The OFFICIAL Unofficial Achewood Message Board
Trivial Pursuits => Sports & Leisure => Topic started by: JorgeFabregas on October 26, 2007, 05:24:40 pm
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This is a repost of something I put on another board, but I'm bored.
So the other day I got fed up with my Schick Quattro. The second razor cartridge in roughly a week had become irreparably clogged despite my best efforts. I have a goatee and sideburns, so there are some longer hairs that get trimmed when I shave. I decided to do what I had thought about doing for a while--invest in a traditional safety/double-edged razor. I did some investigation and settled on a Merkur HD--which I guess is considered the standard. I also got some traditional shaving cream (in a toothpaste tube, not an areosol can) and and alum bar--which tightens up the skin post-shave (and closes up any little nicks). Also, 100 high quality razor blades for 17 cents a piece.
Anyway, blah blah blah, you're getting bored at this point. So I'll run down the pros and cons as my research and one-time use have indicated.
Pros:
-A much closer shave. With those Gillette and Shick 60-blade razors you have to kind of press it hard against your face--and even then the shave isn't that close.
-Cheaper cost. Potentially. There is a higher initial investment, but that's mainly for stuff that could last decades. A full traditional shaving rig includes a razor (~$30), a badger or boar's hair brush (I didn't buy this because I'm a vegetarian and high-quality brushes are kind of expensive. I might get one eventually) $20-60, shaving cream or soap ($3-$30). I've read that a high quality soap can last for six months.
-A much more enjoyable shave. Don't like shaving? You might this way. It requires using lots of hot water on your face, clearing your razor in hot water (and the steel on the razor gets warm and feels really nice). A lot of guys who are into this pamper themselves with a nice, slow shave. Think of the hot towel and straight razor at the barber shop--isn't that nice? Well, this is kind of like that.
-Potentially less stuff to throw into a landfill. The razor blades also biodegrade a lot faster than the plastic cartridges in the Mach IIIs/Quattros, etc.
-Get out of the ridiculous "Now, with even MORE blades" arms race
Cons:
-Can be more expensive. Can be more wasteful. Especially if you become a crazy collector and start buying all kinds of products in search of the perfect shave.
-Easier to cut yourself--especially when you're just starting. The traditional double-edged razors glide along your skin with virtually no pressure applied. If you're used to using the multi-blade thingies, then your instinct will be to press too hard.
-Takes longer to do properly. This can be a plus depending on how you look at it. If it's a nice, pampering experience, then there's no harm in it taking a while.
Some links:
http://www.leesrazors.com - site known for great customer service. They put some free stuff like a used-razor holder, a high-quality shaving cream sample, and 10 blades in my order.
http://www.badgerandblade.com - hobbyists who are really helpful, knowledgeable, and a might bit obsessive.
http://shaveblog.com/ - a good, now-defunct blog that has a lot of info. As an aside, the guy who wrote it was a "tech editor" for NBC's morning show. He got some bad press for recommending products on the show that he was a paid endorser for. Yikes. NBC just shrugged. Gotta love our media.
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http://www.badgerandblade.com - hobbyists who are really helpful, knowledgeable, and a might bit obsessive.
Wow. I wish shaving was something I could call a hobby, instead of a fuck*ng chore. Then again, I've never had my face shaved with anything like that. I checked out those sites, and couldn't figure out what you did with half of it. What's the brush for? Shaving creaam? My palm has been fine up till now. Maybe this is one of those things that I would have been ahead of the game on if I had a male role model growing up. My first razor was an electric one, and that was all I used for years. I didn't get to the Mach3/Quattro/Dodecabladerons until I was about 23.
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I started with an electric, went to the Mach3, and went back to a nicer electric. Both kinds of razor cause some irritation and both leave spots on my face that look like I never shaved there at all. So I decided I'd rather have shaving take 90 seconds and have a tiny risk of cuts than have the closer shave. Plus I felt that the unshavable spots were more noticeable with the blade.
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What's the brush for?
Shaving soap. Like the kind you would put in a mug. And you would apply with hot water--a very nice experience. It can also be used to whip up a nice lather for non-aerosol creams.
And re: male role models. Yes, my dad did give me a shaving lesson on one of my summer trips to visit him. He always used brushes and shaving soap. He's an environmentalist and a bit of a luddite.
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Ample facial hair doesn't really run in my family. I can grow a thin goatee and sideburns, but pretty much nothing comes in on the cheeks. In fact, I was able to shave with only water until I was about 20. I have to use shaving cream now that it comes in thicker, but I can still get away with shaving only once every three days.
So yeah, I could definitely appreciate a nice, hot, traditional shave, but it would be totally wasted on my face.
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Using a safety razor is "traditional shaving" now? Shit's too easy, kids... this (http://www.dovo.com/e/index.html) is how a real man shaves.
Alright, admittedly I do use a safety razor myself most of the time, if only because it takes about ten minutes less to do it and I can't always go to work looking like I've been in a street fight. But nothing matches the feeling of knowing your morning routine includes a step where you could potentially cut through your jugular and die.
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I can still get away with shaving only once every three days.
You lucky bastard.
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Yeah, I'm certainly not ready for the commitment of a straight razor.
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I've been trying to get away with shaving thrice weekly: once on Sunday night, where I can take the time to really do it right, then Tuesday and Thursday mornings, where I'm getting ready for work and time is a bit of an issue. I could see going all out with this stuff for the Sunday shave, but I'd always need the 99 cent razor in the mornings, where I trade just about everything for sleep.
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You lucky bastard.
On the downside, that just means I can't grow an awesome lumberjack beard.
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yeah, um, I hate shaving, and I always do a poor job of it.
my grandfather died when my dad was 15, so when my dad was old enough to shave he had to teach himself. with a straight-razor (or safety razor?) and cut the fuck out of his face.
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When I was about 12 or 13, I was at my dad's, watching TV, and he came out and said, "Son, don't feel the need to jump into shaving too quickly." I turned to see he had sliced himself open pretty good. He didn't hit any of his blood Interstates, but I think he cracked into a US Route or two. Rather than clean himself up, he brought his bloodied self out to show me the dangers of shaving. I think that's why I used an electric for the first 10 years or so.
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I've had to shave since I was eleven. Never cared for it at all.
I'm surprised that it took until the age of 28 to grow a beard but... I suppose I didn't wanna look too much like my dad too young.
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I'm halfway there - I use a Mach 3 Power (although I just got a free Quattro in the mail and am impressed with its heft) with Proraso cream from a green metal tube, whipped into a lather in my left palm by a badger brush.
The Proraso/badger combination is FAR AND AWAY superior to the Edge gel I use if I'm in a hurry. The lather is way richer, especially when I squeeze out the brush before rinsing and apply the extra foam with the tips of my fingers. It smells better than anything aerosol and the tubes last hella long because I'm in the Two Times A Week Club (Monday and Wednesday mornings). I've thought about getting a soap disc and doing it that way but so far the tube method is fine and I don't have a soapy cup sitting around.
I've been meaning to try the Merkur safety razor but I haven't had any problems with my semi-disposables. I rinse in a shallow sink of hot water but I've considered switching to cold water for this purpose because of the concept of metal contracting when cold, thus rendering the blade ever-so-slightly sharper.
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I've been meaning to try the Merkur safety razor but I haven't had any problems with my semi-disposables. I rinse in a shallow sink of hot water but I've considered switching to cold water for this purpose because of the concept of metal contracting when cold, thus rendering the blade ever-so-slightly sharper.
Then you'd need a separate sink for rinsing your face. When using a blade you get a better shave when your face is warm and moist.
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because of the concept of metal contracting when cold, thus rendering the blade ever-so-slightly sharper.
Been watching Miller's Crossing?
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This is interesting to me because I think if I were a guy I'd want to do things the Old Fashioned Way. It also strikes me as the kind of thing Pedro would enjoy -- his grandfather showed him how to shave "the right way" when he was a teenager, but he never had equipment of his own. This is the kind of thing I might get him for Christmas, though.
How long does it take? Pedro has to shave every day (he keeps a goatee and stache, so he only has to do the cheeks, jaw, and neck). He usually does so in the shower. He has sensitive skin and is prone to razor bumps, even with the fancy triple-blade dealies, but he says shaving in the shower helps with this. He is not the most dexterous person first thing in the morning, so I don't know how he'd do with anything he could slit his own throat with. And like I said, he has to shave daily -- his five o'clock shadow rivals many men's three-day beard -- so if it takes significantly longer than a regular shave (I think it's between five and ten minutes when he does it at the sink) he probably won't keep it up regularly. Still, he might enjoy a nice, leisurely, ultra-close shave on weekends if time becomes an issue.
Is this the kind of think that makes a thoughtful gift from a wife to her spouse? Or is it something where I should direct him to this thread and let him decide for himself?
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Pedro's morning routine is actually pretty luxurious most days, considering. He's usually up an hour before me and the Boy, and even if Little P is awake, I take him into the kitchen and give him breakfast so that Papa can have his shower in peace. He doesn't have a set time to arrive at work so there's not a huge rush about anything. Pedro eats breakfast in his building's cafeteria so basically all he has to do is shower, shave, dress, and go -- and he has plenty of time and privacy for all those things regardless. So -- does that change your reply at all?
He did let me shave him once. It was nerve-wracking, but I enjoyed it. I think he did, too, actually, but using a blade scares me a little. We were just a couple of dumb college kids then, so I'd probably do a little better now. Oh, and I helped him shave his head that one time. That wasn't so bad, although we did learn that the tiniest scalp-nick will bleed like the dickens.
We are almost at the point in the pregnancy where I start asking him to shave me. Talk about nervous. He really did not like doing that last time.
Re: hella beard style: Pedro decided a few weeks ago to see how much beard he could grow in a month, so he stopped shaving Oct 1 and he is looking pretty much like a Mongolian Warlord at this point. It's the neck hairs that really drive him crazy. He's actually starting to look forward to shaving again next week. Maybe if I can get this together I can give him an early anniversary present and help make his return from the land of the hirsute a victorious one.
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I've been using a safety razor for a bit over a year now and I can definitely recommend it. I started out with an el-cheapo one (cost me like 4 bucks plus 10 bucks for a pack of blades) and just used bar soap or shaving cream if I had any around the house, then last christmas my little brother got me a nicer razor with a brush and some soap set in a little wooden tub. I usually shave in the shower so often as not I'll still just use bar soap but the brush is nice when you want to take time over it.
I think I do nick myself more often than when I used disposables (I think the last disposable I bought was a gillette mach 3?) generally under the chin but it's nothing bothersome.
That said I'm not a very hairy guy, I shave generally every second day and sometimes only once or twice a week (I'm lucky to have a pretty relaxed working environment), and I can imagine that if you needed to make multiple passes having to re-apply the soap/cream would be a hassle which you don't have with self-lubricating disposables.
I don't plan to ever change back though, there's something nice and solid about a good safety razor and the blades are cheap as. Don't know if I'd ever man up to getting a straight razor though.
JL: Perfect gift, I can only speak for myself but it seems to rare these days that a guy can recieve something that is undisputedly manly.
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I don't use shaving foam or soap or anything.
Never have.
I find it to be counter-productive. I'd rather hurt a little than spend any more time than the absolute minimum on my personal grooming.
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I have something else lined up for our anniversary, so I broke down and asked him about it. Because, you know, I can't keep secrets. Ever. Except for the one about what I'm *actually* getting him for our anniversary, which is probably the first secret ever in our thirteen year history that I've been able to keep quiet for this long.
Anyway, he said he'd probably have really liked it as a surprise, so I'm considering the whole kit and caboodle as a Christmas gift. He of course knows it's coming now, but that's OK. He's kind of excited about it, which makes me feel better about making the investment.
So - suggestions from the initiated? Hard soap or cream? I think he already has a badger brush that his grandfather gave him -- it's looking sort of frayed, though. Do they wear out? I've checked out this post (http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=185717#185717) on another forum but not being a dude I'm not sure how to interpret the recommendations. I want to get him quality stuff but I don't want to spend a fortune.
One thing I have learned from my reading: I will buy him a blade sampler pack. So that's a no-brainer. Everything else, I'm clueless on.
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Not sure what your price range is, but there's this post on the shaveblog that outlines the best kit for a new (like me) wet shaver :
http://shaveblog.com/?p=227
Mine was sort of a budget version of this--I omitted the brush and fancy cream and just got some old man shaving cream: http://www.leesrazors.com/productImages/musgo/musgoShavingCream.jpg
Also, I skipped the aftershave.
Soaps I've seen recommended include Tabac, The Art of Shaving, and Mitchell's Wool Fat. I like the name of that last one. They seem to come in bowls or as "refills" (bowl-less).
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I don't know enough to make any specific suggestions but I'd say focus on the razor, brush and soap/cream first and don't worry too much about other oils or styptic pencils etc. he will work out if he needs this or that by himself over time (if you feel like this is just giving him a present that will cost him in the long run why not include a voucher for a local razor shop? That way he can pick out something for himself and give him an excuse to become familiar with a place he can get blades etc.).
Two other things:
One - Badger hair brushes are meant to be the shizzle but I've always been happy with my random synthetic thing so don't feel guilty if you don't want to shell out 50 bucks for the brush. Then again maybe I am just saying that because I am yet to feel the gentle caress of badgery goodness.
And two - The soap (or cream) is a major part of the experience so if you're going to try a regular store get a smell before you buy (if possible) a nice smelling shaving soap really enhances the whole experience for me.
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The most facial hair I can manage is a line of slowly encroaching stubble above my upper lip. Usually I just shave it off with an x-acto blade once every two or three weeks.
Sometimes I despair that I will never have the option of evading pursuit by laying low and growing a beard, but at the same time I am glad that I am not burdened with yet another opportunity to unintentionally attack my face during my morning routine.
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I got sucked in.
This morning Pedro had his very first wet shave with a vintage double-edged '56 Gillette Super Speed and hand-milled shaving soap (lavender). I must confess, I've been unfaithful -- I went over to the Badger and Blade forums and asked for some advice over there. (They were quite helpful.) It's now all I can do to stop browsing shave geek web sites in search of the perfect products to complete a replica of a typical 1956 shaving kit (darn those bastards at the American Safety Razor Company for discontinuing Burma Shave).
Pedro described his morning shave thusly:
It was an awkward, fumbling, somewhat successful first time. I hear a lot of people's first times are like that.
He's so cute.
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Everyone's first time is generally awkard, slippery and potentially painful. You just got to get over that hoss and then you're ready for next time.
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i really need to teach myself that it's best to take my time shaving, wash my face with a hot cloth first, shave more than once a week so there's less hair and it's easier... but so far it's not working. Pain is not a good teacher when it comes to this, apparently.
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Second attempt this morning was much improved. He got a closer shave today with little irritation on only two passes (WTG & XTG). He is going to try a different brand of blade tomorrow and I've ordered him some high-quality shaving soap, (2 kinds actually, a tube of Proraso and a cake of Colonel Conk). He is having trouble getting a good lather with the hand-milled stuff we got free from the guy who sold us the razor. I don't see anything wrong with his technique so I'm going to see if a name-brand soap helps.
Inev, get yourself a badger brush and learn to make a good lather, even if you stick with a cheapo disposable or cartridge razor. It will slow you down for sure, and also make you smell yummy. Chicks dig that kind of thing.
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There's an Aveeno shaving gel that smells like cookies. My wife uses it, and I've started using it too.
But then I use "Woodland" scented body wash, too, so I smell like... forest cookies.
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Is that the oatmeal stuff? Oh man. So nice.
I use the body lotion that smells like that. Mmmmmmm. Coooooooookies.
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First, let me say that I am glad I found this board! It covers a lot of topics and it is a lot of fun!
I am a keen wetshaver and also the webmaster of a shaving forum http://members.boardhost.com/razorandbrush/ (http://members.boardhost.com/razorandbrush/)
Shaving can be a pleasure and it gives many of us "fans" a way to dedicate a few minutes of our day to a quiet and (for us) relaxing break. If you find using a canned foam and a cartridge razor a chore, you should try a vintage double-edge razor and a good shaving soap, applied with a brush: it is a way of pampering yourself!
Anyway, thanks for this Forum: I look forward to taking part in the various discussions!
Giovanni (Florida)
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Funny this thread should reopen, since I used my new/old DE Lady Gillette yesterday (as noted in the Today I'm Gonna thread).
Smoothest. Shave. Ever.
Now I've gotta learn to whip up a good lather. Pedro's been using Proraso and building lather on his beard, so I'm going to use up the cake soap he started with.
I know, in theory, how to do it, but I've not tried yet.
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Funny this thread should reopen, since I used my new/old DE Lady Gillette yesterday (as noted in the Today I'm Gonna thread).
Smoothest. Shave. Ever.
Now I've gotta learn to whip up a good lather. Pedro's been using Proraso and building lather on his beard, so I'm going to use up the cake soap he started with.
I know, in theory, how to do it, but I've not tried yet.
Proraso is a great soap. Not upper crust, but very effective and soothing. One of my favorites. Make sure you use a brush: even a cheapo from WalMart will do in a pinch.
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I think it must be a sad sign of things that "traditional shaving" for me now means using shaving cream when I slide the disposable razor across my face, rather than just getting my face wet.
Oh, also, I've used the same said disposable blade since October.
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Holy shnikeys, do you still have a face?
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Oh, also, I've used the same said disposable blade since October.
Doesn't like, bacteria and whatnot grow on there? I mean, Would you rub a used dish or cup on your face for 5 months?
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...Would you rub a used ... cup on your face for 5 months?
I know you rugby guys revel in your coarseness and all, but I'm glad you draw the line somewhere.
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Doesn't like, bacteria and whatnot grow on there? I mean, Would you rub a used dish or cup on your face for 5 months?
Hmmm... well, I do have the cup I drink water from to rinse... that's been in the bathroom about as long.
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Doesn't like, bacteria and whatnot grow on there? I mean, Would you rub a used dish or cup on your face for 5 months?
If you rinsed it in hot water every day you'd be alright, I mean people use straight razors forever.
Whether it would still shave you in the traditional sense is a bit more questionable.
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How often do you shave golfhaus? I take pride in my inability to grow facial hair and I've gone through at least... three razors since October.
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How often do you shave golfhaus?
Pretty much never. And I plan to keep it that way -- Golfhaus can shave his ownself.
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How often do you shave golfhaus?
Only when he ponies up the extra cash.
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Har har, I forgot to use a comma. Jerks!
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Since when does feigning ignorance for the purpose of humor make someone a jerk?
Oh, right. Since forever.
Sorry about that.
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Funny this thread should reopen, since I used my new/old DE Lady Gillette yesterday (as noted in the Today I'm Gonna thread).
Smoothest. Shave. Ever.
Now I've gotta learn to whip up a good lather. Pedro's been using Proraso and building lather on his beard, so I'm going to use up the cake soap he started with.
I know, in theory, how to do it, but I've not tried yet.
My wife and step-daughter both love my Merkur. The fact that I'm considering connecting the dots between my goatee and sideburns is unrelated (no, really--I don't mind sharing and such things don't gross me out).
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so, I basically have a pretty cool beard at this point. I was commenting to someone that I never know how to trim it, and he straight-up said my beard is see-through. What is that shit. He has some kind of insane waxed-mustache/goatee/mutton-chops combination going on, though, so I do not know what to think.
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so, I basically have a pretty cool beard at this point. I was commenting to someone that I never know how to trim it, and he straight-up said my beard is see-through. What is that shit. He has some kind of insane waxed-mustache/goatee/mutton-chops combination going on, though, so I do not know what to think.
I think you should not listen to a man with more than two kinds of facial hair.
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yeah, for real.
He was all "back-handed-compliment" about it, too. He said "you're lucky, having see-through beards is really hip right now."
anyway, whatever. I am actually debating whether to shave it. Mostly because for some reason once it gets past a certain length, some parts of it turn red, and that isn't my favorite.
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Mostly because for some reason once it gets past a certain length, some parts of it turn red, and that isn't my favorite.
Enjoy it while it lasts. My beard was black and red - all the red is now gray/white. The black didn't change so much.
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Enjoy it while it lasts. My beard was black and red - all the red is now gray/white. The black didn't change so much.
In an unusual turn of events, the goatee area of my beard is turning white. Im 22.
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yeah, um, I shaved that thing off. I forgot about how last time I had a beard and then shaved it, everyone told me I looked much better without it.
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I like the fact that the longer I have a beard, the more red it is.
It is sort of a nice reminder of the genetic diversity lingering beneath my strictly-swarthy veneer.
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Pedro's beard turns reddish in the summertime. His older brother has red hair, though, so apparently those genes aren't lurking too near the bottom of the pool.
Until my early twenties, I was naturally quite blonde, although my hair can best be described now as "dishwater" at best. (At worst, it's "penis brown.") This was offset, however, by the unfortunate darkness and coarseness of the hair on my legs and...ahem...other places...which would ordinarily lead one to the conclusion that the hair on my head was artificially lightened. Which it wasn't.
Now, of course, the carpet matches the drapes (so to speak -- or it would, were it not for diligent womanscaping), although it doesn't take much in the way of direct sun or chemical treatments to convince my hair to go blonde again. So I'm thinking of bleaching it, especially now that it's so short, and going all Annie Lennox for the summer.
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diligent womanscaping
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Only when he ponies up the extra cash.
I have often considered paying people to shave me. I hate it. Hate hate hate.
I can usually go 36 hours without shaving and go into work without people looking at me funny. I have very dark, coarse hair, which doesn't help.
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I have often considered paying people to shave me. I hate it. Hate hate hate.
I can usually go 36 hours without shaving and go into work without people looking at me funny. I have very dark, coarse hair, which doesn't help.
Could you grow a beard?
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diligent womanscaping
Indeed.
My caretaker has the same type of hair as you, JL. I have pics of her in college and high school looking very surfer/valleygirl which was entirely due to a childhood spent in southern California (although one valley over from San Fernando), immersed in chlorinated poolwater. Now that she dwells in the land of eternal fog (and works indoors to boot) and spends her spare time whelping my love-children, dishwater is the closest description. Or, as she calls it, "blah". Two of my younger brothers were towheads as chilluns, and the other was redheaded. The blondes have darkened to "stable-straw". We all avoid the sun as much as we can since we're pigment-challenged.
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Could you grow a beard?
I have a goatee. If I let it go too long without busting out the trimmer, it gives me hope that I could go Mountain Man if I wanted to.
Mrs. Haus has informed me that if I stop shaving, she stops shaving.
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See, I'm in the opposite place as jl and Jaydub's other half: I've always been blonde, and I was told all my childhood by my father "oh, it'll darken up; mine did." (My father was tow-headed his entire childhood but is a dark brunette now on the hair he's got left.) Somehow, though, it never actually happened. I'm definitely brassy, occasionally fading towards the light brown in winter, but I appear to be a perma-blonde.
The ironic thing about it is that my mother has had my hair color all along, and somehow it never occurred to us that I might have gotten her hair. Presumably that's because I'm more or less a female clone of my father otherwise, but still, wow.