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Modern trackball,flexing, etc. multi-blade razors are expensive, but idiot proof. You can copy one of the Gillette commercials and just mash the thing to your
by beloch 4y ago
Modern trackball,flexing, etc. multi-blade razors are expensive, but idiot proof. You can copy one of the Gillette commercials and just mash the thing to your face and make one long stroke through the chemical foam. Bam. Done. If you're happy with this, be happy. Read no further.
What this article isn't telling you is that DE razors can be almost as fast, but there's a learning curve. They don't flex, bend, or rotate to the right angle, so you must hold them at the right angle, even when you're going around curves. There's just one blade, so it's easy to apply too much pressure and give yourself razor burn, so you must learn to use minimal pressure. It takes time to learn these skills.
Is learning how to shave with a DE correctly and quickly worth saving money? If money is no concern for you, then no. However, there are other benefits. One pass of a five bladed razor is, you guessed it, five blades being dragged across your face, and likely with more pressure than is necessary given how much pressure is required just to make the flexing, rotating razor engage with your face. If skin irritation, ingrown hairs, etc. are a problem for you, then learning how to properly shave with a DE razor can dramatically reduce those problems. However, things may be worse at first while you're learning technique. This is all even more true if you're the sort who suffers from irritation and reuses cartridges too long to save a little money. Dull blades make skin irritation worse.
Another thing this article isn't mentioning is shaving soap. Most of us are used to chemical gel's or foams. To be blunt, they all smell awful and feel gross. Again, it takes slightly more time and a little technique must be learned, but traditional shave soap with a badger hair brush, lathered on the face, is something everyone should at least try. There are some awesome smelling soaps out there, and lathering on your face with a good badger brush feels amazing. If you hate shaving, this is a switch that might change your mind.
If you hate something, you can spend less time on it, or you can look for ways to make it more enjoyable.
- omnicognate 4y ago> Most of us are used to chemical gel's or foams. Much better than these and shaving soap / brush, is Somerset's Shaving Oil[1]. King of Shaves do a shaving oil too, but it's nowhere near as good. Not affiliated, I just love the stuff. You can use it with shaving soap too, but I just use it on its own. At one point I was worried the company might go under so I bought a big box of it just in case. It's not a great business model as one little bottle lasts months. You only use 3 drops per shave. [1] https://www.somersets.com/(X(1)S(hrhdq4w0o12w1qjoh0myxyml))/ProductBuy.aspx?product_id=4 https://www.somersets.com/(X(1)S(hrhdq4w0o12w1qjoh0myxyml))/...
- function_seven 4y agoOk, your comment just convinced me to give my DE another go. For the last few months I've been using cheap plastic 2-blade disposables because they're cheap enough, and easier to use than the nice razor I've been ignoring. Just ordered some oil and balm from that site. ALSO: That order page is a breath of fresh air. As soon as I added one item to my "cart", I was presented with their full list of SKUs, enough info to know which is which, and a quantity box next to each. So simple. I wish more ecommerce sites did stuff like this.
- chasil 4y agoI am on my second Panasonic (Matsushita) foil razor, and I will never use anything else. The blades seem to be immortal, and they commonly last 5-10 years until the batteries fail. There are no regular consumables; the blades are never replaced. I had used Norelco foil razors previous to this, and the foils would break after wear and slash my face, easily drawing blood. Neither of my Panasonic razors has ever done this. I normally shave right after waking up, no shaving cream, lotion or sundry lubricant. If someone with extremely sensitive skin cannot do this, the shaver is waterproof. This one looks close to my current model. https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Electric-ES8103S-Nanotech-Flexible/dp/B001DNE3KQ/ref=asc_df_B001DNE3KQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312141772287&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3425320561444147643&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021898&hvtargid=pla-632025467957&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61712669666&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312141772287&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3425320561444147643&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021898&hvtargid=pla-632025467957 https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Electric-ES8103S-Nanotech-F...
- 2dvisio 4y agoAgree on the soaps + badger hair brush (or even synthetic for those who care). I shave thrice a week (head and face) and the Proraso brand has been a lifesaver. Have never managed to learn to use the DE razors :/
- ausbah 4y agoanother option is to avoid th problem all together, I plan on getting laser hair removal on my face because I just hate shaving that much
- ok_dad 4y agoAlternately just keep a beard and trim it with a 20 dollar buzzer occasionally.
- account-5 4y agoI thought this, grew one, and found it more of a pain to maintain than shaving was. Flaky skin, itchy, and a lot of work to stop those things. Plus I still had to shave/buzz around it to make it neat. Shaving is a lot less hassle. I use a DR razor, have for years.
- igetspam 4y agoI would pay good money for a way to rid my muzzle and neck of hair. Unfortunately, the results I've seen from laser removal just leave things lighter, not gone.
- hiptobecubic 4y agoI don't understand how people end up like this. As if it's normal for your skin to just flake off if you let your hair grow naturally. If your body is falling apart without constant cosmetics, you probably have an issue that needs addressing. Maybe something in your diet or something in your soap or I don't know what, but spontaneous skin issues are not normal at all.
- account-5 4y agoI've just got dry skin mate, I'd hardly categorise it as my body falling apart. I also use zero cosmetics. No issues here. Your skin naturally flakes as it replenishes itself (I think it's called the skin cycle), it was getting caught in my beard, I'm lazy I can't be bothered with that. Plus when it gets long you have to cut it straight, right pain in the arse. A lot less hassle shaving.
- chaps 4y agoOn soap/shaving foam -- absolutely. I asked an old-timey barber what his product of choice was and he answered "soap after a shower", in awe, as if what I was asking him some obvious question. Sure enough, it worked fantastically and I haven't stopped since. I use a DE and beyond that first month of slice and dice and coagulant markers, it's been smooth sailing since.
- DonaldFisk 4y agoYou don't even need soap. Your stubble will be saturated and easily shaveable immediately after the shower.
- canuckintime 4y agoMy problem was with the fogged up mirror after a shower. I tried some 'solutions' (spraying mirror with a fog proofing liquid, separate showering room etc) but eventually went back to shaving before showering
- devilbunny 4y agoAntifog coatings from any scuba supply shop help, but one really effective method is just to aim a hair dryer at the spot you need clear. Not only does it get rid of fogging there, it prevents new condensation from forming because of the residual heat.
- igetspam 4y agoThis. I shave with water and a mach-3. Have used this technique for over 25 years. Can't think of a time when I've had razor burn. I can't recall the last time I cut myself either. I even go against the grain at the end (people who witness this seems to cringe). I hate shaving and do it once every week or two though. I'm blessed to have very slow growing face hair. My blades last a really long time because they're almost never used.
- ddingus 4y agoBest time to shave! I rarely use anything. And to be frank, when I do it is a small drop of hair conditioner.
- refurb 4y agoThis is just the audiophile’s “tube amplifiers have a warmer sound” of the shaving world. I mean, no one is telling you to stop, but I wouldn’t chalk up your recommendations to anything more just preferences. It’s just another hobby. Some people love scotch, others coffee and some people getting the best shave experience. If I loved scotch and someone said “yuck, I don’t like it” I wouldn’t somehow assume they were living their life incorrectly or missing out, they just don’t like it.
- beloch 4y agoThere's a difference. Tube amplifiers are objectively less accurate at reproduction and can be hideously expensive. DE razors take more skill/effort, but produce indistinguishable results (i.e. a smooth face) for a fraction of the price. Cartridge razors are a convenience, but you pay for that convenience.
- gehwartzen 4y agoOneBlade type razors are kind of a nice compromise for me. They have a single replaceable blade but also a pivoting style head. The shave if pretty amazing compared to any cartridge razor I've tried and the blade just snaps in and out of place so isn't any more difficult to change out than a cartridge.