Shaving, Wet shave vs electric

Something I ponder about now and again. I don't shave that much, maybe twice a week so it's not even a big deal, but I saw someone at the health club using an electric shaver and that got me pondering all over again.

I've been using Mach III for the last 6-7 years and fairly happy with that. But sometimes I find shaving a real chore but always pleased with the results ie nice smooth face. The new Kings gel that I got gives a really nice shave but seems to really clog the razor. Being a tightfisted old so and so I've been cleaning between the blades with a needle. I haven't really tried many electrics so wondered if anyone here was exclusively electric and if they had any recommendations. Perhaps I could attach a dynamo to my bike and shave while riding. No five o'clock shadow ever.

can i just say... fantastic thread.

having tried a few things i have recently returned to using disposable Bics. I cannot abide the con of these six bladed handled efforts and electric just doesn't hit the spot for me. but then I, like you, only shave twice or three times a week. now that i am a boring old git (at 25), i have rediscovered the merits of the clean shave. the trick is to keep on top of it, as it were.

electric razors don't cut it for me.

mach 3 FTW

http://www.shave.com/azor/index.stm
i can't recommend this razor enough, it is amazing.
honest- stopped my issue with razor burn.

I use a straight razor, even a spaz like me can handle it, and i highly recommended it.

Wet shave every time. I like having a smooth face.

The thing with electric razors is the smell. Ooofff, stale sweat. No thanks.

Switched back to electric years ago. I only shave twice a week as well - can't be fucked with doing it daily. I'm also a bit down on disposable culture (but a cut throat razor would be a liability in this household!).

Have had best results since getting a Braun foil thing (5875, I think). Better shave than the rotary ones, at least for my face. And I definitely get a better shave if I do it BEFORE washing/wetting my face. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it works.

Pluses are rechargeable (1hr charge), but can plug in if it fades mid shave. And if you wash it under a hot tap there's no stale sweat smell. There's no smell at all.

Not quite as close as a conventional wet shave, but whatever I use, it's a bit stubbly within a couple of hours anyway.

HTFU!

stale sweat?! what is wrong with you people?!

I played around with mach 3's etc when I were a nipper, but quickly realised all modern razors are for nonces who are enough of a mug to spend the same amount a shave costs at a barber on a single blade.

Ive always used my dad's 1950's gillette since then. With normal rectangular blades which only cost a few pence for the best brand. This way I can change the blade for each shave if I want to, and get 'sharp results' which I need for my burns innit.

Modern multiple blade razors are rubbish if your trying to make neat edges around facial hair arrangments. And if I wanted a totally bald face I would use wilkinson disposables as they have the unclogging button on them.

I must admit I have too always been intrigued by electric razors, and earlier this year I bought a supposedly good one. It cost like £80 when there were ones available at £15, so I thought Id be getting a good experience of electric.

But my god, it was the worst pain ever. I had to scrape it against my face hundreds of times to even look half shaved, which each time making me feel more & more like my face was on fire. was truly horrible.

I remember electric shavers of yesteryear that you couldn't wash under the tap. They did develop a certain manly aroma.

Not just my shaver either. I've smelt loads. One of the complex motor tics that was part of tourettic repertoire was sniffing/smelling stuff. I thought it was a normal part of semantic labelling stuff in my brain. Dogs do it, so why shouldn't I?

I digress.

To save on mack3 blades when I shave I use a beard trimmer to get my stubble short and then wet shave. If I don't do this apart from being painful it clogs the blades as you discribe above.

Right I'm new to all this fixed and ss lark and have been sitting back and reading up rather than asking questions that will result in me being called a lazy cunt. (Questions like 'what is the best otp bike for £225?')

I may not know very much about bikes, but I do know about shaving.

If you want to look like you've had a shave you have to wet shave. If you want a beard then an electric beard trimmer is needed to keep it even and in shape.

When it comes to wet shaving ditch the mach 3 and the quattro and get yourself a single-blade safety razor. Shaving with a mach 3 is like riding an 18 gear mtb in town, shaving with a quattro is like riding a 21 gear mtb with full suspension.

Start

I would never call any first-time poster a lazy cunt ;)

Badger hair brush, a decent moisturising soap, a traditional wilkinson sword safety razor (which isn't that safe the first few times you use it, but you get used to it).

It's way closer than the Mach 3 and any electric. The brush ensures you never get ingrowing hairs and exfoliates too. And don't be afraid of using ice water and an astringent post-shave.

that's the best way.

my shaving brush went by the board ages ago

I use an electric phillips 3 head jobbie, one of those ones you can remove the blades and give them a clean as well as running under water to remove various bits.
Can't wet shave as I get razor bumps and I don't shave more than once a week, so easier to have an electric. The only thing would say is after a shave, a good really hot flannel wrapped around the cheeks a couple of times, does me the world of good.

Finally, someone else on the electric team :)

EDIT: That was at Corny.

I use various style blades and have a funky electric.. you'd never fucking know it though! :P

did anyone try the Rapha Limited Edition Luxury Shaving Kit Made From Decadent Materials For Discerning Cyclists?

Mouse?

Geo F Trumper on Jermyn Street, SW1.
At least go once in your life.

http://www.rapha.cc/images/Rapha_Spring_Summer_07.pdf
pg. 34-35

£130!

Apolopies, I got a bit carried away with my first post...

Right I'm new to all this fixed and ss lark and have been sitting back and reading up rather than asking questions that will result in me being called a lazy cunt. (Questions like 'what is the best otp bike for £225?')

I may not know very much about bikes, but I do know about shaving.

If you want to look like you've had a shave you have to wet shave. If you want a beard then an electric beard trimmer is needed to keep it even and in shape.

When it comes to wet shaving ditch the mach 3 and the quattro and get yourself a single-blade safety razor. Shaving with a mach 3 is like riding an 18 gear mtb in town, shaving with a quattro is like riding a 21 gear mtb with full suspension.

Start with a preshave oil - I use the Truefitt and Hill Ultimate Comfort. Then use a badger hair brush and a good quality shaving cream - I use either Geo F Trumper or Truefitt and Hill. Then use a Merkur safety razor with Merkur blade. Always go with the grain. Shave after a shower with really hot water to open the pores and soften the hair, and then use cold water to close the pores and stop irritation. You can use an alum block and some post shave creme if you like.

Now you can call me a ponce, but not a lazy cunt.