GMG Classical Music Forum

The Back Room => The Diner => Topic started by: Ken B on May 12, 2017, 04:06:25 PM

Poll
Question: How?
Option 1: Don't. Caveman look! votes: 3
Option 2: Electric. Screw the environment! votes: 5
Option 3: Disposable. Money to burn! votes: 2
Option 4: Straight razor. Live on the edge! votes: 0
Option 5: Double edge. If it was good enough for grand-dad it's good enough for me! votes: 6
Option 6: Single edge. Grand-dad was half right! votes: 0
Option 7: Banana. Makes quite a mess! votes: 1
Title: Shaving
Post by: Ken B on May 12, 2017, 04:06:25 PM
We don't have a shaving thread, so I thought I'd start one.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Gurn Blanston on May 12, 2017, 04:37:24 PM
I've been through everything on the list (including straight razor, which my grandfather started me on when I was 16), never really been happy. The banana really sucked! :P  Now, I use one that isn't on the list, at least not as such. I joined Harry's Shave Club (like Dollar Shave Club but different source for the blades) about 2 years ago. I am relatively satisfied, my beard is death on blades and these are cheap enough that if I only get 2 or 3 shaves out of one it doesn't hurt as bad as it did when I just got that from Gillette or Schick which cost 5X more.

I was fairly happy for the 30 or so years I had a full beard, but when that became stylish, it had to go. :-\

8)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 12, 2017, 05:14:42 PM
Haven't shaved since I retired from the Army 25 years ago. I keep the fur under control with scissors.

Sarge
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Ken B on May 12, 2017, 05:51:23 PM
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on May 12, 2017, 04:37:24 PM
I've been through everything on the list (including straight razor, which my grandfather started me on when I was 16), never really been happy. The banana really sucked! :P  Now, I use one that isn't on the list, at least not as such. I joined Harry's Shave Club (like Dollar Shave Club but different source for the blades) about 2 years ago. I am relatively satisfied, my beard is death on blades and these are cheap enough that if I only get 2 or 3 shaves out of one it doesn't hurt as bad as it did when I just got that from Gillette or Schick which cost 5X more.

I was fairly happy for the 30 or so years I had a full beard, but when that became stylish, it had to go. :-\

8)
Yeah. I have had a beard for about 40 years, except for two brief moments when I shaved it off, once due to accidental trimming forgetting to put the guard on. It was very unusual way back when but is as you say depressingly fashionable now. However I console myself that I am the trendsetter! One day most of them will be old, fat, and bald, thus proving me right.

For neck and scalp I use a double edge. Much better than electrics with a beard, and vastly cheaper than disposables. Cooler too!  :D
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: XB-70 Valkyrie on May 12, 2017, 07:34:12 PM
Electric hands down. No hassle, no mess, no cuts, low cost (~40 per year for new cutter block and foil). I bought a Braun (~$80) ten years ago, and it has worked flawlessly ever since. As far as the environment, the amount of electricity is negligible, and I more than compensate for my lifestyle by choosing to be child free!!  ;D  ;D  ;D . My friend with two kids is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and we both loathe SUVs, but I told her that I could drive a different SUX 6000 SUV every day of the week and still not harm the environment as much as even one of her snowflakes in their $5000/mo Montessori pre-schools!.  :P
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 12, 2017, 09:23:53 PM
Where's the wax option? :P
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Autumn Leaves on May 12, 2017, 10:27:48 PM
I've had a beard for a few years now and can't remember the last time I had a "clean" shave with a razor.
I have one of those electric home hair-cutting appliances and use it to trim the beard when it gets too unruly:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41K0U3XqHdL.jpg)

^More or less what I use :).
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: vandermolen on May 12, 2017, 10:30:50 PM
The sand-paper was ineffective and left a scratchy sensation so I now use a straight razor with disposable blades. Was ordered to shave my beard and moustache off years ago.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 12, 2017, 10:34:35 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 12, 2017, 10:30:50 PM
The sand-paper was ineffective and left a scratchy sensation so I now use a straight razor with disposable blades. Was ordered to shave my beard and moustache off years ago.
I guess your avatar picture is a little out of date then? ;D
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: NikF on May 12, 2017, 11:49:56 PM
Double edge blades. The scars on my face make some parts a little tricky. And I have a chin dimple that needs negotiated, but it also serves to slow things down like a speed bump on the road.

Over the years I think I've only gone without a shave a couple of times. This is because my grandfather had cancer and the last time I saw him alive was during the visiting hours one evening at the hospital. I left him and my grandmother to talk alone for the last ten minutes or so and when they finished he was plugging in his ancient electric shaver. He looked up and waved at me and started to shave. When we got outside I could see him through a window, mirror in one hand, shaver in the other as he was just finishing his shave. The next day we were told he'd died during the early hours of the morning. If he was able to shave every day then I can too.

Once every three weeks I use electric clippers to shave my head. It leaves the length of the hair almost like a five o'clock shadow - changed days indeed since my younger years, when every Friday afternoon in anticipation for the weekend I'd have it trimmed by a hairdresser we worked with.

Sometimes my ex used to watch silently, all serious little face and cat eyes as I shaved. Occasionally she'd ask "Can I shave you?" and then pout at my usual refusal. The compromise was her settling for climbing into the shower with me and allowing her to using a pumice stone to shave away the callouses on my hands. As she did this I'd sometimes sing 'I loves you, Porgy'. ( ;D)

TL;DR, double edged blades, shaving soap and brush, no preshave or aftershave. Styptic pencil only as a last resort.

e: and no whining when using the styptic pencil.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Jo498 on May 13, 2017, 12:05:51 AM
double edge since ca. 2004. Before that I used disposables like sensor excel or whatnot but I found them too expensive, became confused because there were always "slightly improved" new types of blades. I have about three holders/handles from that time because out of confusion I bought wrong blades or hoped that the new/different ones would be better. Old fashioned double edge is superior in every way for me. Especially the "bouncy" ones were crap for me; a ridiculous idea if you ask me. Also the double/triple blades are bad if one shaves only 2-3 times a week because longer hairs get trapped in between the blades.

Even earlier as a teenager until my early 20s I used electric but this was probably not a good one inherited from some uncle (my father wore a beard) and did not like it. I never wanted to spend the money to find out how good more recent electric shavers are.
(My beard is an odd mix of coarse and finer hairs and the electric shavers I tried never did well with the combination and usually left me with a poor shave AND irritated skin whereas even with a bad wet shave I usually manage to get only one of both.
I am also in principle against doing something with a power tool that can be done as good or better with a tool that does not need electricity.

I'd try "Schick injector" or a similar system because they apparently are even easier than double edged blades but they are not common anymore so I cannot be bothered to acquire the tools.

I'd love to try a straight razor (and I own one) but I have a) poor eyesight but don't want to wear glasses when shaving, b) am not that great with my hands, so both the actual shaving process as well as stropping, honing and general razor care would be daunting for me.
(Accidently I yesterday watched a youtube vid "Nick shaves" where a guy is shaving a month's growth with a straight razor and it is really a superior instrument in that it can both perform a standard daily shave but also literally "take off a beard". And supposedly barbers also use it for haircuts - but it is probably not an accident that until safety razors were invented many men did not shave themselves if they could afford it.)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Karl Henning on May 13, 2017, 03:53:43 AM
Oh, I was thinking . . .


(http://napabarrelrepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Wood-shaving.png)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Ken B on May 13, 2017, 11:51:05 AM
Quote from: Conor71 on May 12, 2017, 10:27:48 PM
I've had a beard for a few years now and can't remember the last time I had a "clean" shave with a razor.
I have one of those electric home hair-cutting appliances and use it to trim the beard when it gets too unruly:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41K0U3XqHdL.jpg)

^More or less what I use :).
I have that exact set. But it doesn't help with the skull part much! Or the neck.

I am surprised to see DE in the lead. I guess I shouldn't be; GMGers are a cool bunch.  ;)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Florestan on May 13, 2017, 11:58:40 AM
Electric since 1998. Never ever looked back to blades, never ever had a beard or a moustache, never ever seriously considered growing one.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Ken B on May 13, 2017, 12:39:05 PM
Quote from: Florestan on May 13, 2017, 11:58:40 AM
Electric since 1998. Never ever looked back to blades, never ever had a beard or a moustache, never ever seriously considered growing one.

Wise; Romanians should not be around sharp blades.

;) :D
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Autumn Leaves on May 13, 2017, 10:00:50 PM
Quote from: Ken B on May 13, 2017, 11:51:05 AM
I have that exact set. But it doesn't help with the skull part much! Or the neck.

I use the tool, without a foil for trimming the hair on my neck - the stubble left by the hair-trimmer is the equivalent of a couple of days growth so I just leave it like that (I was always cutting myself when I used to clean shave my neck line) :).

Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: vandermolen on May 14, 2017, 12:06:29 AM
Quote from: jessop on May 12, 2017, 10:34:35 PM
I guess your avatar picture is a little out of date then? ;D

:)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Draško on June 20, 2018, 08:09:48 AM
I just noticed that my current shaving kit is perfectly multi-kulti. That's Czech razor, Russian blades, Italian brush, Romanian shaving cream and Serbian after shave!  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

(https://s15.postimg.cc/8jgo2964r/image.jpg)

Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Ken B on June 20, 2018, 08:14:59 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 20, 2018, 08:09:48 AM
I just noticed that my current shaving kit is perfectly multi-kulti. That's Czech razor, Russian blades, Italian brush, Romanian shaving cream and Serbian after shave!  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

(https://s15.postimg.cc/8jgo2964r/image.jpg)

Sputnik is a nice blade. Most of the Gillette blades are made in Russia, in St Pete's. I like the Silver Blue. The Polsilver is made in the same factory.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Draško on June 20, 2018, 08:18:29 AM
Quote from: Ken B on June 20, 2018, 08:14:59 AM
Sputnik is a nice blade. Most of the Gillette blades are made in Russia, in St Pete's. I like the Silver Blue. The Polsilver is made in the same factory.

It is. Polsilver is superb, my favorite blade. Can't find it locally lately though.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Ken B on June 20, 2018, 08:22:12 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 20, 2018, 08:18:29 AM
It is. Polsilver is superb, my favorite blade. Can't find it locally lately though.
I got a bunch from Sweden through eBay at a good price, about 17 cents a blade. Locally I saw them at $1.50 a blade!!
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Draško on June 20, 2018, 08:24:59 AM
Quote from: Ken B on June 20, 2018, 08:22:12 AM
I got a bunch from Sweden through eBay at a good price, about 17 cents a blade. Locally I saw them at $1.50 a blade!!

Yeah, I'll go for ebay as well if local store that used to carry them doesn't re-stock.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Daverz on June 20, 2018, 10:12:07 AM
Never could grow a beard worth a damn.  I use one of those razors with a gazillion edges, but I use them practically indefinitely; the prices for new blades are ridiculous.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: aleazk on June 20, 2018, 10:47:37 AM
I oscillate between caveman and electric. For the last months it has been caveman. To keep with the style, I also use the same clothes all the time.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: ritter on June 20, 2018, 10:52:42 AM
Gentlemen, re. Polsilver Super Iridium blades (of which I had never heard of until today), it seems production has ceased. Stock up as soon as you can...

TD:

I too use one if these Gillette multi-blade contraptions (one with a little engine that makes it shake—don't understand why that helps the shaving process, but if I don't have it on, I miss it  ;D). But I don't use it that often, as I sport a full beard (have done so for st least 12 years), and tend to go to the barber's every ten days or so to have it trimmed and groomed. 10 years ago, it was not an easy task to find barbers in Madrid who do beards, now there seems to be one at every corner.  ::)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: NikF on June 20, 2018, 11:23:27 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 20, 2018, 10:52:42 AM
Gentlemen, re. Polsilver Super Iridium blades (of which I had never heard of until today), it seems production has ceased. Stock up as soon as you can...

TD:

I too use one if these Gillette multi-blade contraptions (one with a little engine that makes it shake—don't understand why that helps the shaving process, but if I don't have it on, I miss it  ;D). But I don't use it that often, as I sport a full beard (have done so for st least 12 years), and tend to go to the barber's every ten days or so to have it trimmed and groomed. 10 years ago, it was not an easy task to find barbers in Madrid who do beards, now there seems to be one at every corner.  ::)

That's it, got to keep the grooming going on a regular basis.  8) Yeah, barbers/beards - there's been a resurgence over here of barbers who tend to the facial hair. Many of them are Turkish, some giving themselves the title of 'Master Barber'. And they do so much business it appears the proverbial licence to print money. Years ago I used to do headshots for some of their establishments. And speaking of which...

... I've never had a beard, but I used to have my hair cut once a week, when for a shoot we'd have make-up and wardrobe and a hairdresser come in. Back then along with a full head of hair I'd enough charm so that after finishing work the request 'Any chance you could give my hair a quick tidy up, please?' receive the desired response. Then as my hair thinned and receded and fell the question became 'Do you have clippers I could borrow for a moment?'  ;D

e: anyway, today was head shaving day - once a week with a Wilkinson Sword blade, finished with a threatening stare and sneer into the mirror.    :laugh:
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: André on June 20, 2018, 01:19:40 PM
I don't go for electric shave, because it totally misses the essential ingredient, the one that makes shaving a moment of morning bliss: the cream. This is my favourite, by far:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71pIlkKSG2L._SY479_.jpg)
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Draško on June 20, 2018, 04:10:05 PM
Quote from: ritter on June 20, 2018, 10:52:42 AM
Gentlemen, re. Polsilver Super Iridium blades (of which I had never heard of until today), it seems production has ceased. Stock up as soon as you can...


Thanks for the heads up, had no idea. I'll pick up a hundred or two off ebay while still possible. 
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: XB-70 Valkyrie on June 20, 2018, 04:31:35 PM
Interesting. I was just thinking about this the other day wondering why so many men, especially younger ones (30s and younger), seem to be so fascinated by shaving paraphenalia, and why shaving stores are popping up all over the place. Maybe shaving with a blade is one of the few activities that one really has to pay attention to! Driving, eating, working, evacuating one's bowels (cannot fathom this one, but I hear it all the time in teh men's room!), and nearly everything else people do are routinely done with a phone in hand.

Maybe shaving represents one of the few excuses a modern person has to get away from a damn screen and have a few minutes of peace.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: André on June 20, 2018, 05:19:46 PM
Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on June 20, 2018, 04:31:35 PM
Interesting. I was just thinking about this the other day wondering why so many men, especially younger ones (30s and younger), seem to be so fascinated by shaving paraphenalia, and why shaving stores are popping up all over the place. Maybe shaving with a blade is one of the few activities that one really has to pay attention to! Driving, eating, working, evacuating one's bowels (cannot fathom this one, but I hear it all the time in teh men's room!), and nearly everything else people do are routinely done with a phone in hand.

Maybe shaving represents one of the few excuses a modern person has to get away from a damn screen and have a few minutes of peace.

As close to truth as could be in my case  :(.
Title: Re: Shaving
Post by: Mookalafalas on June 22, 2018, 12:44:58 AM
I touch shave in the shower.  Every two or three years I'll grow a beard for about 6 months. It goes down to a vandyke, then a mustache and soul patch, then a soul patch, and then clean shaven til the next round. Now my facial hair is almost all gray (but not my head-hair), so I don't like the look as well--adds about 10 years to me.

   As for the blade, I always used a double blade, but recently bought one of those 4 blade monstrosities on a whim. It's kind of fun, but not really better than a regular razor.