Dad, why didn't you tell me????

[HiThere]

I have been shaving on the Gillette Fusion for a while now, and getting worse and worse with regard to bumps over the past 6 months or so, switching back and forth on shave gels in a can, after shaves, moisturizing lotions, etc.

So, last week I finally broke down and ordered a safety razor (Edwin Jagger De89bl), brush (tweezerman Badger hair) shaving soap (just some Poraso), pre shave balm and an assortment of double-edged blades. Learning was much easier than I expected, largely due to this page:

http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006...ng-experience/

And, well...$4 shaving cartridges from Gillette are about the stupidest thing ever, when you can do so much better, and be so much more comfortable, on a 10 or 20-cent blade. I'm still going through the sample pack, but I haven't found a brand of blade I like less than any cartridge I've ever used (think I'm going to go for the 100-pack of 7 a.m. platinum for 15 boners on Amazon...each blade lasts a week, btw). I was sold by the end of the first shave: I'd put two barely discernible nicks in my chin, the rest was smooth and free of the usual redness...the past few days have been completely error-free, and the feeling you get of being so well taken-care-of is amazing. Wife loves it, too.

[wonder squirrel]

I stopped shaving three months ago

[HiThere]

Originally Posted by wonder squirrel

I stopped shaving three months ago

I actually got to the point where I had to quit for a week to get the irritation to go down, then I started again (still on the Gillettes), then quit for another week when the irritation and bumps returned, and then the safety razor came in the mail. I don't believe I'll ever go back. It's like going from a Datsun pickup to a Porsche. It just tickles your face while it neatly and easily slices the hairs at a 90-degree angle, whereas the cartridge uses that "lift and chop and create ingrown hair" system.

[nrs421]

I use Merkur when I have the time. You have to careful when shaving with safety razors and you can't shave fast or you will cut yourself badly.

[Zero]

How much time do you guys spend shaving "the right way"? Seems awfully involved for something I can do in literally 30 seconds with a disposable. (though I don't get skin irritation)

[JD21]

Curious about this as I always get irritation with any disposable razor. I even try electric and it's just as bad.

[ice]

I shave in the shower with water only. Hooray for apparently having man skin!

[Fat_Daddy_Cool]

sterilize your razors, use a half cup of vodka, and let your brush and the razor soak. I found doing that and compound foam, shaving soap and then shaving cream give me a clean and completely razor burn free. I am curious thou about a safety razor.

[switch911]

Its great for a casual weekend shave but not realistic for daily must goto the office shaves. As expensive and mediocre my Mach3 is I will never give it up

[Lupine]

Pretty much did the same thing a couple months ago, just a different brush, and wish I'd done it much much sooner. Bought an assortment blade pack to figure out what I like best, but am still on the blades that came w/ the De89lbl. Gillette Power Fusion and shave gel got tossed into my travel bag and won't replace when they're used up.

Originally Posted by Lupine

Going old school.

[KAC]

I am still on sensor excel because I believe that Mach 3 would totally **** my skin up.

[Sazar]

Originally Posted by Lupine

Pretty much did the same thing a couple months ago, just a different brush, and wish I'd done it much much sooner. Bought an assortment blade pack to figure out what I like best, but am still on the blades that came w/ the De89lbl. Gillette Power Fusion and shave gel got tossed into my travel bag and won't replace when they're used up.

That's how I learn to shave

I use a Fusion now, if I absolutely have to but I typically just go with the 5 o'clock shadow look. It works for me (else I look like a 20yr old ) so why stop

[H001iGAN]

Originally Posted by oct13

I don't actually shave. I run an old Wahl hair clipper over my face without a guard for a perpetual 5 o'clock shadow. I've had that clipper for 25 years and it still works great without any thing more than occasional cleaning and oiling.

thats what I do too.

[Rad2owns]

The only razor that has worked for me is the Braun Syncro Pro 7680 everything else would make my face a mess.
I found the Wilkinson sword razors used to work but all of a sudden didnt (I bought them at least 8 times from different stores and over a number of years) and it took a lot of trial and error to find this razor. I found Gillette by far to be the worst I tried.

[kepler]

I just use soap and a razor. Make sure your face is washed and clean first, then go with the grain to get rid of the length, then against it to clean up. Keep the blade clean and it shouldn't be a problem.

[PacAce]

Yeah I converted a few months ago and was very happy. I got a safety razor that came with 45 free sample blades. What a bargain. Yeah, the whole Schick/Gillette thing is a market scam. I'll never go back. Safety razor forever.

[CurrentlyPissed]

I use an electric shaver, doesn't cut as clean. But its quicker and much less harsh on the skin it seems.

[pixie69]

Mum uncovered my grandfathers cut throat recently. I'm going to send it off for honing shortly and going to give it a whirl. Could save me a fortune if it works. Bit concerned about the technique but I suppose you've got to break a few eggs etc.

[nrs421]

Originally Posted by Zero

How much time do you guys spend shaving "the right way"? Seems awfully involved for something I can do in literally 30 seconds with a disposable. (though I don't get skin irritation)

at least 20 mins to do it properly. it gives a great shave but too time consuming.

Originally Posted by pixie69

Mum uncovered my grandfathers cut throat recently. I'm going to send it off for honing shortly and going to give it a whirl. Could save me a fortune if it works. Bit concerned about the technique but I suppose you've got to break a few eggs etc.

practice by lathering a balloon and taking the shaving cream off without popping it.

[sMashPiranha]

I got 100 of those derby extra when I bought my safety razor, then found I needed something sharper. Feather blades will cut your face off before you realise it but they work very well once you're experienced with the razor. I shave with a safety razor every day and it only takes a couple of minutes.

[DaJMasta]

I started with one of those, never wanted to buy cartridges, moved to an electric and wanted a closer shave. I went with a merkur open comb saftey razor (a little better design for coarse hair) and a superbadger brush and some other bits... I get great shaves. Still some nicks, mostly because I let it get too long, go too fast, or don't change my blades often enough, but it's all sorts of cheap. I make sure to shave after showering so that the skin/hair is moisturized and then build the lather with shave soap on my face instead of in a cup, but it doesn't take all that long and it does a good job.

[Alientank]

You guys go against the grain? That **** cray.

[Deimos]

I use a braun electric shaver exclusively, I made the commitment to quit blades about 6 months ago when I finally figured out what the trimmer is actually for (to get the hairs that the shaver misses).

[HiThere]

Originally Posted by Zero

How much time do you guys spend shaving "the right way"? Seems awfully involved for something I can do in literally 30 seconds with a disposable. (though I don't get skin irritation)

Yeah, there's definitely a speed limit to it, but I'm thinking more 10-15 min than 20. I know that's probably too much time for some folk, but in my case there`s little alternative other than a beard.

Oh, and Alientank, no i don't go against because i can't in any shave system.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2

[ASCI Blue]

I switched from a multibladed abomination to a straight razor a few years back. Aside the occasional oh **** slip, I prefer the shave it gives and I have less skin irritation than I did with my Mach 3's in the past.

[Jandar]

I've had my Gillette Mach 3 now for close to 10 years. Not a single replacement blade yet.

I shave once a week in the shower using just soap.

I'll stay with it till the blade finally gives, but it still shaves my skin smooth.

[DaJMasta]

Originally Posted by Alientank

You guys go against the grain? That **** cray.

How else are you supposed to get a close shave? I don't start against the grain, but I end up doing several passes going several directions, so I go against the grain pretty much everywhere

[DorXtar]

I used to get really bad rash/skin irritation. But I simply switched to using this as my shaving creme:



Never have any more skin irritation, unless I run out of this stuff and try to use soap.

I use it with my panasonic electric shaver, which I got almost 2 years ago (haven't sharpened it or changed the blade or anything).

I can go as fast as I want and I never get knicks or bumps.

The hair conditioner works wonders, especially because it has tea tree in it, which keeps everything sterile.

[Pornstar Yard Gnom]

Originally Posted by nrs421

I use Merkur when I have the time. You have to careful when shaving with safety razors and you can't shave fast or you will cut yourself badly.

not true, I can shave just as fast if not faster with a saftey than I can a cartridge.


I even use the crappy ass 1.76$ for 25 blades from walmart... I rarely cut myself.... ( I do only do the half close shave, only shave down, don't do the 2nd pass to get extra close)

[KAC]

Great for shaving balls yes.