Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Shaving; the curse of the beard.

This is topic Shaving; the curse of the beard. in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 02-25-2007, 12:35 PM:

I've always found shaving to be a real pain; I think most men seem to. Some years ago I was having skin irritation problems from shaving, I went to see the Doctor, and she told me to stop shaving for a few days; then the beard growth started causing similar problems. [Frown]

When I first started shaving I used an old straight razor which had belonged to my father; he'd died a year or so before, and therefore had no use for it. I think he'd actually switched to a safety razor in his last few years. I didn't get a very good shave with this; the problem was that I couldn't keep a decent edge on it, and once they get really blunt they're very difficult to sharpen. After a year or two I also switched to a safety razor. Over the next thirty years or so I must have tried just about every type of safety razor there has been, double edge, single edge, Techmatic (anybody remember that one?), single, double and triple blade, disposable; you name it, I've tried it.

About 18 months ago I bought one of the Gillette M3 Power battery-powered ones. This has been the best to date, but the blades are very expensive, getting on for two pounds each.

A few years ago I bought an electric shaver; I've only ever used it when I can't have a normal 'wet' shave. You might not think it to look at my photograph, but my hair, including my beard, grows very fast, and I find the electric is almost useless with anything more than a very slight growth, so I have to use it at least twice per day. In recent times I've only used it on my trips to America.

Every few years I've thought of switching back to a straight razor, but two things have stopped me; the price of them, and the difficulty of maintaining a good edge. Yesterday I realised that since I bought the M3 Power I've spent about hundred pounds on blades for the thing; that was the end of the cost argument. My incompetence at keeping a razor harp didn't seem a very good reason either. In Birmingham there's a traditional gentleman's type shop that sells mainly equipment for three activities; smoking, (is there really a market for almost fifty different cigarette papers?) shaving and writing. I bought a one of the cheapest razors, 54 pounds, and a strop, 30 pounds. So far, I've had two really good clean shaves from it, no cuts, no skin irritation, I can shave places like, the back of the neck, that are very difficult to do with a safety razor. Safety razors never seem very hygienic to me; they collect a lot of 'muck' around the blades which is almost impossible to remove. with a straight razor you just rinse it, wipe it, and it's spotlessly clean.

I find the M3 Power gives about as good a shave, but only with a new blade; after the first one or two shaves I can feel that the edge isn't as good, but because the blades are so expensive I use them for far longer than I should. That just leaves the problem of how to keep the straight razor sharp. I'm going to have to learn to strop the thing properly everyday, but I think I can avoid having to do anything more. My local barber is very friendly; I'm sure if I take it with me whenever I go for a haircut he will hone and strop it for me for a small charge.

Anybody got any practical tips for keeping a razor sharp?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-25-2007, 01:04 PM:

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.

On the disposable cartridges, I just rinse them frequently with water directed through the back of the cartridge and out the front. That does a pretty good job of preventing gunky build up between the blades.

It sucks how razor blade prices have gone up due to price spikes for various metals. I use a Gillette "Mach 3" razor. Usually I'll get at least a couple of weeks use out of a blade, sometimes longer. Now I have less of my face to shave since growing out a goatee, so my razor cartridges should stand to last longer.

I never could get used to electric razors. I've tried various types over the years and they all irritated the living hell out of my face. One of my friends swears by the Braun electric razor, but I think I'll just stick with the standard disposable blades.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-25-2007, 01:27 PM:

I find I get the best shave standing in the shower after there is lots of hot steam around
I used to use the wilkinson protector until they were bought out and got to be poorer edge
now I use the Mach3 and williams shaving soap

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 02-25-2007, 02:55 PM:

Gillette Foamy regular, here, and Sensor 3 disposables.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-25-2007, 03:14 PM:

Try www.heimerdingercutlery.com site. They are in Louisville Ky and have top quality German straight razors. Our family bought knives from them back in the 1920's when we owned a meat packing house. Louis

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-25-2007, 06:01 PM:

I only shave about once per week, mostly because I am lazy. Fortunately my beard growth isn't out of control, and by the end of said week I am just "fuzzy". Would my beard grow in much faster if I shaved every day? Also, I only use a beard trimmer to shave my entire face. Sometimes I'll use an actual blade to shave my neck since no electrical mechanism shaves well in that area.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 02-25-2007, 07:09 PM:

My wife printed an article off for me from www.theknot.com before we got married. The person who was interviewed for the article was the owner of a posh salon somewhere and he recommended that you use a shaving soap with a brush. I tried it but found it hard to travel with and kind of a pain to use. The one thing that they recommend which I have stuck with is shaving after a shower. The steam and hot water helps soften the hair and open the pores leaving more of the hair exposed for a closer and smoother shave.

I always shave with disposable Shick razors for senstive skin. They have a vitamin E strip on them which helps to soothe. I find the expensive, mutiple blade razors do a better job and require fewer passes (which can irritate the skin more), but are very expensive as you have pointed out. However, no matter what you use in this part of the world to shave with, the climate this time of the year makes for dry, itchy skin. I put on lotion after my shower and I am dry before I even hit the bed.

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 02-25-2007, 07:18 PM:

I have had a full face beard since the latter part of 1997. Early in that year I developed Bells Palsey on the left side of my face. To say I looked grotesque for the first month would not be a lie. However, by growing the beard I am able to hide the effect the Bell's Palsey created. The only time that it can be seen is when I laugh. So I have shaped it and now the beard seems to belong. Oh yes, Of course the "Martini's" help my vision. [Smile]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 02-25-2007, 07:41 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
Would my beard grow in much faster if I shaved every day?

Probably so. I never had any real beard growth until I started shaving, back when I was 16 or 17. Now, I'm dealing with stubbles by early evening.

Oh, and the damned thing is WHITE now! Look at my member pix, it's a couple years old. You can see my beard's pretty white on the sides there. Today, it friggin' looks like C. Everett Koops!

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-25-2007, 07:59 PM:

>> The Rolls Razor <<

Used one for about two years in college.
The next best thing to a straight edge.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 02-26-2007, 04:30 AM:

There are loads of those things still around, there was one at home when I was young, but I never knew anybody that actually used one. There's a barber's shop which I pass on the way home that has several on display in the window. I rather like the metal box they came in, which also contained the sharpening mechanism.

Posted by Dieter Depypere (Member # 3184) on 02-26-2007, 01:35 PM:

I only shave once a week, and I use a Mach 3 (Gillette). Blades are about 8 Euro here (box of 4 blades). The Mach 3 is in my opinion a very good razor.

I cannot use electric razors, I always shave wet.

I once saw a device on TV that should keep the blades sharp. It works with a magnet, and costs around 15 Euros.
The only thing you have to do is to lay the razor in this device (at least the blades). The magnetic field should straighten the egde.

I haven't tried it, because I don't believe it may work. Additionally, I forgot the name of this product...

Posted by Christopher Meredith (Member # 3767) on 02-26-2007, 01:43 PM:

I echo the shaving in the shower technique. Been doing that for years. I also found that I can get a really close shave on the Mach 3 by shaving once with the grain, then re-lathering, and shaving again against the grain.

Also, the Mach 3 Turbo blades are definitely worth the extra few bucks over their non-turbo counterparts. I can use one of those turbo cartridges for at least 2 months without cuts or leftover stubble.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 02-26-2007, 03:39 PM:

Interesting; I can't use anything other than an electric razor. Anything manual makes my skin horribly sore within a couple of days. It's happened once or twice when I've been away and forgot to take the charger with me, and I came home looking like something out of a cacky 1970s horror film. I've never had that problem with an electric one.

The instruction manual for my Braun says that you should replace the blade and foil every 18 months, but I reckon they seriously start to lose their effectiveness within a year or so. The units themselves only last around 2-3, because the batteries get knackered, and, being sealed units, you can't replace them.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 02-26-2007, 04:33 PM:

Some people have to sharpen (not just strop) a straight razor several times for one shave. I have some that will shave anything other than my facial hair all day, but when I put it to my face it will do one good stroke and then the blade is dull.

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.

You actually cut yourself less with a straight razor than a safety blade because the safety blade is at a fixed angle.

Because I am one of those with a thick beard and require multiple sharpenings for one shave, I just use cheap throw away razors with the glycerine based shave soap.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-27-2007, 06:54 PM:

I'm still pretty "smooth" all over and didn't have to shave facial hair until I was in my mid-30s...only had "peach fuzz".

But now, I have to shave every day else I'd look like Santa Clause in 5 days... I think it's in the genes... [Smile]

At home, I use Williams Mug Shaving Soap with a hog's-hair brush and a Trac 3. Works GREAT!

On the road, same shaver, but Gillette "Foamy" for the convenience.

All the electric shavers including my $120 Norelco SUCK! They always leave a rash.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 02-27-2007, 07:41 PM:

Since I got back into a theatre, I had to drop my beard and show my ugly face.

I use a Remington triple-header like the Norelco. Its all I've ever used, and they do a good job. The older I get, the faster the beard grows, and yes, TIM, Mine is white, too!

My grandad McGee used a straight-razor his entire life. He lived 96 years!

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 02-27-2007, 07:54 PM:

I only use a beard trimmer once every few weeks or so, I can't grow a beard worth a damn though. I was hoping by now I could have the Jim Morrison look circa 1970. But shaving smooth with a razor takes up too much time and I hate that. When on the rare occasion I do a full shave it's usually with the trimmer first to get real close and then with a 3 blade razor afterwards.

Posted by Christian Appelt (Member # 1067) on 02-28-2007, 11:22 AM:

I used Protector blades until Wilkinson lost the ability to deliver these blades to every damn drugstore in Germany - after seeing empty dispensers and hearing "maybe they will deliver next week" I changed to a 2-bladed Gilette clone (packaged under a different name for a local drugstore chain).

Works well, but has no built-in "idiot protection" that saves you from cuts when you try to shave half-asleep... [Wink]

Posted by Tim Rectanus (Member # 3282) on 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.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 02-28-2007, 01:02 PM:

For me it's Gillette Sensor 3 and almost any gel I can get on sale. My beard turns the Sensor 3 cartridges into ribbons after just a couple of uses. I'm not fond of shaving either, but I'm even more not fond of the stubble look.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 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!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-28-2007, 02:37 PM:

I have a fast growing beard too, but I also have very sensitive skin so I'm condemned to an electric razor. "You'll get used to the blade," people told me, so I went manual for at least a year or more...but still wound up bloody every day. I tried everything....different blades, different lather, different directions, disposables, you name it I tried it. I finally gave up and went electric and I will shave again if going out for an evening.

I hate shaving in general no matter how it's accomplished. Bonus: My wife likes it when I rub a day's worth of stubble over her shoulders, so sometimes I skip a day just for her! [thumbsup]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-28-2007, 02:52 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
My wife likes it when I rub a day's worth of stubble over her shoulders...

Kinky...

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-01-2007, 07:51 AM:

quote: Bruce
TIM, Mine is white, too!

Bruce, I've thought of coloring it, but I'm afraid it would look really pathetic...a manifestation of mid-life crisis!

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 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.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 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.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-16-2007, 04:55 AM:

quote: Christian Appelt
I used Protector blades until Wilkinson lost the ability to deliver these blades to every damn drugstore in Germany

According to an article in the paper a few weeks ago, their main line of business is now making blades for the guillotines which are used to execute political prisoners in some African dictatorship or other - a tad worrying if this is now more of a growth market than safety razors!

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 03-18-2007, 11:56 PM:

That is some dumb thing Brad made from a news clip I was featured in for the new theater. They set the camera up in front of the leader and I was walking by to check on a movie that was starting.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 03-19-2007, 05:43 PM:

quote:
According to an article in the paper a few weeks ago, their main line of business is now making blades for the guillotines which are used to execute political prisoners in some African dictatorship or other - a tad worrying if this is now more of a growth market than safety razors!

Are you kidding?

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 03-19-2007, 10:05 PM:

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 03-19-2007, 10:48 PM:

Burt Ward probably never shaved in his life! [Wink]

http://www.robintheboywonder.com/

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 03-25-2007, 04:59 PM:

I have what the doctor called tender skin. I shave daily with those cheap Bic disposable tender skin razors and the cheapest shave foam I can find. I've never had a problem. I use Nivea soothing after shave lotion.