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Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

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Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#81

I'm seriously considering getting my beard permanently removed via laser hair removal. It's getting affordable, and not having to shave every day, or every other day, seems like a luxury I might now pay for. I'm thinking of asking for next birthday and Christmas getting the cost covered. ADDED IN EDIT: I personally don't like having a beard. Been there, done that, don't like it. Also, my wife would be 100% happy with…

What about depilatory cream? It's true that the instructions say not to use it on your face, but I still wonder what can happen and how effective it is.

Unless you have really fine hair (in which shaving is probably not a problem), the cream is so corrosive it burns your skin before it burns the hair away. Plus it takes a really long time.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#82
post #16
post #7

I bought a Merkur Futur a year ago and haven't looked back. The initial investment in going to an old-school shaving setup is about $100. Safety razor, some blades, badger-hair brush and saving soap. But the payoff is huge over time. A $5.00 bar of shaving soap can last 6 or 8 months with daily use. High-quality DE blades are $0.50-$0.80 ea, depending on quantity. As the article states, it takes a little more time an…

I have the same razor. What blade are you using with it? I prefer Feathers.

Several months ago I switched to a Merkur 180 long and experimented with several blades. I found the Feathers to be my least favorite blade, even though they are revered on Badger and Blade. They feel too harsh. I settled on Derby's. I get at least 4 comfortable, close shaves. I won't ever go back the shaving 'systems'.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#83

I learned a while back about the idea of sharpening your blades. I know, it's obvious. The idea is that these disposable blades that you buy in packs of 4 can actually last quite a while if you 'sharpen' them. Basically, wet the razers, and then run it up your arm. Make sure you drag it across so you aren't shaving your arm, but rather, running the blades face across your arm, sharpening it. Wow. That's a really bad…

This was on Reddit a few months ago. I started running the blade against my arm before and after a shave and not only have I prolonged the life of the blade, but it's actually sharper than a new blade. It really has saved me a ton of money on razor purchases and I feel like I'm sticking it to the man a little also. I'm still using the same blade for over 3 months now.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#84
post #47

I have a rough neck, and facial hair that grows fast. I eventually gave up nicking myself every morning trying to get a close shave and went electric. It would grow back by 3pm or so anyway. I got a Braun Activator, and haven't looked back. It still needs a cleaning fluid cartridge, but I love the convenience of running it dry over my face & throat, dropping it in the cradle, and letting it clean & sharpen the thing.…

I get just as close a shave from my braun foil as wet shaving. There is no compromise. Electric shaving is much cheaper. I replace the foil and cartridge every six months.

I'm convinced few people ever figure out how to correctly use an electric foil razor. They just use it wrong and think electric shaving is second tier. They don't get that you have to press pretty hard and work in tight clockwise and counterclockwise circles over everything a couple times.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#85

Has anyone else been shaving without shaving cream? It probably only works for the baby-faced ones like me, but so far I haven't noticed anything bad happening to my face from using just water.

I found the same thing starting in my late teens. I shave every other day, in the shower, without foam, gel or soap against the grain with a Bic disposable. Also, I find as long as I can clean the razor out from the back one blade lasts from 3 to 6 months (Gilette disposables don't work for this as they are closed in the back).

I may not be normal.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#86
post #85

Has anyone else been shaving without shaving cream? It probably only works for the baby-faced ones like me, but so far I haven't noticed anything bad happening to my face from using just water.

I found the same thing starting in my late teens. I shave every other day, in the shower, without foam, gel or soap against the grain with a Bic disposable. Also, I find as long as I can clean the razor out from the back one blade lasts from 3 to 6 months (Gilette disposables don't work for this as they are closed in the back). I may not be normal.

This is similar, except that I change razors more often.. Maybe if I had a good technique to clean the blades they'd last longer, though.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#87
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about depilatory cream? It's true that the instructions say not to use it on your face, but I still wonder what can happen and how effective it is.

Unless you have really fine hair (in which shaving is probably not a problem), the cream is so corrosive it burns your skin before it burns the hair away. Plus it takes a really long time.

By the way, the instructions also mention to let it for 5-8 minutes or in extreme cases for 11 so the time shouldn't be so long. Shaving takes at least 30 minutes for me.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#88

Has anyone else been shaving without shaving cream? It probably only works for the baby-faced ones like me, but so far I haven't noticed anything bad happening to my face from using just water.

i've been shaving in the shower without cream for several years now (enough to not remember when i started). always let the water get hot to make it glide easily, and change the blade when it gets too dull.

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#89
The prospect of potentially scarring gashes from a straight or safety razor have always put me off on the idea. Even with a disposable double-bladed gilette-sensor excel, the hair on my chin is just so incredibly tough that unless I prepare everything correctly, there is a chance of taking a chunk of skin off. To deal with this I hack away with an electric razor first, then finally attack with razor, since the remaining stubble is much easier to cut without the hair taking the skin along for a ride.

Is it possible to use a straight razor or safety razor in a way that leaves no risk of deep cuts?

Re: Razor Burn: A Flood of Fancy Shavers Leaves Some Men Feeling Nicked

#90

A brief word of warning to those that have expressed interest in shaving with a straight: not only is it addictive, it can warp your outlook on life. I bailed on modern shaving equipment in favor of antique (100+ yrs old minimum) straight razors over a year ago and I haven't looked back since. Initial investment was roughly $200 for a good shave ready razor, soap, brush and a strop. My first multi-pass shave took me…

> The fact that it's possible to restore a 150+ year old straight razor to perfect working order (I know this because I've done it myself) says quite a bit about modern build quality and designed obsolescence.

It doesn't actually. It's simply selection bias. All the bad razors were thrown out years ago. The ones that were saved were the good ones.

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