Shaving razors

[Chocaholic]

Showing my age. Gillette Trac 2 for me. Nice weight, simple 2 blade generic cartridges available almost anywhere.

[id10t]

I think I have the best solution - I shave 2 or 3 times a year, and then just down to stubble with a trimmer. Then let it all grow out again...

Gotta love working in education...

[Mule]

Originally Posted by 1fastredsc

Can anyone recommend a good shaving razor? I've been using the Gillette 5 blade razors. What's nice is that they leave a very close shave. Unfortunately those tightly compacted 5 razors also clog up very easily, usually in the first 1/2 inch of the stroke. Therefore i need to make multiple passes before that one strip is shaved and i can move to the next.

Dude, that's what I use & if it's clogging up, you're doing something wrong. As an (at one time) licensed barber & someone capable of shaving with a straight razor, let me give you shaving 101.

1. Wash. The reason for this is to soften your beard. Water & shaving cream is not a substitute. The best place to shave is in the shower. Get a fogless mirror & you'll have the best shave of your life.

2. If you use any kind of decent shampoo, or even liquid bath soap, ditch the shaving cream. Soap your face up twice (you had to wash it anyway). On the second soaping, shave.

I use a Gillette Fusion, awesome! The 3 bladed green vibrating Gillette is also great.

In a way, shaving is like sex. Some people live their whole live & never figure out how to do it right.

[lendaddy]

I also use a finish trimmer most days. I run a factory so it doesn't look out of place. You can get pretty darn close with a finish trimmer FWIW.

The shaver doesn't get much duty any more.

[Mule]

I can tell from the pic, Len.

[tcar]

Electric shaver...

Most people use too much pressure. Irritates and the shave is not as close. Use light pressure.

Also, shaves closer if you use after shower, like 5 minutes after. Like butta'.

[Tishabet]

For my daily driver, I use a standard Gillette twin blade and Kiehl's brushless shaving cream.

My weekend shave is a straight razor and hot lather using a mug and boar-bristle brush.

[Hugh R]

you want a GOOD shave? Use a brush and shaving soap and whatever razor you want.

[JavaBrewer]

I was meaning to start a thread like this. I've been very disappointed with the current crop of razors out there. I used to get a great shave with the standard twin blade with no glide strip and it would last for a couple weeks easy. Now it seems all the razors (including non-disposable) are poor quality and last 2-3 shaves max before they start ripping at my face. The 3/4/5 blade deals don't do any better and to me are just a marketing gimmick. I spent $20 on a handle and shave cartridges for a new 3 blade system and honestly they lasted 2 shaves. Ouch! I've used electric razors (Norelco/Philips seem best for my face) but they take a long time to get the same close shave. I currently use a twin blade disposable from Costco and can get 3 comfortable shaves.

Maybe as I'm getting older my facial hair is getting tougher.

[masraum]

I've tried a couple of electrics over the years. They just didn't do the trick. Everytime I find a disposable I like they stop making it. I use a Bic 2 blade disposable. It gives a super close shave, but I think it uses more aggressive blade angles to do it because I occasionally cut myself. I had a freebe 4 blade a while back that didn't shave quite as close, but I don't think I could have cut myself if I tried. I think when I run out of my current batch of razors, I'll try to remember what that was. I thought it was a "Mach" razor, but I thought it was 4 blades, and I don't think they make a Mach 4. It definitely wasn't battery powered.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

I was meaning to start a thread like this. I've been very disappointed with the current crop of razors out there. I used to get a great shave with the standard twin blade with no glide strip and it would last for a couple weeks easy. Now it seems all the razors (including non-disposable) are poor quality and last 2-3 shaves max before they start ripping at my face. The 3/4/5 blade deals don't do any better and to me are just a marketing gimmick. I spent $20 on a handle and shave cartridges for a new 3 blade system and honestly they lasted 2 shaves. Ouch! I've used electric razors (Norelco/Philips seem best for my face) but they take a long time to get the same close shave. I currently use a twin blade disposable from Costco and can get 3 comfortable shaves.

Maybe as I'm getting older my facial hair is getting tougher.

Exactly. I find my best results are with the cheapest disposable that I can find that will give 1 or 2 good shaves. Use it once or twice and then move on to the next.

[gprsh924]

Mach 3

[RickM]

Originally Posted by masraum

It gives a super close shave, but I think it uses more aggressive blade angles to do it because I occasionally cut myself.

Same here. I just wont use a disposable. Besides they're way too light.

Hey, I'll bet there's a market for high end, billet carved twin blade handles.

[Mule]

If you're only getting 2 or 3 shaves out of anything, it's cause you're not washing your face well enough to soften your beard. Try that with a straight razor & you'll need stitches.

[Tim Hancock]

Wow, I can't believe I am the only one here who uses a Bic single blade razor. I clog multiblade razors immediately no matter what brand of shaving creme I have tried over the years (this includes plain soap). I end up spending more time smacking the d@mn thing against the side of the sink trying to dislodge my coarse whiskers than I do shaving. My beard grows fast and when I have tried electrics, by noontime I look too gruffy for meetings with customers at work.

[VINMAN]

Mach 3 and King of Shaves gel. Always shave in the shower. I think the Mach 3 refill prices are rising along with crude oil.

[RickM]

Replacement blades are like a billion $$ business.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I usually shave at the health club after showering using whatever soap they have in the devices at the sinks and a generic twin blade that usually lasts about 10 shaves. Though I got a generic razor at the last hotel I stayed in in India and that thing lasted 2 months of shaving. It just wouldn't dull.

I have tried ever shaving blade, cream, lotion, electric, etc. out there. I used to have baby smooth skin in college, and to some degree still do. But 5 years ago my skin changed such that no matter what I do, no matter the razor, no matter the technique, I get micro shaven hair particles stuck back in my pores, maybe 3 per shave which then get infected and I have to dig them out.

It's a great look, I can tell you.

Even went in for laser hair removal, $1400 later I still have at least 50% growth on my face.

[Aerkuld]

I use the shaving oil when I shave with a blade. No clogging problems with multi-bladed razers and gives a super clean shave.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by SlowToady

The Gillette Mach 3 is awesome; I've been using it for awhile. I tried the 5 blade deal, but it didn't seem to shave well, and it left my skin all red.

+1 on the mach 3, that's all I use.

I got a schick quatro in the mail for free a few weeks ago, tried it once and threw it in the trash after I used it to scrape my face. For some reason schick razors feel like crap compared to gillette. it's like they are all worn out from day one.