Posted: 2/6/2022 11:33:37 AM EDT
[Last Edit: SwiftyMorgan][Edited]
|
As I'm sure many of us here do, when I try something, I dive fairly deep. I'm a member at Badge & Blade for many years. Tried it all, even making my own cream. Here's what I learned and where I ended up, at least for now. Anyway, maybe this helps someone. It helps to know the beard and skin of a person, before accepting feedback: my skin tends to run normal to dry. My beard will begin tearing up a collar by day 2. - Warm water to start, but ALWAYS end with water as cold as you can stand it (closes the pores). Then hit your face with a decent, alcohol based, aftershave. - Aftershave really is the key to comfort and I was never using it. - Use as few blades as you can. The Mach 3, 5, 6 or whatever is total Marketing BS, to sell the latest and greatest. I use a twin blade, only because other than safety razors, there are no decent single blades that I know of. The more metal you drag across your face, the more cutting of skin you're doing. - Safety razors take getting used to, but are the route to take. I'm not currently using them, but have stored them for later use, when life's pace slows down a bit. - Do NOT rule out an electric shavers. "Hurts my skin." "doesn't shave close enough." etc., etc. They used to irritate the crap out of my face as well. Get a good one, give it a shot, and follow the ending routine of COLD water, and aftershave. A good electric shaver will have at least 13,000 RPMs. I like the Panasonics and, when used daily, they shave my tough beard close enough I could call it day, but I typically clean up with a twin blade. After playing all the games with soaps, etc. Here's my daily routine: - Shower - wet face with warm water - shave with Panasonic shaver (I tried oils, etc., meant for electric, but they get the razor dirty and I have since found no difference, when just shaving my wet face). - rinse, then clean up with twin razor. Sometimes I use Barbasol cream, sometimes no cream. I just drag the razor across my wet face. - rinse with COLD water, pat dry, then use a quality aftershave in summer. In winter, a decent aftershave balm. Been doing it this way for several years now with no issues, dry skin, etc. Only had one semi-ingrown hair. I believe using a safety razor, etc., is good and look forward to that routine, once I slow life down a bit. For now, this works. EDIT to add: I rinse the shaver, after each stroke. And, I rinse the razor, after each stroke, always with COLD water. I only use warm water to prep the beard. After that, it's cold all the way. EDIT: To clean electric shavers, other than rinsing after I'm done. Weekly, I simply spray them down with Scrubbing Bubbles, let sit, then brush up with a repurposed toothbrush, then rinse. PS - don't rule out shaving in the shower. The steam/heat help soften the beard and I did it often in the past. I used to shave in the shower, with a hand razor, in the dark (was on shiftwork at the time and couldn't stand light!). Even touched up the back of my neck at times. Never found a decent shower mirror and like most activities folks here perform, it's muscle memory. Never once did I cut myself. |
|
I find for head shaving a Mach 3 in the shower using soap is best. I have bought dozens of electrics over the years and really want them to work but none last more than a month. More blades doesn’t mean a better shave, the Mach 3 blades are spaced so the razor cleans out easily. |
|
Originally Posted By Gatorade96: I went to a vintage Gillette Slim adjustable 10+ years ago. Never looked back. I do have a modern cartridge razor that I use while traveling. Good post BTW. Yep. I have at least a handful of razors now: Fatboy, Adjustables, etc. I think the ability to adjust is key for me. That and quality blades. Once key part I left out, and I will add. I rinse the razor with cold water - theory that it keeps the blade hard, so it should perform better. What blades are you using? |
|
Originally Posted By Waldo0506: I find for head shaving a Mach 3 in the shower using soap is best. I have bought dozens of electrics over the years and really want them to work but none last more than a month. More blades doesn’t mean a better shave, the Mach 3 blades are spaced so the razor cleans out easily. When you say the electrics only last a month, do you mean you can't adjust to it? I've had Panasonic each time, and other than rinse it, I clean the out, maybe weekly. Simply spraying them down with Scrubbing Bubbles, let sit, then brush up with a repurposed toothbrush, then rinse. |
|
Originally Posted By joseywales3: Yep. I have at least a handful of razors now: Fatboy, Adjustables, etc. I think the ability to adjust is key for me. That and quality blades. Once key part I left out, and I will add. I rinse the razor with cold water - theory that it keeps the blade hard, so it should perform better. What blades are you using? I went through the usual dozen or so different ones, and finally settled on Derby. The Feathers were also good but almost too sharp if you know what I mean. |
|
I use an electric and love it. I bought a Wet/Dry Braun Series 3 3040s from Amazon last August for $50 and it works well. I can shave without water, cream, aftershave, etc. and have no redness, irritation, nicks, or other evidence of having just finished. I get a slightly quicker, smoother shave using gel or foam in the shower. I like it so much I bought another for dry shaving to keep in my home office downstairs for days I take a quick shower. It even has a sideburn trimmer. I guess I don't get what's the big deal with all the special prep for a simple shave. You going to the Prom or what? |
You can lead a liberal to knowledge, but you can't make him think.