Adult Content Warning

This community may contain adult content that is not suitable for minors. By closing this dialog box or continuing to navigate this site, you certify that you are 18 years of age and consent to view adult content.

Shaving

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by rei, Jan 11, 2012.

  1. Nettdata

    Nettdata
    Expand Collapse
    Mr. Toast

    Reputation:
    2,991
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2006
    Messages:
    26,550
    You guys still shave yourselves?

    What are you, homeless?

    Seriously, I rarely shave smooth any more (just a no guard clipping job mostly), but when I do I use a straight razor. My grandfather's brother was an old school barber and I inherited 6 of his pearl handled straight razors. I had one of them rebladed and use it.

    I also have a hot shaving cream dispenser like you find in a barber shop. Makes all the difference in the world. Best Christmas gift ever from my mom about 7 years ago.
     
  2. BrianH

    BrianH
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    499
    Using a brush and soap is like the Ferrari version of a hot lather machine. Much better product, same temperature.

    As for straight razors. stropping becomes a real chore to me, and I have to rehone my razors every three weeks or so (unless I'm using a balsa strop on top of a leather strop), so it sort of dropped out of favor with me.
     
  3. Nettdata

    Nettdata
    Expand Collapse
    Mr. Toast

    Reputation:
    2,991
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2006
    Messages:
    26,550
    As infrequently as I shave, I don't mind the stropping. The ex was a pro stylist so hooked me up with a really good strop, and it only takes 20 seconds or so.

    I've used a brush and cup before but seem to prefer the convenience of the dispenser.
     
  4. downndirty

    downndirty
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    501
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2009
    Messages:
    4,594
    My bathroom here never completely dries, so it's hard on anything in there. I noticed that my straight razor has a few flecks of rust on the top of the blade. I was uber pissed because I never actually took it out of the case, since it's been in the bathroom. Any suggestions for removing these without damaging the razor?

    In the US, I used this to shave about once per week when I could spend the good 20 minutes it took to do properly. Here, I have no brush and the idea of shaving cream or lotion is either some organic vegan bullshit that smells like rosy ass or lime scented gel. Great thread, however.
     
  5. BrianH

    BrianH
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    499
    You remove rust off of a high carbon shaving blade the same way you do any other... either good ol' elbow grease (dangerous with a razor) or something like WD-40.

    With my straights that I keep in the drawer that are high carbon (hint: they all are) I put a coat of gun oil on them to store, and wash it off if I'm going to use them.
     
  6. Kubla Kahn

    Kubla Kahn
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    730
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    11,539
    Any good suggestions for straight razors? I don't want to go nuts for my first time out, my brother spent something crazy like 200-300 bucks on one. If I don't end up liking it I'd rather have only blown 50 bucks or so. Ive heard people find them at antique markets and have them resharpened.
     
  7. BrianH

    BrianH
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    499
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.whippeddog.com/straightrazors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.whippeddog.com/straightrazors</a>

    Go there, get the sight unseen deal. You'll end up with a pretty damned good razor that is shave ready honed, a new strop, and a balsa strop. 54 bones. Can't go wrong with someone's hobby restoring old razors.
     
  8. rei

    rei
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    16
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,273
    Location:
    Guelph, ON
    That's usually a product of pushing too hard, especially against the grain - you don't really need that much pressure.

    As for brushes, badger hair is important (even if you use soap over cream like I do) - but you can certainly survive with a cheaper brush though I'd stick with a known name live Vulfix. I think my brush is $38. Its small but it works
     
  9. Binary

    Binary
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    432
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2009
    Messages:
    4,268
    Just a quick comment/word of warning to you any anyone else who takes up DE blade shaving... it's not designed to be a one-shot pass. A lot of people who haven't been taught good shaving techniques don't know that a couple light passes give you a much better shave than trying to get everything off in one shot - that even holds true for cartridge razors.

    So, as BrianH said, yes, DE razors are great for multi-day growth because it's a super sharp blade and the hairs don't get caught in the cartridge and pull, but when you start shaving, have a little patience. Two (or even three, if you've got a lot of growth) light passes will easily knock off as much hair as you have with no pain - but don't try to hit it all in one shot.

    Small tip: I prefer whipping up creams to bar soaps because it works faster and the storage is easier. You'll need a mug for that. For the ultimate luxury, use the thickest mug you can find, and before you jump in the shower, fill it with scalding hot water. When you get out, pour out the water and whip up your cream - the mug will be hot and will keep the cream hot for the duration of your shave.
     
  10. Bob Trousers

    Bob Trousers
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    298
    Location:
    The UK-a'ight, cunt?
    I use shaving foam or gel from a can. Put it on, let it sit for a minute to soften the hair, then use a multi-blade to go with, then against the grain. I always shave before I shower, as I find that the warm water cauterizes any little cuts I may get.
     
  11. Celos

    Celos
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    292
    Location:
    Estonia
    This seems wrong to me. I've always shaved after the shower as that's when everything is nice and soft.
     
  12. sartirious

    sartirious
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    TC, MN
    Eh, I cheaped out on the mug - I just use one of those blue speckled enamel mugs that I purloined from my kit of camping kitchen supplies. The upside is that it heats up REALLY quickly.
     
  13. BrianH

    BrianH
    Expand Collapse
    Disturbed

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    499
    The best technique is definitely shaving after the shower, which softens the beard and opens pores, followed by a cold water splash, which closes up pores and constricts blood vessels to help stop bleeding from any nicks.
     
  14. RCGT

    RCGT
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    0
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2009
    Messages:
    1,769
    Location:
    wandern
    Fucking this. Bigelow is awesome, Feather blades are awesome for me (very coarse/rough beard) but for newbies you definitely want to go with a blade sampler so you can see what works for you.

    Also, four-pass method is CRUCIAL the first couple of times. I've got it down to three passes now: first with the grain, then across, then against. Don't try to get it all at once.



    I use a Feather Portable for the actual razor - it's a tiny little Gillette knockoff, but it works fine.

    [​IMG]

    As for aftershave, can't go wrong with Aqua Velva.

    [​IMG]

    If I had to upgrade one thing, it would be my brush. It's a POS Burma-Shave boarhair doohickey. Sheds all over the place and is generally pretty terrible. But eh.
     
    #94 RCGT, Jan 16, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 27, 2015
  15. rei

    rei
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    16
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,273
    Location:
    Guelph, ON
    Dude if you're going to upgrade get an aftershave that doesn't have alcohol in it - Nivea's sensative skin one is great.
     
  16. Durbanite

    Durbanite
    Expand Collapse
    Eeyore

    Reputation:
    39
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2009
    Messages:
    1,145
    Location:
    Weymouth, U.K. (formerly Durban, South Africa)
    I'm surprised this thread has gone on for 7 pages and no-one has mentioned that you need to have a steady hand if you want to use a straight or DE razor, so I'm stuck with disposable Gillette Blue II Maximums.

    Since I do not have a steady hand (and long and weird/fucked up fingers), I couldn't use a DE or straight razor without looking having a face like this guy:

    Also, my skin is plain-old fucked up. Moisturiser fucks it up even more and so does any aftershave, regardless of whether the aftershave has alcohol in its contents or not. Since I'm broke I can't afford to fix this, so, basically, I am doomed to always look like shit.

    At least my scalp feels less fucked-up shaved as opposed to having hair on it.

    EDIT: Any actual helpful advice for me? Telling me to cut my head off is not helpful advice...

    EDIT 2: I'm using Nivea Sensitive Gel for shaving with. Most of the products that have been mentioned I've never heard of or seen here. I've seen Tabac before but not in the last 3 or 4 years...
     

    Attached Files:

  17. rei

    rei
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    16
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,273
    Location:
    Guelph, ON
    You totally don't need a steady hand for a DE - the guard ill protect you + short strokes. I dont have a steady hand at all (even went to therapy for it) and i shave fine
     
  18. Yukon Cornelius

    Yukon Cornelius
    Expand Collapse
    Experienced Idiot

    Reputation:
    18
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    131
    Location:
    Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
    Exactly! I can't hold my hand steady to save my soul (even had one of my old nursing instructors ask me about it while watching me draw up medication). Short strokes and light touch.
     
  19. Kubla Kahn

    Kubla Kahn
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    730
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    11,539
    Found some cheap shave soap, Williams, and brush, Burma, at a local super market. Decided to try it out. The brush does shed more than my dog in spring. One my first try my houses hot water was done (a new shower head we got runs through the hot water in 15 minutes), so I couldn't get the super hot water I needed. But it was still promising. The density of the foam was lighter and easier to stroke through.
     
  20. $100T2

    $100T2
    Expand Collapse
    Emotionally Jaded

    Reputation:
    108
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,966
    After reading through this thread, I'm seriously debating getting the single razor you guys are all talking about. I'm just figuring that I'll slit my own throat, so I'll miss you all when I'm gone.