The Shaving Thread

[Yoru]

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. 

[Sky]

There's not enough freedom to destroy in iceland.

[glennshin]

This thread has changed my life.
The lather brush alone has made shaving a much better experience.
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

[Yegolev]

Hey, try our Gaming Recommendations.

[glennshin]

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.

[luckton]

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...

[ghost]

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

[JWIV]

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.

[MuffinMan]

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

[Selby]

I mean, shaving is serious business.

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

[bhodi]

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

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

[luckton]

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

[ghost]

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.  

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.  

[CmdrSlack]

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.

[Xanthippe]

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...

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/

[Lantyssa]

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.  

Worth it for a punch on your Man Card though!

[ghost]

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.   

[Sheepherder]

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

[ghost]

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

[Lantyssa]

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

[ghost]

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.

[ghost]

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

[Salamok]

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!

[ghost]

Thanks.   

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. 

[Viin]

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!

[Sky]

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.

[Signe]

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! 

[Lantyssa]

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

[Signe]

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

[Numtini]

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

[Trippy]

We can talk about that too

[Lantyssa]

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

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

[ghost]

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

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.

[Signe]

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'....

[Cadaverine]

Not more than once, he wouldn't.