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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Topic: Shaving; the curse of the beard.
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Tim Rectanus
Film Handler
Posts: 51
From: Raleigh, NC, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-28-2007 12:27 PM
Shaving is one of the things that I despise most in this world. Probably because I have to do it so much. My hair grows really quickly. If I am doing anything at night, where I want to look presentable, I have to either not shave in the morning and wait til later or Shave again in evening. Also, my hair is blond so I can't get that "Rugged" look that is so popular, My stubble just makes me look dirty until you get really close to me, and then you are in my personal space and I would have to ask you to leave, now.
So I shave every morning after I get out of the shower with the Newest Gillete Razor (Orange packaging, they have a power and an non power one) and I go through the razors at least 1 a week. I just bought a 4 pack last night at Target for $12.99. I can use them until the Gel strip on it wears off which doesn't take very long. I stopped shaving in the shower b/c that cuts the Gel Strips life in half. I also got one of those Hot Lather machine thingys. It was like $20 and you plug it in and insert whatever shaving gel you want. It doesn't take up much more space and it warms the gel/foam, it works pretty well.
I heard somewhere that most blades are thrown away b/c of rust and that the remedy is to blowdry your razor after you use it. I never get to that point but I don't think I would have time to do that and the fact that I don't own a hairdryer would also be a hinderance.
I have thought about doing the Laser Hair removal thing but am too afraid that I would mess up this beautiful mug.
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Randy Stankey
Film God
Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-28-2007 01:26 PM
I stopped using the Rolls when I was in college because they were giving out free samples of Gilette Sensor razors at the Student Union. I still use the same handle I got in 1990.
I shave once or twice per day, on average, but if I'm not going anywhere special I can go two days between shaves. On the other hand, If I'm going some place important, I will shave a second time in the evening.
I buy one 5-pack of new blades about once every two years. One blade lasts at least six months for me. Gel strips and triple edge blades are all a bunch of bull, as far as I'm concerned. They are nothing more than a cheap way for the company to get you to buy new razor blades more often. If the gooey crap on the razor disappears after two or three shaves, you are more likely to think the blades are spent and use new.
Razor blades do not get dull simply from shaving human hair. It is the dead skin, soap scum and minerals from the water that build up on the edge of the blade which make you think it gets dull. Blades last MUCH longer than that. They DO get dull after a long period of use but nowhere near as quickly as the manufacturers will have you think.
The secret is simple. Keep the blades clean. Wash them in hot water after you are done using them. Dry them well, or at least hang them up so they dry quickly. Store them in a place that's not damp and moldy.
Every week or so, soak them in 90% iso. alcohol overnight. That will help dissolve the crud that builds up on them. Razor blades should last at LEAST a few weeks to a month unless you have a beard like steel wool.
It's all crap, perpetuated by advertising that makes people think they need to use a new razor blade every day!
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Pravin Ratnam
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 844
From: Atlanta, GA,USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 03-02-2007 02:12 PM
Yes, the freaking beard is the first to give away your age. Since I buzz my receding hairline, gray hair is the least of my problems on top. But I notice my beard hair is the first to get those white hairs.
Anyway, Europe is damn expensive for shaving. In the US, you should be able to get an 8 pack of Mach3 for less than the equivalent of 6 Euros.
I use Epilady and sometimes Nair to shave my face. I am so freaking sick of this.
OK, I keed.
I usually shave my face with a Mach 3 completely Day 1, don't shave Day 2, then shave the non goatee areas Day 3, and then I repeat. When I am lazy, I make it a 6 day cycle.
Oh, I had a stray eyebrow hair, I tried to trim. THen ended up buzzing a layer of part of the eyebrow. So I had to freaking remove a thin layer of the entire eyebrow to even it out. Then I had to trim the other eyebrow to balance it out. I got to wear glasses the entire week now to let it grow back to the regular thickness since without glasses, people may notice. Luckily, it doesn't look too bad. It could have been worse and I could have buzzed off the entire eyebrow.
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Stephen Furley
Film God
Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002
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posted 03-15-2007 05:05 PM
Well, it's been almost three weeks since I switched back to a straight razor, and I haven't regreted it. I'd say it gives as good a shave as a new Mach3 turbo blade, but stays that way every day. Hardly any skin irritation, and only one very tiny cut. Strangely, I used to bleed slightly most days with the old type safety razors, but only very occasionally after I switched to the Mach3 type.
It seems that, at least amongst those of us here, safety razors are far more common than straight razors, or electric shavers. Also interesting that some get more skin problems with safety razors, while others find that electrics are worse. I wonder if that's due to different skin, equipment or techniques?
So far I've managed to keep a good edge on the straight razor with nothing more than the smooth side of the strop and the yellow, non-abrasive paste. I still think I'll take it to the barbers shop when it needs anything more than that.
I did once try shaving with a Rolls Razor; it just didn't feel right, the blade seemed to be at the wrong angle on the handle, but I suppose you'd get used to it in time.
I don't know how those who say they can get weeks or months of use out of a Mach3 blade manage it; I can feel it falling off after the first couple of shaves.
quote: Chris Hipp
If you are going to use a straight razor then get a high quality one. You may spend $200+ for one but it is comparable to the cost of buying blades every week over a period of time. Also use a glcerine based shaving soap with a brush after you get out of the shower. The trick to using a straight razor is keeping the blade as sharp as possible and keeping the skin as slick as possible.
The razor I bought was a Dovo one, made in Germany, as were all the ones this shop sold. These also seem to be by far the most common, though there are other makes from France, the USA, Britain and Pakistan.
Dovo make a huge range, there's a PDF catalogue of them here Mine is the top right one with the black handle on page 4 of the PDF, page number 20 of the catalogue. The differences in the blades seem to be in the size, shape, grind and type of steel. I got the 4/8 version as I find a smaller blade easier to use. Much of the difference in price seems to be due to the material of the handle/case/shell, or whatever you want to call it, and plastic is quite good enough for me. The same blade cased in some of the more exotic materials cost well over twice as much. I saw one advertised somewhere which was made of fossil mammoth ivory! It really is a very fine blade; I just hope I can keep it that way.
By the way Chris, what is that grey belt thing passing over your shoulder in your photo?
quote: Bobby Henderson
Don't know about straight razor blades and how to keep them sharp. Straight razors kind of scare the shit out of me. They make me think of old mob movies or some Brian De Palma flick where some lady gets sliced up by one of the things.
Bobby, I suppose you could slash your wrists with a razor if you really wanted to, but you would be very unlikely to acidentally do yourself any serious damage while shaving with one. Providing it's kept really sharp it cuts cleanly though the hair without any great pressure, and if you hold it at the correct angle there's no tendancy for it to dig in. If you're not holding it at the corect angle you can feel that it's wrong. In spite of having to look in a mirror I think it's probably easier to shave yourself than somebody else, as you can feel whether it's right or not. I really hate the thought of anything to do with cuts or blood; I would be about the last person to use a straight razor if thre was any great danger from it.
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