What do you shave your face with?

Post by **LongBeachCoupe** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:53 pm

I did a search for this and there was a thread in 09 about it but it went to crap quickly and I want this to be a tutorial or help page for those who are curious...

I was always a fan of a mach 3, and half the time when I go to my barber I get a straight razor shave (I think its weird how not all barbers do this, its a tradecraft that they should have).

I have recently come to see variance in the blades I get for the mach 3 and turns out that a huge amount of counterfeit blades get into the supply chain (even at cvs) and I made a concious decision to stop spending $3.xx a blade and switch to a straight razor. In the past I have used them with moderate success, shaving with a straight razor with your off hand is no simple task.

I find the straight razor to provide unmatched accuracy (getting the hairs at the top of the mustache right below your nose that the mach 3 cant articulate to reach) and a closeness that cannot be matched by anything (aside from pulling hairs out of your face.. carlisle.. haha..)

What do you shave with?
Why?

Post by **Ace2cool** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:57 pm

I have the Mach 5 total care pro styler kit thing.

I seriously won't use anything else. After 4 years of shaving every day, I can't stand for cheapo stuff. Plus, now that I've got a full on beard going on, it helps to trim the edge.

Post by **addicted4life** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:06 pm

How close of a shave is that Ace? I need something as good as a triple blade thats electric and I can take into the field with me

Post by **Kompresshun** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:08 pm

I use the Gillette Fusion standard razor, then a beard trimmer for the rest of my facial hair.

I tried switching to a electric razor for a few months and it's fine for a quick shave when you're in a hurry, but it comes nowhere near getting the job done. It's especially frustrating trying to get all of the hair on my neck with it. That's why I finally just gave up and went back to a manual razor.

Post by **Jesda** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:58 pm

Dirt cheap Chinese disposable that's probably riddled with all kinds diseases and a Norelco that's probably 15 years old for minor clean-up work.

When it gets really bad I bring out the Wahl clippers and lay down a tarp.

Post by **alms24sebring** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:58 pm

I only trim to 5 oclock shadow once a week since I dont pump hair out like a Play-doh toy. Shut up, I consider it luck. I just electrically shave it with some decent quality brand (forget who), that is now beginning to pull hairs out.

Post by **Ace2cool** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:20 pm

addicted4life wrote:How close of a shave is that Ace? I need something as good as a triple blade thats electric and I can take into the field with me

Honestly, the electric is just an added bonus. I's mainly for trimming and grooming, cause it doesn't actually shave very well. That's what the razor attachment is for, and I haven't found anything to get closer (comfortably) than the mach 5 blade design. The only reason I ended up with this is because I left my regular mach 5 on the ship after deployment and needed another one. This one was 2 bucks cheaper with 4 blade cartridges than the standard with 2 cartridges.

It doesn't do terribly, though. I've got some neck scruff going on, so I'll shave half and take a pic for you.

EDIT: It's blurry, but it's enough to tell that it gets you past 5 o'clock shadow status. Only just though.

IMAG0256 by aaronparris, on Flickr

Post by **MinisterofDOOM** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:29 pm

I have the vibratey-electric Gillette Fusion. I switched from a Mach 3 for use on top of my head. I figured more blades would mean longer usable cartridge life, and I hoped that the vibration would help with shaving against the grain.

I eventually got sick of shaving my head twice a day to keep the stubble away (my hair grows mutant-fast, which I can only assume is biological compensation for my inability to grow anything resembling a proper beard), but I kept the Fusion around because it manages a nice shave on the face, too. Generally I'm a "more than 3 blades is silly" person, but with the single blade on the back, it's really pretty ideal.

On the face, the only benefit of the vibration in this thing is that it helps it rinse clean more easily. But on top of my head, going against the grain, it makes a big difference. There's a lot less resistance and I get a closer shave.

There's nothing worse than trying to fall asleep when the velcrostubble on top of your head is determinedly clinging to one spot on your pillowcase. Fusion saved me from that. I am eternally grateful.

I've considered giving a straight razor a try for my head, but I'm terrified that I'll mangle the back of my neck, so I've never done it.

Related question:
What's everyone's shave cream/gel/goop of choice?
I stick with plain-old Barbasol. Menthol or Aloe variants are nice...the stuff in the standard red can smells a bit clinical. I cut myself far more rarely with Barbasol than with more expensive fancy-a** s***.

Post by **NolimitZ32** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:50 pm

I use a Mach 3 at Work (I work on a remote site and have a toiletries set in camp) and a Shick Hydro 5 (or whatever its called) at home, I use interchangeably Nivea Shave gel (the sensitive skin stuff) and Gillette fusion gel. A combination of either gel and razor work fine for me but I have rough facial hair so I need to do 2 or 3 full passes even with a fresh razor to get baby-butt smooth. For aftershave I use strictly the Nivea cream, my neck gets irritation really bad, I've been shaving constantly for 10 years now and this is the only thing that relieves the irritation in a short time except rubbing alchohol which stings like a beeech (see what I did there

)

Post by **Rex** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:51 pm

Braun 6500 series for weekends and the Braun before shower + Gillette triple blade w/ Edge gel after shower on weekdays. I know it sounds like twice as much work, but it allows me to do a quick shave that's really good and I rarel, rarely ever end up with a cut of any type.

Post by **krash** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:30 pm

man I cant remember the last time I shaved clean. I've been using a hair trimmer on my face for years.

Post by **addicted4life** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:42 pm

Ace2cool wrote:
addicted4life wrote:How close of a shave is that Ace? I need something as good as a triple blade thats electric and I can take into the field with me
Honestly, the electric is just an added bonus. I's mainly for trimming and grooming, cause it doesn't actually shave very well. That's what the razor attachment is for, and I haven't found anything to get closer (comfortably) than the mach 5 blade design. The only reason I ended up with this is because I left my regular mach 5 on the ship after deployment and needed another one. This one was 2 bucks cheaper with 4 blade cartridges than the standard with 2 cartridges.

It doesn't do terribly, though. I've got some neck scruff going on, so I'll shave half and take a pic for you.

EDIT: It's blurry, but it's enough to tell that it gets you past 5 o'clock shadow status. Only just though.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronparris/8581779114/]

Cool, thanks hahah I need to be perfectly clean shaved everyday or I'm not allowed on the lease sites, i hate taking 20 minutes to shave, hate using shaving cream so I just heat the mach3 up real good and hack it off. I've always used hair clippers down to the closest setting to maintain a 5 o'clock shadow. I will have to get one.
Cheers buddy

Post by **Mr1der** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 8:09 pm

Gillette something or another.

Honestly, it sees y balls more than my face. (both are extremely rare)

Post by **PapaSmurf2k3** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:53 pm

Gillette all the way. Mach 3.
I've had gotten straight razor shaved, done disposable single blades, double blade "gillette sensor", mach 3 (the money spot), something with 4, and then finally the Gillette fuzion (5 blades). The fuzion felt like shaving with a vacuum cleaner almost. The thing was effin huge.
Mach 3 is the best I've found for home use, however I've found the straight razor to give the best results... I just don't have one :/

I might have to sack up now that Brian has thrown down the gauntlet.

Post by **Ace2cool** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:04 pm

MinisterofDOOM wrote: What's everyone's shave cream/gel/goop of choice?

Water? And I shave against the grain. I've seriously never understood "razor burn" or any kind of sensitive skin issues. I've always gone with just water, shaving against the grain, and always had super smooth skin. No clue why.

Post by **AZhitman** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:06 pm

My facial hair is like 14-ga stranded wire - seriously, it's scary.

The Mach 3 is my weapon of choice, but I don't use it for my whole face, just below the jawline. I don't use shaving cream, just a wet shaver against the grain.

I usually maintain something between shadow and full beard, considering 1) I hate to shave 2) I get wicked ingrown hairs 3) I look like an even bigger dork without facial hair.

SO, once a month, I break out the Wahl trimmers and a #1 guard and remove my Sasquatch costume.

When I used to shave my head, I had a Headblade. Now, the shaver itself wasn't all that nifty, but their shaving lotion? BOMB. Best stuff on the market.

Considering my hairline is retreating like a French infantry division, I may go back to Mr. Clean status this summer...

p.s. The Fuzion is a POS. My beard hair destroys the blades in one shave.

Post by **NolimitZ32** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:15 am

AZhitman wrote:Considering my hairline is retreating like a French infantry division

Post by **Bubba1** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 3:18 am

Rechargeable electric: shaves reasonably close, no shaving cream, no chance of cuts, quicker, plus more convenient during a full moon when I have to shave hourly.

Post by **s0m3th1ngAZ** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 3:33 am

Military shaver with dark hair and pale skin ...so nothing other than a 3+ edged razor after a shower will do.

Post by **mmkeller** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 7:24 pm

I voted electric, but when the stubble gets to long it is a mach 3. Braun has been the ultimate shaver, I like the cleaning it goes through.

Post by **LongBeachCoupe** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:08 pm

I am really surprised no one else is speaking up about straight razors... its the DIY of shaving lol....

Post by **BusyBadger** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:24 pm

I shave in the shower...it makes all the difference.

My arsenal consists of the Fusion Proglide, Shave Secret pre-shave oil and my favourite metro shaving cream Lab Series Max Comfort Shaving Cream. Shaving is enough of a pain in the a** that I don't mind spending some extra cash on making it more comfortable.

And yes, that shaving cream is worth the price.

LongBeachCoupe wrote:I am really surprised no one else is speaking up about straight razors... its the DIY of shaving lol....

I did the straight razor thing for couple of years, shaving mug, badger hair brush, the whole nine...it's overrated.

Post by **AZhitman** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:26 pm

I don't have time for luxuries like that...

And although my Dad swore by an electric razor since they came out in the 70's, I have facial hair that doesn't fit between the "vanes" - So, there's no way the blades can get to it.

I've had a Norelco and a Braun... both sit unused in the drawer, because even after a 10-min shave session, if I run a piece of tissue across my face, it's shredded. No thanks.

Post by **SBC 240Z** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:24 am

s0m3th1ngAZ wrote:Military shaver with dark hair and pale skin ...so nothing other than a 3+ edged razor after a shower will do.

Agreed, having to shave once, maybe twice a day means no cheap a** blades.

Oddly enough I've found that Barbasol is better on my skin than any of the high dollar shaving gels/creams.

Post by **BusyBadger** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 6:56 am

AZhitman wrote:I don't have time for luxuries like that...

I'm guessing you're taking about using a straight razor.

And it is a time suck, besides the additional time it takes to shave (I know I always went slow) there's the added time of maintaining the razor. And for those that think the shaving cream I linked up is expensive keep in mind how much a straight blade, a good strop, a hone (high grit sharpening stone) and a good brush will set you back. It's a big outlay of cash the front end, it will save you money in the long run, but it will take a while.

If you have the patience to stick with it.

Post by **LongBeachCoupe** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 6:58 am

Badger, I have been using disposable blades for my straight razor, maintaining the blade is something I dont have the dedication to do yet.

Post by **BusyBadger** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:19 am

A disposable straight razor? Never heard of such a thing...cool idea!

Post by **LongBeachCoupe** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:13 am

Its not all disposable, the handle you keep, but the blades are disposable, what they would use in a barber shop

Post by **float_6969** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:13 am

I voted mach 3 or similar. I've tried just about everything an they all make my neck break out. I have to be VERY careful about how I shave my neck. I just switched to the fusion, and it seems to have helped some, but I can ONLY shave with the grain, and if I make more about 2 passes over one area, it will break out. As for shaving cream, I've tried about everything as well. The best stuff I've found is actually my wife's sensitive skin leg shaving cream. IDK what it is off the top of my head because I've never bought it. I also HAVE to shave in the shower or it doesn't matter what I do, I'll break out on my neck.

My neck skin will actually break out with an electric razor as well. Sensitive skin sucks.

Post by **frapjap** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:41 am

float_6969 wrote:I voted mach 3 or similar. I've tried just about everything an they all make my neck break out. I have to be VERY careful about how I shave my neck. I just switched to the fusion, and it seems to have helped some, but I can ONLY shave with the grain, and if I make more about 2 passes over one area, it will break out. As for shaving cream, I've tried about everything as well. The best stuff I've found is actually my wife's sensitive skin leg shaving cream. IDK what it is off the top of my head because I've never bought it. I also HAVE to shave in the shower or it doesn't matter what I do, I'll break out on my neck.

Sensitive skin sucks.

I have the same issue, so I don't use a razor very often. If I do, its a Mach 3- and its used in the shower with some sort of fancy womanly sensitive cream. Barbosol Sensitive is good as well. And its available in the Dollar Tree.

My go-to razor is my Braun 360 Electric. I've had that thing since 2002, and MAN! It was worth every penny of the $150 it used it cost when it was brand new. It gets just about everything and leaves me quite smooth without irritation. The self cleaning feature does seem to help with operational smoothness, too. I've had cheaper Brauns, Norelcos, etc but none of them have been as good as the 360. The foils and cutters are of pretty high quality, and you'll pay a pretty penny for them, but they do last a long time.