yet another shaving thread; what more do you need to know? just click it, soldier!

[oman]

gentlemen what's up

so anyway i started shaving with double-edged razors four months ago. i have some questions:

for one thing, i don't seem to be getting as close a shave as i want. how can i get a closer shave? is it equipment-related? i'm using a cheap gillette handle, with cheap stainless-steel razors, and a round blue plastic container of hardened shaving cream (add water and lather, bravo!). not exactly the most professional setup, i know

i went to a nearby barbershop and got a shave once, and it was extremely good, MUCH closer than my at-home shaves. i asked my dad (35 years of shaving) why the barbershop shave was better. he laughed and said "i've been asking that question for years. nobody can match a barber's shave. it's impossible." i didnt appreciate his mystic endorsement of the shave - can you guys provide more info?

the barber did use a straight razor instead of a double-edge, and he sort of ATTACKED my face. he scraped the razor against my skin at a 90-degree angle, which left me sort of sore. should i use his method and brutalize my face as well?

thanks for anyone who actually read this

 

[Homme]

www.shavemyface.com
www.badgerandblade.com

Check 'em out.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

Originally Posted by oman

should i use his method and brutalize my face as well?
you have more experience with the DE than i have, but my intuition tells me that face brutalization = butchered-baby-smooth skin. i would rather have slight stubble than hamburger face. i would try upgrading blades for starters. i like merkur blades, but that's all i have tried. i swap them out after two shaves to be sure that i'm working w/ max sharpness.

 

[oman]

yeah the "hamburger face" thing raises another question - how do i make sure my face remains smooth, goddamnit. i don't want to ruin my skin. is this possible to do without using other skincare products, or do i have to spring for something that moisturizes or exfoliates or whatever the hell the new buzzword is

and hey thanks for the links, homme

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

i find that the shaving brush exfoliates well. the razor does its part scraping dead skin off your face. i use nivea aftershave balm to moisturize. drink lots of water.

 

[oman]

Originally Posted by denimdestroyedmylife

drink lots of water.

what about diet pepsi

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

^ poison

 

[Bandwagonesque]

I've never had a barber shave before, but honestly, a bit of stubble > raw face.

I usually shave right after a hot shower. I don't need to shave every day, so I do it every second or 3rd day. That gives my skin some time to recover from my last razor attack. Right after the shower, I use some basic moisturizer... usually Moisturel, or something non-clogging. This lubes up the face for action I find. Apply the shaving foam/lotion, then wash off with cold water, and reapply the moisturizer (especially in winter). Works fine for me.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

try proraso products (available in spa section of target)

i like the preshave stuff and the shave cream. i apply a little bit of vegetable glyerin to my beard before applying the cream to increase lubricity.

 

[FriscoSoxFan]

Feather blades:

http://www.cottonblossomcrafts.com/shave_page_9.htm

Once you go feather, you never go back. All other blades will feel like you are hacking at your face with a piece of crudely sharpened flint.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by FriscoSoxFan

Feather blades:

http://www.cottonblossomcrafts.com/shave_page_9.htm

Once you go feather, you never go back. All other blades will feel like you are hacking at your face with a piece of crudely sharpened flint.

I have to agree there. I have tried so far Feather Platinum, Israel-made Personna, Merkur Platinum (IIIRC), Sweden-made Gilette blades. I keep finding that the VERY sharp Feather blades work best for my coarse hair.
Here is a good idea:
Get a sample pack of blades. I did that. http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/vie...er=asc&start=0
I have yet to try the Derby. Call me weird but I feel uncomfortable using Turkish blades. But on a more serious note, the Derby from what I have read are better suited to people with less coarse hair than I so I wopuld probably not do too well with them. The Gilette were dissappointing, I liked the Personna though.

 

[Englandmj7]

I have yet to try the Derby. Call me weird but I feel uncomfortable using Turkish blades. But on a more serious note, the Derby from what I have read are better suited to people with less coarse hair than I so I wopuld probably not do too well with them. The Gilette were dissappointing, I liked the Personna though.

Derby is less "sharp" than some of the others (Merkur, etc.) and is made for more sensitive skin, such as my own. Feathers and Merkurs are that little tiny bit too sharp for me......did more cutting than shaving.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by Englandmj7

Derby is less "sharp" than some of the others (Merkur, etc.) and is made for more sensitive skin, such as my own. Feathers and Merkurs are that little tiny bit too sharp for me......did more cutting than shaving.

Have you tried those much-vaunted Sweden-sourced Gilette blades? I really dislike them. More burns and uneven shaving than almost anything else even if they are suppossed to be sharp and smooth-shaving.

 

[skalogre]

RIght... if I recall correctly I have 1-2 sealed 10 packs of Merkur blades and one sealed (I think 10-pack) of Derby. If anyone is curious about either, PM me and I'll arrange to have them mailed to you. I'll doubl echeck on the sizes when I get home.

 

[javyn]

Make sure the angle is correct, not too agressive. And NO pressure against your face! The razor should glide over it and just cut hair. If you are getting hamburger face you are either pressing down without knowing it, or the angle is too aggressive. If you want the baby butt smooth face..do one pass with the grain (north to south), then re-lather and do a second pass against the grain (south to north). Wallah!