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Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

70 points by grellas 16y ago

RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
I'm seriously considering getting my beard permanently removed via laser hair removal. It's getting affordable, and not having to shave every day, or every other day, seems like a luxury I might now pay for. I'm thinking of asking for next birthday and Christmas getting the cost covered. ADDED IN EDIT: I personally don't like having a beard. Been there, done that, don't like it. Also, my wife would be 100% happy with me being (effectively) clean shaven all the time. Stubble is much less welcome. Unfortunately I've started to get grey patches, and laser removal is less effective on grey hair. So just as I'm getting to the point where I could afford it, I'm developing the characteristics that make it less plausible/possible. Typical.
- chasingsparks 16y ago
  Link? I was under the impression that men could not have laser facial hair removal because the thick, coarse hair would scar under the high energy of the laser. (Although, I'm not sure I would do it anyway. Having facial hair as an older man seems like it would be a rite of passage.)
  - Qz 16y ago
    Laser still works on male facial hair. I've considered it myself to the point of getting a consultation and there aren't any problems. The thing with laser is that it's technically (according to the FDA) laser hair reduction. When you zap the hair with the laser, it doesn't necessarily kill the follicle, but it does make the hair grow back thinner. Repeated treatments make the hair grow back thinner and thinner and eventually it does stop growing. But it can also later start growing back, so you tend to have to go back for 'touch up' appointments, even after the majority of the zapping is complete.
  - dmm 16y ago
    Speaking of old men with beards, I've always loved this portrait of Darwin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron_2.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Ma... There is just something about his huge beard and the way he stares off into the distance. This is also a good one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_John_Collier.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_J... But don't wait until you're old to try a beard! Grow it for six weeks, see if you like it!
- city41 16y ago
  I've considered this in the past as well. But every girl I've ever dated has really disliked the idea. A little stubble on a Saturday is a great thing in most women's eyes.
  - roel_v 16y ago
    My girlfriend would be delighted if I'd have a 100% smooth face 100% of the time. At the risk of way TMI, I'd say that 'certain' Saturday activities are smoother with a clean shave than with stubble. I recently started thinking about the laser removal again too, I considered it a few years ago but I was warned by a beautician that it may make one's face look less 'full'; apparently the hair roots have enough volume to be noticeable when they're removed. But by now I've gained some weight so I could stand to loose some 'fullness' I guess ;)
- jsdalton 16y ago
  Just grow a beard dude. It requires serious maintenance only once a week.
- akkartik 16y ago
  For five years my hack has been to cycle from cleanly shaved to bearded every week. Or three.
- ciupicri 16y ago
  What about depilatory cream? It's true that the instructions say not to use it on your face, but I still wonder what can happen and how effective it is.
  - coryrc 16y ago
    Unless you have really fine hair (in which shaving is probably not a problem), the cream is so corrosive it burns your skin before it burns the hair away. Plus it takes a really long time.
    - ciupicri 16y ago
      By the way, the instructions also mention to let it for 5-8 minutes or in extreme cases for 11 so the time shouldn't be so long. Shaving takes at least 30 minutes for me.
pxlpshr 16y ago
I consider myself a shaving purist and moved away from multi-blade nonsense to a traditional double-edge razor about 5 years ago. It's very therapeutic, and the cost savings and quality of shave trumps modern razors at the expense of a few extra minutes. To put cost in perspective, for $20 you can have a 2-month supply of razors and have an almost brand-new blade touching your face every 2nd or 3rd shave. When time is precious or I'm traveling, my windfall is a nice electric razor. Here are some good resources for picking up the art. I tend to prefer the Robert's wet method shaving technique. He's based in Austin, TX and makes all his brushes, soaps, and oils by hand in his shop off Congress. http://shaving101.com/index.php/education/11-method-shaving.html http://shaving101.com/index.php/education/11-method-shaving.... http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59 http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59
jasonlotito 16y ago
I learned a while back about the idea of sharpening your blades. I know, it's obvious. The idea is that these disposable blades that you buy in packs of 4 can actually last quite a while if you 'sharpen' them. Basically, wet the razers, and then run it up your arm. Make sure you drag it across so you aren't shaving your arm, but rather, running the blades face across your arm, sharpening it. Wow. That's a really bad description. Hopefully you understand. You have my apologies for forcing you through that mess. Anyways, it's really helped with the life span of my blades. Before I shave, I run them across my arm 10 times, real quick. Takes all of 5 seconds, and then I commence with the shaving. It's like running a knife of a leather strap to help keep it sharp. Look! A concise description. >_< Need more coffee to get back to default awareness.
- berberich 16y ago
  Here's the Consumerist article and video that popped up on this a few months ago. It's been working pretty well for me so far: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/make-your-disposable-razor-blade-last-for-20-months.html http://consumerist.com/2010/03/make-your-disposable-razor-bl...
  - jasonlotito 16y ago
    Yes, that's it! Thank you! That's where I learned it.
- ktsmith 16y ago
  You should get a strop: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_strop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_strop You aren't actually sharpening the blades, just honing them. This is essentially the same process you perform on a honing steel for your kitchen knives. The leather is used instead of a steel due to how thin the blades of your razor are. If you don't have a strop you could also use an old pair of jeans. Either way I wouldn't use your arm as if something did go wrong with the cartridge you could end up with severe cuts. I've had plenty of those cheap cartridges gillette mounts their blades in break and expose their innards. By using a strop I typically get a cartridge to last for a couple of months before I toss it. They could probably last longer, but that's enough for me. I buy blades maybe once every couple of years due to a combination of stropping and growing a full beard each winter. I've also tried moving to a safety razor but I dislike shaving enough that I'm not willing to spend that much time on the process each morning so stropping the modern blades is a happy middle ground of savings and convenience.
brk 16y ago
I bought a Merkur Futur a year ago and haven't looked back. The initial investment in going to an old-school shaving setup is about $100. Safety razor, some blades, badger-hair brush and saving soap. But the payoff is huge over time. A $5.00 bar of shaving soap can last 6 or 8 months with daily use. High-quality DE blades are $0.50-$0.80 ea, depending on quantity. As the article states, it takes a little more time and finesse to get a full shave done, and I like that. It's been, for me, an enjoyable way to start the day with a routine that requires some craftsmanship and skill.
- forcetenhen 16y ago
  The brush & soap is still the most satisfying shave I've ever had. I'm not sure how effective it really was compared to others as it's been a while, but I certainly felt the best afterwards and itched a lot less. On a friends recommendation, I recently switched to one of those cheapo King Of Shaves. It looks ridiculous and it was a bit fiddly to get used to, but it's doing ok. Prefer it to the crumbling Mach 3 anyway.
- umjames 16y ago
  I agree. After reading this article a couple years ago, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/, I only use my electric shaver for its mustache trimmer. You shave every day? I thought I shaved a lot at once a week.
  - brk 16y ago
    Shaving frequency seems to vary by person and age, but yes, I shave everyday, occasionally twice a day (if I'm going out at night and want to freshen up). I have a feeling there is a significant amount of age and/or cultural difference between us, as I would never consider a weekly shave anywhere near "normal". Though when I was younger (18ish) I could go a few days without needing a shave.
  - sliverstorm 16y ago
    Considering electric shavers have poor mustache trimmers, maybe you should find a real mustache trimmer? Good heavens, once a week? My stubble isn't as fast as some, but I'd look like a criminal. Do you have visible stubble by the time you shave, and just tolerate looking decidedly unshaven, or does it grow slowly?
zaphar 16y ago
I've recently taken up shaving with a straight razor. I there was a place like Pasteur's Pharmacy near me because the only place to buy equipment is online.
karzeem 16y ago
If you don't need your facial hair totally shaved, an electric hair trimmer, like the kind your barber uses on you, is quick and foolproof. If you do need your facial hair totally shaved, just get a safety razor. The blades are ~55 cents each, and while there is a little learning curve, within a week or two you'll be all set.
smitjel 16y ago
I saw this in Money mag a couple of months back and thought it was silly...but apparently going old-school is not only cheaper but better quality as well. I think I might try it. http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2010/04/29/spend-less-on-a-close-shave/ http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2010/04/29/spend-less-o...
gcv 16y ago
What, a whole article on traditional shaving methods and no mention of straight razors? A straight razor does take time, care, and practice, but it produces excellent results without too much irritation. (I admit that, when I'm in a hurry, I reach for a Fusion.) I tried double-edged safeties (the aforementioned Merkurs), and didn't like them. They produce a shave quality identical to Mach3 or Fusion, but take quite a bit longer and result in more razor burn. The blades are cheap, certainly, but if you're going down that road, why not try a straight? Think of it as an investment in the environment: no more disposable trash to clutter landfills. I don't know if supply of razors or blades is a huge problem. classicshaving.com always seems to have everything I've ever needed.
- pxlpshr 16y ago
  I disagree about double-edge, razor burns, and quality of shave. This video covers a wet method shaving technique that you might consider. http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59#p/u/35/_VxFXpdLvG0 http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59#p/u/35/_VxFXpdLvG0
  - gcv 16y ago
    Different things work for different people, I guess. I can't imagine what could possibly prepare my face for what the guy in the video did. If I went through it so rapidly, ignoring the grain, for 5+ passes, any razor would turn my face into a raw burger patty.
    - pxlpshr 16y ago
      Shaving with a 5-blade Mach razor is like taking 5 passes with a single blade; the analogy is akin to driving an automatic vs. standard transmission. This is why 5-blade razors save time, and why a double-edge can give you a closer shave. You don't burn your face as long as you re-lather with each pass, and I typically recommend pre-shave oil too. But, tThe Robert's wet method technique takes a bit of studying and practice. Nevertheless I do agree with your first statement.. different strokes for different folks.
  - ciupicri 16y ago
foxtrot 16y ago
I realised this a long time ago, I purchased an Open Razor (still learning that one) and a Merkur Safety Razor. I use Feather Blades which are very sharp and require a little more skill to use, however they run about £5 for 10, Mach 3 run around £10 for 8, its not hard maths :) A good shave also looks after your skin, and using a badger brush with a good glycerine based shaving cream with good pre-shave and post-shave routine makes all the difference. I use http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/acatalog/shaving-soaps-and-creams.html http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/acatalog/shaving-soaps-and-... (top one in sandalwood) is fantastic, it lasts ages, doesn't numb your skin and works up a very nice lather (when used with a badger hair brush), I would recommend people try it even if they keep their Mach3.
iamelgringo 16y ago
I've been using a straight edge with disposable blades for the past few months. Shaving has suddenly become a whole lot more enjoyable.
MikeCapone 16y ago
I have a light beard and only shave every few days, so I've been using disposables so far. I kind of feel bad about throwing them away like that, but I also feel bad about paying tons of cash for a "fancy" razor. Maybe I should take the plunge just for the environmental aspect. But I just hate feeling like I'm over-paying...
phren0logy 16y ago
For my job, I have to shave every weekday. I used to really hate shaving. Now I find it tolerable and occasionally even enjoy it as a quiet and meditative time. My purely subjective list of the things that helped me enjoy it, ranked by my perception of usefulness: 1. Good shaving cream, in a tub or tube. Try Kennedy's or Nancy Boy or Proraso. This made a HUGE difference. 2. Badger-bristle shaving brush. You can get a decent one for around $25-30. Don't skimp, it should last a really long time. I tried a boar one, and it smelled really bad and made my face itch. 3. Decent after-shave. So far I like the Nancy Boy aloe-based one the best, but I haven't tried many. I have never had good results with the alcohol-based ones. They irritate my skin. I tried a Merkur Futur, and a straight razor. Perhaps I was not patient enough, but even after a few weeks of each I found that I did not see enough of an advantage to justify the additional time. I have heard that the Futur is a bit fussier than the HD, so I have been considering giving that one a try and perhaps using better blades. I went back to the Mach 3, and with the changes above it has been OK, but just OK. I still get a lot of chafing around my collar. Just my input having given this stuff a try. If you do one thing, get some decent shaving cream and a brush. That made 75% of the difference right there.
MikeCapone 16y ago
Has anyone else been shaving without shaving cream? It probably only works for the baby-faced ones like me, but so far I haven't noticed anything bad happening to my face from using just water.
- mcantor 16y ago
  I tried this once. I'm sure it kicks ass when it works, but when I was done, my face looked like something out of a Hellraiser movie. Never again!
- msb 16y ago
  I swear by it. Haven't used shaving cream in probably 2-3 years and I have a very thick fast growing beard. I use a little lather from the soap bar while in the shower and rinse the blade in a cup of piping hot water between strokes. I find that the increased sensitivity on the skin prevents me from pushing to hard or performing too many repeat strokes (which is where I usually get my razor burn from).
- DaemonHN 16y ago
  I used to do that all the time (until I grew a beard), but I would only do it after taking a shower. I found that shaving cream just got in the way.
- DrPhish 16y ago
  I found the same thing starting in my late teens. I shave every other day, in the shower, without foam, gel or soap against the grain with a Bic disposable. Also, I find as long as I can clean the razor out from the back one blade lasts from 3 to 6 months (Gilette disposables don't work for this as they are closed in the back). I may not be normal.
  - MikeCapone 16y ago
    This is similar, except that I change razors more often.. Maybe if I had a good technique to clean the blades they'd last longer, though.
- 16y ago
hackermom 16y ago
I use a currently 4 months old Mach 3 "Turbo" (big laugh) for my legs/etc. No matter what the commercials wants you to believe, unless you are one of those men inflicted with steel wool growing out of your chin, the blades really do their job not entirely as swift, but definitely well enough, far longer than Gillette wants them to.
amanfredi 16y ago
I have a lot of thick facial hair and the disposable razors just weren't cutting it. I've switched to a straight razor with a DE for travel and when I'm in a hurry, and the difference has been amazing. The area on my neck where I used to constantly have ingrown hairs is finally smooth and happy. I think there are four issues at play: - attention to shaving technique tends to be much less with a disposable, possibly due to ignorance - shaving cream from a can does a bad job of lubricating the face - disposable razors are poorly designed, with a gap between the razor and the skin, and are easily clogged with cut hair - the sharpness of disposable razor blades is essentially unknown
mcantor 16y ago
The more I read articles like these (they pop up everywhere once in a while), the more I am beginning to see a common theme develop, namely: It depends on the guy. Google around for a while and look at all of the anecdotes, including the ones given in this thread. People say that everything is the best. It seems to me that a man's goal shouldn't be to find "the best" shaving setup, but instead the setup that works best for him. To that end, I've seen each of these setups described as "the best": * Gillette (Mach3|Fusion) with (Brush & Mug|Shaving Gel|Shaving Foam) * Straight Razor with Brush & Mug * Double-Edged Safety Razor with Brush & Mug * Buying a giant bag of disposable single/double-bladed razors, making a single stroke with each one and discarding it until you find one that was manufactured fantastically sharp, and nurse it with the "arm as a strop" technique for weeks and weeks until it's finally too torn up to use; repeat Other techniques include: * Shaving after you shower * Shaving religiously every day (so that you are only ever shaving short hairs, increasing the life of your blade and preventing ingrown hairs since you don't let the hairs grow) * Shaving once a week (so that you are only ever shaving hairs long enough to grow, increasing the life of your blade and preventing ingrown hairs since you shave less often). (Yes, those last two are contradictory and I have heard that both are "the best".) I went on a bit of a Shaving Odyssey a few years ago, determined to find a better solution than my Mach3 with shaving gel, which yields wildly inconsistent results. I think it has to do with the blades; occasionally I'll get a cartridge that lasts 6 shaves and leaves me delightfully smooth without a single nick, other times the brand new blade will be like shaving with nettles and I look like a zombie. I sought out my barber, a salty Sicilian who had once given me the best shave of my life with a straight razor. I joined him for lunch and, while he scarfed down a chicken parm hero, I asked him if I should learn to use a straight razor. "Listen," he said in his thick accent, brow furrowing gravely, "I won't lie to you. I speak to you now, like you are my own son." He mopped marinara sauce off of his lips. "Don't shave with a straight razor." I blinked. "What? But you..." "You'll cut yourself into ribbons. I shave my customers with a straight razor, but you know what? I shave with a Mach3! If you want a close shave, shave every day. It doesn't matter what razor you use. The most important thing is shaving every day. My Mach3 blades last for months at a time." I felt a little betrayed, but thanked him for his help and duly attempted shaving every day. It didn't work for me, and my Mach3 cartridges still lasted less than two weeks at very best. (Sometimes they will be unusable after only one shave!) I have discovered that my stubble shares some traits with steel wool, or perhaps barbed wire, and that sometimes it will simply destroy a disposable razor. That is, what works for a lot of other dudes simply will not work for me. I haven't found my perfect setup yet. I'm sure it's out there, but for now, I know it's not a Mach3 with shave gel.
Goladus 16y ago
My favorite remains the Gilette sensor excel. I used to skip shaving cream altogether with it, in fact. The biggest problem without using cream is that the cut hair winds up getting caught in water that runs down your neck.
mcantelon 16y ago
Related: I got tired of buying shaving cream and now use hair conditioner. It works just as well and is much cheaper.
bld 16y ago
I have a rough neck, and facial hair that grows fast. I eventually gave up nicking myself every morning trying to get a close shave and went electric. It would grow back by 3pm or so anyway. I got a Braun Activator, and haven't looked back. It still needs a cleaning fluid cartridge, but I love the convenience of running it dry over my face & throat, dropping it in the cradle, and letting it clean & sharpen the thing. I went with a light beard for awhile which was also convenient - just set a beard trimmer to the lowest setting and run it over every few days.
- wagerlabs 16y ago
  Are you sure it sharpens? I have a similar setup due to my somewhat african-american hair. Grows in all directions and grows in. Used to have a TON of problems with various non-electric razors. Nowadays I do a pass with the trimmer part of the electrical razor and then with the razor itself. Works like a charm, no ingrown hairs. I don't go for a super-smooth shave, though.
- rubashov 16y ago
  I get just as close a shave from my braun foil as wet shaving. There is no compromise. Electric shaving is much cheaper. I replace the foil and cartridge every six months. I'm convinced few people ever figure out how to correctly use an electric foil razor. They just use it wrong and think electric shaving is second tier. They don't get that you have to press pretty hard and work in tight clockwise and counterclockwise circles over everything a couple times.
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knieveltech 16y ago
A brief word of warning to those that have expressed interest in shaving with a straight: not only is it addictive, it can warp your outlook on life. I bailed on modern shaving equipment in favor of antique (100+ yrs old minimum) straight razors over a year ago and I haven't looked back since. Initial investment was roughly $200 for a good shave ready razor, soap, brush and a strop. My first multi-pass shave took me about an hour to complete. Once I had my basic shaving technique down I bought a set of hones and started learning how to restore vintage razors to active use. After a year and a half my findings are as follows: - shaving with a straight provides the smoothest possible shave and turns shaving from a chore to a meditative experience that isn't to be missed. - It's possible to do a three pass shave with touchup in 15 minutes without rushing. - shaving with a straight is not economical compared to disposables. - The fact that it's possible to restore a 150+ year old straight razor to perfect working order (I know this because I've done it myself) says quite a bit about modern build quality and designed obsolescence.
- malchickhome 16y ago
  Hello. Fellow straight razor enthusiast here. Could you give any advice on how to get a razor back to working order? I have a straight razor that I love but I haven't used it in a while because (I assume) my honing technique is faulty. I have been using the ones that use a disposable razor but it isn't the same.
  - knieveltech 16y ago
    My advice would be to take a three tiered approach to your problem (dull razor). Head over to http://www.straightrazorplace.com/ http://www.straightrazorplace.com/ Short term: get in touch with one of the honemasters (Lynn does incredible work) on the forums and make arrangements to send your razor in for a professional hone. Mid-term: examine the quality of your strop and your stropping technique. Assuming you have a quality razor a good strop and solid technique should keep it shave-ready for months at a time. Poor stropping technique is the leading cause of premature dulling. Long term: browse the forums and howto sections for detailed information on honing and restoration techniques, procure quality hones if you haven't already done so, and then pick up some $10 ebay specials to practice your technique on until you've got it dialed.
charleso 16y ago
Here's another tip for sharpening disposable razor blades using a pair of jeans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Kxiom83Js http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Kxiom83Js Basically, you're using the denim as a strop to rub off the debris which accumulates on the blade (which appears to be responsible for most of the dulling effect). The blades themselves remain sharp for ages. I've been doing this for a while and now use each regular Mach 3 blade for 3-4 months of daily use.
drinian 16y ago
Just a plug for Somersets shaving oil rather than shaving cream or gel. Works quite well, and you can carry it on planes without any hassle (I went around the world with it). http://www.somersets.com/ http://www.somersets.com/
dangravell 16y ago
Reminds me of my favourite Onion article - http://www.theonion.com/articles/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades,11056/ http://www.theonion.com/articles/fuck-everything-were-doing-... Especially for the line "Here's the report from Engineering. Someone put it in the bathroom: I want to wipe my ass with it."
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forkandwait 16y ago
If you ask me, most of the sound and fury around shaving and shampoo stuff for men is just the cosmetic company's trying to open a new market for crap nobody needs. They have already saturated the woman's market for wrinkle cream that doesn't work and a million shampoo products that are basically the same. Perhaps I am just a holdover from a curmudgeonly, pre-Metrosexual era...
luminarious 16y ago
At 24 years of age, I have had enough time to attempt shaving with different razors again and again. I have hated every minute of it. Wether I have too sensitive skin or I have not given myself enough time desensitize myself, but none of the different gels, creams or even shaving oil combined with various razors have convinced me. Basically, I gave up about a year ago and use a trimmer to shorten the hair to sub-millimeter length. A permanent stubble, pretty much. My girlfriend doesn't find it a show-stopper, so all is well on that front. I sometimes wonder in morbid curiosity wether I should try again in order to look more professional, but then shurg it off quickly. I have two more years of architecture school left, so there's no rush.
delackner 16y ago
The prospect of potentially scarring gashes from a straight or safety razor have always put me off on the idea. Even with a disposable double-bladed gilette-sensor excel, the hair on my chin is just so incredibly tough that unless I prepare everything correctly, there is a chance of taking a chunk of skin off. To deal with this I hack away with an electric razor first, then finally attack with razor, since the remaining stubble is much easier to cut without the hair taking the skin along for a ride. Is it possible to use a straight razor or safety razor in a way that leaves no risk of deep cuts?

70 points by grellas 16y ago

I'm seriously considering getting my beard permanently removed via laser hair removal. It's getting affordable, and not having to shave every day, or every other day, seems like a luxury I might now pay for. I'm thinking of asking for next birthday and Christmas getting the cost covered. ADDED IN EDIT: I personally don't like having a beard. Been there, done that, don't like it. Also, my wife would be 100% happy with me being (effectively) clean shaven all the time. Stubble is much less welcome. Unfortunately I've started to get grey patches, and laser removal is less effective on grey hair. So just as I'm getting to the point where I could afford it, I'm developing the characteristics that make it less plausible/possible. Typical.

chasingsparks 16y ago
Link? I was under the impression that men could not have laser facial hair removal because the thick, coarse hair would scar under the high energy of the laser. (Although, I'm not sure I would do it anyway. Having facial hair as an older man seems like it would be a rite of passage.)
- Qz 16y ago
  Laser still works on male facial hair. I've considered it myself to the point of getting a consultation and there aren't any problems. The thing with laser is that it's technically (according to the FDA) laser hair reduction. When you zap the hair with the laser, it doesn't necessarily kill the follicle, but it does make the hair grow back thinner. Repeated treatments make the hair grow back thinner and thinner and eventually it does stop growing. But it can also later start growing back, so you tend to have to go back for 'touch up' appointments, even after the majority of the zapping is complete.
- dmm 16y ago
  Speaking of old men with beards, I've always loved this portrait of Darwin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron_2.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Ma... There is just something about his huge beard and the way he stares off into the distance. This is also a good one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_John_Collier.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_J... But don't wait until you're old to try a beard! Grow it for six weeks, see if you like it!
city41 16y ago
I've considered this in the past as well. But every girl I've ever dated has really disliked the idea. A little stubble on a Saturday is a great thing in most women's eyes.
- roel_v 16y ago
  My girlfriend would be delighted if I'd have a 100% smooth face 100% of the time. At the risk of way TMI, I'd say that 'certain' Saturday activities are smoother with a clean shave than with stubble. I recently started thinking about the laser removal again too, I considered it a few years ago but I was warned by a beautician that it may make one's face look less 'full'; apparently the hair roots have enough volume to be noticeable when they're removed. But by now I've gained some weight so I could stand to loose some 'fullness' I guess ;)
jsdalton 16y ago
Just grow a beard dude. It requires serious maintenance only once a week.
akkartik 16y ago
For five years my hack has been to cycle from cleanly shaved to bearded every week. Or three.
ciupicri 16y ago
What about depilatory cream? It's true that the instructions say not to use it on your face, but I still wonder what can happen and how effective it is.
- coryrc 16y ago
  Unless you have really fine hair (in which shaving is probably not a problem), the cream is so corrosive it burns your skin before it burns the hair away. Plus it takes a really long time.
  - ciupicri 16y ago
    By the way, the instructions also mention to let it for 5-8 minutes or in extreme cases for 11 so the time shouldn't be so long. Shaving takes at least 30 minutes for me.

pxlpshr 16y ago

I consider myself a shaving purist and moved away from multi-blade nonsense to a traditional double-edge razor about 5 years ago. It's very therapeutic, and the cost savings and quality of shave trumps modern razors at the expense of a few extra minutes. To put cost in perspective, for $20 you can have a 2-month supply of razors and have an almost brand-new blade touching your face every 2nd or 3rd shave. When time is precious or I'm traveling, my windfall is a nice electric razor. Here are some good resources for picking up the art. I tend to prefer the Robert's wet method shaving technique. He's based in Austin, TX and makes all his brushes, soaps, and oils by hand in his shop off Congress. http://shaving101.com/index.php/education/11-method-shaving.html http://shaving101.com/index.php/education/11-method-shaving.... http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59 http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

jasonlotito 16y ago

I learned a while back about the idea of sharpening your blades. I know, it's obvious. The idea is that these disposable blades that you buy in packs of 4 can actually last quite a while if you 'sharpen' them. Basically, wet the razers, and then run it up your arm. Make sure you drag it across so you aren't shaving your arm, but rather, running the blades face across your arm, sharpening it. Wow. That's a really bad description. Hopefully you understand. You have my apologies for forcing you through that mess. Anyways, it's really helped with the life span of my blades. Before I shave, I run them across my arm 10 times, real quick. Takes all of 5 seconds, and then I commence with the shaving. It's like running a knife of a leather strap to help keep it sharp. Look! A concise description. >_< Need more coffee to get back to default awareness.

berberich 16y ago
Here's the Consumerist article and video that popped up on this a few months ago. It's been working pretty well for me so far: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/make-your-disposable-razor-blade-last-for-20-months.html http://consumerist.com/2010/03/make-your-disposable-razor-bl...
- jasonlotito 16y ago
  Yes, that's it! Thank you! That's where I learned it.
ktsmith 16y ago
You should get a strop: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_strop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_strop You aren't actually sharpening the blades, just honing them. This is essentially the same process you perform on a honing steel for your kitchen knives. The leather is used instead of a steel due to how thin the blades of your razor are. If you don't have a strop you could also use an old pair of jeans. Either way I wouldn't use your arm as if something did go wrong with the cartridge you could end up with severe cuts. I've had plenty of those cheap cartridges gillette mounts their blades in break and expose their innards. By using a strop I typically get a cartridge to last for a couple of months before I toss it. They could probably last longer, but that's enough for me. I buy blades maybe once every couple of years due to a combination of stropping and growing a full beard each winter. I've also tried moving to a safety razor but I dislike shaving enough that I'm not willing to spend that much time on the process each morning so stropping the modern blades is a happy middle ground of savings and convenience.

brk 16y ago

I bought a Merkur Futur a year ago and haven't looked back. The initial investment in going to an old-school shaving setup is about $100. Safety razor, some blades, badger-hair brush and saving soap. But the payoff is huge over time. A $5.00 bar of shaving soap can last 6 or 8 months with daily use. High-quality DE blades are $0.50-$0.80 ea, depending on quantity. As the article states, it takes a little more time and finesse to get a full shave done, and I like that. It's been, for me, an enjoyable way to start the day with a routine that requires some craftsmanship and skill.

forcetenhen 16y ago
The brush & soap is still the most satisfying shave I've ever had. I'm not sure how effective it really was compared to others as it's been a while, but I certainly felt the best afterwards and itched a lot less. On a friends recommendation, I recently switched to one of those cheapo King Of Shaves. It looks ridiculous and it was a bit fiddly to get used to, but it's doing ok. Prefer it to the crumbling Mach 3 anyway.
umjames 16y ago
I agree. After reading this article a couple years ago, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/, I only use my electric shaver for its mustache trimmer. You shave every day? I thought I shaved a lot at once a week.
- brk 16y ago
  Shaving frequency seems to vary by person and age, but yes, I shave everyday, occasionally twice a day (if I'm going out at night and want to freshen up). I have a feeling there is a significant amount of age and/or cultural difference between us, as I would never consider a weekly shave anywhere near "normal". Though when I was younger (18ish) I could go a few days without needing a shave.
- sliverstorm 16y ago
  Considering electric shavers have poor mustache trimmers, maybe you should find a real mustache trimmer? Good heavens, once a week? My stubble isn't as fast as some, but I'd look like a criminal. Do you have visible stubble by the time you shave, and just tolerate looking decidedly unshaven, or does it grow slowly?

zaphar 16y ago

I've recently taken up shaving with a straight razor. I there was a place like Pasteur's Pharmacy near me because the only place to buy equipment is online.

karzeem 16y ago

If you don't need your facial hair totally shaved, an electric hair trimmer, like the kind your barber uses on you, is quick and foolproof. If you do need your facial hair totally shaved, just get a safety razor. The blades are ~55 cents each, and while there is a little learning curve, within a week or two you'll be all set.

smitjel 16y ago

I saw this in Money mag a couple of months back and thought it was silly...but apparently going old-school is not only cheaper but better quality as well. I think I might try it. http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2010/04/29/spend-less-on-a-close-shave/ http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2010/04/29/spend-less-o...

gcv 16y ago

What, a whole article on traditional shaving methods and no mention of straight razors? A straight razor does take time, care, and practice, but it produces excellent results without too much irritation. (I admit that, when I'm in a hurry, I reach for a Fusion.) I tried double-edged safeties (the aforementioned Merkurs), and didn't like them. They produce a shave quality identical to Mach3 or Fusion, but take quite a bit longer and result in more razor burn. The blades are cheap, certainly, but if you're going down that road, why not try a straight? Think of it as an investment in the environment: no more disposable trash to clutter landfills. I don't know if supply of razors or blades is a huge problem. classicshaving.com always seems to have everything I've ever needed.

pxlpshr 16y ago
I disagree about double-edge, razor burns, and quality of shave. This video covers a wet method shaving technique that you might consider. http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59#p/u/35/_VxFXpdLvG0 http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59#p/u/35/_VxFXpdLvG0
- gcv 16y ago
  Different things work for different people, I guess. I can't imagine what could possibly prepare my face for what the guy in the video did. If I went through it so rapidly, ignoring the grain, for 5+ passes, any razor would turn my face into a raw burger patty.
  - pxlpshr 16y ago
    Shaving with a 5-blade Mach razor is like taking 5 passes with a single blade; the analogy is akin to driving an automatic vs. standard transmission. This is why 5-blade razors save time, and why a double-edge can give you a closer shave. You don't burn your face as long as you re-lather with each pass, and I typically recommend pre-shave oil too. But, tThe Robert's wet method technique takes a bit of studying and practice. Nevertheless I do agree with your first statement.. different strokes for different folks.
- ciupicri 16y ago

foxtrot 16y ago

I realised this a long time ago, I purchased an Open Razor (still learning that one) and a Merkur Safety Razor. I use Feather Blades which are very sharp and require a little more skill to use, however they run about £5 for 10, Mach 3 run around £10 for 8, its not hard maths :) A good shave also looks after your skin, and using a badger brush with a good glycerine based shaving cream with good pre-shave and post-shave routine makes all the difference. I use http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/acatalog/shaving-soaps-and-creams.html http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/acatalog/shaving-soaps-and-... (top one in sandalwood) is fantastic, it lasts ages, doesn't numb your skin and works up a very nice lather (when used with a badger hair brush), I would recommend people try it even if they keep their Mach3.

iamelgringo 16y ago

I've been using a straight edge with disposable blades for the past few months. Shaving has suddenly become a whole lot more enjoyable.

MikeCapone 16y ago

I have a light beard and only shave every few days, so I've been using disposables so far. I kind of feel bad about throwing them away like that, but I also feel bad about paying tons of cash for a "fancy" razor. Maybe I should take the plunge just for the environmental aspect. But I just hate feeling like I'm over-paying...

phren0logy 16y ago

For my job, I have to shave every weekday. I used to really hate shaving. Now I find it tolerable and occasionally even enjoy it as a quiet and meditative time. My purely subjective list of the things that helped me enjoy it, ranked by my perception of usefulness: 1. Good shaving cream, in a tub or tube. Try Kennedy's or Nancy Boy or Proraso. This made a HUGE difference. 2. Badger-bristle shaving brush. You can get a decent one for around $25-30. Don't skimp, it should last a really long time. I tried a boar one, and it smelled really bad and made my face itch. 3. Decent after-shave. So far I like the Nancy Boy aloe-based one the best, but I haven't tried many. I have never had good results with the alcohol-based ones. They irritate my skin. I tried a Merkur Futur, and a straight razor. Perhaps I was not patient enough, but even after a few weeks of each I found that I did not see enough of an advantage to justify the additional time. I have heard that the Futur is a bit fussier than the HD, so I have been considering giving that one a try and perhaps using better blades. I went back to the Mach 3, and with the changes above it has been OK, but just OK. I still get a lot of chafing around my collar. Just my input having given this stuff a try. If you do one thing, get some decent shaving cream and a brush. That made 75% of the difference right there.

MikeCapone 16y ago

Has anyone else been shaving without shaving cream? It probably only works for the baby-faced ones like me, but so far I haven't noticed anything bad happening to my face from using just water.

mcantor 16y ago
I tried this once. I'm sure it kicks ass when it works, but when I was done, my face looked like something out of a Hellraiser movie. Never again!
msb 16y ago
I swear by it. Haven't used shaving cream in probably 2-3 years and I have a very thick fast growing beard. I use a little lather from the soap bar while in the shower and rinse the blade in a cup of piping hot water between strokes. I find that the increased sensitivity on the skin prevents me from pushing to hard or performing too many repeat strokes (which is where I usually get my razor burn from).
DaemonHN 16y ago
I used to do that all the time (until I grew a beard), but I would only do it after taking a shower. I found that shaving cream just got in the way.
DrPhish 16y ago
I found the same thing starting in my late teens. I shave every other day, in the shower, without foam, gel or soap against the grain with a Bic disposable. Also, I find as long as I can clean the razor out from the back one blade lasts from 3 to 6 months (Gilette disposables don't work for this as they are closed in the back). I may not be normal.
- MikeCapone 16y ago
  This is similar, except that I change razors more often.. Maybe if I had a good technique to clean the blades they'd last longer, though.
16y ago

hackermom 16y ago

I use a currently 4 months old Mach 3 "Turbo" (big laugh) for my legs/etc. No matter what the commercials wants you to believe, unless you are one of those men inflicted with steel wool growing out of your chin, the blades really do their job not entirely as swift, but definitely well enough, far longer than Gillette wants them to.

amanfredi 16y ago

I have a lot of thick facial hair and the disposable razors just weren't cutting it. I've switched to a straight razor with a DE for travel and when I'm in a hurry, and the difference has been amazing. The area on my neck where I used to constantly have ingrown hairs is finally smooth and happy. I think there are four issues at play: - attention to shaving technique tends to be much less with a disposable, possibly due to ignorance - shaving cream from a can does a bad job of lubricating the face - disposable razors are poorly designed, with a gap between the razor and the skin, and are easily clogged with cut hair - the sharpness of disposable razor blades is essentially unknown

mcantor 16y ago

The more I read articles like these (they pop up everywhere once in a while), the more I am beginning to see a common theme develop, namely: It depends on the guy. Google around for a while and look at all of the anecdotes, including the ones given in this thread. People say that everything is the best. It seems to me that a man's goal shouldn't be to find "the best" shaving setup, but instead the setup that works best for him. To that end, I've seen each of these setups described as "the best": * Gillette (Mach3|Fusion) with (Brush & Mug|Shaving Gel|Shaving Foam) * Straight Razor with Brush & Mug * Double-Edged Safety Razor with Brush & Mug * Buying a giant bag of disposable single/double-bladed razors, making a single stroke with each one and discarding it until you find one that was manufactured fantastically sharp, and nurse it with the "arm as a strop" technique for weeks and weeks until it's finally too torn up to use; repeat Other techniques include: * Shaving after you shower * Shaving religiously every day (so that you are only ever shaving short hairs, increasing the life of your blade and preventing ingrown hairs since you don't let the hairs grow) * Shaving once a week (so that you are only ever shaving hairs long enough to grow, increasing the life of your blade and preventing ingrown hairs since you shave less often). (Yes, those last two are contradictory and I have heard that both are "the best".) I went on a bit of a Shaving Odyssey a few years ago, determined to find a better solution than my Mach3 with shaving gel, which yields wildly inconsistent results. I think it has to do with the blades; occasionally I'll get a cartridge that lasts 6 shaves and leaves me delightfully smooth without a single nick, other times the brand new blade will be like shaving with nettles and I look like a zombie. I sought out my barber, a salty Sicilian who had once given me the best shave of my life with a straight razor. I joined him for lunch and, while he scarfed down a chicken parm hero, I asked him if I should learn to use a straight razor. "Listen," he said in his thick accent, brow furrowing gravely, "I won't lie to you. I speak to you now, like you are my own son." He mopped marinara sauce off of his lips. "Don't shave with a straight razor." I blinked. "What? But you..." "You'll cut yourself into ribbons. I shave my customers with a straight razor, but you know what? I shave with a Mach3! If you want a close shave, shave every day. It doesn't matter what razor you use. The most important thing is shaving every day. My Mach3 blades last for months at a time." I felt a little betrayed, but thanked him for his help and duly attempted shaving every day. It didn't work for me, and my Mach3 cartridges still lasted less than two weeks at very best. (Sometimes they will be unusable after only one shave!) I have discovered that my stubble shares some traits with steel wool, or perhaps barbed wire, and that sometimes it will simply destroy a disposable razor. That is, what works for a lot of other dudes simply will not work for me. I haven't found my perfect setup yet. I'm sure it's out there, but for now, I know it's not a Mach3 with shave gel.

Goladus 16y ago

My favorite remains the Gilette sensor excel. I used to skip shaving cream altogether with it, in fact. The biggest problem without using cream is that the cut hair winds up getting caught in water that runs down your neck.

mcantelon 16y ago

Related: I got tired of buying shaving cream and now use hair conditioner. It works just as well and is much cheaper.

bld 16y ago

I have a rough neck, and facial hair that grows fast. I eventually gave up nicking myself every morning trying to get a close shave and went electric. It would grow back by 3pm or so anyway. I got a Braun Activator, and haven't looked back. It still needs a cleaning fluid cartridge, but I love the convenience of running it dry over my face & throat, dropping it in the cradle, and letting it clean & sharpen the thing. I went with a light beard for awhile which was also convenient - just set a beard trimmer to the lowest setting and run it over every few days.

wagerlabs 16y ago
Are you sure it sharpens? I have a similar setup due to my somewhat african-american hair. Grows in all directions and grows in. Used to have a TON of problems with various non-electric razors. Nowadays I do a pass with the trimmer part of the electrical razor and then with the razor itself. Works like a charm, no ingrown hairs. I don't go for a super-smooth shave, though.
rubashov 16y ago
I get just as close a shave from my braun foil as wet shaving. There is no compromise. Electric shaving is much cheaper. I replace the foil and cartridge every six months. I'm convinced few people ever figure out how to correctly use an electric foil razor. They just use it wrong and think electric shaving is second tier. They don't get that you have to press pretty hard and work in tight clockwise and counterclockwise circles over everything a couple times.

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knieveltech 16y ago

A brief word of warning to those that have expressed interest in shaving with a straight: not only is it addictive, it can warp your outlook on life. I bailed on modern shaving equipment in favor of antique (100+ yrs old minimum) straight razors over a year ago and I haven't looked back since. Initial investment was roughly $200 for a good shave ready razor, soap, brush and a strop. My first multi-pass shave took me about an hour to complete. Once I had my basic shaving technique down I bought a set of hones and started learning how to restore vintage razors to active use. After a year and a half my findings are as follows: - shaving with a straight provides the smoothest possible shave and turns shaving from a chore to a meditative experience that isn't to be missed. - It's possible to do a three pass shave with touchup in 15 minutes without rushing. - shaving with a straight is not economical compared to disposables. - The fact that it's possible to restore a 150+ year old straight razor to perfect working order (I know this because I've done it myself) says quite a bit about modern build quality and designed obsolescence.

malchickhome 16y ago
Hello. Fellow straight razor enthusiast here. Could you give any advice on how to get a razor back to working order? I have a straight razor that I love but I haven't used it in a while because (I assume) my honing technique is faulty. I have been using the ones that use a disposable razor but it isn't the same.
- knieveltech 16y ago
  My advice would be to take a three tiered approach to your problem (dull razor). Head over to http://www.straightrazorplace.com/ http://www.straightrazorplace.com/ Short term: get in touch with one of the honemasters (Lynn does incredible work) on the forums and make arrangements to send your razor in for a professional hone. Mid-term: examine the quality of your strop and your stropping technique. Assuming you have a quality razor a good strop and solid technique should keep it shave-ready for months at a time. Poor stropping technique is the leading cause of premature dulling. Long term: browse the forums and howto sections for detailed information on honing and restoration techniques, procure quality hones if you haven't already done so, and then pick up some $10 ebay specials to practice your technique on until you've got it dialed.

charleso 16y ago

Here's another tip for sharpening disposable razor blades using a pair of jeans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Kxiom83Js http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Kxiom83Js Basically, you're using the denim as a strop to rub off the debris which accumulates on the blade (which appears to be responsible for most of the dulling effect). The blades themselves remain sharp for ages. I've been doing this for a while and now use each regular Mach 3 blade for 3-4 months of daily use.

drinian 16y ago

Just a plug for Somersets shaving oil rather than shaving cream or gel. Works quite well, and you can carry it on planes without any hassle (I went around the world with it). http://www.somersets.com/ http://www.somersets.com/

dangravell 16y ago

Reminds me of my favourite Onion article - http://www.theonion.com/articles/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades,11056/ http://www.theonion.com/articles/fuck-everything-were-doing-... Especially for the line "Here's the report from Engineering. Someone put it in the bathroom: I want to wipe my ass with it."

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forkandwait 16y ago

If you ask me, most of the sound and fury around shaving and shampoo stuff for men is just the cosmetic company's trying to open a new market for crap nobody needs. They have already saturated the woman's market for wrinkle cream that doesn't work and a million shampoo products that are basically the same. Perhaps I am just a holdover from a curmudgeonly, pre-Metrosexual era...

luminarious 16y ago

At 24 years of age, I have had enough time to attempt shaving with different razors again and again. I have hated every minute of it. Wether I have too sensitive skin or I have not given myself enough time desensitize myself, but none of the different gels, creams or even shaving oil combined with various razors have convinced me. Basically, I gave up about a year ago and use a trimmer to shorten the hair to sub-millimeter length. A permanent stubble, pretty much. My girlfriend doesn't find it a show-stopper, so all is well on that front. I sometimes wonder in morbid curiosity wether I should try again in order to look more professional, but then shurg it off quickly. I have two more years of architecture school left, so there's no rush.

delackner 16y ago

The prospect of potentially scarring gashes from a straight or safety razor have always put me off on the idea. Even with a disposable double-bladed gilette-sensor excel, the hair on my chin is just so incredibly tough that unless I prepare everything correctly, there is a chance of taking a chunk of skin off. To deal with this I hack away with an electric razor first, then finally attack with razor, since the remaining stubble is much easier to cut without the hair taking the skin along for a ride. Is it possible to use a straight razor or safety razor in a way that leaves no risk of deep cuts?