Razors

Meiz

I'm kind of getting tired of these Gilette and Schick face rapers. They work fine for the most part but they are consistently missing hairs. I was wondering if anyone had any advice in getting a great razor for someone who has relatively sensitive skin.

Improvolone

The Internet loves safety razors. I've got a nice brush, some nice soaps and creams, good after shave toner and lotion, and all of it works together for a fabulous time.

Would you like to know more?
Yes
No



note: There is a "substantial" investment up front, but new blades cost me pennies so it works out in the end.

Tavataar

Improvolone wrote: »

The Internet loves safety razors. I've got a nice brush, some nice soaps and creams, good after shave toner and lotion, and all of it works together for a fabulous time.

Would you like to know more?
Yes

I suggest you pick yes. I switched to safety razors, good shaving soap, and a brush last year and I love shaving!

Information inside the spoiler tag.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/ The original article I read.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU This guy has a bunch of awesome videos about how to significantly improve your shaving experience.

If you are interested in this, my personal recommendation for equipment is as follows:

Intro Shaving Brush Brushes can be damn expensive, but this intro brush is only 12 bucks or so.
Shaving Cream Taylor of Old Bond Street is fantastic! Simply soak your brush in hot water, swirl some cream onto it, and go crazy on your face!
After Shave Proraso Aftershave is fantastic! It is worth shaving just to put this on your face!
Razor Merkur is to go to brand for safety razors. This is one of their simpler models.
Extra Blades obvious necessity.

Like Improvolone said, the initial investment seems high, but I haven't had to spend any money since my initial purchase except for some extra blades every couple of months.

GungHo

I personally use a straight razor, but I'm a crazy bastard. Saftey razors are great, though, and Tavataar wins the prize for giving a complete answer. It's worth the money if you want a good shave. Besides, the last time I looked at one of the latest Fusion Power Wormhole Extreme razors, they're getting close to the safety razor for the base unit cost and the blades are ridiculously expensive.

Beltaine

I've always used an electric.

This... is interesting.

EggyToast

I use a Gillette Mach 3 and don't have any of your problems, most likely because I use a brush and good shaving creams. The blade only cuts the hair -- the rest of the stuff preps the hair for cutting.

Robziel

Improvolone wrote: »

The Internet loves safety razors. I've got a nice brush, some nice soaps and creams, good after shave toner and lotion, and all of it works together for a fabulous time.

Would you like to know more?
Yes

Do it and never look back, best decision I ever made.

NailbunnyPD

Two sites that will be of great use to anyone interested in safety razors:

http://badgerandblade.com/ has reviews and forums and guides and all sorts of great resources.

http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59 This guy has some great videos to demonstrate and help you get started with a safety razor and wet shaving. I watched a few of these before even attempting to put the blade to my face and its paid off tremendously. I've only suffered one scratch after 2 shaves. I still need my wet shave supplies, so for now I only shave with the SR on the weekends, and still use the disposable headed Gillette during the week.

The razor I went with was the Murker Long Handle Classic, which goes by a couple other names, including the Model 180. The blades I picked up were Derby Extras, but I've since read that their quality is not consistent since recent changes to production. As mentioned, I still need wet shaving supplies, so I am using my old Burt's Bees shaving cream (not foam or lather) until I have some cash. I'm not yet up to multiple passes or going against the grain, so its not a closer shave, but its definitely a preferable one.

You can find cheaper used razors through the B&B site or on ebay. They are not hard to sanitize, and a lot of users on B&B prefer and recommend the decades old razors.

Namrok

I got a straight razor something like 3 years ago. I invested in the razor, strop, mug, brush, wetstone, and thats all the money I've spent on shaving since. Except for the occasional new soap cake.

Plus its the best shave I've ever gotten. I don't have to deal with the hair getting ground back into my face since the blade just takes it right off and away. I need to sharpen it every 3 to 6 months, but thats not hard. I imagine I'll be sticking with it for life.

claypoolfan

I have never once shaved with an actual razor, I have always used an electric from the first time I started. I'm too used to it to switch now.

taoist drunk

I would imagine it depends on how coarse your facial hair is. Straight razors work like a charm but take a long time. For someone with fairly coarse facial hair, a straight razor shave once a week and safety razors for the rest of the week looks and feels good, but that's expensive.

Gihgehls

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I hate Merkur products. Their blades are some of the worst you can get, and their razor handles are extremely overpriced. I'd go with a vintage '60s era handle (gillette) from ebay and Feather brand blades.

geckahn

safety razors are the shit. and the long term cost is low, since razor blades are super cheap.

this is what I have: http://www.amazon.com/Parker-86R-Double-Safety-Razor/dp/B0019LSBGO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1277489686&sr=8-8

That's $57 for a razor, 100 blades, a decent brush, and pretty good soap (check the "frequently bought together" section).

GungHo

It takes a long ass time to go through 100 razor blades.

Gihgehls

Yeah, definitely don't buy 100 blades that you've never tried before.

Pali

Some shops offer packages of ~200 blades, but 10 from different brands so you can have a taste of different blades while having loads for ages!

Jimmy King

Another vote for safety razor. I get all of my stuff from Lee's Safety Razors. I now spend less on shaving crap in 6 months than I used to in a month when I was using whatever overpriced crap gillette was trying to sell me.

I use a Merkur HD, Feather blades, and Proraso soap. Good stuff, works well, doesn't fuck my face up like the billion blade super razors.

NailbunnyPD

Aren't Feather blades supposed to be incredibly sharp, i.e. not for beginners?

The B&B site will have ratings for blades, so check there. Make sure to read the most recent reviews in case production has changed, like the Derby Extras.

Jimmy King

meh. I got a box of feather blades as my second box of blades. Just take it slow and pay attention, just like you should do when dragging any other blade across your face and neck.

Nakatomi2010

I used to shave with one of the Mach 3 powered razors, but since we started shopping at Costco I buy the Fusions since I can buy a six pack of 4 blade packs for 20 bucks, so less than a dollar per blade.

Between the Mach 3 powered and the Fusion, I find I get a MUCH nicer shave with the Fusion and Nivea for Men shaving cream. I shave on Monday Wednesdays and Fridays, and with the old Mach 3 I'd debating shaving on Tuesdays and Thursday, but with the new Fusion blades, I debate shaving on Wednesdays now.

Gihgehls

Using sharp blades will prevent your skin from pulling which will in turn prevent knicks. The absolute best you can do if you are worried about cutting yourself is to use the sharpest blades you can find with an adjustable razor handle. Many have a knob you can turn to adjust how much of the blade is exposed. I went straight from merkur blades to feathers and have never looked back. Night and day.

GungHo

That's why I like my straight razor. A few passes on the strop and I can bisect a fly's leg laterally. I never get razor burn. I never worry about ingrown hairs. I never worry about having to do PT for a piss-poor shave.

OnTheLastCastle

This thread is going to change my life.

Meiz

Safety razor it is. Thank you gentlemen.

Any specific technique that I need to use? Also, my skin's rather sensitive. Will that be a problem?

LoveIsUnity

Meiz wrote: »

Safety razor it is. Thank you gentlemen.

Any specific technique that I need to use? Also, my skin's rather sensitive. Will that be a problem?

I have very sensitive skin and use a safety razor. I used to only be able to shave every few days with a Mach 3, but I can shave every day with a safety razor and feather blades.

Tavataar

Meiz wrote: »

Safety razor it is. Thank you gentlemen.

Any specific technique that I need to use? Also, my skin's rather sensitive. Will that be a problem?

Having sensitive skin will be no issue.

Go watch the videos that I posted above. He talks a lot about shaving technique. Remember to use plenty of hot water, keeping the brush and soap nice and moist, and keeping the razor nice and wet. Take your time, and use nice small strokes. If I am going for a close shave, I will go with the grain once, and then against the grain once.

Also I highly recommend getting some good aftershave, also linked in my first post, that has no alcohol in it, as that will dry out your skin.

Improvolone

I love my Absolute Karite after-shave lotion, you should buy some. I have a shea butter soap and a lanolin soap, and while I like both (and its nice with my good badger brush), I fucking love

http://www.amazon.com/SHAVE-SECRET-SHAVING-OIL-18-75ML/dp/B0023XF60Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1277510564&sr=8-2
Its a shave oil, its dirty cheap (Walmart carries it), and is fucking phenomenal. What works for my skin probably won't work for your skin. Read reviews, learn what your skin likes, and move forward. Shaving is now a hobby.

To get a super smooth shave, I usually do oil first and then some soap over it. It gives a lovely cushion and glide.

Gihgehls

There's been at least two other threads that always end in safety razor. The real key tips for new double edge shavers are:

1. Do not push down.
2. Use short, neat strokes.
3. Go with the grain, especially at first. When you get better then you can go across the grain. Depending on how smooth I want my face I will sometimes do a final pass of against-the-grain using the blade buffing technique.
4. Depending on your face, you might want to use multiple passes. Lather, shave, rinse, repeat.
4b. Your goal at first is beard reduction, not beard execution. Use multiple easy passes instead of one aggressive one until you learn your face.
5. Read the shit out of the badger and blade forums.

Improvolone

Learn what direction your hair grows in!
Take a cotton ball and rub it all over your face and neck. If it catches, that is against the grain, with the grain would of course be the opposite direction (when it passes over smooth).

LoveIsUnity

Even though every face is different, I had the most trouble learning how to shave my chin and the bottom of my neck at first.