[Shaving] Old School vs. The World

[knob]

I just can't wrap my head around this. My Mach 3 shaves down to the point that I don't even feel whiskers. Why would I want to buy some expensive razor that takes longer to use for the same thing?

[McNutt]

No, just trying to point out that you don't seem to understand shaving technology (or basic physics). The point of the fifth blade wasn't to cut additional hairs that the third (and subsequently fourth) blade was missing. The point was to increase the area of the cutting surface, making sure to distribute the pressure you apply across a wider area (reducing the specific pressure of any one blade on your dainty face).

Why does the cutting surface need to be expanded? A dummy plastic blade would distribute pressure just as well. Only one blade is needed to cut. You can make the cartridge head as big as you want to redistribute pressure. You don't have to include extra blades to do it. And perhaps the Fusion is good because of that gigantic head, but it's certainly not because of an additional blade, which is pure gimmick.

I don't claim that the Fusion is a bad razor. I'm pretty sure it's quite good. I also don't claim that real men shave with DE razors. I've laid out what is involved with a DE shave. If you like it, try it out. If you don't, continue to be happy with your Fusion. But for god's sake don't try to give me a bullshit physics lesson in an attempt to convince yourself that you're not falling for marketing hype. That can't get beyond my bay rum barrier.

[RunningMn9]

Why does the cutting surface need to be expanded?

Need is a strong word. Gilette believes that if they increase the comfort level of their flagship product, it will make them more money. So they expanded the cutting surface to make their flagship product more comfortable to use. And they will make more money because of it.

There's no NEED involved. If it was all about NEED, we'd all be using straight razors.

A dummy plastic blade would distribute pressure just as well.

Please go take a class on physics. A dummy plastic blade would NOT distribute pressure just as well - it's physically impossible. Stop thinking about this in terms of you needing to dislike and rebel against the "Blade+1" Machine(tm).

If you lie down on a bed of nails - you're ok. If you stand on a nail - trouble. Why? Because when you lay down on a bed of nails, your weight (i.e. pressure) is distributed across a very large number of nails (reducing the pressure that you are applying on the tip of each nail).

It is not possible for one nail to distribute your body weight in the same manner that 10000 nails can. If we assume for the moment that your weight is uniformly distributed (it's not), you are effecting cutting the pressure you are applying to each nail tip by 10000 ( assuming you contact all 10,000 nail tips).

To come back to the "Blade+1" Machine(tm). If you increase the cutting surface by a factor of 5 (versus the single bladed disposable), assuming you are applying pressure roughly equally, you will reduce the pressure at each blade by a factor of 5.

You believe that a dummy plastic blade can distribute pressure just as well because a DE razor has a single blade, and is able to deliver a better shave (depending on the skill of the shaver) than the Fusion can deliver.

And you are absolutely right. A single blade CAN deliver a better (or equal) shave in the hands of a skilled user. But not because 5 blades is bullshit and has no effect. It's because rather than the design of the blade reducing the pressure of the blades on your skin - YOU are in charge of reducing the pressure of the blades on your skin.

Cartridge systems are designed to reduce the penalty for not knowing what the hell you are doing when you slap one or more razor blades on your skin and start pulling. Using a cartridge correctly is very much akin to using a DE razor correctly (i.e. you apply only enough pressure to maintain minimal contact and let the blades do the rest, use short strokes, shave on appropriate angles, etc., etc.).

That's what a lot of you DE guys don't seem to realize. While Gillette systems are designed to not punish unskilled users the way DE razors do, you still have to learn how to use them correctly.

I *COULD* get exactly the same shave that I get from my Mach3/Fusion from a single-bladed disposable. But it would take me a lot longer to do it, because I would have to pay more attention to controlling the pressure and angle of the blade. I could do it.

But I won't, because the Fusion allows me to get an adequate shave in a 10th of the time, and based on my experimentation over the past few weeks, an equal shave in about 1/3rd to 1/4th the time. If I pay attention for 3-5 minutes, the shave that I get is impossible to beat. Impossible. Stubble is just now starting to return, 2 days later (when I speed shave, stubble returns at about 3 pm on the same day).

You can make the cartridge head as big as you want to redistribute pressure. You don't have to include extra blades to do it.

Not true. There is only one possible way for a cartridge blade to reduce the pressure of the CUTTING SURFACE. And that is to increase the area of the CUTTING SURFACE. And there is only two ways to do that. You can make the cutting surface wider, or you can add another blade that is close enough to effectively distribute the pressure.

Gillette also uses the location of the floating head to alleviate pressure (since if you are doing things right, it isn't your hand that is applying pressure to the blades, it's the calibrated spring tension in the floating head).

And perhaps the Fusion is good because of that gigantic head, but it's certainly not because of an additional blade, which is pure gimmick.

No, it's not. The marketing blitz is a gimmick. The stupid color scheme is a gimmick. The name of the product is a gimmick. The design of the cartridge head isn't. You've just spent too much time listening to people that listen to other people like you, rather than their physics textbooks.

I don't claim that the Fusion is a bad razor. I'm pretty sure it's quite good. I also don't claim that real men shave with DE razors. I've laid out what is involved with a DE shave. If you like it, try it out. If you don't, continue to be happy with your Fusion. But for god's sake don't try to give me a bullshit physics lesson in an attempt to convince yourself that you're not falling for marketing hype.

2 years of college physics has to come in handy at some point I guess.

It's not my fault that you're listening to some fancy shaving tool on the internet to tell you that increasing the cutting surface has no effect. Call your physics teacher and ask him/her what happens when you apply the same amount of pressure to a larger surface.

Tell him/her that applying X newtons of pressure to the tip of a nail is exactly the same thing as applying X newtons of pressure to the tips of 10,000 nails. Stop asking shaving geeks and ask a physicist or a design engineer.

Since the internet can't lie - here is the principle in question.

I have no problem with people that want to spend 10-15 minutes shaving, or want to use DE razors and soaps and brushes, etc. But stop with the bullshit ignorance about cartridge systems, how they work, and the physics involved in adding additional blades.

The only question about adding blades is when to stop. Each blade you add reduces pressure, but by an ever decreasing amount. All things being equal (i.e. you push on the Fusion as much as you did on your Mach 3), the Fusion blades effectively have 40% less pressure on them than the Mach 3 blades. That makes it more comfortable (as you no doubt know that reducing pressure on the DE blade is much more comfortable than applying too much pressure ).

[Smoove_B]

In the time it took you to write that post, I could have applied a pre-shave oil, lathered up with a beaver brush and completed a fantastic shave with a DE razor.

[Kelric]

In the time it took you to write that post, I could have applied a pre-shave oil, lathered up with a beaver brush and completed a fantastic shave with a DE razor.

Both legs or just one?

[McNutt]

You don't understand what I'm saying. Yes, laying on a bed of 1000 nails distributes the pressure more evenly than if you laid on a single nail. What I'm saying is you can replace 999 of those sharp nails with smooth plastic rods and achieve the same effect. You are apparently arguing that only sharp metal blades can distribute pressure and I'm telling you the pressure will be distributed by anything pressing against your face. It doesn't have to be four additional blades. So your bullshit physics lesson was just a waste of a lot of keystrokes by someone who also took two years of college physics.

Increasing the cutting surface has an effect so long as there is something left to cut. A sharp blade will cut the hair unless the cutting angle is bad. Guess what? If the cutting angle is bad for blade one it will be just as bad for blade 5.

I don't think I've ever argued that a moron can get a super-close shave without nicks the very first time he uses a DE. In fact I've said that the cartridge system's main strength are speed and ease of use.

[RunningMn9]

You don't understand what I'm saying. Yes, laying on a bed of 1000 nails distributes the pressure more evenly than if you laid on a single nail. What I'm saying is you can replace 999 of those sharp nails with smooth plastic rods and achieve the same effect.

I understood what you are saying. But it's wrong. It works for the nail example because you aren't actually trying to accomplish anything with the bed of nails.

You are trying to accomplish something with the "blade+1" cartridge system. Speed.

You are apparently arguing that only sharp metal blades can distribute pressure and I'm telling you the pressure will be distributed by anything pressing against your face.

No, I'm telling you that only sharp metal blades can distribute pressure *and* decrease your shaving time. Gillette is about decreasing my shaving time - and doing it comfortably. (disclaimer: depends on the user, as the fastest guy I know uses a single-bladed disposable and gets done faster than I do)

Would your problem with Gillette be solved if they swapped out four of the blades and replaced them with plastic?

So your bullshit physics lesson was just a waste of a lot of keystrokes by someone who also took two years of college physics.

You don't have to be upset when you're wrong. Be a dainty, admit your mistakes and press on.

Increasing the cutting surface has an effect so long as there is something left to cut. A sharp blade will cut the hair unless the cutting angle is bad. Guess what? If the cutting angle is bad for blade one it will be just as bad for blade 5.

Silly rabbit. That all depends on the way that the cutting surface is shaped, and whether or not the pressure is applied evenly. It also depends on how your face reacts to your cutting motion. Your face isn't made of stone. It's malleable and can change based on the speed with which you are shaving.

When you shave quickly and the blade contacts the hair, it pulls as it cuts. That causes the blade to cut higher up than normal. Subsequent blades can clean up that mess.

I don't think I've ever argued that a moron can get a super-close shave without nicks the very first time he uses a DE. In fact I've said that the cartridge system's main strength are speed and ease of use.

And I'm explaining to you why the Fusion accomplishes that goal better than the Mach 3 does, or better than a single-bladed disposable does, or a DE safety razor does.

Smoove has alleged that the cartridge systems are designed to remove the skill from shaving. They aren't. They simply don't punish you in the same way for shaving like a bonehead.

Everything about the Fusion is designed towards that goal. The best part about it? If you don't want to buy it - don't. It all depends on your skill set. I have a friend who uses his Sensor (two-bladed cartridge, no floating head) because he likes the control. Smoove likes the DE razor because he wants to be fancy. I like the Mach3/Fusion because it allows me to get a near-perfect shave in 2-3 minutes, and a very adequate and comfortable shave in less than a minute.

Having used disposable razors in every configuration that Man has produced, I can tell you that they are all different, and that the number of blades has an effect on comfort.

Not on closeness necessarily (the Fusion doesn't get any closer than the Mach 3, but it is a shit ton more comfortable), but on comfort.

[Kraegor]

In the time it took you to write that post, I could have applied a pre-shave oil, lathered up with a beaver brush and completed a fantastic shave with a DE razor.

Both legs or just one?

im still trying to properly visualize

lathered up with a beaver brush

[McNutt]

I understood what you are saying. But it's wrong. It works for the nail example because you aren't actually trying to accomplish anything with the bed of nails.

You are trying to accomplish something with the "blade+1" cartridge system. Speed.

I never said the Fusion wasn't faster. It is faster because it's easier to shave without cutting the shit out of yourself.

No, I'm telling you that only sharp metal blades can distribute pressure *and* decrease your shaving time. Gillette is about decreasing my shaving time - and doing it comfortably. (disclaimer: depends on the user, as the fastest guy I know uses a single-bladed disposable and gets done faster than I do)

Didn't you agree in an earlier post that the fifth blade wasn't about cutting but was rather about distributing pressure? Is it about cutting or isn't it? If it's not about cutting then additional blades do nothing for the speed and instead that benefit is due to some other design aspect. Just look at the Fusion and you will see that the head does not look like the head of the Mach 3. The difference goes beyond the number of blades. Take the fifth blade out as a test and see if your shave is worsened. I'm betting it isn't.

Would your problem with Gillette be solved if they swapped out four of the blades and replaced them with plastic?

Sure, as long as they don't jack up the price. Gillette can do whatever they want to do. I don't really care to be honest. I don't hate Gillette because of the Fusion. It's the smart move on their part. I'm just not going to play that game any longer.

Silly rabbit. That all depends on the way that the cutting surface is shaped, and whether or not the pressure is applied evenly. It also depends on how your face reacts to your cutting motion. Your face isn't made of stone. It's malleable and can change based on the speed with which you are shaving.

When I shave with a disposable very little pressure is placed on the blade. Most of it is placed on the edge of the cartridge which sits lower than the blade. But as for the malleability of my face, I'm guessing it doesn't change much between blades. I'm pretty sure the angle of cut isn't changed between blade one and five.

When you shave quickly and the blade contacts the hair, it pulls as it cuts. That causes the blade to cut higher up than normal. Subsequent blades can clean up that mess.

You may be right about this, but I would imagine only when the blades aren't terribly sharp. With sharp blades I don't think it's an issue.

Smoove has alleged that the cartridge systems are designed to remove the skill from shaving. They aren't. They simply don't punish you in the same way for shaving like a bonehead.

Same thing. They dumb down shaving so that less skill is needed but the quality is diminished.

Everything about the Fusion is designed towards that goal. The best part about it? If you don't want to buy it - don't. It all depends on your skill set. I have a friend who uses his Sensor (two-bladed cartridge, no floating head) because he likes the control. Smoove likes the DE razor because he wants to be fancy. I like the Mach3/Fusion because it allows me to get a near-perfect shave in 2-3 minutes, and a very adequate and comfortable shave in less than a minute.

I believe I said this in my first post. You're preaching to the choir.

Having used disposable razors in every configuration that Man has produced, I can tell you that they are all different, and that the number of blades has an effect on comfort.

I would believe you if every new generation of razor had only been changed by the number of blades. Instead they change head design, blade angle, blade distance, lube strips, whisker lifter, etc. I don't see how you can say that the increase in comfort is most certainly due to the addition of blades. I get a comfortable and closer shave with one blade. There appears to be no lifting of the hairs by the blade as I can cut baby smooth on the first pass if the cutting angle is correct.

[Cesare]

You people are all weirdos.

[Det. Dave]

Excuse me gentlemen.

What about electric razors? Are they any good. I've been using them for a couple of years and and get a pretty good shave for them. I use a midrange shaver and am wondering if the more expensive fancy ones would work better.

Or are electric shaver users apostates to be shunned and mocked?

[McNutt]

Electric razors are excellent for shaving quickly and without mess. However they tend to do a number on some people's skin.

I've had many electric razors and feel that the expensive ones aren't worth the extra money. They might have fancy features, but most of them aren't needed.

[RunningMn9]

Excuse me gentlemen.

What about electric razors? Are they any good. I've been using them for a couple of years and and get a pretty good shave for them. I use a midrange shaver and am wondering if the more expensive fancy ones would work better.

Or are electric shaver users apostates to be shunned and mocked?

I've used three different electrics with no luck. They are convenient to travel with, but I wouldn't use one. My skin doesn't seem to like them.

McNutt - you are hopeless. Of course the Fusion isn't JUST about the 5th blade. Jesus. But that makes the point even more that the Fusion is less about gimmickry (in principle) than you imagine. The fourth and fifth (and sixth) blades were introduced as part of a whole package to make their product better. And they succeeded.

What would happen if I yanked the fifth blade? For me, probably nothing. I know how to shave, so the utility of the fifth blade isn't all that important to me (since I already shave correctly, there is no mess for the fifth blade to collect). For a guy that's hacking at his face like he's carving through a jungle with a dull machete? Well, he'll have a smoother ride with the Fusion.

Stop caring so much about the extra blade(s). It's a better cartridge, who cares how they did it or how they want to market it?

[Trent Steel]

You people are all weirdos.

That post is all this thread is worth.

[McNutt]

McNutt - you are hopeless. Of course the Fusion isn't JUST about the 5th blade. Jesus. But that makes the point even more that the Fusion is less about gimmickry (in principle) than you imagine. The fourth and fifth (and sixth) blades were introduced as part of a whole package to make their product better. And they succeeded.

The Fusion cartridge probably is better than those that have come before it, but it's the gimmick of the fifth blade that is selling it at a premium. Schick might design a cartridge that's better than the Fusion, but they'll probably throw in a sixth blade because they feel they have no choice. It's very silly and turned me off of the blade war. Even you see where this marketing is heading. Again, I don't give a rat's ass if you shave with the Fusion. I have no jihad against Gillette and am not about to picket their headquarters.

What would happen if I yanked the fifth blade? For me, probably nothing. I know how to shave, so the utility of the fifth blade isn't all that important to me (since I already shave correctly, there is no mess for the fifth blade to collect). For a guy that's hacking at his face like he's carving through a jungle with a dull machete? Well, he'll have a smoother ride with the Fusion.

Why do you sum up my argument and then claim it as your own?

[Anonymous Bosch]

Y'know, I can't help thinking that eventually, Gillette or Schick is going to come out with the revolutionary single-bladed razor. "Its amazing single blade does the work of five!" they'll exclaim.

They'll call it the Quantum Singularity Shaving System, or some such gobshite. It will, of course, cost 50% more than a five-bladed razor, but "Isn't the cost well worth it, when you consider that one blade can do the work of five?"

Then they'll come out with a model that has replaceable blades. You just buy the handle once, and the blades fit in the top. They'll even sharpen both wide ends of the razor so you don't have to change blades as often. Perhaps they'll call it the Captain Planet Quantum Singularity Shaving System, due to its almost thaumaturgic powers of enviromentally-friendlyism.

And on that day, RM9 will be offering up his latest work of Hegelian dialectics -- based upon two years of college physics -- explaining the superiority of the amazing single blade that does the work of five.

[Greggy_D]

All I know is my Gillette Adjustable DE can beat up your Gillette Fusion (and make it cry for mommy).

[RunningMn9]

And on that day, RM9 will be offering up his latest work of Hegelian dialectics -- based upon two years of college physics -- explaining the superiority of the amazing single blade that does the work of five.

It will never happen.

As we've already noted, the point of the Gillette lineup is that you can be a retarded chimp, and still not too much damage to your face.

You *cannot* act like a retarded chimp with only one blade and not give yourself a Columbian necktie.

Since nearly all men would rather be doing just about anything in their lives other than shaving, it wouldn't be practical to force them to spend 15 minutes tenderly loving their jawline every morning.

Another amusing fact is that all the new-fangled gadgetry that Gillette and Shick are coming out with all have their roots in the very successful product lines that lured "real men" back in the 40s, 50s and 60s away from DE razors. You guys try to make it look like GenX has brought this down on ourselves. The WWII generation were the ones that abandoned this DE razor shenanigans.

And I still can't believe that in the 70 years since they've been designing electrics, I can't find one that is comfortable for me. What the hell?

[Anonymous Bosch]

And on that day, RM9 will be offering up his latest work of Hegelian dialectics -- based upon two years of college physics -- explaining the superiority of the amazing single blade that does the work of five.

It will never happen.

O, ye of little faith.

Cast your mind back to those days of yore, when you were contentedly using the antediluvian Mach 3 razor. I'm sure you must've believed the same thing, at least until the orgasmic experience of "THE MIRACLE OF FUSION". The Quantum Singularity Shaving System, however, will be able to bend the very laws of physics themselves, thereby reducing shaving time by literally tens of nanoseconds!

[RunningMn9]

Cast your mind back to those days of yore, when you were contentedly using the antediluvian Mach 3 razor. I'm sure you must've believed the same thing, at least until the orgasmic experience of "THE MIRACLE OF FUSION". The Quantum Singularity Shaving System, however, will be able to bend the very laws of physics themselves, thereby reducing shaving time by literally tens of nanoseconds!

First of all - it uses the laws of physics, it doesn't bend them.

Second of all, that's counterintuitive to your assertion. It's certainly easy to believe that Gillette is working hard at making their flagship cartridge razor product more comfortable for fast, unskilled shavers (and divine for fast, skilled shavers). It simply wouldn't make sense for them to suddenly declare that it's 1922 again and so we have to throw out 80 years of engineering because our great-grandfathers didn't have access to it.

What's next? Equipping the US Army with muzzle loaders because they took real skill to use and our great-great-grandfathers were happy to have them?

[Chaz]

ARISE!

When I started dating the future wife, it was expressed to me that my then-style of the stubble beard was less than desirable for her. Since I wore that mostly because I'm lazy, I went back to shaving. She later agreed to become Future Wife, so I declared the experiment a success and am resigned to shaving.

In an attempt to shave faster, I spent a year using an electric. While my skin didn't hate it, it also didn't love it, and it took just as long to get a sorta close shave as it did with a blade.

A few months ago, I tried switching back to the old Mach 3. Woo, close shaves again, and I swore off the dumb electric. Then I remembered the thing I hated about cartridge razors: OMG expensive cartridges. I have pretty thick hair, so even when I only shave a few times a week, I can get maybe two weeks out of a cartridge. A week ago, I needed to refill, and decided to try the cheaper cartridge razors, and proceeded to hack up my face, then threw them out the window.

So I decided to try this whole classic thing in hopes of avoiding the regular annoyance of getting gouged for cartridges. I picked up a non-adjustable safety razor and a bunch of blades. So far so good. The blades should last me at least 6 months, if not more, so I'm already happy.

Now I'm considering going the extra mile of getting a brush and soap. Since I'm trying to stay lower cost, I don't want to order a bunch of soaps and figure out which I like best. Any suggestions on The One Soap to Rule Them All?

I suppose I'll also need a mug/bowl and a little rack to hang the brush on. Shit, I'm about to get all fancy, aren't I?

Yes, I know you can get a close shave with the cartridge/gel combo, but I'm trading the one-time, up-front cost for not being annoyed regularly about the cost of cartridges. Also, it lets me put "fancy shaving toys" on my wish list for people who want to buy me stuff.

[Smoove_B]

I picked up some Taylor of Bond Street Lavender a few months ago and it's pretty insane stuff. Insane that you need a dollop about the size of a penny to cover your face. It's thick (so it does a great job of sticking to stubble) but it also requires more rinsing of the blade as it's a true cream and not soap. I also enjoy (and it's probably still my favorite) Truefit and Hill Trafalgar. Again, another cream so it's super thick. I've had the same bowl now for 7 years, but it's getting pretty damn low. I use it sparingly. Maybe once a week or so when I need to really bust up thick stubble.

If you're looking for a general everyday soap, I use Caswell Massey Sandalwood. Not sure why people rate it so low. It's definitely not going to lather up like the creams, but it functions fine for daily use. I've tried Col Conk but wasn't impressed. It smells nice, but really doesn't lather all that much.

I've heard good things about the Proraso line, but haven't tried any of them. As you lose your mind over this stuff, you'll find that different soaps and/or creams work better for your stubble and razor blade combo. Figuring out the exact equation of which products to use is part of the fun.

[Paingod]

I switched to a safety razor (basic Merkur model) from a Mach 3 around Christmas and haven't had any issues. The shave lasts just as long, and I use each blade twice - one side on Monday, the other side on Thursday. I only run into issues with 'face ripping' if I use a blade more than once each side - I'll never do that again.

My shave routine hasn't changed. Hot water on face (or fresh from hot shower), hot water on razor, shave - hot water to rinse blade, shave, rinse, shave, rinse, hot water on face to clean, check for accidental stubble, shave, rinse, hot water on face to clean, dry.

I've got two blades left from the (15?) that came with the razor and will happily buy more.

[Anonymous Bosch]

If you want to keep it fairly cheap and straightforward, I'd start with an Omega boar brush and Tabac shaving soap. Tabac is a fantastic German soap that really sets the high bar for a high quality, easy-to-use shaving soap that won't break the bank. No need for any fancy bowls or mugs -- when I was first starting out, I found that a Target rice bowl was highly effective for lathering up.

If Tabac seems too pricey -- bear in mind though, that soap will likely last at least a year, if not longer -- Proraso is cheaper still, and leaves you with a pleasant cool sensation on your skin due to its menthol content.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I just ordered a Merkur razor. When I realized that a pack of new blades would cost about the same as a straight razor with ten blades, I pulled the trigger. Anything in particular I should know before my first shave? Ideally, I'd rather not completely destroy my face.

[McNutt]

The brush will be your biggest investment. Here is my review of some of my brushes. I bought another Rooney's Finest when I was in England last year and it was over $200, but man is it nice. I use that one almost every day. They stopped making them, so they're hard to find now. I regret nothing.

If you want to play around with soaps and not break the bank, order a few from Mama Bear. They're glycerine-based soaps, so they aren't going to be as fancy as triple-milled soaps, but they aren't going to cost as much either. These are good soaps.

If you want a really good triple-milled soap that isn't $30, try a stick of Tabac. You won't find a higher-quality soap.

You don't need a fancy bowl or mug. Just lather directly onto your face. Get a mug or bowl later if you don't like it. I never use a bowl or mug.

I like Merkur razors, especially the 1904, which happens to be one of their cheapest razors.

[McNutt]

Anything in particular I should know before my first shave? Ideally, I'd rather not completely destroy my face.

Just make sure you get your face nice and wet ahead of time. Soften up the skin. Take your time and enjoy the shave.

[Chaz]

So if I'm not using a mug/bowl, do I just kind of swirl the brush around on the bar o' soap?

[McNutt]

Yes. Wet the brush with hot water and give it a shake so that it's not dripping wet. Swirl it around on the soap until you have enough in the brush and start lathering on your face. You'll probably need to add a bit of water to the brush as your lathering to get the consistency right. This changes from soap to soap, but I find building a lather on my face more enjoyable than simply painting on my face. I bought nice brushes, so I want to feel them on my face.

You can also buy soap sticks, which I like. To use these you rub the soap stick on your face (your face should always be wet before you shave) and then rub the brush on your face. Soap sticks are fantastic for travel.

[Anonymous Bosch]

So if I'm not using a mug/bowl, do I just kind of swirl the brush around on the bar o' soap?

The Tabac soap I linked to above comes in its own nifty ceramic bowl, which can be refilled/reused when the soap runs out. The Proraso soap comes in a plastic bowl.

Some people prefer to lather directly on the face, without using a mug/bowl at all, so it's certainly not a necessity.

[McNutt]

Tabac also makes a stick which is even cheaper and is what I use, simply because I prefer sticks and shave in the shower where my wife has a tendency to break nice ceramic bowls.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I just ordered a Merkur razor. When I realized that a pack of new blades would cost about the same as a straight razor with ten blades, I pulled the trigger. Anything in particular I should know before my first shave? Ideally, I'd rather not completely destroy my face.

DO NOT APPLY ANY UNNECESSARY DOWNWARD PRESSURE WITH THE RAZOR! Cannot underscore that enough, especially if you're more accustomed to multibladed razors, which tend to be a lot more forgiving of such bad habits. Until you get used to how little downward pressure is needed, it might help to hold the DE safety razor with just your thumb, forefinger and middle finger at the very tip. You're aiming to have the razor 'glide' over your skin, so you certainly shouldn't need to press it against your skin at all.

Also, don't try to shave baby smooth your first few times out. Better to be slightly stubbly than leave your face looking like a pile of ground beef from aiming for perfection when you're learning the ropes.

[McNutt]

Yes, AB is correct about not trying to get the baby smooth shave the first time. I tried to do that and tore my face up. You will certainly get there, but until you unlearn years of bad habits, you'll do more harm than good.

I don't want to make it sound like shaving becomes work, because that's not at all the case. My shaves are quick and produce very smooth results. I fly over my skin even going against the grain and my neck is never red, which I never thought was possible a decade ago. But that was when I had terrible shaving habits. You can't just jump into that. Take your time.

[Chaz]

Any more opinions on an okay boar hair brush that's cheap-ish? Yes, I know it won't be as nice as a badger hair brush, but I don't want to splurge on a brush yet. I'm open to a brush/soap kit thing. I might order something from Mama Bear too, that looks like my kinda thing. Too bad I can't smell some out without ordering some samples.

[Paingod]

Someone should have a shaving seminar. This thread is making me feel like I have no idea how to do it. Growing up, I never had a real male role model or anyone to teach me what men 'typically' do for self-maintenance.

I've always limited the number of times I shave per week to 2, because trying to consistently shave three times a week gave me razor burn after a while. Shaving every day is right out. I shaved this morning and expect to still feel 'smooth' tomorrow morning with traces of stubble by tomorrow night. It takes at least three days to get a good 'shaveable' base of stubble, and by the third day my wife doesn't want to kiss me for any length of time because I'm like a cactus, and at the end of day 2 I'm like sandpaper.

I always shave against the grain and use some small downward pressure to get the blade in to make good contact with the hair. Transitioning from the Mach 3 to the Merkur was seamless and I didn't change my technique or routine for it. For thicker growth I start with the grain to 'cut off the top' and then rinse with hot water before going back against the grain to clean it up.

I did shave once using the Merkur with some old Gillette Sensitive Skin Gel I found in the bathroom (I've had it for a decade or more) and it felt good - but pointless aside from that.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Any more opinions on an okay boar hair brush that's cheap-ish? Yes, I know it won't be as nice as a badger hair brush, but I don't want to splurge on a brush yet. I'm open to a brush/soap kit thing. I might order something from Mama Bear too, that looks like my kinda thing. Too bad I can't smell some out without ordering some samples.

I'd steer clear of the rock bottom boar brushes available from drug stores and the like, and stick with the Omega brand of boar brushes. They're available in a fairly broad range of styles, colours, kits and prices, and certainly won't break the bank, yet will provide a great lather and shave. Certainly better than what you're likely to get with a Tweezerman (or equivalent drug store brand) brush.

[Chaz]

My first real shave with the safety razor was this morning. Just can gel, no fancy brush or anything. Went fairly well. I did manage to cut myself on the right side of my neck, but that's a spot that's a perpetual problem with every razor I've ever used. The hair spirals right there or something, and there's a hollow area, and razors react to this by cutting it. I dunno.

I got good results by going over each area once or twice, then putting on more shaving cream and hitting it one more time. It took a while, and I still missed a few spots, but wound up nice and close with no major gashes.

I'll have to figure out the best way to get right under my nose and right at the edge of my bottom lip. I was cautious around there for fear of cutting myself. I might try going horizontally on the bottom lip next time.

[Smoove_B]

I anxiously await for you to return to the thread when you're using even the cheapest of brushes and something other than canned foam/gel. There really is magic in a brush. Also, don't be afraid to get a mixed pack of blades (I've found them on Amazon) for ~$15. Outside of random luck, it's your best shot of finding the right blade. I've been toying with the idea of upgrading my Merkur 34C to a more "aggressive" version as my facial hair is like sandpaper by 4 or 5pm. But even after all this time, I'm still scared of the 37 slant.

[Chaz]

I've got this mix of blades already. I started with the Gillette ones by random chance. How much of a difference does the blade make?

[Smoove_B]

HUGE difference. I started with the Merkur brand, tried Derby but have been using the Sharks for a few years now and I think I'm ready to move on to something a bit sharper. I believe Feathers are next on the list, though like anything else the internet is filled with various opinions. There were some type of Israeli blades that were supposed to be bananas, but I thought I read somewhere that there was a change in ownership / manufacturing that makes it difficult to tell whether or not you're getting the original product so many people liked.