Shaving face with a straight edge or double edge

[Ah Pook]

Been using a Schick injector/Braun electric combo for...well...a long time.

I have an old straight razor but am afraid to use it.

Bill Cosby
Zip zop and my face is cut to shreds.

Used disposable razors twice and will never use them again. Never used cartridges.

I have a '66 vintage Gillette slim DE. Nice razor but could never get used to the 3" handle and heavy head. Injector blades are getting hard to find, so I'm trying DEs again. Picked up an Merkur 25c open tooth razor and a 100 Red Personna blades. Total was about $52 and that's about $0.20 a double edge blade. This combo works nice for me. As well or better than what I'm used to. Got a '72 vintage Gillette 4" handle adjustable on the way.

I'm of the opinion that face prep is key to a good shave. Warm towels, warm water, pre shave oil...what ever it takes to "soften" the beard. Never owned a styptic pen or alum block.

Below is my current set-up.



badgerandblade.com and bladeforums.com-Razors-Scissors-amp-Personal-Grooming are both good resources with more detail.

[Great-Kazoo]

I snagged my Fiancee with a full beard. We went on our first 3 dates together, then I shaved it. I am considering growing it back this winter though, because at work I have to go outside and be out there for 10-15min at least 20 times per night. Sometimes, the wind is 30-35mph and the temp is below zero. Makes it very cold on a bareass face!

Well that's certainly a different take on equal rights
What did you family say when they met her?

I shaved my full beard off once back 18-20 years ago. Our daughter freaked out the wife was nooooooooooooooo.

[TRnCO]

electric for me. I used to grow a beard but now it comes in nearly 100% grey and I fell old already but I don't care to look old too.

[Ranger]

I got this doo-dad on Google deals called the Razor Buddy, it deburrs your razor and keeps it longer. So far, it's been as advertised.

[ChadAmberg]

Never had a "straight shave" like Clint did in "Gran Torino" but I've always wanted one.

Here's a little tip to keep you're $10 "disposable" razor sharp:
Dry it off after every use. Just shake all the water off, then blow on it a few times to get the moisture out from between the blades, blow on it again, then pat it on a towel until dry.

Apparently, rust and corrosion are the major factors in ruining the blades sharpness.

The Gillette Fusion 4 blade thing I'm using has lasted for 3 months now and still feels new to me.

It's sick what they get for blades.

Even better: Strop your disposable razor on your arm to straighten out the point. I keep my disposable razor in the shower (don't bother drying it) and before and after each use, run it backwards on your upper arm, this straightens out the edge just like honing a knife, and you'll be amazed at how that cheap disposable will last.

[BuffCyclist]

Well that's certainly a different take on equal rights
What did you family say when they met her?

I shaved my full beard off once back 18-20 years ago. Our daughter freaked out the wife was nooooooooooooooo.

Lol, took me a few minutes to catch on there what you were saying.

Let me rephrase, I snagged my Finacee while I had a full beard!

My family didn't know I had a beard and my sister was graduating from Paramedic Academy, so I flew home for Christmas 5 days early to attend her graduation. I showed up at the banquet hall and found my family sitting at the table, sister had her back towards me. I started walking in, staying as inconspicuous as possible and when I was about 15ft from the table, she turned around and looked directly at me. I thought, shit, she saw me! But no reaction, she just turned back around. So I kept walking and kneeled next to her asking if the seat was taken, she turned and was like, yea its for my step-sister. I then said, "WHAT!? You didn't even save your BROTHER a seat at the table?!", she flipped out and couldn't believe that she didn't recognize me!

[Irving]

I started the original thread. What I ended up doing was buying 52 twin-blade razors at Costco for $26. Now I can use one a week for a year. We just moved, and now there is a mirror next to my shower, so I can get a nice hot face, lathered up with shaving creme, and just lean out of the shower and shave. Shaving is 100 times smoother and faster now. I can actually shave every other day and not even mind now. Currently, I'm on a quest to find some cheap mirror with a clamp that I can put IN my shower, and it will make things all that much faster.

Like Ah Pook has said, face prep is key.

[Ah Pook]

Interesting attempt at re-writing history. The comments tell the real story. Doesn't look like the P&G advertorial was a success.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...d5b_story.html

Funny, I am a contrarian.

[GilpinGuy]

Even better: Strop your disposable razor on your arm to straighten out the point. I keep my disposable razor in the shower (don't bother drying it) and before and after each use, run it backwards on your upper arm, this straightens out the edge just like honing a knife, and you'll be amazed at how that cheap disposable will last.

Excellent. I'll do this for sure. But I don't use the "really" cheap disposable things. I usually go with the razors that have replaceable heads. Probably no difference though.

[NightCat]

Giant pack of blades from Costco for my Gillette whatever the fuck it is....lol

I wish I was bad ass enough to use a straight razor....I have a super angular jaw bone and I'd probably ending sending myself to the ER lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F7TMlrDXtw

LOL