What's your best shave.....

[Nick]

Does more blades = better shave??

In my experience, not at all. Perhaps when comparing a Mach 3 with a Bic safety razor, but in my opinion, the best razor's a straight razor. The trick is, you have to learn how to use the straight razor, and until you figure it out, it can be a bit of a pain.

I use an old straight razor gained off eBay, home made soap (no, I don't make the soap) and a boar hair brush. I'd like to move up to a badger hair brush eventually.

The one downside of the straight razor is sharpening it. Good Arkansas stone is getting harder to find and more expensive. I have a good stone, though it isn't Ark., so there are alternatives, but it takes a bit of looking.

[switchblade5984]

http://www.gillettefusion.com/us/lowband.asp

and yes i use the fusion shave gell too! haha

[Macman]

This has been a really interesting thread. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that so many at X-Marks are individualists in the way they shave. I really admire that. I have switched back and forth between Mach "x" and electric over the years, but am now happy with my Braun since the old Payer died.

[Rampant Lion]

A few months back I bought myself a Gillette Fusion (5 blades) and I love it. I don't get nicked anywhere near as much as I used to. The 1 precision blade on the back side of the razer is definitely handy for doing sideburns and just under my nose.

[switchblade5984]

A few months back I bought myself a Gillette Fusion (5 blades) and I love it. I don't get nicked anywhere near as much as I used to. The 1 precision blade on the back side of the razer is definitely handy for doing sideburns and just under my nose.

i find the one blade useless....

[angel923]

When I don't have a barber do it I trim up my face with a staigt razor and a nice shave lotion mixed to a foam with a boar hair brush, let the foam rest on my face to soften the hair and then I start the shave with a prayer I don't slit my throat this time.

[cloves]

on the one hand...you gents can really play with your "look." It must be nice to be able to have a beard one day, just a 'stache the next, then clean shaven...to be able to totally change your appearance...that's cool.
On the other hand, I know what a drag it is to shave my legs so I can't imagine what's it's like trying to shave around all your facial features.

For what it's worth, I use a disposable 2 bladed razor and canned shaving gel with aloe in it.

Here's a question.....do you find those multi bladed razors shave you almost too smooth? Do they make you prone to ingrown hairs? How do you deal with razor burn or bumps?

[Jimmy the Celt]

It doesn't surprise me at all to find other kilties who roll the way I do; we're a different breed altogether! I mainly use a Merkur Classic double-edge safety razor with Wilkinson Sword blades. Occasionally, I'll use a Gillette Adjustable from the 1960's [which I got brand new, in the box with the original "starter blades" and an unopened bottle of Sun Up after shave!]. I use a straight razor when I want to take my time and pamper myself [I have two straights, both Dovo's].

For soaps / creams I rotate Proraso, Coates and Taylor of Old Bond Street with a Shavemac XL Silvertip badger hair shaving brush. When I'm lazy or in a hurry, I use Aveeno shave gel . . . and "gel" doesn't usually give the best results.

I discovered that using traditional shaving methods is not only better for my skin, but more comfortable and less expensive. You do pay more for shaving accoutrements, but they last longer, and you can get 200 double-edge blades for thirty bucks. It's one of the few true values in everyday life.

~James