.

Do not put Nair on your balls. Use bikini bare on that part of the body. I have had a vasectomy. Been there done that . Do not use Nair. you will casterate yourself. The spell checker is on fire again.

Great movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hloiO0Kli20 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hloiO0Kli20)

I have a horrible ingrown hair problem on my neck because of curly whiskers. This thread has inspired me to try wet shaving. Did it for the first time today with just my Mach 3 and it worked really well. Did 4 passes on my upper face and 3 on my neck and it is easily the best self-shave I've ever had.  The YouTube tutorial linked in the first post of that SA thread is really helpful.

I'll let you know how it goes with my DE when it gets here later this week.

I used one of those for ten years. As long as you change the foil (The cutting surface) about every 18 months, and the little gizmo under the foil about every three years, it works great.

I just got a new one last Christmas (a newer model -- since mine was getting creaky) and I love it. It cleans itself, it gives a decent shave (your skin needs to be dry, which is a change -- don't shave right out of the shower), if you use the electric shave skin stuff it's even better, but I rarely bother.

I'm pale skinned with dark black hair, so I always look a bit unshaven, but the Braun electric has given me just as good a shave as any disposable razor, no matter how many blades.

About the ONLY drawback is for like the first three weeks you use it, it shaves like shit. It said something in the manual about "letting your hair adjust" and fuck if I know what that means, but after using it for a few weeks, it stops being "patchy and not short enough" to "smooth skin".

Oh, and no nicks, no blood, and it takes about 60 seconds. (if you cut yourself, or even feel a pinch, it's time for a new foil).

130 bucks for the kit, about 25 bucks for two "cleaner" cartridges that last (at a shave a day) about two to three months a cartridge. Not a bad deal. (Let me be clear: The FIRST Braun I got lasted me over ten years. Then I got a new one last year. So they, at least in my experience, last).

Swing and a miss.

Twice a week means I've done it a lot less than other people, and it means that I always have a longer beard, which means I spend a longer time shaving.  And again: 3 passes, 12 minutes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6jVuUl5fgg).  Anyway, focusing on the time taken ignores the other benefits.

Oh, and and edit for hilarity (http://www.asofterworld.com/oq-display.php?id=59).

Damn it.  Okay, I missed the American Psycho reference.

In my defense, though, when I was in Phoenix I did see all the Axe Body Spray you had in your bathroom, so I was more than willing to attribute fruity hygiene regimens to you.   :why_so_serious:

That was Ookii's bathroom.

Schild doesn't use regular soap and water.

Once a week he scrubs himself vigorusly with one of those stainless steel soap bars.

Yeah, I have fairly sensitive skin, with thick coarse facial hair. I hate shaving.

And Nair on balls? NOOOOOOO

I tried a tiny spot to test....I thought I was going to burn a hole in my skin.

I don't think you're alone. Seems like a lot of people are (not referring to this thread.. just in general).


I seem to be in the minority on that one. But then again, I don't have a lot of hair. Everyone thinks I shave my arms, but I don't.

I also use the Braun 360. If I use razors for a close shave, I get a ton of in-grown hairs in my neck line that lead to zits that make me look 18 again. And not the good version of 18 either.

It gives a pretty good shave - some areas around the neck are better than others - and I've had the current one for about 3 years. Changed the foil and blades a few months ago and it is like new. The automated cleaning solution has a smell that touches off weird happy parts of my brain.

Also, it is pretty good for throwing into an overnight bag if you need to shave on the road. It comes with an attachable cord if you think you are going to use up all the battery (which, unless you need to shave heavily several times a day over the course of a week, probably won't happen). So, I recommend it.

Hey Jimbo,

I was sent to the shaving clinic in boot camp for Pseudofolliculitis. It wasn't problem prior to that because I wasn't rushed shaving, but it got pretty bad. Every Monday I went to the shaving clinic for an hour instead of drill and got schooled on the corret way to shave by a dermatologist and a really bitter, angry barber. Like I said, mne got pretty bad which suprised people because I'm mostly white and have straight whiskers. The stuff they taught me helped a ton, and it's worked pretty well for other people I've told about it. Not sure how much advice you've sought, but here's what they told me, and it applies to everyone:

1) No electric razors, pretty much ever. They irritate your skin and usually just grab hold of your whisker and pull it until it breaks off - a lot of times under the skin.
2) Shower first, softens the whiskers and makes clean cuts easier.
3) Never, ever, ever pass a razor over the same spot more than 4 times a day. That's 4 passes with a single blade, 2 passes with a double blade, 1 pass with a 3 or 4 bladed razor, and no passes with something with more than 4 blades because only a stupid asshole would buy one.
4) Apply shaving lube before the shaving cream.
5) Never, ever, ever, ever, for any reason, shave against the grain of your whiskers. Ever.
6) After shaving, if you did it right you should still be able to feel and see your whiskers. That means the tip of the whisker is outside the skin. If all you feel is skin, that means your stupid Mangina space razor lifted the whisker and cut it off below the skin. That's very bad.
7) Use sometning with a lubricating strip. Never ever buy anything that's designed to lift and cut.

Anyway, there's more but it's pretty much more of the same. Numbers 3 and 5 are by far the most important though.

(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa181/Yegolev/panda_noballs.jpg)

So fucking kawaii!

I wonder what it tastes like.

I always take a hot face cloth to my face then shave and shower. Great for cleanup and finding if you missed a spot.

When was this? Because that was my experience with electric shavers before I ponied up for the Braun I use now (those fucking little three wheely deals suck!) but the Braun doesn't yank, and it's exactly the shave you're describing (you can JUST tell that the whisker tip is just above the skin).

The electric I've got cuts, not yanks, and it does so what feels like a freaking nanonmeter above the skin surface -- I haven't had an ingrown hair, irritated skin, or a single problem since I started using it -- and I am prone to ingrowns.

For those looking at "other means" -- go laser over electrolysis if possible, the folks doing it should be up front about the potential problems with skin and hair colors. (Pale skin and dark hair is the best, IIRC).

As for chemicals -- I have a few friends that swear by the Magic Shave Powder (http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100782&id=prod1887), including at least two girls that use it in very sensitive locations. Supposedly not nearly as harsh as things like NAIR (I've been told it itches as it dries, but doesn't burn) and doesn't seem to leave the sort of nasty irritation most chemicals can.

I've got to admit crap like that makes curious to see what it's like to go generally hairless. If it doesn't burn and doesn't involve potentially scarring myself in many places it almost seems worth it even though I really don't like the idea that much.

Keep in mind that, biologically speaking, hair serves several important fuctions.  You never really gain a solid appreciation for what those functions are until you clear the shrubbery. 

I stick to myself enough as it is.  Dropping the hair seems like a bad idea.

I'm not OCD about hair. If it grows, it grows. Already went over that in the other thread, though. Haven't shaved in years, though I do trim my stache so I can eat like a human, and I do a bit around the ears to keep it neat.

When I shaved I used a rotary norelco for the last few years, before that it was el cheapo bic disposable + rubbing alcohol. For my head it was clippers, no guard.

Winter of 1989/1990. I'd imagine the technology has improved, but I don't know by how much. I think one of the biggest issues with the electrics is/was most people never change the cutters. I just use the yellow and white Bic twin blade disposables. I do a once over with the Wahl clippers when I shave my head, then shave after I shower. The Bic lasts me about a month that way. I could stretch it out longer, but the razors would be a little to dull past that point.

Oh, I forgot to mention to avoid depilatories (at least back then) as they will cause skin discoloration and sometimes scarring after prolonged use.

See I really can't understand using disposable bics rather than a safety razor. The cost difference can't be that much and not only is there less waste it feels a fuck load better.

Edit: Should probably have said cost difference can't be that much over a few years.

Sensitive skin and a thick, coarse beard = hate shaving. I'd grow a beard, but when I do it's just a huge coarse mess of hair that always just kinda sticks out. If me facial hair didn't grow straight out, I'd be happy with a beard.

I can only usually get away without shaving for a couple of days. Also, the longer my beard is, the better the shave. I can't remember the last time I shaved on a weekend and my Monday morning one is usually the best of the week.

I'm weird though, thick facial, arm and leg hair. Pretty much hairless anywhere else. I have like 5 hairs on my chest that I just pluck out every now and then. I shave my armpits since I have a sweating problem and I find that clean shaven armpits help with that which is pretty much against anything I've read or heard.

Also, married. My wife complains and complains and complains and then complains some more when I have stubble, let alone a full-blown beard.

I can grow a pretty good beard, but it starts looking like I'm on an expedition to cross the Antarctic. So in my working life I have usually shaved every morning. Gilette Sensor (double blade). Always worked fine, and the blades last a while unless I use them to shave off a 5-day+ holiday beard. A few issues with skin dryness and acne, but nothing major.

But I'm a keen cyclist and this year I kept up daily cycling all through the Aussie winter for the first time ever. When the temperature is down in the single Celsius digits or lower, rushing air against your shaved face is fucking cold. So to protect my face against the wind, I grew stubble/a beard and kept it trimmed at number 1 length on the hair trimmer. I liked the look, so I've kept it into summer.

Basically I go over it with a number 1 every 2-3 days and tidy up any stray bits high on my face or low on my neck with a razor. The good thing about this is, if I'm in a hurry, I can just leave it untrimmed for another day and nobody really notices (as opposed to not shaving when people expect you to be clean shaven). Having this short-trimmed beard reduces stress.

Also, I don't know if this has anything to do with the beard, but it has been a good year professionally and there is a change in attitude towards me at work - they seem to regard me as more experienced and dependable. A beard has always made me look older, so maybe that's it.

It is probably the beard.  No one takes kids seriously, plus there's the new-guy jealousy.  I feel like people are warming up to me now that I am growing my hair out, but it could also be the Lexapro. :oh_i_see:

I shave my head in the shower. Been using the Gilette Fusion 8 or whatever it is they are up to now...with battery powered vibrations.
Use the same thing for my face. I only shave downward with the grain on my face otherwise I end up with ingrown hairs on my chin.

Ive been thinking of trying one of these though for my head....

http://www.headblade.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HB&Product_Code=50300-4&Category_Code=headcare

(http://www.headblade.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/HB_sport.jpg)

kind of surprised no one brought this up yet: Shave Oil (http://hair-product-professional.com/salon/essential-shave-oil-17oz50ml-p-495.html)

I used to use this religiously prior to my recent move to electric.  It works great for the tough beard+soft skin combo the only downside is it make rinsing your razor a PITA (not too bad if you rinse the blade with some heavy duty water pressure).

I used shaving oil on TA weekends where I was shaving with freezing cold water and a Mach 3. Worked well enough and gave me a smoothish shave though I don't seem to have too much trouble generally with skin irritation so take that for what it's worth.

What are those functions exactly? I've heard some theories, but usually they've all been proven wrong at some point. Body hair doesn't help keep you warm. Some say it reduces friction, which I might believe. It would at least explain why it mostly grows in places like armpits and groin area.

There's certainly few downsides that don't have anything to do with aesthetics either. Hair soaks sweat and makes you smell worse. Also, if you have hairy legs like me and you do any sort of sports where there's the a risk of falling down (like MTB, rollerblades etc.), hair makes it much harder to clean the wounds and scratches you get. Despite this, I'm too lazy to go hairless. Way too much work. I wish there was a pool you could dip into and that would get rid of all the stuff. I might try that.

The laziness also reflects to my shaving of facial hair. I usually just let it grow for few days before shaving it. My beard grows at this crazy speed, so if I ever go politician I have to shave twice a day. When I shave, I usually use both electric & mach3. First I cut most of the hair away with the trimmer (because mach3 sucks for long hairs) and then do a second pass with mach3 to get smooth finish. I also don't use any cream, just hot water with mach3 while I shave and then I wash my face with cold water afterwards.

I'm 38 and most of my colleagues are in their 20s or early 30s, except for the occasional 50-year-old. Without the beard, I look younger than I am though.

I get a decent amount of respect given that in my free time I look like Grizzly Adam's crazy cousin. Throw on a casual suit, tie back the hair and suddenly it's all professorial. Helps to work in a library, though. I love the vibe and I'm working on accentuating it as I can afford to, I'm incorporating vests, now. Once I get a few more vests, I'll add a pocketwatch and chain!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Gah!  :ye_gods:

Or...

:why_so_serious:

Still, though... /shudder

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

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.

(http://www.clisham.com-a.googlepages.com/TBS_SS_SW_W.jpg)
(http://www.clisham.com-a.googlepages.com/feather_10.jpg)
(http://www.clisham.com-a.googlepages.com/EJ_CHS_Met.jpg)
(http://www.clisham.com-a.googlepages.com/product_thumb.jpg)

What's with the tortilla warmer?

Where'd you buy the stuff from?

Damn Oban, that's hella manly.

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

I suddenly want scotch.

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?

That gets the full size...
(http://www.filedump.net/dumped/picardfacepalm1228855802.jpg)

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...

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Because I am in Canada at the moment, http://www.fendrihan.com/ (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.


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.  


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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  :why_so_serious:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

My DE is showing up today as well.  The past thee dyas I've been doing the whole routine with a Mach 3.  I've switched to shaving at night because of the time factor but the shave is close enough to last me through the next day.

This whole thread has me convinced that I need to join a ZZ Top cover band (no, not the drummer!).  I really hate shaving.  Electric rubs my face off before I get smooth.  Blade gets dull halfway through the shave.  Maybe a good single blade is the answer.  Blades are cheap enough that I can use both sides per shave without going broke. 

Good call Oban.

Okay, got my stuff, broke out my razor and went to town.  Unfortunately, the 100 pack of DE razors is coming in a seperate order so I had to use some of the blades included with the razor, and they were less than smooth.  I'd compare the shave to a cheap disposable Bic.  Hopefully the blades I ordered seperately are better quality.

On the upside, I didn't even nick myself.  These things aren't as dangerous as some of the "how to use a safety razor" guides suggested they were.

I shave w/ some bullshit no name Gillette throwaway once a week.  I try to do it after a shower & I still take the time to soak my face via a washcloth with borderline scalding water.  I have a Braun that was cool until it got broke during a move that I use to get my cheeks on a daily basis but I don't like to use that on my neck, that's what I use the blade for.  I've only ever cut myself shaving on my adam's apple.  Fucking thing screws up my angles.  I use an Aveeno (http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod1719459&CATID=305088&skuid=sku1719446&V=G&ec=frgl_693706&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku1719446) shave gel prior to using the blade.  I use a Norelco trimmer on the goat which I leave at a short length from my bottom lip to about an inch under my chin.  Most of my choices are made out of laziness in the mornings.

Current setup problems:
-The only place I have bad skin breakouts constantly is along the area where the chin ends and the neck starts if your stretching your neck up.  Fucking terribly annoying.
-I should really replace that Braun.  It still gets the job done but its scary because its a little broken.
-I never have a sense of when to toss and replace the disposables since I use them so rarely.

re: balls.
I've never shaved by balls, I do use an electric to trim back around the shaft for obvious fellatio encouragement.

One more thing!  I am a hairy guy, though I'm loathe to admit it.  I'd love to clean up the bullshit that goes on above my chest.  Any suggestions?  I should really go get some gays to handle that shit with lasers but I'm worried about the costs, feeling foolish and I worry that once I start removing body hair it'll be hard to stop.  I can get OCD in a hurry.

I find when shaving areas like that, you need to pick a stop point and Stick To It. I pick the point where the hair inverts grain, about a third of the way down my sternum. Probably different for everyone. I mostly do it to avoid looking skanky and such when I don't button the top-most button on my shirts.

And on the4 shaving camp thing....Never got against the grain....never? The underside of myjaw has the hair pointing down...couldn't imagine being able to actually get the stuff without getting under the whiskers.

Shaving sucks. I wish I could be a manly man and either shave every morning or go bearded...but my beard sucks, and I have trouble enough as it is getting into work on time.  :oh_i_see:

Grab Sky and you're there.

Just finished my first DE shave with my newly arrived Parker 91R.  I was pretty tentative and only did 2 passes, one with and one across the grain, as I'm not comfortable with my technique yet to go for 3 or 4.  I didn't slit my throat, not too bad on the irritation, and it's a pretty good shave. I'm going to keep at it to see if it helps with my ingrowns.

Pic of my razor:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Abagadro/31FAqyVS4DL_SS500_.jpg)

I'll just add for people doing the safety razor shaving, getting an alum block really is worth it. That thing is magic, antiseptic and stops any little nicks and cuts from bleeding pretty quickly, no more having bits of toilet paper adorning your face!

So, I've been searching high and low trying to find proper supplies, like the ones mentioned above. While I found a total of two shops stocking blades for safety razors, few people knew what the fuck I was talking about when asked about the razors themselves, and no one knew exactly where to find one. I was directed to a number of different pharmacies, barber shops and clothing stores (!) around town, but each one led only to a dead end.

At one barber shop, though, I did find an actual Pure Badger brush. This one (http://www.muehle-pinsel.de/shop/basic/shaving_brushes/1/shaving_brush__pure_badger/79/13/81_A_3), specifically - although mine has an octagonal base and brass-colored bristle band. I gladly purchased it and found a passable shaving bowl at the local supermarket for a pittance.

Once home, I checked the internet using some newly-gained vocabulary and found a small, ultra-high-end barbershop way out on the far side of town - far outside of walking distance - that stocks proper DE razors and the higher-end brushes. I intend to trek over there sometime next week to pick up an entry-level razor.

Previously, I've been making lather out of my facial cleanser by just whipping it in my hands. It worked, after a fashion, and was still better than the canned Gillette shit. Tonight, though, I used it to make my lather with a brush.  Carefully, using the instructions on BadgerAndBlade.com's wiki. It lathered up pretty well, but I expect real soap would be far superior.

Still, what I got and applied to my face was far and away better than any lather I could've made with hands alone. I was just shaving with my old Sensor Excel cartridge razor, but the difference was noticeable at the first stroke. This first brush-driven shave is far cleaner and less irritating than normal, no doubt thanks to the superior lubrication provided by the brush's lather. I expect that a proper soap and proper DE razor will help even more.

My advice to pretty much any dude, at this point, is to pick up a decent brush even if you're going to shave with a cartridge razor. Whipping the lather doesn't take a huge amount of extra time and the quality of the shave makes the modest investment worthwhile immediately.

Amazon and classicshaving.com are good places to buy razors.  westcoastshaving.com is a good place to get accessories and blades.  Not sure about their international shipping though.


EDIT: Was looking there for something else and checked. http://www.westcoastshaving.com/ will ship internationally and they have both razors, blades and accessories (aftershave, creams, etc.). I've ordered from them and was very happy with the service/product.

So I've gone kind of mental with this whole thing. I have about 40 razors at this point and have spent an ungodly amount of money. I am getting great shaves but my inveterate collecting psychosis (which I managed to ditch 12 years ago when I stopped buying baseball cards) has kicked in with a fucking vengeance.  I just love these things. They are works of art and history.

I tried shaving with a razor recently and remembered why I went to trimmers. And why I was so fucking depressed in middle school.  :grin: Just not a good look for me to be completely shaven.

For those who use disposable razors (myself included, Mach 3), I heard something on Clark Howard's consumer advice radio show that has saved me considerable money on replacement blades.

Apparently, razors become dull not from cutting hair, but from oxidation when water is left on the blade after use. By drying the blade well after each use, or rinsing it with rubbing alcohol, a disposable blade can me kept sharp for months.

I started doing this about 8 months ago, and have only used two Mach 3 blades in that time (I shave every weekday). The first one I stopped using not because it was dull, but because after about 6 months I wanted to see what a new blade felt like again to compare the difference.

At this rate I spend @$5 a year on the expensive Mach 3 blades.

Wait, aren't you the fluoride water guy?

Wut?

I tried a different barbershop today; there's a really ancient one next to my apartment, but it's only open during very specific hours. I managed to drop in before work and, holy of holies, they had not only DE safety razors, but also offered strops, the full range of shaving brushes, aftershaves and straight razors. It was like stepping into the Fifties.

I scurried away with both a great cut and a shiny new DE safety razor in a beautiful golden-brass color for less than it would cost me to buy another pack of cartridges. (A 5-pack of Mach3 or Sensor Excel blades up here? ~$40)

My latest acquisition:

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Abagadro/IMG_1474.jpg)

I spy a Truefitt & Hill box behind your razor. Just picked up some of their almond shave cream this morning, going to give it a whirl tonight.  :grin:

Also, nice, going full-retard on the proper shaving, eh? The amount of extra maintenance on a straight-edge razor turns me off from the idea of owning one.

I'm not ready to jump quite yet.  I just find these things when I'm out looking for vintage safety razors and can't help buying them because they are so beautiful.

I tried the T&F almond cream just now. The combined experience of brush + real cream + DE razor is far and away worth the time and money investment so far. The proper cream just blows away using regular facial cleanser as a lathering agent.

And my bathroom smells like a wonderful combination of badger and almonds, instead of the usual sulfurous stench that lingers in the hot water here. :-)

Also, how are you finding the 1805? I'm using Trafalgar right now, haven't had a chance to sample the 1805 or Grafton ones yet. The Lime scent I tested was okay, but a little too fruity.

Real men use sandalwood.


Also, Abagadro, you really shouldn't be using the razor to shave your carpet.

That's beautiful.  Did you buy it new or used?  Regardless, if you ever plan on trying it out, make sure to get it professionally sharpened first - Classic Shaving (http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/578215.htm) has a deal that's completely worth taking advantage of.

My own latest acquisition:

(http://www.shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/images/1233534256907-652471215.jpg)

I haven't tried the 1805 yet. I just got it a few days ago and I've been experimenting with a superlather made from Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado and Mitchell Wool Fat Soap. Glad you are enjoying the process. I'm totally hooked.

As to this straight, I bought it used at an antique store I was trolling around in looking for safety razors. 18 bucks.  :grin:  From what I've been able to find out it is pretty old, probably 1880-1900, but it is in great shape, zero hone wear, almost as if it had hardly been used. If I decide to use it I will send it to a honemeister first.  I just love the look of them so I've bought several. I'm such a degenerate collector and have fallen so in love with this stuff that I'm actually contemplating trying to buy this lot:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=230322606598

PS: Those are really nice looking strops.

So I tried the 1805 the last couple of days. Definitely it's own thing and is an acquired scent. Lather is luxurious, but the 1805 has a sort of herbal scent. Very British. I like it and my wife loved it, but I could see how someone wouldn't groove it as it is quite a bit different than the sandalwood or florals most creams have as their base.

Penhaligon's Endymion shaving cream is very nice, not really sure how to describe the scent as I've been using Lime shaving soap for the last couple of days and can only remember that I really liked the Endymion now.

Wow, totally forgot about this thread...some very beautiful instruments, but I don't think I'd be very good at this straight-blade shaving thing. Hell, I have enough trouble getting into work on time as it is, and I only trim down my terrible beard one night a week.

I'll probably try that or another one of the T&H scents when my almond stuff runs out. Gonna have to negotiate with the barbershop to see if he'll import any Taylor creams, though. I'm definitely going to beg him to import some sandalwood at some point, although the marine-y Trafalgar has been popular despite clashing with the cold weather.

Just in case no one else knows about this, I've been using the sample pack from Geo F Thumper, it has some good stuff in it if anyone wants to try some shaving creams/cologne/skin food for cheap with a buncha different scents:

http://www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?ProductID=111547656

They ship it from the UK, and I think it costs me a total of $12. I've been using it for a month or so now, though I don't shave much. Each cream sample could probably be used 3-4 times.

I'd be willing to send you a sample of the 1805 so you don't go through the hassle and spend a bunch and not like it. I could include some Taylor's as well (Sandalwood, Avocado, Lime, & Eton College).

My barber's got most of the Truefitt line, so let me work through that first, but thanks for the offer. I may be hitting you up in a few months.   :grin:

RISE! RISEEEEE!!!!!! <necro>


So it's been about a year since this thread started .. how is everyone doing with their new shaving utensils?

Several months ago I picked up a straight razor kit from nashvilleknifeshop.com (http://www.nashvilleknifeshop.com/bafipistrash.html) and have been using it ever since. It comes with a basic badger brush and stand, a basic Dovo straight razor (plastic handle, pre-sharpened), a basic strop, and some Col Conk's shave soap.

I've only shave my neck, so it wasn't very hard for me to get it down to a quick system - I can usually shave, two passes, in about 10 minutes. Only got some nicks the first and second times, haven't seen any since.

I really like the solid shave soap, as it lathers very nicely. I tried the sample pack from Geo F Trumper (http://www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?ProductID=111547656) which comes with liquid shave cream, but I think I used it too sparingly (trying to stretch it out) and it didn't lather very well. However, I really like their cologne and skin food, and continue to use the samples I got of those - they last a long time.

So how is everyone else doing? Any accessories you've found that you really like? Any tricks?

Braun 760, replaced Ye Olde Mach 3.  Best shave I ever had, plus I can do it anywhere.

Well, I am not as adventurous as Yegolev and have yet to shave my balls, but no complaints as of yet.

Added bonus, I do love how I am able to get through airport security with a package of razor blades but not a frappuccino.

That's quite a pricey little electric shaver there. It really does a better shave than a Mach 3?

Still using my nice gold-colored DE razor, although I recently switched from Gillette to Merkur blades; the former were sold out everywhere I looked. Turns out the Merkur blades give me a much nicer shave at half the price, so I'll probably make the switch permanent... at least until another supply shortage occurs.

The shave cream is lasting way longer than I expected; I've used less than a quarter of the tub of T&H almond shave goo in the last four months or so. Probably has something to do with the fact that I shave maybe twice a week.

It does.  I suddenly and recently developed some sort of condition in which the right side of my upper lip no longer put up with shaving.  It decided it would get razor burn every fucking time despite my long-term use of the same Mach 3 razor.  The Braun 760 is indeed expensive, but I knew someone who inherited a Series 8 from his grandfather and said it was the most fantastic shave ever; the 8s are available but I decided to get a model that is currently being made.  Also I figured I need to buy things like this now while I have a job. :awesome_for_real:  So far I have no complaints.

You should try the Feather brand platinum blades, they are super sharp.  I tried a Merkur and found it pulled my hair too much.

I wanted to get one of those and talked to my barber about it.  He did the coolest thing and let me borrow one of his injection razors (shaped like a straight razor, but with disposable blades) and told me I wouldn't like it.  He was right.  I never got any cleaner of a shave than I could get with my disposables, and I tore my face up a lot more.

I think those things work best when someone else is shaving you, because they are awkward to handle when shaving yourself.

I tried this wet shaving thing and couldn't really get into it.  Kind of cool though.

The straight razor requires practice, and the upside is that your kids will get more Three Stooges jokes.

That is called a shavette and isn't very comparable to a straight razor.  The blade doesn't have the heft of a straight and isn't as sharp as a properly honed straight.

I've managed to pick up a few razors over the last six months:

Gah, I have had a hard enough time finding the few I have. 

Where did you find all of those?

Antique stores, ebay, shaving sites.

I have had zero luck in antique stores around the world.  While I have found a few DE's in brick and mortar stores, almost all of the new stock can be found online for less.

Bah, eBay it is then.

Obviously you just need to go to antique stores in such a backwards ass place as Utah to find them.   :awesome_for_real:

I've been tempted to get into this, just because it seems cool, but I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits.  I get my face perfectly smooth with my Mach 5.  The only way possible to get a closer shave would be to skin myself.

Overall buying from wet-shaving site buy/sell forums is a bit better as you get more honest descriptions and the prices are usually a bit lower. Are you looking for something in particular? I may have an extra.


For me it has helped with my ingrowns as a single edge blade doesn't lift the whisker upwards out of the skin before cutting it. If you can avoid becoming a degenerate collector like me and just get a razor you like and stock up with blades, it can also be significantly cheaper as even top-end blades like Feathers can be had for 40 cents each (you can get decent ones like Bics or Derby's for 10-15 cents each) instead of the 3 bucks or whatever they charge per Mach 5 cartridge.

Would love to, but the supply of DE razor blades here is pretty slim. There's one other shave shop I know of, on the opposite side of town. I'll run by sometime this week to see if they have any. Just getting the Merkurs was pretty tough, as there's only one barbershop that carries 'em - all the supermarkets and drugstores seem to have stopped carrying the Gillette DE blades now.

I will know it when I see it, but thank you for the offer.

I just spent thirty minutes going through the Badger & Blade forums, amazing variety out there.

Or you could just take baby steps like I did and get an old fashioned safety razor.  Sure, you don't have that murderous barber thing going on, but you still get a pretty good shave, and for a shitload less money than what you'd pay to Gilette.

Straight blades are cool, but I'm more than happy with my safety razor.

I use this one pretty much every day still, but I would love to find one that looks like my Caran d’Ache Ivanhoe pens:

(http://www.clisham.com-a.googlepages.com/p17885e.jpg)

I should have never read this thread.

Now I want to try this.

I liked the idea of doing this.  Actually doing it was "eh."  There is the chance that I was simply doing it wrong.  I might try it again with some better gear, it would be cool to have my own little Demon Barber of Fleet Street setup in the bathroom.

I could get you started with a razor, some blades and some cream if you want (gratis), but you'd be on your own getting a brush.

For anyone trying a straight razor shave, I'd encourage taking a read through Christopher Moss's guide (http://www.shavemyface.com/downloads/The-Straight-Razor-Shave.pdf).  It's helpful at all stages, and it does a particularly excellent job of explaining the shave itself.

I picked up a Norton 4000/8000 hone from Lee Valley Tools.  It was brutally expensive, but it's the last thing I really need.  Unless I drop my Dovo and really bend the blade, I should be able to use my current setup forever.  No replacing anything - just maintenance.

Ok, this thread sold me.

I went down to the barber supply today and picked up a Merkur safety razor.  I wasn't sure if they would stock them, but they did - they just had one in the shop.  I think it's a classic, but the box didn't say.  I'll have to compare it to some pictures on the net.

Edit: I checked the $.99 Store next to my grocery store and they stock 5 packs of blades.  Sweet.

That'd be awesome. I was looking at classicshaving.com and was just going to drop the 25 bones on the inexpensive Merkur . . . I was going to Google up various razor reviews today, seems like I need a closed comb one...or maybe I'm out of my element.

I'll send you a vintage superspeed. It's a good one to start with as it is pretty mild. It won't be all that pretty but it will work fine and will give you a taste so you can determine whether you want to invest in it more.  PM me your address.

I did this and am still happy with the OFSR, gonna select a straight razor soon though.

The Ab-sent razor is in my possession, now to make multiple shopping stops to get a brush (boar bristle 'cause I'm cheap/broke) and an alum block. Apparently, the store that sells the brush (Whole Foods) doesn't carry the alum. Perhaps I should ask about the styptic pencil as well, since we're talking about people who don't likely wet shave. At any rate, I've scouted the various bits, and an old-timey drugstore has the pencil if all else fails.



If I totally fuxxor my face, I shall post pics of my exposed cheekbone.

After watching the mantic videos, I'm reasonably sure that if I can shave with a Mach 3, I can make this vintage razor work for me.

Wow that got there fast.  I've heard Indian grocery stores are good sources of cheap alum blocks.

The nice thing about my 'burb is that it was here since the 1800s. We have a drugstore that has been owned by the same family since they sold snake oil. Styptic pencil: $0.95.

Win.

So yeah. I was wandering around Geneva, IL the other day (mini-vacations from work give me time to roam the collar counties), and found what appears to be a really nice boar or rather serviceable pure badger brush. The woman in the "aromatherapy" shop didn't know, and neither did the shop owner (had to call her to get the price). I got it for twelve bucks with some nice looking, but useless cartridge handle.

It's nicer than the boar brush I had snagged previously, so that's cool. However, I really need to just bite the bullet and upgrade to a fancy brush. I have found some silvertip brushes online for decent prices (high 50s).

I'm debating doing the cheaper upgrade to Taylor of Old Bond Street creams first...also probabl snagging a blade sampler past the one Ab sent me. I'm thinking I like the Derby blades, but I haven't dared to venture into Feather world yet.

So far, it's a very soothing way to start a day.

I've had great experience with westcoastshaving.com as an online vendor if you are going to start buying stuff in earnest.

Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving cream, aftershave and pre-shave lotion are what I use.  Good stuff without an overpowering smell.

A high quality brush really does make a difference too.

So  this site (http://www.thegoldennib.com) has some good prices on badger brush knots without handles. My idea is to make a cool brush without having to spend close to $100 for a silvertip brush.

I'm thinking of using Gorilla Glue to affix the knot to a handle, does anyone have any other opinions on adhesives? Obviously, I need something water proof.

Also, short of getting acces to and learning how to use a lathe, any good ideas for a unique handle? I've ruled out dice as they likely would crumble if I tried to bore out a hole to insert the knot. Some ideas from Badger and Blade were things like golf balls, but I don't golf.

So yeah, has anyone tried to build their own brush?

Marine epoxy is the way to go on adhesive.  The new rage is to find an old plastic handled brush and drill out the old knot.  There is a big thread about it over at B&B.

Same thread where I read about the Golden Nib site. Best idea in there so far is to just go buy the proper sized socket (28 mm for the 28mm plug) and go that route. Looks pretty darn cool, and is definitely doing it on the cheap. I'd almost make and sell these if I thought I could make some slight profit here.

Had not read it for a while so did not see the socket idea.  Would indeed look cool but I'd be worried about rust. 

Had a TSA screener pull my bag aside because he saw my razor on the xray machine.  I had it disassembled in a sunglass case.  At first I thought he was looking for DE blades, which I do not travel with but rather purchase at a pharmacy where ever I land.  But no... He thought the handle was a weapon.  He tried to figure out how the three pieces went together.  After snatching it out of his hands to quickly screw it together, he allowed me to pass.   Sigh

So, this morning I went through the TSA area and made the mistake of not only leaving my razor in one piece, but I also forgot to remove my freedom bag full of liquids. Not even a second look from the screener as I gathered my laptop, bag and shoes.

Hooray for random enforcement.

I like not going through any security at domestic airports. Last time I flew, I had not only my shaving stuff, toothpaste, shampoo and other highly dangerous items, but there was also a full liter of vodka in there.  :drill:

There's not enough freedom to destroy in iceland.

This thread has changed my life.
The lather brush alone has made shaving a much better experience. :heart:
The straight razor was scary as fuck to use with those first couple strokes. Always paranoid that I'd end up slicing my own throat accidentally.
Once I got used to some of the more difficult angles on my face (lips, adams apple) it is now a pleasant morning routine. The shave also lasts 2-3 days for me.

Definitely want to try the safety razors and just taking my time looking around town.

Who knew F13 could have a positive effect on my life!!

Thanks

Hey, try our Gaming Recommendations. :awesome_for_real:

heh, I totally got sucked into Schild's Demon's Souls Hype machine and bought an import copy.
All his frothing was actually justified for that one.

This came across my news feeder today.  Why I have not heard of this awesomeness before?!

http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/

http://youtu.be/ZUG9qYTJMsI

I mean, shaving is serious business.  New blades shipped to my door for a couple bucks a month?  There must be a catch somewhere...

Just get yourself a nice straight razor.  You'll get a closer shave and never have to pay for blades again.

I'm a big fan of a nice safety razor myself, but I can't convince my dad to switch to one - so I'm thinking of going this route for him, since he otherwise is using some type of terrible disposable bic razor or the like.

You haven't heard of this because you don't read the Useless Videos thread.

Apparently it must be.  I don't shave yet hear horror stories from people who do.

What he said. We already have a shaving thread, as well. Soooooo time to merge!

Sorry.  It did not occur to me search for a three year old thread on shaving  :why_so_serious:

Wow.  I wish I would have known that Ab was such a shaving junky when I bought my straight razor.  Maybe I wouldn't have this sweet scar on the side of my face.   :grin:

I'm pretty well getting the hang of it by this time, but I've learned a few things since purchasing said razor:

1.  "Shave Ready" almost never means ready to shave with.  You'll have to hone it a little bit and definitely strop the fuck out of it.
2.  If your razor isn't sharp enough you will cut yourself.
3.  If you don't strop correctly you will cut yourself.  
4.  If you shave too fast you will cut yourself.  In fact, I would say that if you don't have time to shave, don't do it.
5.  If you shave too slow you will cut yourself.  Try to move the blade along at a decent pace and don't "stall".  
6.  If you hold the blade at too steep of an angle you will cut yourself (like 90 degrees to the skin).
7.  A good pre-shave oil and a quality shaving cream and brush is your friend.
8.  Stropping in between "passes" is a great idea.
9.  Spending a little money on a decent razor is a great idea.
10.  Getting a professional shave so that you have an example as to how it is done is a great idea.
11.  It's going to take a bit for your skin to get used to the shave.  You won't want to (or have to) shave every day in most instances.
12.  Buy a decent hone and strop, but don't get the strop right out of the gate.  You'll mangle it while you learn.  

I have to say that (now that I've learned the ropes and mangled myself one good time) that shaving with a straight razor has given me, by far and away, the closest shaves that I've ever gotten.  It's pretty fun and will clearly save me money over those crazy Mach 3/5/7 whatever bladed replaceable razors.  

I still use the safety razor that Ab sent me. Feather blades + my home made badger brush + random Taylor of Old Bond Street cream = as close to a straight razor as I am willing to get.

And their blades are fucking great.

Forbes had an article a few days ago that you might find of interest:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2012/04/12/could-your-brand-be-dollar-shave-d/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2012/04/12/could-your-brand-be-dollar-shave-d/)

Worth it for a punch on your Man Card though!

No, this is the type of scar that would be cool if you were in a knife fight, not one you obtain through a shaving fuck up.   :drill:

Nobody has to know it wasn't a knife fight.

Anybody that knows me is aware that I would never get in a knife fight.  I always bring a gun.   :grin:

The assailant got the jump on you.  You shot him after he got a slash at your face.

This reminds me of when I had a couple of moles removed from my face when I was in dental school.  My wife (who was also in dental school but a year ahead of me) and I told everyone that she got mad at me and whacked me with a rake.  It was funny the number of people that actually believed the story.

Any of you straight razor shavers out there do your own sharpening?  I'd love some advice. 

lol, I'll save you the suspense and let you add it to your list.

If you don't sharpen it right you will cut yourself!

Thanks.   :oh_i_see:

I am specifically looking for what type of stone or stones to by.  I currently have a Shapton 8000 grit stone and wondered if I should get a 4000 or even lower grit. 

I have two blades I need sharpened, but I think I am going to mail them in to get done right. Or just buy another pre-sharpened one since I'm lazy .. besides, who isn't excited about a new razor? Not I!

I need to get a couple new stones at some point. I've got a couple smaller stones I've been using for a few years now, I got them as a gift set. A larger coarse arkansas stone and a smaller one that looks like marble. Seems to get the job done, but even the larger one isn't very big.

I have never tried to shave my legs in this way.  I wonder if I should.  Razor costs just don't get better, do they?  And it would be different!  I could start a fb page for women who shave their legs with old fashioned razors.  I've never started a real fb page except the little personal one.  And if someone tried to mug me in the bath, I'd have a weapon! 

How do you feel about the sight of blood when it's your own?

Well, I guess there is that but then why do these guys do it?

Every time I see this thread, I just assume it's the NSFW sort of shaving.

We can talk about that too :awesome_for_real:

Because it's macho to put extremely sharp pieces of metal near one's juglar?

I use a straight razor for several reasons:

1.  It's fun.  It's more interesting that using the basic Gillette
2.  The shave is closer-  a good straight razor shave is awesome
3.   It's, in theory, going to be better for the environment because I'm not throwing a bunch of shit away all the time.
4.  It's, in theory, going to be cheaper long term because decent disposables are expensive anymore (although I've been known to spend shitloads of money on stuff once I get into it).  

As far as shaving mommy parts, I think you could have someone else do it, but shaving your own face with a straight razor can be an exercise in acrobatics.  I can only imagine the contortions necessary for mommy parts.

MOMMY PARTS??  What is wrong with your mind?  I was talking about legs!!!

Wait.  Before I go and since YOU brought it up... do you shave your daddy parts with a straight razor?  Just wonderin'....

Not more than once, he wouldn't.  :ye_gods:

Of course.   :awesome_for_real:

Numtini brought it up.

I've always found this thread interesting, but...I don't think I could ever try this crazy straight razor business. I can hardly even shave my 1-day growth with a new disposable razor, and I've been known to somehow cut myself with electrics.

I'd probably somehow decapitate myself with a straight razor.  :oh_i_see:

I've been using a combination 4000/8000 stone, and having the 4000 speeds up the process considerably.  I've read that you shouldn't need to run the razor along the stone more than a dozen times, but that's not been my experience at all: the last time I sharpened my razor I had to get rid of a couple of nicks that were the result of smacking it against the sink, and it took a good 20 minutes of continuous honing.  Point being: don't worry too much about honing; it's more forgiving than people make it out to be.

I wouldn't mind fooling around with a straight edge, but I've continued to be happy with a double edged safety razor.

Thanks man.  I'll get myself that 4000 stone then. 



It's really not that dangerous unless you're trying to do it while driving. 

I wouldn't suggest you use a straight razor (even if you wanted to the mechanics of shaving legs with a straight would be difficult), but if you use an older safety razor you can get blades on the order of 10-20 cents a piece that are every bit (if not more) as sharp and durable as the plastic monstrosities they current sell for 3 bucks a pop.  You can find a regular old Super-speed for 15-20 bucks online which is a nice little, light, and nimble razor or you can hunt down a Lady Gillette which has a longer handle for around 30 bucks.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Abagadro/196620L120Lady20Gillette20pink.jpg)

oooo.  I like the little stars on that.  If I were to hunt one down, it's destined to be hung on my sister's xmas tree, along with the other strange things I hang on it which she's constantly taking down.  It gives her something to do in the morning.  If I remember correctly, Abagadro, you collect razors, no?  That's different!  Both my grandfathers shaved with old fashioned razors and had those leather straps and everything.  My grandfather from Norway had a very heavy beard and said it was the only thing that cut through it.  I never remember him having cuts on his face, either.  Me?  I'm sure my legs would be hamburger by the time I finished. 

Yes I collect them but have slowed way down from my manic heyday of buying every one I could find.  I have two of those Lady Gillete's: a Baby Blue one and a "Champagne" one.  I've tried to talk my wife into using one but she won't do it because she is afraid of cutting herself, which is nuts as I cut myself way worse with those cartridges than I ever have with a DE safety razor.

As I have gotten older, it seems my beard has gotten curlier (and I get a grey/white patch on it too), so shaving with a regular 2 blade would cause a break out.  My Pseudofolliculitis Barbae could be pretty bad sometimes, but then it would be just some areas that would pop up and be an irritation.  Now I've been using either clippers and/or Braun Series 3 electric razor.  I start off now by letting the beard grow at least a day or two (gonna suck if I ever need to shave every day), then washing beard with soap and water, drying it, then applying either electric shave or shaving powder.  Electric shave is way less messy and doesn't clog the clippers or razor as much, but the shaving powder feels nice.  Then use the clippers.  Then I can go over it with the razor if I need is smooth.  I don't think I could ever go back to regular shaving at this time.  Wish I could because the close feel of a razor blade shave is awesome.

I've been cursed with a curly viking beard since I was 16.

Using the single DE blade has cut way down on my irritation/ingrown (not eliminated but reduced). I also use an alum block, Tend Skin and a killer Japanese aftershave (http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Feather-Kanwa-Herbal-Aftershave-Balm-250gr-Refillable-Bottle_p_779.html) that I can't even read the label of but is really nice (and no scent) that is half way between a splash and a soothing balm.

I use a one of those Merkur safety razors because I am not quite brave enough to use a straight razor yet.  Unfortunately I have one of those skin blemishes on my chin that I lop off occasionally which then bleeds like a fountain.  So I have to keep my old Gillette around to shave that part :(.

Heh. My chin mole is practically gone because it has been lopped off so many times.  Alum/Styptic pen cures all.

Gee, thanks you guys.  Now I have jelly knees.   :ye_gods:

I've actually had a couple of moles removed because I kept trying to do it myself.  I am much less likely to try and bleed myself to death now.  I have only cut myself bad once with the straight razor so far.  The key thing, with either a straight razor or "safety" razor (they're really anything but) is that you have to go slow, pay attention and not get in a hurry.  Did I say take it slow and pay attention? 

Just remembering to use a light hand with the safety razor goes a long way.  The weight of the razor on your face is more than enough.  Other than that, don't be shy with the lather, and take your time.  Nice triple pass shave (with, across, against the grain), and I usually don't have to shave for 2-3 days.

Most insurances will cover mole removal if it 'interferes with shaving'. Also, the local plastic surgeon/butcher here is really hot.

For my birthday I got a straight razor, strop, Kent silvertip brush and lather so I'm bumping this back up to read over. Been wanting to get a real shaving kit for a long time and finally did. Can't remember the name of the razor, but it's a german company (will have to double check).

Figure I'll start out with the brush and lather and work my way up to trying the straight razor. Still need to pick up a hone and most importantly, an Alum Block.

My advice is to start shaving the easiest areas only at first.  I.E., shave the broad flat areas of your cheeks to practice instead of trying to shave under your nose.   :awesome_for_real:  Also, you might pay attention to any areas that you have moles or skin tags.  If you cut them with a regular razor, they are definitely on the "be careful" list with a straight razor. 

 Learn to strop really well.  You'll probably destroy your first one trying to learn.  As far as a hone, you may or may not need one to start, but  you'll need to put in a shitton of time stropping it at first to get it shave ready. 

Definitely the thing I need to learn is how to prep the razor properly. I have a full beard at the moment so there's not much to shave other than high on my cheeks and my neck, which I am NOT wanting to start with.

The Straight Razor Place (http://straightrazorplace.com/) is a really good resource.  It's got instructions on just about anything you'd want to do and a decent forum too. 

Awesome - thanks Ghost.

I think the thing I'm most looking forward to is using the brush and lather. I can't wait to ditch the crap in the can shaving cream.

I don't know if your kit has this, but look at getting some pre-shave oil.  It makes a huge difference and (I think) may help you from getting cut.  It definitely makes things a lot easier on the old face.