Shaving tips and tricks

[Blarny]

Found this site the other day (http://www.shavememoney.co.uk/) quite a few adverts to avoid in amongst the articles but there are some pretty useful articles that are worth a read especially for the younger newer shaver, things like Men’s shaving and grooming: The Basics and one that made me laugh was their Top 10 reasons not to shave article, a good way to stay lazy!

Mind the adverts but might be worth a read for some others.

[BigEasy]

Braun electric...been using one for years. Haven't used a blade since college.

Big Easy

[Blarny]

Braun electric...been using one for years. Haven't used a blade since college.

Ive never actually used an electric shaver, do they give a good shave? i.e get down to the bone so to speak?

[Mwstas]

I've had a beard for the past 10 years or so. I keep it quite short with an electric trimmer that cost me about £20 a number of years ago. I do shave my neck with a normal razor every few days but I just use hot water, no foam or whatever. As a shave so infrequently, a pack of blades tends to last a long time - months usually.

Does anyone use a straight razor?

[tarheeldan]

I use a double edged safety razor and soap while I'm in the shower (have a mirror in there). Blades (personna blue ) are cheap and last me weeks.

[lauren_knows]

I use a double edged safety razor and soap while I'm in the shower (have a mirror in there). Blades (personna blue ) are cheap and last me weeks.

I've been using a double-edge safety razor for the last 3-4 years, and I'll never go back.  I shave every 2-3 days, and each blade lasts about 5-6 shaves before it gets dull, so each blade lasts ~15 days.  I bought this pack awhile ago: http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-HI-STAINLESS-DOUBLE-BLADES-REMOVE/dp/B00BDM0XZG/ref=sr_1_8?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1408018842&sr=1-8&keywords=feather+razor+blades  so for $25, I have 1500 days (4+ years) worth of blades. 

It's not without it's disadvantages, though.  It takes a little longer to shave, and it's actually a skill you need to learn. Shaving with a safety razor is nothing like jamming a Mach3 onto your face.

[BigEasy]

Braun electric...been using one for years. Haven't used a blade since college.

Ive never actually used an electric shaver, do they give a good shave? i.e get down to the bone so to speak?

Not as close as a blade...but darn close. Do not get a cheap electric razor. Braun and Norelco have been my favorites...

[Blarny]

Not as close as a blade...but darn close. Do not get a cheap electric razor. Braun and Norelco have been my favorites...

I might take a look, then again I've never been massively hairy face wise, can probably let it grow about a week from a fresh shave before looking untidy so I guess I'm lucky. Handy way to save money on expensive Mach 3 blades though using the system you use.

[Blarny]

It's not without it's disadvantages, though.  It takes a little longer to shave, and it's actually a skill you need to learn. Shaving with a safety razor is nothing like jamming a Mach3 onto your face.

It seems this type of shaving has become quite popular again in the past few years, does indeed seem like a skill though, not sure I have the guts to get in to this though! nerves of steel no doubt :)

[EricMA]

Does anyone use a straight razor?

I use a true straight razor (not a double-sided safety). It offers the best shave you'll ever get, after you learn how to avoid peeling off your face with it... It takes some practice and dedication to learn how to use it. I shave about twice a week; just enough to keep it tidy.

The initial cost (I started with a fancy-pants new one) was a little bit high, but I have no doubt it will last a lifetime (the one I use now is from 1896). Cheap (<$10) antique razors are easy to come by online. I bought a few to practice honing (an artform all its own) so I didn't have to have mine professionally sharpened. A cake of shaving soap is about $2 and lasts over a year. I have heard that bar and homemade soaps work well too, but for $2... it isn't a high priority for me to experiment with. Brushes and other accessories can easily be found at yard sales and flea markets for pennies. 

I recommend it to anyone who doesn't need to shave in a hurry :)

[Datastache]

"Your mileage may vary" seems to be the motto of most online shaving communities, and for good reason. What I've found works brilliantly for my face is to shave in the shower with my Merkur safety razor. No shave soap or cream necessary, and I can get a close (and relatively comfortable) shave with the same blade every day for a long, long time. The only downside, of course, is that it uses more water, and my state is currently in a drought...but I spent enough years trying and failing to get a decent shave outside of the shower. Just doesn't work with my facial hair.

[yddeyma]

Hubby just switched to dollar shave club and likes it.  The blades aren't as good as the fancy expensive ones, but you get so many for the price that he throws them away sooner and still comes out ahead.  I use shavemob, myself.

[Truckman]

"Your mileage may vary" seems to be the motto of most online shaving communities,...

haha... yes it is. 

Does anyone use a straight razor?

I use straight razors primarily, but if I'm in a rush I'll use my 1912 GEM single-edge safety razor.  I used to use the double-edge razors, that's what got me started in "traditional" shaving.  But now I mainly use my straights.  I have about 10, all antique store finds. Some as little as $4, a few at $25, and the rest in between. I seem to favor the older heaver wedges.  I should learn how to hone them myself to save some $$ there, but I haven't pursued it yet.  Although the cost of buying hones could probably get me several years worth of paying a honemeister to do it for me...

[EricMA]

I should learn how to hone them myself to save some $$ there, but I haven't pursued it yet.  Although the cost of buying hones could probably get me several years worth of paying a honemeister to do it for me...

I spent ~$100 on various waterstones to hone my razors. It's definitely pricey up front, but you can sharpen more than just razors with them. I also use them for kitchen knives, pocket/utility knives, chisels, some gardening tools, putty knives, screwdrivers, and probably many more. Plus you learn a badass skill :)

I would say the biggest part of the ROI for me is actually in sharpening the kitchen knives. We do a lot of cooking and food prep; using dull knives is a sure fire way to get injured. Sending them out for several days is inconvenient and having one of those mobile sharpening services come out costs as much (or more) than the waterstones.

Just my .02. If you do try and learn, good luck!

[Gerard]

If you're talking about honing (straightening the blade so that the sharp end points outwards and is available for work) rather than actual sharpening (removing some of the blade so that what's left is at an acute angle), you can hone even the cheapest of disposable blades and razors on a towel or a pair of jeans. Dry the razor thoroughly after each use, then rub it over the fabric in the opposite direction to how you shave.  Should get you at least a few more good shaves out of each blade.

The only actual shaving tip I have is to use oil instead of soap. When your beard hair is wet, put a dime-sized glug of oil (like olive oil) on your palms, rub them together, then rub them all over your face. Shave as usual. Smooth. Maybe not quite as close as foam, but not far off. Also much easier to take along a wee container of oil when you travel, maybe in an empty hotel shampoo bottle.

[Truckman]

I should learn how to hone them myself to save some $$ there, but I haven't pursued it yet.  Although the cost of buying hones could probably get me several years worth of paying a honemeister to do it for me...

I spent ~$100 on various waterstones to hone my razors. It's definitely pricey up front, but you can sharpen more than just razors with them. I also use them for kitchen knives, pocket/utility knives, chisels, some gardening tools, putty knives, screwdrivers, and probably many more. Plus you learn a badass skill :)

I would say the biggest part of the ROI for me is actually in sharpening the kitchen knives. We do a lot of cooking and food prep; using dull knives is a sure fire way to get injured. Sending them out for several days is inconvenient and having one of those mobile sharpening services come out costs as much (or more) than the waterstones.

Just my .02. If you do try and learn, good luck!

Actually, I do already have a Chinese 12K and a balsa block with CrOx on it.  I don't think I lapped the 12K properly and screwed up one of my razors trying to touch it up.  Never did get around to getting a DMT 325 to lap it properly.  What stones did you get?  I was looking at a Norton set, 4k/8k I believe, a while back...

If you're talking about honing (straightening the blade so that the sharp end points outwards and is available for work) rather than actual sharpening (removing some of the blade so that what's left is at an acute angle), you can hone even the cheapest of disposable blades and razors on a towel or a pair of jeans. Dry the razor thoroughly after each use, then rub it over the fabric in the opposite direction to how you shave.  Should get you at least a few more good shaves out of each blade.

For some reason, in the straight razor world, honing refers to regular sharpening - running the razor edge first along the stone the same way you would sharpen a knife on a whetstone.  To unfold the edge and straighten it out  (as in "honing" a kitchen knife on a steel) you would strop it spine first on leather (or similar type strop). 

[Nords]

"Your mileage may vary" seems to be the motto of most online shaving communities, and for good reason. What I've found works brilliantly for my face is to shave in the shower with my Merkur safety razor. No shave soap or cream necessary, and I can get a close (and relatively comfortable) shave with the same blade every day for a long, long time. The only downside, of course, is that it uses more water, and my state is currently in a drought...but I spent enough years trying and failing to get a decent shave outside of the shower. Just doesn't work with my facial hair.

I haven't bought shaving cream in several years.  I've been using Zest soap and a shaving brush, and perhaps our whole-house water conditioner helps foam up the soap. 

It's good enough for shaving twice a week, and I no longer have to worry about flame-spraying off every last nub of bristles.

I've also been surprised by the effectiveness of a little mineral oil on the blade in between shaves.  I'm getting several months out of a blade now.

[unix_kung_fu]

I bought a $25 electric shaver off amazon years ago, don't remember the brand name, but it still works. I prefer the 5 o clock shadow and without the guard it provides perfect stubble. If I really needed to be clean shaven I'd have to use a blade though.

[rmendpara]

Just tried out Harry's razor and have been fairly pleased.

A little more "catch" than a Gillette 5 blade, but still very adequate, and much cheaper. The handle is $10-20 (few choices) and the blades are $2 each or less depending on the qty. you buy.

I don't do the auto-purchase, but that's also an option for those who like to change out their blades on a regular basis.

[mak1277]

Braun electric...been using one for years. Haven't used a blade since college.

Ive never actually used an electric shaver, do they give a good shave? i.e get down to the bone so to speak?

Not as close as a blade...but darn close. Do not get a cheap electric razor. Braun and Norelco have been my favorites...

I definitely am on the side of a decent electric razor.  You can get a perfectly functional Norelco for under $40.  For me, the shave is actually better than a Mach 3 in certain places.  It really depends on whether you shave against the grain or with the grain with your current razor.  If you're shaving against the grain everywhere, you won't get as smooth of a shave with an electric. 

[Bob W]

I buy cheap twin or triple blade plastics.  10 to a pack for like 2 bucks.  They usually last me 4-6 months.  I use them till they just won't cut anymore. 

Shave against the grain with water and a little soap after showers (soften ups the hairs).

I may be posting a thread on "tips for showering" in the future, so I was glad to see this post. 

[DrJohn]

Started on a nice safety razor this week (Shark blades).  I used to do the Gillette Excel twin blade, and wanted a less expensive alternative.  Go easy, take your time  and you will do just fine. I use foam and not gel (too claggy). 

I have a Braun electric also and might use that in a rush.

[Blarny]

I'm still using Mach 3 blades and they are really expensive, I think at least I need to invest in a good electric razor like the ones some of you have been talking about. I still don't have the guts to try out the single blade old style razors yet :(

[dcheesi]

Still working on my backlog of Fusion blades. I've found that they last much longer these days; how much of that is due to improved routine, and how much to a change in my mindset is hard to say. In any case, I seem to be getting 5-6 months out of each blade, which means I shouldn't need to buy blades any time soon. When I do, I will consider other options.

Assuming that the routine has at least something to do with it:
1) Wet my face and body in warm water (shower nozzle).
2) Turn water off.
3) Lather with body wash, starting with the face.
4) Turn water on Cold (bath faucet)
5) Shave face, using cold water to rinse the blade.
6) Turn water to Luke-warm (shower nozzle) and rinse face & body

FWIW, no electric I've tried comes close to giving me a proper shave --and I'm not just "splitting hairs" (haha); they all left what looked like a days' growth behind over much of my face?!

[EricMA]

Actually, I do already have a Chinese 12K and a balsa block with CrOx on it.  I don't think I lapped the 12K properly and screwed up one of my razors trying to touch it up.  Never did get around to getting a DMT 325 to lap it properly.  What stones did you get?  I was looking at a Norton set, 4k/8k I believe, a while back...

I have the Norton 4k/8k you speak of (which I also use for Kitchen knives), a Chinese 12k, and a balsa block with CrOx.. The 4k seems aggressive at first but when you alternate with the 8k with a decreasing number of strokes, it really does put a nice edge on it. Polish it up with the Chinese 12k and finally the CrOx. 5 Laos on the strop and it is sharp as ever.

Without the 4k/8k I don't think the 12k would do much good to a dull blade (dull of course being a relative term, a dull razor is probably way sharper than most kitchen knives).

I should probably lap mine again. They can be a pain for sure. I've tried a lot of methods but works best for me is to wet the back side of the wet paper and stick it to a granite tile. That holds it surprisingly stable and i move the stone across the paper to get a nice flat surface.

[Johnez]

I use a double edged safety razor and soap while I'm in the shower (have a mirror in there). Blades (personna blue ) are cheap and last me weeks.

Persona blue user too! Bought 100 blades for I believe ~$30 a year and a half ago.  15 blades and 20 months later I think I'll be passing them onto my grandkids before I use them all!