The Manly Shaving Thread

Bony Maloney · 6 Sep 2012 at 11:06

The best tip I have for blade longevity is to "ALWAYS" wash your face using face wash and a flannel before shaving. This brings off the dead skin, improves the quality of the shave and has added months to the life of my blades. The lubrastrip usually wears out before the blade.

jordan282 · 6 Sep 2012 at 11:20

What is the best shaving foam whilst using a brush?

I am looking at the Proraso pre/post shave cream or Proraso Green Tea & Oat
Shaving Cream Soap

krooton · 6 Sep 2012 at 12:28

As this morning showed, as nice as a proper prepped shave with my EJ is, sometime you need the 5 minute effectiveness that Gillette Proglide can offer.

MachM · 6 Sep 2012 at 12:48

Feek said:
Just thought that I didn't get any kind of mug for the cream so I'll just grab an old one out of the cupboard. I guess it's trial and error to see how much cream I need to make the lather.

I didn't bother with a bug/bowl. With cream I just spread a small amount on my face and work up the lather with the brush straight on my face. I find it really easy to judge the consistency of the lather that way. With soaps I just load the brush on the soap and again work up the lather on my face.

figozz · 6 Sep 2012 at 12:56

[FnG]magnolia;22713937 said:
^ I think you might be posting in the wrong thread if you're extolling the virtues of a Fusion. As a side note, your Tesco cooling gel is made by Procter & Gamble, the same people who make the Gillette 'rubbish' you mention.

who rattled your cage?

spaceman · 6 Sep 2012 at 13:45

jordan282 said:
What is the best shaving foam whilst using a brush?

I am looking at the Proraso pre/post shave cream or Proraso Green Tea & Oat
Shaving Cream Soap

Proraso Menthol Green Soap is great, i use it a lot. Along with Pre/Post Cream after every shave (pre/post isnt a shaving cream), it's great for freezing my face (i've never used it before a shave though). i think it would be a good to use on the tube in the summer instead of carrying a bottle of water!

I've not tried the green tea and oat soap yet, i have got one to use at some point though.

Jano · 6 Sep 2012 at 14:42

Feek said:
Just thought that I didn't get any kind of mug for the cream so I'll just grab an old one out of the cupboard. I guess it's trial and error to see how much cream I need to make the lather.

Went into an Art of Shaving store in the states and bought a few bits and bobs. They also advised me to work shaving cream directly into the brush rather than putting it into a bowl when making up the lather, which does actually seem to work better, although I still never manage to get it just right!

RoboCod · 6 Sep 2012 at 14:50

figozz said:
Think your razor is supposed to do the cutting.

Anyway, I use Tesco's own "cooling" gel. It works really well, specially with a new blade. Really does cool my face when I am shaving.

But then again, I have never really had any shave rash or irritation, and my stubble grows thick and fast and is also quite tough.

I shave against the grain as it's the only way to get a close shave.

How often do you change your blade, whats shaving like with a new blade?

A lot of gels dont do anything, but the tesco's one I am using now is really nice and much cheaper than gillette rubbish.

I too use a Fusion and its the best razor I have ever used. For years I wouldnt change from my Gillette Sensor Excel. I tried a Mach 3 but it was useless and then when someone bought me a Fusion for christmas one year, I never looked back. Blades last for ages too.

I dont shave every day, maybe you are shaving too often? I dislike shaving but also dislike having a long stubble, so normally shave every 2 or 3 days, or longer if I leave it over the weekend.

You might find that if you let it grow for a few days, that when you shave it again it will be easier and slightly less painful.

Oh and I never apply anything after a shave anymore... no balm/lotion/aftershave etc... Never did see the benefit myself.

You should always moisturise or balm after shaving in order to protect your skin as shaving can remove a few layers!

The Mach3 and Fusion razors aren't particularly preferred by some people because they can cause much irritation. Dragging 3-5 blades across your face at once is unneccessary and the fact they're so expensive means people try to make them last for weeks into months which means you end up with dull blades. A lot of people here prefer DE razors because they don't suffer these problems.

spaceman said:
Proraso Menthol Green Soap is great, i use it a lot. Along with Pre/Post Cream after every shave (pre/post isnt a shaving cream), it's great for freezing my face (i've never used it before a shave though). i think it would be a good to use on the tube in the summer instead of carrying a bottle of water!

I've not tried the green tea and oat soap yet, i have got one to use at some point though.

I've got some Green Tea soap coming in the post so I can let you know about that in a few days if no one else does before me

figozz · 6 Sep 2012 at 15:06

Captain Planet said:
The Mach3 and Fusion razors aren't particularly preferred by some people because they can cause much irritation. Dragging 3-5 blades across your face at once is unneccessary and the fact they're so expensive means people try to make them last for weeks into months which means you end up with dull blades. A lot of people here prefer DE razors because they don't suffer these problems.

I prefer not to turn up to work looking like I've had an arguement with Freddy Kruger with plasters and bits of tissue all over my face.

I know people who have used DE's for a long time and are very proficient at it... they still have divots and scars in their faces.

m4cc45 · 6 Sep 2012 at 15:47

figozz said:
I prefer not to turn up to work looking like I've had an arguement with Freddy Kruger with plasters and bits of tissue all over my face.

I know people who have used DE's for a long time and are very proficient at it... they still have divots and scars in their faces.

If you slip / get bored or take any liberties it will cut you and that will sting like hell. It takes time to get it right. If you can invest time in it then I find them much better than the multi-blades.

M.

Muzza1875 · 6 Sep 2012 at 18:17

figozz said:
very proficient at it... they still have divots and scars in their faces.

Cant be very proficient if that's the case.

Skeptic · 6 Sep 2012 at 18:25

I get razor burn each time I use a mach3, and say 1/10 times with my DE/straight. It's, for me, a no brainer!

BeeP · 6 Sep 2012 at 20:57

figozz said:
I prefer not to turn up to work looking like I've had an arguement with Freddy Kruger with plasters and bits of tissue all over my face.

I know people who have used DE's for a long time and are very proficient at it... they still have divots and scars in their faces.

I'm thinking you made that up, anyone proficient at it will very very rarely cut themselves, if they do then that defies the proficient part. I have been DE shaving for about 8 months after trying just about every razor out there, DE shaving is perhaps more of a skill but it is far better than any of the plastic fantastic junk.

I can't even remember cutting myself in the last 6-7 months & as for the tissue, that's what styptic pencils or alum bloc are there for.

I can see why it isn't for everyone, just don't trash it if you can't be bothered to try it for yourself.

Feek · 6 Sep 2012 at 22:32

Well I've just had a shave and if I'm honest, I'm underwhelmed. I lathered up (having dropped the 'Etholle and John' mug into the sink and put a huge chip in it) and then dragged the razor over my face with the Derby blade. I did this three times and I quite simply didn't get a good shave, I feel stubbly.

I don't know if I was holding the razor at the wrong angle or whether the blade isn't a good cho

STOP!

I just had a close look at the razor.

After I'd put it together for the first time, it was passed around for the others to look at. it was taken apart and reassembled.

The bottom part (nearest the handle) was the wrong way round, one edge of the blade was pushed against the razor, it wasn't floating.

I'm amazed it cut anything!

So I've put it back to how it should be and done *another* three passes. That's six in total.

My face feels a little tender now, it has some redness and a couple of nicks but it was a good shave, certainly very good for a first (ahem, second) attempt.

So I need to pick up a proper shaving mug because lathering up in a normal mug is a) painful (I cut my finger on the chip) and b) difficult due to the size. I think perhaps I should also get an alum block and (it kills me to say this) some kind of after-balm. Suggestions?

Muzza1875 · 7 Sep 2012 at 07:50

after-balm?this stuff is nice - http://www.shaving-shack.com/the-bluebeards-revenge_post-shave-balm-100ml.html

BeeP · 7 Sep 2012 at 08:13

Dump the Derby blade & get some astra greens

Professor blighty ASB gets really good reviews, he is refreshing his range atm but will be back soon.

The Darkness · 7 Sep 2012 at 08:21

Had my first attempt last night too. Two passes, and the only bit I'm really struggling with is along the jaw line. Any tips for this area?

spaceman · 7 Sep 2012 at 09:00

Proraso Menthol Pre/Post Cream (Green) is great after a shave, i use it every shave.

I've used these Aftershaves/Balms that were good at their job:-

- Proraso Menthol Aftershave Lotion (New Formula)
- Real Shaving Company Smoothing Balm
- TOBS Jermyn Street Aftershave Cream and Sandalwood Gel
- TOBS Aftershave Lotion (Jermyn Street, Mr Taylor)
- Boots and Sterex Witch Hazel Gel

Normally just use witch hazel gel unless i want a smell as well.

RoboCod · 7 Sep 2012 at 10:23

figozz said:
I prefer not to turn up to work looking like I've had an arguement with Freddy Kruger with plasters and bits of tissue all over my face.

I know people who have used DE's for a long time and are very proficient at it... they still have divots and scars in their faces.

Well they clearly aren't proficient then are they

my first DE shave was a bit of a butchering but I learnt from that and I haven't cut myself in months. I am required to shave every day for the forces and a DE blade offers a superior shave without the irritation of a mach3. It also works out much cheaper so it's a no brainer really. Surely you can't rubbish it if you haven't tried it yourself?

The Darkness said:
Had my first attempt last night too. Two passes, and the only bit I'm really struggling with is along the jaw line. Any tips for this area?

I go sideways across the jaw.

RomanNose · 7 Sep 2012 at 10:34

Feek said:
Snip

If you improve your technique then you might not need an after-shave balm.
You might be applying too much pressure. Another thing you could try is placing a hot towel on your face for a few minutes before you shave. It really helps for me.