What do you use to shave?

[Barry]

I'm still using my Feather Artist Club (a straight styled razor with disposable blades). Typically my first pass is with a DE then I follow up with the AC. It's amazing how close I can get with the Feather. Some days I have virtually no stubble late into the afternoon.

 

[Riposte3]

The first straight shave:

- A very smooth "end product." Slightly, but noticeably, smoother than with my DE razor.
- A very mild razor burn, reminiscent of when I first shaved off my goatee. I believe this will stop after my face gets used to a straight razor. It may also be related to my technique, as it's mostly on the "curves" (jawline, chin, etc.) and the spot on my neck where the whiskers grow in multiple directions (that spot's tricky with my DE too). Should be fixed with experience.
-One or two "weepers" on my chin. Probably also technique related. Stopped with a styptic pencil, should also be fixed with experience.

All in all, I am very satisfied, and will continue with the straight razor.

-jake

The 3 month follow up:

-I use the straight almost exclusively now. I still keep the DE and blades around for the days when I'm running late. (Which is more often than I like. I am not a morning person.)
-Little to no razor burn anymore. Soothed with aftershave.
-I find that I cut myself more often with the DE than the straight, and the DE hurts more and bleeds more when I do.
-My speed has increased naturally with practice.
-Sufficient stropping beforehand makes a SIGNIFICANT difference in the quality and comfort of my shave.
-I still have some learning to do to improve my technique. (And I look forward to the practice.)

-Jake

 

[Martinis at 8]

I use Barbasol shaving cream and Mach 3 razors. Sometimes I grow a stubble beard that I trim with a Stahl trimmer.

M8

 

[Ecuador Jim]

The 3 month follow up:

-I use the straight almost exclusively now. I still keep the DE and blades around for the days when I'm running late. (Which is more often than I like. I am not a morning person.)
-Little to no razor burn anymore. Soothed with aftershave.
-I find that I cut myself more often with the DE than the straight, and the DE hurts more and bleeds more when I do.
-My speed has increased naturally with practice.
-Sufficient stropping beforehand makes a SIGNIFICANT difference in the quality and comfort of my shave.
-I still have some learning to do to improve my technique. (And I look forward to the practice.)

-Jake

I wonder if your issues with a DE razor are caused by pressing on the razor as you shave, or perhaps the lather isn't well developed enough to provide proper lubrication for your shave.

I've had to use a DE more because I can't take a straight on an aircraft.

I had to un-learn a number of habits when I went back to wetshaving; but I'm thrilled with the results.

 

[scotrace]

One of the guys from Badger & Blade has written a great piece on The Zen of Wet Shaving.

 

[PADDY]

...

Mach 3 with badger brush and shaving bowl. However, the bowl is porcelin and therefore heavy when I travel, so I'm after a good travel bowl.

 

[anon`]

Mach 3 with badger brush and shaving bowl. However, the bowl is porcelin and therefore heavy when I travel, so I'm after a good travel bowl.

Purists probably consider it cheating, and it's certainly not nearly as elegant, but I bought a "shave stick" for this very purpose. It's like... shaving soap in a twist-bottom container, much like deodorant. Apply directly to a wet face, then lather with a brush. Best part about it, in my opinion, is that you needn't worry about soap getting everywhere, or needing yet another little baggie to keep everything else in your dopp clean and dry.

 

[Jovan]

I've been using an electric for the past month... it actually shaves quite close. Useable in the shower, too. There's a hair I can't get every so often, but that's why I inspect myself in the mirror after.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Hey, Jovan! congrats on three thousand posts!!!

As for my i go once a week to an actual barber & get a shave with a hot towel & a straight razer. If i need a shave mid-week, i use a Gilette Fusion razor & either the Fusion foam if I am at work or actual soap in a cup if I am at home...

 

[Ecuador Jim]

Mach 3 with badger brush and shaving bowl. However, the bowl is porcelin and therefore heavy when I travel, so I'm after a good travel bowl.

Paddy, I discovered a great little horn bowl available from ClassicShaving.com. It was a little pricey, but it has traveled well with me for the past few months. I use a DOVO travel brush, and a tube of cream when I'm on the road.

Classic Shaving says the horn bowls are made for them in France, so finding them on your side of the pond might be easier (I'm guessing).

 

[Jovan]

Hey, Jovan! congrats on three thousand posts!!!

As for my i go once a week to an actual barber & get a shave with a hot towel & a straight razer. If i need a shave mid-week, i use a Gilette Fusion razor & either the Fusion foam if I am at work or actual soap in a cup if I am at home...

I've still yet to have the barber shop shave experience. Panamag8or, who lives in my same town, says that his wasn't very close and kind of stung. Forget which place he said it was, but I'm avoiding it.

I forgot to say, my shaver is a lotion dispensing one, so it helps with lubrication and avoiding irritation. I still like to use a cold splash of water and some aftershave balm (NON ALCOHOL) afterwards just to make sure.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Saw this while perusing Macy's men's accessories section the other day...

 

[Mid-fogey]

My Experience...

I've had to use a DE more because I can't take a straight on an aircraft.

...is you can't take a DE on an airplane either.

 

[Hatnut]

It seems that men don't talk too much about shaving with one another so let me break the silent code: Do any of you guys have a shaving product or technique that you think tops all? Razors, creams, lotions, anything would help. I have not tried the old fashioned brush method. I have a horrible time shaving. I can't seem to shave without having my face feel like someone just sandpapered it. What do you use to shave?

I don't and haven't since I left the criminal justice system !!!!!!!

 

[Ecuador Jim]

...is you can't take a DE on an airplane either.

I've been taking my Merkur Barber Pole DE traveling since August with no issues.

 

[Ecuador Jim]

I'm faced with the same problem...no stand and Tweezerman doesn't carry one. I have dried mine upside-down since I bought it with no apparent problems.



I used to shave against the grain due to a very heavy beard, but it tore my face up and the shaving bumps came out in droves! Following sound advice, I started shaving with the grain and my shaving problems have virtually disappeared. Occassionally, I may need to shave later in the day if the occassion calls for it...say for an evening get-together or a dinner meeting.

Even shaving twice in one day doesn't cause many problems if I follow my procedure...warm towel, soap & brush and shave with the grain. Hope that this helps!

To clear up some technique issues:

If you have a synthetic handle on your brush, drying it upside down is probably not an issue. In extremely humid areas, you may be concerned about mildew in the "knot" of the brush. I've never heard of anyone having a problem. On the other hand, if you have some sort of natural handle (ivory, wood, etc.), I would be concerned about the handle remaining wet, and possibly splitting.

For new wetshavers, you must get used to your face before you define the techniques that will work for you. Many veterans can shave against the grain with no issues, while others will be removing layers of skin.

I use the concept of "beard reduction", where I don't try to get that baby-butt-smooth shave in one pass. Three is typical for me.

First, soaking your beard with hot water is key. It softens the outer layer of the beard, making it easier to cut. Most wetshavers shower before shaving, but if that's not your thing, rinsing your face fr at least thirty seconds will soften your beard as well.

Next, you should soak your brush in hot water while showering, or rinsing your face. There is a lot of debate on shaving brushes, but most guys are best served y a "premium badger" brush. Soft, yet sturdy enough to develop a lather quickly. You'll need to use either a mug or bowl to develop your lather. Most shaving soaps come in a round "puck", and you can develop the lather in that bowl, or load the brush, and develop the lather in another bowl or mug. My preference is to stay with one bowl.

Now, soap or cream? I acually blend them, but either one can develop a fine lather. The technique is to work the soap into a lather, or put an almond sized dollop of cream in the bowl, and develop the lather from that.

You shake the water out of your brush (shake the brush twice, or squeeze the brush), then start working the brush in a circular motion in the mug or bowl.

You will find that you have to add a little water to further develop the lather. I just dip my hand in the hot water and flick whatever is on my hand into my bowl, and keep working the lather. Your goal is to get a lather that looks rather like whipped cream, and has soft peaks when you pull the brush out of the lather. You will eventually be able to do this in about 2 minutes.

Now you can mop your face with the lather. With my technique, I use three passes, or shaves to get a smooth result. The first pass is with the grain (wtg). This means you follow the grain, generally top to bottom. With a double edge (DE) razor, use short strokes.

After completing the first pass, I lather up again, and shave across the grain (xtg). This would be shaving at a 90 degree angle to the growth of your beard.

The final pass involves lathering up a final time, then going against the grain (atg). At this point, you can check your progress, and get those stubborn areas. You can either make faces at yourself in the mirror, or pull your skin a bit to get a straight surface.

The final step is to rinse your face in cold water to close those pores, then towel dry. Using a cologne or after shave is based on your taste.

Hope this helps someone out there. There are several links that have been posted that take this explanation to a much deeper level.

The big payoff for me is that I get a closer shave, and my blades cost a fraction of a fusion cartridge.

Happy shaving.

 

[Riposte3]

I wonder if your issues with a DE razor are caused by pressing on the razor as you shave, or perhaps the lather isn't well developed enough to provide proper lubrication for your shave.

I've had to use a DE more because I can't take a straight on an aircraft.

I had to un-learn a number of habits when I went back to wetshaving; but I'm thrilled with the results.

I thought about this for a little while, and tried to pay attention to what I'm doing while shaving with each. (To learn what's going on, as opposed to paying attention to what I'm doing while shaving, so I don't damage myself. I always try to do that. I've also learned that when you go for the upper lip, you should watch out for your nose. :eusa_doh: )

I think it's pressure. With a straight, if you start to use too much pressure, you get a warning before you break skin, in the form of razor burn. (Not a lot of warning, though.) With a DE more pressure can give a closer shave, but only up to a point. And there's no warning when you start to use too much pressure, just blood and pain. I'm also using the DE when I'm running too late for the straight, and sometimes I can be a bit rushed, which is bad.

I don't think it's the lather, although I will admit I need to improve my lathering. I use the same technique, and get the same quality lather, whether I'm using the straight or the DE. I expect that if the lubrication is good enough for the straight, it's good enough for the DE.

-Jake

 

[renor27]

Looking to start using a straight edge

hello all
Am going to take the plundge and move over to a straight edge any pointers see a few really nice ones on the old E-bay
any help with where to start would be great
David

 

[Feng_Li]

hello all
Am going to take the plundge and move over to a straight edge any pointers see a few really nice ones on the old E-bay
any help with where to start would be great
David

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/index.php

Read, read, read. Send any razor you buy to one of the honemeisters before you try to shave with it. Odds are it will not come adequately sharpened.

 

[scotrace]

I got a tube of CO Bigelow (Bath & Body Works) shave cream for Christmas and I really like it. I'm assuming it is made by Proraso. It's very close to the Trumper's I've tried. BBS every time so far.