What do you shave with?

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

I'm looking into getting a straight razor. I wanted to go to a barber shop and have 'em try it on me to see if my skin likes it but nobody in my area does that? I thought it was reasonably common. That said, I gotta go in blind. What can I expect to spend for a good straight razor? I already have a strop for my knives.

You can get cheap ones that take a safety razor blade to see if it suits you, a good one can set you back a hundred or more.

The left one cost a few quid, you can get one from DOVO which takes a longer blade.

Given the short blade & sharp corner it does a decent job of tidying up the edges of a #2 haircut, and if you can use it on your face without scratching yourself you're fine with a straight razor.

The right one has gone through a month's growth in a single stroke, and I grow a wiry beard.

Mostly I just use an electric trimmer to keep it short.

EDIT:
Didn't realise I'd posted in this one before, the cheap one was the first buy to see if my mate was right.

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by dcj13

Is this a California thing? My local barbershop will do it.

I wouldn't doubt it. I think it's just my area. I called 3 barbershops and gave up (I cut my own hair so I don't even know who is or isn't).

And whiskey, thank you for your insight! I ordered one from Amazon. Should be here Thursday.

[Panda]

Originally Posted by Worldtraveller

Doesn't exist anymore? I've seen quite a few sword makers that still use it. It has to be etched to make the pattern show like that, if I recall correctly.

The recipe for true damascus steel was lost. IIRC Modern damascus steel is folded steel.

[Apex]

I went from the whole Mach3 thing to a safety razor. Not only is it WAY cheaper, I like the shave so much better. It just works for me. I'd rather just buy blades than go and have to buy a heavily packaged product that clogs up easily.

I use a Van Der Hagen safety razor. I've been testing blades as well. I really like the VDH blades with the teflon coating, but due to my penny pinching tendencies I am trying a cheaper blade. So far they both work well, though the VDH blades seem to be a bit better quality.

[Koala]

it might seem a lil odd for a female to jump in on this conversation but.....here goes

For those of you with wiry facial hair or sensitive skin I would recommend this product

https://www.pureromance.com/shop/Bat...Cream-Original

Coochy Cream by Pure Romance is meant for the wiry haired down there areas of a woman but I have known many a man to use it. In fact, it was recommended to me by a man. It softens the hair after you let it sit for a minute and then gives you a nice close shave with no troubling razor bumps or ingrown hairs, plus the hair doesn't grow back as fast. I did notice the first time I used it the act of shaving felt slightly rough but after that, awesome.

Like I said, I've known tons of guys who use it for shaving their heads, face, and down there. Maybe give it a try, who knows lol. It's not cheap but that tube of shave cream/gel lasts quite a while since a little goes a long way.

[JohnnyBravo]

lord ah mercy

[FrugalNinja250]

I use an old Remington XLR electric, the "I like the shaver so much I bought the company!" version. It's over 35 years old now but still going strong. New 3rd party screens and cutters are available for it still, those get changed twice a year. It's the first electric razor I bought, and though I've bought others over the years I still go back to this one every time. I haven't used a razorblade to shave since high school.

[MrAtom]

I use jojoba oil as its very similar to sebum (the oil your face makes) and its cheap and goes a long way.

[JohnnyBravo]

From the looks of this poll I should start making cartridges for these expensive razors

[MrAtom]

I've had the shavette for a while now, and while it's not forgiving when learning how to use it, my skin agrees with me when it's used properly, even moreso than a disposable Bic. I'm pretty sure it's because all the skin and oil and gunk isn't getting stuck inbetween the channels inbetween the blades, because this has little room for such a buildup to happen. It's a nice shave at a good price. I may upgrade to a proper straight razor soon enough (the sharp corners on the small razor's edge bite), but I'm satisfied for now. Stopped trying to get it baby-butt smooth, because my SO likes the stubble. If you have a steady hand and are willing to get bad razorburn a few times while learning, I highly recommend it.

[Whiskey]

So I used the DOVO for the first time in a few months... went from 2 weeks growth to smooth as a baby's behind in a single pass, but I'm a clumsy sod & put a line on my chin without feeling a thing

[MrAtom]

If you're an overcaffienated, shaky SOB like me, invest in a styptic pencil. Well worth the $3. They also have them at the dollar store sometimes next to the shaving stuff, but I'm a bit skeptical.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by Koala

it might seem a lil odd for a female to jump in on this conversation but.....here goes

For those of you with wiry facial hair or sensitive skin I would recommend this product

https://www.pureromance.com/shop/Bat...Cream-Original

Coochy Cream by Pure Romance is meant for the wiry haired down there areas of a woman but I have known many a man to use it. In fact, it was recommended to me by a man. It softens the hair after you let it sit for a minute and then gives you a nice close shave with no troubling razor bumps or ingrown hairs, plus the hair doesn't grow back as fast. I did notice the first time I used it the act of shaving felt slightly rough but after that, awesome.

Like I said, I've known tons of guys who use it for shaving their heads, face, and down there. Maybe give it a try, who knows lol. It's not cheap but that tube of shave cream/gel lasts quite a while since a little goes a long way.

+1 for that stuff!!

[JohnnyBravo]

from shaving to coochy creme

i just been almost shaving with a little pair of buzz clippers... Who needs to be smooth these days anyhow

[CynicalC]

I shave every day but I think my razor might be dull or something.

[MLR]

Didn't vote because:

Disposable or electric, depending on the time and situation.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

i just been almost shaving with a little pair of buzz clippers... Who needs to be smooth these days anyhow

I'm with you, Johnny. Every couple weeks I use my Wahl hair clippers to trim my beard and take most of the hair off my neck. Life's too short to shave every day. I made that decision back in my college days, 40 years ago.

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

I'm with you, Johnny. Every couple weeks I use my Wahl hair clippers to trim my beard and take most of the hair off my neck. Life's too short to shave every day. I made that decision back in my college days, 40 years ago.

I had to shave every day of the week for most of 7 years... I'm making up for lost time

I still pull out the straight when I need a amazing shave, but that isn't often at all