The Morning Shave - Doesn't have to be a Necessary Evil

[A MattR of Time]

It can actually be enjoyable. A hobby even.

Early November I was fed up with shaving. The high price of my Mach3 or Quattro cartridges. The pain and discomfort my face felt by Friday AM[I have to shave every day for the office]. The ingrown hairs. There had to be a better way.

So I set about researching different shaving techniques. I had tried the electrics to no avail. I stumbled across wetshaving. You know - the old fashioned way with a badger hair brush, a shave cream or soap, a mug, a twist-to-open Gillette razor with a double edged blade. ONE, double edged blade. Not 3, 4, 5, or 6 blades, but one. Jimmy Durante on the Hi-Fi, etc... THAT kind of shaving.

I found a few forums and read all I could:

http://members.boardhost.com/razorandbrush/

http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/index.php

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/

And these videos were indisensable:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Then I finally took the plunge. I started off with the brush, a shave cream[not canned goo from the supermarket - real shave cream], softening the beard with a hot towel prior to lathering, and ditched the Mach3 and Quattro for a BIC Sensitive single blade disposable to learn my technique. No pressure, no pressure, no pressure.....

Then I finally bought my first DE razor - a 1965 Gillette Super Speed.

Let me tell you, I used to think I got great shaves with the Mach3, but with the DE and the correct technique - the shave is truly BBS - Baby Butt Smooth. And the best thing is - it is irritation free.

So it has now become the first 30-45 minutes of my morning. A little time to "spoil" myself and start the day off right. My wife doesn't mind because my face is so soft and smooth now that even when I get home from work - no 5:00 shadow!

So I encourage you guys that want a nice relaxing hobby and a better shave to look into it. I doubt you will be sorry you did.

[paul&katie]

I work with computers, I refuse generally to shave during the week, unless I have a presentation or am meeting with the big wigs.

It is ok, the programmers are a more freighting group by far.

[Barachem]

I shave once a week with a triple blade razor.
I don't care about stubble or a week old beard, but in order to be a bit presentable, i do shave once a week.
I think men and women are too concerned with shaving because of group pressure.

[A MattR of Time]

I shave once a week with a triple blade razor.
I don't care about stubble or a week old beard, but in order to be a bit presentable, i do shave once a week.
I think men and women are too concerned with shaving because of group pressure.

Well, it is a requirement in my office to be clean shaven. We have customers coming in all the time.

Your attitude toward shaving is exactly what I am talking about. Shaving doesn't have to be a chore. It can be something you enjoy and look forward to every morning.

I know my wife likes it.....

[Barachem]

Well, it is a requirement in my office to be clean shaven. We have customers coming in all the time.

Your attitude toward shaving is exactly what I am talking about. Shaving doesn't have to be a chore. It can be something you enjoy and look forward to every morning.

I know my wife likes it.....

I don't like shaving because i was forced to do it everyday by my stepdad.
Now it's just a necessary nuisance.
Also i'm baffled by western societies having adopted a general opinion that a clean shaven face is a prerequisite.
It wasn't always that case...
Also another reason why i dislike shaving.

[Xtreme Cowboy]

Sounds like you've got a new hobby...if you enjoy it...COOL!!! I use a rechargable 3 head electric. 5 minutes and I'm off...that's as close a shave as I need to get.

I only have to empty it out once a week and never has required more than that. I've been doing this for over 15 years! I guess when you get up at 4am you don't really want to spend time shaving, but your adventure sounds very relaxing.

[Mustang]

Same here, a good 3 head electric, it's fast and good enough.

[ChildofGod]

I've actually taken the time and looked at the stuff Matt posted and have decided to give that stuff a try. If I get any money for my birthday, I will order some stuff and give it a shot.

[mattfivefour]

And the other Matt on this site (mattfivefour) has solved the shaving problem once and for all. I quit shaving last week! Really. We'll see how THAT goes. (Right now it's VERY itchy!) :woah:

[ChildofGod]

I would love to have a full beard (minus the neck hair) but work will only allow a moustache. Might as well make it as an ejoyable experience as possible.

[A MattR of Time]

I've actually taken the time and looked at the stuff Matt posted and have decided to give that stuff a try. If I get any money for my birthday, I will order some stuff and give it a shot.

Good for you. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[RyanMac]

I hate shaving. The stubble rocks.

[VersysRyder]

I just converted to the DE system and let me tell you, IT ROCKS!

You see, in my line of work (which you can see in my avatar), I'm required to have as close and smooth a shave as possible. So, after reading these links, and doing some research, I decided to take the plunge on a DE razor I found on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Parker-84-Do...3A1|240%3A1318

Better than the cheap, disposables; better than the electric; better than the Mach 3; better than the Schick Titanium 4-blade system; better, even, than Gillette Fusion 5-blade razor! I LOVE IT!

Of course, my technique needs LOTS of work - my neck was a little too red the first shave but with practice I'll get it right. I'm hooked to the DE shaving system.

Besides, something about that solid, heavy DE handle just feels right, and makes the shaving experience feel controlled and comfortable.

[A MattR of Time]

Welcome to the club.

Enjoy the new hobby, and the great shaves.

[Robert]

My face gets irritated if I shave too often. I just let it grow for about 2-3 days, then shave.

[VersysRyder]

Welcome to the club.

Enjoy the new hobby, and the great shaves.

Absolutely. I figure it's just a matter of technique now.

I'm just wondering, why did Gillette quit offering their double-edge razor? I know they last and provide a great shave, but I imagine it wouldn't take away from their other sales. In fact, it could bolster them even! Either way, I'm still gonna enjoy some close shaves.

My face gets irritated if I shave too often. I just let it grow for about 2-3 days, then shave.

I wish I could do that, but the Navy keeps me from having that ability.

[A MattR of Time]

I'm just wondering, why did Gillette quit offering their double-edge razor? I know they last and provide a great shave, but I imagine it wouldn't take away from their other sales. In fact, it could bolster them even! Either way, I'm still gonna enjoy some close shaves.

They make tons of $$ on disposable cartidge razors.

[WKUHilltopper]

And the other Matt on this site (mattfivefour) has solved the shaving problem once and for all. I quit shaving last week! Really. We'll see how THAT goes. (Right now it's VERY itchy!) :woah:

I found using twisters the most effective...

[Homesick]

Absolutely. I figure it's just a matter of technique now.

I'm just wondering, why did Gillette quit offering their double-edge razor? I know they last and provide a great shave, but I imagine it wouldn't take away from their other sales. In fact, it could bolster them even! Either way, I'm still gonna enjoy some close shaves.



I wish I could do that, but the Navy keeps me from having that ability.

Sorry to butt in here guys, but I'm really interested in this discussion. My son, also in the Navy has a terrible time with his beard. When he graduated from bootcamp his RDc told him to shave immediatly before the ceremony and he gets in trouble a lot because he has a 5 oclock shadow by noon. One of his beggest expenses is razor cartridges. He has to use the Fusions which are way expensive. He also has a lot of problems with irritation. Where he got his beard from **** I don't know, he is only 20, at that age his dad didn't have much more than peach fuzz. So shaving with the old double edged single blades is Better? Is Ebay the only place to get the razors? What about the blades? I always thought a razor with more blades would be better . I would like to send him a shaving kit with all the stuff to try.

[mattfivefour]

BTW, guys, the beard lasted till new year's eve. I took it off to go into 2009. I wanted to go in as a young guy ... not an old one! (It grew in WA-A-A-AY too gray!)