Shave Union

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2096 posts

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#1417014 30-Oct-2015 14:07

andrew027: Reading this thread makes me feel positively out of touch. I hate shaving and wouldn't bother with it except my beard coverage is poor - I can get away with a goatee but any hair growth on the sides just looks a mess. I shave three or four times a week, less if I'm on holiday. I have a Gillette Mach3 handle that must be at least 15 years old and buy an 8-pack of cartridges at the supermarket for around $35. I get between two and three months out of one cartridge, so the 8-pack usually lasts me 18 months, or a bit more.

Either your hair is very soft of you are very tolerant of crap blades.

I would get maybe 3-5 shaves out of a cartridge before they got blunt.

andrew027

1286 posts

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#1417026 30-Oct-2015 14:10

wasabi2k: Either your hair is very soft of you are very tolerant of crap blades.

I would get maybe 3-5 shaves out of a cartridge before they got blunt.

I think it's the soft hair option - probably also the reason I can't grow a decent beard in the first place!

timmmay

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#1417028 30-Oct-2015 14:11

wasabi2k: I would go for something with a bit of grip - but if you're going for a beginner kit it probably doesn't matter too much.

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/

is how I learnt - but really get the basics (don't push, follow the grain, aim for beard reduction - not removal with each stroke, use lots of soap) then it is just practice.

If you are daily shaving it will take less time - the 5 to ten minutes is really when you have a bit of growth - it takes multiple passes. Just practice.

You can use standard foam if you want - but soap is reaalllly nice.

edit: I wouldn't start with open comb.

Think I'll get the Merkur 34C, no brush. Just looking for a brushless cream now...

wasabi2k

2096 posts

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#1417031 30-Oct-2015 14:15

The brush and soap is amazing though!

seriously. It is worth a try. Maybe a future purchase.

timmmay

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#1417041 30-Oct-2015 14:23

It's not about cost, it's about convenience - not having to have extra stuff hanging around and cleaning it every day. Lucky Tiger Brushless is meant to be ok. I'll probably try with a mainstream gel as well, but figured since I'm making an order it'd be worth trying a cream. If a brush and cream are MUCH better then I might change my mind, but I shave Mon - Fri with a fairly average grow rate. Shaving has never been any kind of problem.

Guv

94 posts

Master Geek

#1417045 30-Oct-2015 14:31

wasabi2k: The brush and soap is amazing though!

seriously. It is worth a try. Maybe a future purchase.

Agree with this. You don't have to use them but they are pretty special - go ahead, treat yourself ;)

mclean

581 posts

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#1417050 30-Oct-2015 14:38

andrew027: ...I shave three or four times a week, less if I'm on holiday. I have a Gillette Mach3 handle that must be at least 15 years old and buy an 8-pack of cartridges at the supermarket for around $35. I get between two and three months out of one cartridge, so the 8-pack usually lasts me 18 months, or a bit more.

Same. It's corrosion that dulls the edges. I have a pet theory (based on nothing at all) that shave foams left on the blade make them corrode much faster. I normally use just warm water after a shower, only use shaving foam after a lazy weekend. Always rinse the blade under really hot water, shake it dry and keep it in a dry cupboard. I always get at least a month, probably two per cartridge.

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timmmay

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#1417052 30-Oct-2015 14:39

I might see if I like the razor before I bother with a brush. I'll get a brushless cream to start with (lucky tiger is recommended by Sharpologist), with the Merkur 34C and Derby/Feather small blade packs.

Thanks guys :)

Hammerer

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#1417057 30-Oct-2015 14:48

I see nobody has mentioned the Gillette Sensor 3 disposable razor 8-pack for $15 or less if on special. It's a good compromise between price and performance ie they're not the best blades but the convenience is very good.

As to getting a good shave, time constraints are usually the enemy. We generally hurry our shaving so we don't get the best result. Anyway, the blades last a lot longer and the shaves are much better if the hair is softened first. The best way to do this is probably by showering because that adds time and moisture. The only problem with a hot shower is that it can wash away the oils in our hair and on our skin and that increases the likelihood of the blades catching on the skin. That, and the speed with which I try to shave, are the main reasons why I cut myself.

Some people suggest leaving the shaving cream/gel on for a few minutes too. I have found that it does help and you can clean your teeth while waiting but I don't usually do it.

Guv

94 posts

Master Geek

#1417058 30-Oct-2015 14:49

timmmay: I might see if I like the razor before I bother with a brush. I'll get a brushless cream to start with (lucky tiger is recommended by Sharpologist), with the Merkur 34C and Derby/Feather small blade packs.

Thanks guys :)

Good luck - this might be a decent option for the blades - http://www.mancave.co.nz/products/shaving/double-edged-razor-blades/blade-sampler-pack-5-brands

timmmay

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#1417060 30-Oct-2015 14:52

Yeah I saw that, ordered three types plus one comes with razor so should be ok for now.

wasabi2k

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#1419953 3-Nov-2015 15:22

Just got this for my birthday:
http://gentlemansblade.co.nz/Cut-Throat-Razors/Razor_Gift_Set

Will be taking some time on the weekend to give it a solid go.

kotuku4

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#1419960 3-Nov-2015 15:44

Hammerer: I see nobody has mentioned the Gillette Sensor 3 disposable razor 8-pack for $15 or less if on special. It's a good compromise between price and performance ie they're not the best blades but the convenience is very good.

I'm currently a quick shave artist, using Bic cartridge 3 or 4 blade disposable, after shower, rub on liquid hand soap instead of foam or gel. Probably spend two minutes shaving. I have a pack sitting in the draw so good for 3-6 months, just as good as the other more expensive cartridge systems I've tried in the past. I found some of the 5 or more blades clogged up too easy, hard to rinse, and hard to get to the trim edges.

When I run low I will try a safety razor, perhaps.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#1422491 6-Nov-2015 15:53

I use a Goodfella safety razor in the shower 2 or 3 times a week and I get at least a month out of a blade, even if I were to not shave for a month I just end up with about 1cm of patchiness.

Safety razors are _so_ much cheaper than the usual cartridge jobs.

Sometimes I'll use the lather (bluebeards revenge) & brush, but I generally don't bother.

@KnightNZ

timmmay

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#1422506 6-Nov-2015 16:18

I'm finding standard shave gel fine with the double edged razor. It will take some time to get good at it (still using gilette to tidy up), and it will always be slower than a modern razor, but when a blade costs $0.30 and lasts a week compared with $4 or $5 I think I'll take it! It's not the money, it's the principle.

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