What's your best shave.....

**cloves** · 16th November 06, 08:49 PM

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** · 16th November 06, 09:46 PM

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

**Deil the Yin** · 16th November 06, 11:36 PM

I must complement Sir Rex on his very smart facial growth! Very excellent.

Just before I started letting my beard grow out in full, I got holt of a shaving oil... Funny enough it had no fancy brand name or anything; the bottle just says "Unisex Total Shaving Solution." Pretty creative, huh? At any rate, it gave the best dang shave I've every had. Smoother than a babies **** it was. And all I used was a disposable two blade plastic razor...

This shaving solution is a combination of essential oils, menthol and 100% natural fragrances, and you can shave wet or dry. I think this particular brand is a "rip-off" of a product from England. I had a client that was supposed to start carrying it, so if you browse around on teh web for "Great Adventure Outfitters" in Monticello, Florida you might be able to order some. About $15 per 1.25 OZ bottle, but you only need 3 DROPS to shave with! I'd say a bottle could last you a year...

Well, I reckon that's my two cents worth...

**herminator** · 16th November 06, 11:48 PM

Rex´ advice is spot on!

Exept: I always shave with my Grandfathers straight rasor ... nothing better!

**raindog** · 17th November 06, 01:37 AM

Don't forget though that there are such things as Safety straight razors. They look identical to straight razors, but have a clamp which takes safety blades (wilkinson sword etc). Cut as good as a straight razor, with less danger (can't cut so deep) and no stropping for ages.
Most barbers use these now as opposed to the traditional. To quote everyone else "Best shave I ever had"

Jef.

**herminator** · 17th November 06, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by raindog

Don't forget though that there are such things as Safety straight razors. They look identical to straight razors, but have a clamp which takes safety blades (wilkinson sword etc).

Yes, I know them, but

Cut as good as a straight razor

no, I don´t think it even comes near a good hollow ground straight blade!

**SB996** · 17th November 06, 04:49 AM

The straight blade is by far the best out there. I have used many other blades but still return to the old straight blade. Flying becomes a problem and the mach 3 is the back-up.

The reason straight blades work better is frequently the prep is better. With a straight blade you must take the time to lather and soak your beard. I have found the creams are much nicer than foams/gels. With most safety blades the users place on the gel/foam/soap and instantly shave, not ideal. Get a badger brush and mug, yes even if you use soap/cream/foam/gel it will be a better shave. Badger hair cannot be beat.

**Jimmy the Celt** · 17th November 06, 07:20 AM

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