What's your best shave.....

[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?

[Rex_Tremende]

These are the rules that I follow:

• Shave immediately after the shower; the steam and warm water raise and soften the beard.
• Use a gel or non-foaming cream rather than a foam. Reason: foam is mostly air, and air is not the best lubricant in this case. The denser the product, the better the lubrication.
• Apply the shaving gel, and then do something else for a little bit, like deal with your hair, swab your ears, trim your nails, or deal with those unruly eyebrows. Modern shaving products are designed to further soften the beard as well as lubricate.
• Shave in the direction of the beard growth first, then against it, if needed.
• Shave with one hand - don't stretch the skin (I reserve the right to change this rule when someday my skin loses its elasticity)
• Rinse with lukewarm water, not hot.
• NEVER apply alcohol or alcohol-based products to your face. Wanna close up those pores? Splash icy cold water on your face - try it and you will see how smooth your face feels.
• ALWAYS apply an unscented moisturizer with sunscreen (SPF 15 min.) to your neck and face while it is still slightly damp.
• Keep your blade sharp. Change your blade as soon as you recognize it is dragging and not gliding through your beard.
• If possible, give your face a break from shaving once or twice a week. Moisturize anyway.

I had the pleasure and - I have to admit - thrill of having a barber shave me with a straight razor once. It was a horrible shave, it turned out, with rough patches here and there, but what a feat of trust it was to have a stranger draw a knife against my neck like that while trying to relax. It was part of a day of firsts and lasts, and incredible thrills, as later that evening I performed Mendelssohn's Elijah with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall, which to this day stands out as one of the most remarkable performance experiences in my life.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

[kiltedcougar]

I've found that if you shave while taking a hot shower, the steam helps reduce skin irritation.

[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

[Frank McGrath]

Only when I really have to. and the, begrudgingly.