***The Official Manly Shaving Thread***

Swarfega said:
Are you shaving in the right direction? I hate my neck as my hair grows in a North/Eastern direction and turns into an Eastern direction. Once I started shaving following the growth I lost all irritation.
Are you going against the grain?
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Generally shaving down my face, following that down the neck is fine. This leaves some stubble bits though and as I like a close shave I generally then shave chest upwards and I think this causes the problem...
 
Try going across left to right first. If that's not close enough right to left after.
I hardly ever go against the grain and doing a three pass like this usually gets as close as I want.
 
I always do:

With the grain, across the grain, then against the grain.

Important to note that your hair does not travel in the same direction across your face and neck. For example, my neck hair grows up to my chin but it also grows across from the back. My moustache grows diagonally out. My chin is straight down. My cheeks are a bit sporadic in different directions.

It's important to take note of your hair growth in order to create the best shave.
 
Need some more shave cream.
Have tried the ProRaso Red and it's okay. Still have half a pot.
Taylor of Old Bond Street was fantastic and I went through it really quick.

Wouldn't mind trying something else, spec me!
 
Participant said:
I don't re-lather between first pass wtg and second pass xtg. Saves time. I do lather before final atg pass though.

My chin always needs buffing and a bit of extra skin stretching.
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You mentalist!!

:p

But seriously, always lather, never without :eek:

Bickaxe said:
Need some more shave cream.
Have tried the ProRaso Red and it's okay. Still have half a pot.
Taylor of Old Bond Street was fantastic and I went through it really quick.

Wouldn't mind trying something else, spec me!
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I'm currently using trufitt and hill West Indian limes. The missus loves it. I also like the Aaran Aromatics Citrus Bay in the OP.

Geo F trumper always comes highly recommended but it is expensive. Mitchels woolfat is also a good seller.
 
Swarfega said:
Try going across left to right first. If that's not close enough right to left after.
I hardly ever go against the grain and doing a three pass like this usually gets as close as I want.
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Captain Planet said:
I always do:

With the grain, across the grain, then against the grain.

Important to note that your hair does not travel in the same direction across your face and neck. For example, my neck hair grows up to my chin but it also grows across from the back. My moustache grows diagonally out. My chin is straight down. My cheeks are a bit sporadic in different directions.

It's important to take note of your hair growth in order to create the best shave.
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I tried the 3 pass shave and against the grain on the last pass has caused this issue, even though there was minimal stubble left. I might need to leave pass 3 out of my routine.

Having checked the grain of my stubble, it's been 3 days so is easy I have found that 99% of my hair is all the same way, so my face and neck hair all grows the same way, is this odd? Maybe I am lucky, running my hands up my neck and face the grain is the same all over...
 
I started with a three pass shave when starting out and had really bad irritation. Eventually I just started with a single WTG shave which solved my issue. I now only really do a WTG and XTG. As said before if I want a really close I will do GTX. Generally though two passes with some tidying up on the lip and below the nose works for me.

Overtime you will get a better shave. Comfort and closeness. Like anything you just need to shave and you'll learn how to handle your face. I was disappointed at first but now I get a decent shave is half the time it used to take me when starting out. Still get the odd nick though :(
 
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I still only do two passes, 1)WTG face & neck 2) XTG face, ATG neck.

Looking back at this thread, i've been using just my ATT H2 since August, I think i'll switch back to my NEW Deluxe tonight.

I've pretty much only been using MWF or Proraso menthol soap and Astra SP's for months now. Along with Floid Blue, Proraso or Speick aftershaves.

I splashed out on some Palmolive shave cream when i was at the supermarket for a change, i haven't used that for ages :)
 
Tried my third shave with the Astras the other day, the number of shaves is relevant I feel since the first attempt with the fresh blade ruined me, third shave was good though.

I've switched from three passes to two for the time being, just while I get my technique sorted, the third, ATG, pass seems to be the one that is causing irritation and nicking.

Having said all of the above though, even with only the two passes and me possessing the ham fists of a golem I'm still getting a more satisfying shave, with less ingrowing hairs and irritation, than with a cartridge.

One question, I have a mole on my lip which I seems to regularly turn into a fountain of blood, any tips on that? Is it just going to be a case of being careful and going around?
 
FortuitousFluke said:
Tried my third shave with the Astras the other day, the number of shaves is relevant I feel since the first attempt with the fresh blade ruined me, third shave was good though.

I've switched from three passes to two for the time being, just while I get my technique sorted, the third, ATG, pass seems to be the one that is causing irritation and nicking.

Having said all of the above though, even with only the two passes and me possessing the ham fists of a golem I'm still getting a more satisfying shave, with less ingrowing hairs and irritation, than with a cartridge.

One question, I have a mole on my lip which I seems to regularly turn into a fountain of blood, any tips on that? Is it just going to be a case of being careful and going around?
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I always find the second shave with a blade is always the best shave.

I also have a mole between my cheek and top lip that I have taken the top off previously, not very pleasant and it took most of a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding, needless to say I am very careful going over that area now.
 
For some reason, I had my Merkur 34c stolen from my parents house. More than certain it was one of my sisters friends. It does seem daft but I never take it out the bathroom.

Have to order a new one. Or does anyone recommend something else for the same price?
 
Captain Planet said:
Who shaves their lips?? :eek: :p
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I should clarify, not actually on the lip, above the lip. I am not some kind of hairylipped moster you understand. Thought I'd clear that up before the villagers peg me as a freak and try to cleanse me with pitchforks.

Maundie said:
I always find the second shave with a blade is always the best shave.

I also have a mole between my cheek and top lip that I have taken the top off previously, not very pleasant and it took most of a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding, needless to say I am very careful going over that area now.
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It was hubris I think, too used to the safety net of the Gillette Fusion. I'll chalk it down to the learning curve and just try not to maim myself any further.
 
Sinny said:
For some reason, I had my Merkur 34c stolen from my parents house. More than certain it was one of my sisters friends. It does seem daft but I never take it out the bathroom.

Have to order a new one. Or does anyone recommend something else for the same price?
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I'd get a vintage Gillette NEW Open Comb razor.

Either that or a Gillette Rocket HD or Redtip Superspeed.
 
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