The Shaving Thread

[chimpburgers]

I couldn't find one here so here we go. In this thread shaving techniques, tools, and other shaving related topics can be discussed, whether you like to wet shave or use foil or rotary shavers.

I used to use disposable razors for a long time and I just wasn't too thrilled with all the cuts and nicks and irritation that I'd get from using them, so I looked into buying my own wet shaving kit around late 2014 and learned how to do that and played around with different razor brands.

I tried Derby, Red Red Personna, Feathers, and at least one other brand. The Red Personna's seemed to work best, but nowadays I just use a Remington and some Lectric Shave to save a lot of time. It still gets the job done but takes a bit of work to get some of the hair off from the areas closer to my adam's apple.

 

[Carlos Thin]

Got my technique down on the three blade. I have a double edge and while it's easier to clean, I find that it doesn't shave the way I like.

 

[GS 281]

 

[AnOminous]

What is the most economical way of doing it? I hate buying cartridges because they are the most ass-fuckingly expensive ripoffs in consumer hygiene products.

Anyone have an opinion on safety razors?

Oh, and a recent example, I bought the CVS generic razor cartridges for Gillette or one of those other razors and it is absolute fucking garbage. Whoever put that shit on the market should be impaled to a fucking fire ant hill with his nuts covered in honey.

And then shaved with this absolutely worthless, useless razor that you'd be better off shaving with a plastic bread knife.

 

[GS 281]

http://www.theartofshaving.com/Blac...G_00670535680208,default,pd.html?navid=search

This will last you 4 months before touch-up

http://www.theartofshaving.com/Small-Hanging-Razor-Strop/00670535680109,default,pd.html
http://www.theartofshaving.com/Thei...G_00670535711506,default,pd.html?navid=search

Use this to touch up your blade.

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/pro...90259.4090258.4090292.4431697.4191892.4192011

This will make your eyes burn because of menthol but you will most likely never get razor burn.

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Cade+After-Shave+Balm_37061.htm

Just in case.

 

[Trans Fat 41g]

Because I have Toothbrush Bristle facial hair I need to use an electrical razor, and I don't have the dexterity for a straight razor considering how hilariously bad my first attempt at using one was (cool little gadget, though). My only issue is even with mentholated aftershave I still get bumps like hell at my adams apple.

 

[AnOminous]

These scare me, though, outside the hands of an expert barber. I agree the shave is second to none, and any time appearance is truly important, there's nothing better than a straight razor shave.

I like the fact that it could double as a murder weapon, but accidentally winning a Darwin award isn't in my list of wanted life achievements.

 

[Dr. Boe Jangles Esq.]

These scare me, though, outside the hands of an expert barber. I agree the shave is second to none, and any time appearance is truly important, there's nothing better than a straight razor shave.

I like the fact that it could double as a murder weapon, but accidentally winning a Darwin award isn't in my list of wanted life achievements.

There's a sort of trick to it where you learn the contours of your face. I learned to use one because my grandfather used one. Using a straight razor is scary at first, but after you get the feel for it, it's an oddly satisfying task, because you have to be careful and go slow. It leaves you time to be alone with your thoughts for a few minutes.
It also beats the hell out of buying expensive new razor heads.

 

[waffle]

I use an electric rotary razor and it's OK, I have light colored hair though so I don't need super close shave to look good. I'm probably going pick up a safety razor when I get some money to through around though.

 

[TheMightyMonarch]

Speaking of which, I think I'm getting my legs waxed. I hate shaving.

 

[GS 281]

These scare me, though, outside the hands of an expert barber. I agree the shave is second to none, and any time appearance is truly important, there's nothing better than a straight razor shave.

I like the fact that it could double as a murder weapon, but accidentally winning a Darwin award isn't in my list of wanted life achievements.

You can't use that thing when grooming your junk.

Use an electric razor if it has been a while to trim everything down. Be courteous and use a disposable on your balls.

 

[LazarusOwenhart]

I use a safety razor. I bought a bulk lot of blades online and have therefore spent less than £4.00 on blades in two years.

 

[chimpburgers]

If the hair is much thicker like on the body itself, I go for a Phillips Norelco Bodygroom and then just use a regular shaver to get the hair even shorter. I've experimented with Veet before. It's okay but leaves more irritation and itching than other methods.

 

[The Knife's Husbando]

I use a standard pair of electric trimmers for everyday shaving- my face & my head. On special occasions I bust out my granddad's Non-Xl straight razor he left me & do it right.

Protip: If you're want to use a straight razor, but you're nervous about it, go buy a cactus. No, I'm not kidding. Buy one of those little ball-shaped ones covered in those tiny hairlike thorns. When you can lather him up & shave off all his tiny spikes without cutting him, your face will be no problem.

 

[Dr. Boe Jangles Esq.]

You can't use that thing when grooming your junk.

You can if you're a real man.
Take a blade to your stones today!
Edit: Jangles is joking. Do not actually do this, people; it's a terrible idea unless you've a lifelong dream of singing soprano.

 

[The Knife's Husbando]

You can if you're a real man.
Take a blade to your stones today!

Braver man than me. I just use a generic 3-blade on my junk.

One note on using a straight razor to shave your head. Do Not, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to do this if you have to take off your glasses to 'get at" someplace like your sideburn area or behind the ears. You'll slice yourself to hell and back. It's much easier to have someone else do it.

Nothing is comfier than sitting in a warm bath with a cold beer with your lady behind you in the tub, shaving your noggin. You feel like one of the lords of creation.

 

[Zeorus]

I use disposable razors right now that are working quite well, but I'd like to learn to use a straight razor. The primary problem with this idea is that I have small hand tremors due to my brain's...unusual neurological setup.

http://www.theartofshaving.com/Black-5/8"-Blade-Straight-Razor/PG_00670535680208,default,pd.html?navid=search

This will last you 4 months before touch-up

http://www.theartofshaving.com/Small-Hanging-Razor-Strop/00670535680109,default,pd.html
http://www.theartofshaving.com/Thei...G_00670535711506,default,pd.html?navid=search

Use this to touch up your blade.

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/pro...90259.4090258.4090292.4431697.4191892.4192011

This will make your eyes burn because of menthol but you will most likely never get razor burn.

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Cade+After-Shave+Balm_37061.htm

Just in case.

Is the price for that razor pretty standard or is that a higher-end model?

 

[GS 281]

I use disposable razors right now that are working quite well, but I'd like to learn to use a straight razor. The primary problem with this idea is that I have small hand tremors due to my brain's...unusual neurological setup.


Is the price for that razor pretty standard or is that a higher-end model?

high end but you get what you pay for

 

[The Knife's Husbando]

I use disposable razors right now that are working quite well, but I'd like to learn to use a straight razor. The primary problem with this idea is that I have small hand tremors due to my brain's...unusual neurological setup.


Is the price for that razor pretty standard or is that a higher-end model?

Don't waste money on a "new" straight razor. Shop around at antique dealers & flea markets. I've seen plenty of old-school straight razors in the 10-15$ range, and some really nice ones with ivory or silver handles for about $50.

The main thing is to make sure that the steel is still clean. Some patina is okay, a few tiny- like 1/16" rust pits aren't an issue- but anything worse than that and it'll be a bitch to keep sharp. On handles, it's all a matter of personal preference. Silver and ivory are nice, but for a solid grip- Bakelite or hard rubber is your best bid.

Another important part is sizing your razor to your beard. Most razors come in three widths: 3/4", 5/8" and 1/2" an inch wide. A 1/2" wide razor is scalpel-sharp, and best used for a fellow with a light beard, or someone who shaves every day with a straight razor. The 5/8" width has a slightly less pronounced secondary blade bevel and is okay for most men's facial hair, or the fellow who shaves every other day or so. The big 3/4" wide blade is for a dude with really coarse hair, of if you just shave once a week or so. It's not nearly as fine a blade angle as the other sizes (it's aprox. 15 deg.), but the more obtuse edge keeps it sharp enough to power through thick yeti-man hair.

After you've chosen your razor, keeping it sharp is the next priority. I've found with some trial and error the best combination for a carbon steel razor blade is a 3000 grit Japanese waterstone, and a "strop" -read as a bit of an old belt impregnated with barbers's rouge. Establish your primary bevel on the blade with the waterstone- aprox. 12 degrees- and after a few swipes, knock off the wire edge on the blade with the strop to establish the secondary edge bevil.

As to mugs, brushes, and soaps? Also a matter of personal preference. I have a rabbit-hair makeup brush I snitched from my wife that I use, and with a bit of Ivory soap in a standard coffee mug, it's wonderful.

Also, remember the hot towels. It's not optional. Not only is it relaxing, the heat & moisture from them softens the facial hair.

 

[The Other Chandler]

Oh, this thread was basically designed for me. Shaving is one of my chief hobbies. I use DE's mainly, but also have a few straights.

As for the guy asking about straights if you're still using carts I'd recommend getting a DE (double-edged safety razor) before jumping directly into straights. Straights have a steep learning curve and there will be blood. If you're insistent on straights get what's called a shavette. It's a straight which takes disposable blades. They're way cheaper which lets you figure out if straight shaving is for you and doesn't require you to learn how to strop or hone or take preventative measures to prevent rust. A straight razor requires you at bare minimum to get a good quality strop (leather and canvas strap you polish the edge of the razor on before each shave) and some blade oil to prevent rust. Eventually you'll need to get some sharpening stones too. None of that is necessary with a shavette.

If you want a real straight there are two good options. The first is a refurbished Gold Dollar. They are crappy mass produced Chinese straights that are worthless out of the factory. But they are made of pretty decent steel and people will buy them, overhaul them, and sell them for a profit. You can find any number of reputable sellers online. The other option is a Whipped Dog sight-unseen razor. Basically the owner of the website finds vintage straights which are trashed and refurbishes them. They're called sight-unseen because you just tell him what you're looking for and he'll mail you whatever comes closest in his stock. One of the reasons they're so cheap.

Don't just go to a flea market or antique store and buy a vintage straight though. I can promise you they won't be shave ready. Even if they look nice and shiny their edge is going to be long gone. And unless you have a set of water stones sitting around the house and know how to use them you'll end up having to at the LEAST send it off to get professionally honed. Now, there's nothing WRONG with getting a flea market razor, but it's not really a great idea if you've never even held one before.

Seriously though. Start off slow. Get a shaving brush and some good soap. Get an entry level DE like an Edwin Jagger DE89 or Merkur 34c. Invest in a Dovo shavette once you have some experience.