What's your best shave.....

[Colin]

I let the beard grow so that I didn't have to shave as often as well. I did go back to a goatee this summer, but the extra shaving bored me. I have been a Mach 3 (just the plain one, not the one that flippin' vibrates). I don't use shaving cream, but rather just some Irish Spring on my face after the shower.

One of these days I will find an old school barber and go for a straight blade shave (just to say I have done it).

[Caradoc]

What's your best shave...?

I've used a large number of various razors over the years, and I've come to the conclusion that the razor itself isn't anywhere near as important as the prep and follow-up.

First, condition your beard just like the hair on your head - it softens it.

For a "full clean shave," like for weddings, funerals, and business meetings, I do a lot more than my regular daily shave.

I've had the best results with a mug and brush with Burt's Bees Bay Rum Shaving Soap (alas, no longer manufactured, but I've got three cakes remaining), very warm water (not HOT!), and don't pull the skin tight.

One pass with the grain, and a second pass against the grain.

Follow up with a good aftershave balm. Again, I like the Burt's Bees Bay Rum, and they don't make the aftershave any more either... Two bottles left.

I use a Wahl trimmer to neaten the remaining beard.

For "average" neck-cleaning shaving, I've got a Braun Activator 8595. It gets close enough to be comfortable and to keep the wife happy, and it's fast. It doesn't get anywhere near as clean as a regular blade, though.

Oh, and it's a self-cleaner. The charging stand contains a cleaning cartridge.

[Pour1Malt]

ai just need a sharp claymaire

an a splash o' Laphroiag....



AAARRRGGGG!!!!!

[Dirk Skene]

I use a straight razor and good old-fashioned shave soap to trip the line at my neck & an electric to do the cropping. I have to keep mine short because of my part-time job at the cooking school.

[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.