The Manly Shaving Thread

Swarfega · 8 May 2013 at 13:52

Obviously not as easy as going down the neck.
It's actually going from a South/West to a North/East direction. My second pass is North/West to South/East. A third would be South/East to North/West.

Before this thread I used to go down my neck on the first pass which is why I always had irritation.

TheCenturion · 8 May 2013 at 17:01

Still getting irration and rash on my cheeks - will some pre shave oil solve the problem? If so, can anybody recommend some good stuff?

Swarfega · 8 May 2013 at 17:15

Are you making the skin on your cheeks nice and taught when shaving them?
Multiple passes or just the one with the grain?

TheCenturion · 8 May 2013 at 17:16

Swarfega said:
Are you making the skin on your cheeks nice and taught when shaving them?
Multiple passes or just the one with the grain?

Yeah they're quite taut, and it's just with the grain the last few shaves.

Swarfega · 8 May 2013 at 17:18

Using any pressure? Have a decent lather? Is the blade nice and wet? What cream/soap are you using? New blade or one thats not old at least?

TheCenturion · 8 May 2013 at 17:22

Swarfega said:
Using any pressure? Have a decent lather? Is the blade nice and wet? What cream/soap are you using? New blade or one thats not old at least?

Nope, using only the weight of the razor. Yes, I've experimented with the lather the last few shaves, changing the amount of water in it. The blade is wet. Using Taylor of Old Bond Street cream. New blade, so far I've not used any blade more than twice (once each side)

Swarfega · 8 May 2013 at 17:27

Pretty much exhausted the obvious stuff then. I personally don't find much from using a pre-shave but I have only tried one oil. I can recommend Proraso Ultra Senstive cream though as it has a lovely soothing feel. Will it help remove rashes? That I can't answer. It will certainly sooth it though.
Are you using a post-shave cream after to help cool the skin?

TheCenturion · 8 May 2013 at 17:28

Swarfega said:
Are you using a post-shave cream after to help cool the skin?

No, just using some moisturising cream on my face.

Swarfega · 8 May 2013 at 17:30

Is this something that's always been an issue or just occurred? Not a reaction to the ToBS or moisturiser at all?

TheCenturion · 8 May 2013 at 17:32

I don't think I had it shaving with a cartridge razor. It could be a reaction to ToBS. I can't remember if it happened when I first shaved with a DE razor

sarge78 · 8 May 2013 at 17:42

TheCenturion said:
Still getting irration and rash on my cheeks - will some pre shave oil solve the problem? If so, can anybody recommend some good stuff?

The cheap £1 stuff from supermarkets will do. It's an underrated step if you want the ultimate smooth/close shave. Not something you'd want to do everyday (too messy and adds more time) but a good way to learn a new technique or get your face feeling like polished glass with zero irritation.

Wet face.
Oil up (3-6 squirts of oil, don't be shy)
Wait 5 mins for the oil to soak into hair and skin.
Face lather or your usual routine.
Get your shave on.

You should now have much more protection than any cream or soap can deliver.

There's some good videos on prep here >> http://www.villagebarber.com/pages/videos

haz_pro · 8 May 2013 at 17:42

Well, had the first shave using my cheap shavette today, wasn't great.

I am sure part of the reason for this bad shave was lack of experience, I am however concerned it may have been partly due to the "cheapness" of the shavette.

I believe this as I don't feel the profile of the shaving "face" is how it should be. Below is an illistration (badly drawn in paint), how I feel it should look on the left, and my shavette on the right.

Is the shavette badly made, or is this what should be expected?

scorchisio · 8 May 2013 at 22:40

haz_pro said:
Well, had the first shave using my cheap shavette today, wasn't great.

I am sure part of the reason for this bad shave was lack of experience, I am however concerned it may have been partly due to the "cheapness" of the shavette.

I believe this as I don't feel the profile of the shaving "face" is how it should be. Below is an illistration (badly drawn in paint), how I feel it should look on the left, and my shavette on the right.

Is the shavette badly made, or is this what should be expected?

cheap shavette and new shaver is a bad mix, get a proper safety razor and enjoy the shave, you cant go wrong with a merkur futur and some voskhod/feather blades. you can get 100 for about a tenner which lasts a year.

haz_pro · 8 May 2013 at 22:55

Sorry, it seems I have caused some confusion.

I am not new to shaving, just to the shavette. I have been shaving with a DE razor for about a year, to trim around my beard but mostly now for shaving my head.

Got a EJ db89 last month which I am enjoying more then my previous DE, but fancied trying a shavette.

Kanifee · 9 May 2013 at 12:16

Look what arrived in the post for me this morning.

With blade in.

I must admit i am bricking it just a smidge

haz_pro · 9 May 2013 at 12:25

How thick would you say the metal is holding the blade? I.e. The drop from the edge of the angled shavette face, to the flat of the blade.

Kanifee · 9 May 2013 at 12:39

This was by no means an expensive example but it is parker and they are a reputable company, cost me £13. seems to have the same as your one, is it as pronounced?

Edrof · 9 May 2013 at 14:12

My new Feathers just arrived, too. Looking forward to trying them out.

haz_pro · 9 May 2013 at 15:22

Kanifee said:
SNIP

This was by no means an expensive example but it is parker and they are a reputable company, cost me £13. seems to have the same as your one, is it as pronounced?

Thanks for doing this.

Looks very similar to mine although I am not sure my blade sticks out quite as far (may be wrong, I am out at the moment so I can't check).

Seems it may be my technique that is completely at issue, hmm!

Kanifee · 9 May 2013 at 15:58

Edrof said:
My new Feathers just arrived, too. Looking forward to trying them out.

i have heard they are sharp even amongst other blades, not sure if that pleases me or scares me more! Cant use them just yet, had a shave with the cartridges 2 days ago as i had left my face as-long as i could waiting for these and had started looking like a grizzly and now have some rash on my neck. Don't want to be decapitating a rash

haz_pro said:
Thanks for doing this.

Looks very similar to mine although I am not sure my blade sticks out quite as far (may be wrong, I am out at the moment so I can't check).

Seems it may be my technique that is completely at issue, hmm!

not a problem mate, hopefully my technique doesnt leave me without a chin