Shaving, what you use and why

[Gunge]

My ol' man is partly responsible for the razors used today. Back in the 70s he was a product tester for Gillette. No idea how he got into that but every few weeks they'd send him a blade or blades for which he had to fill in a score sheet with more parameters than you could imagine for a simple blade.

 

[marlon]

I used to get that when wet shaving. The trouble of trying to do it whilst half asleep in the mornings!

Yep..! Definitely..! I'm retired now, but I remember those work days and the early morning shave. Wet shaving whilst asleep can be hazardous to health..! :?

 

[Zephyr259]

Used a Gillette fusion for years since I was given one as a birthday present, it was so much smoother than the wilkinson sword quattro I had at the time. Used to shave every 2 days then I grew a beard 3 years ago. Now it gets a trimmer every 2 - 3 weeks set to 10 or 12, still wet shave around the beard with my fusion every 4 days, blades last me ages since they are shaving so little. I've had to go with a goatee since June as I needed a face fit test for the rig I'm on, got used to it but looking forward to growing the rest back.

A friend at uni used a proper cutthroat razor, scary. How difficult is it to use one of the non-cartridge ones some of you guys linked?

 

[GerritT]

Gilette, double blade thingy, blue, cheap, every 5 days, with regular soap. Good enough for me. I prefer shaving in the evening so my skin will look normal-ish in the morning and cuts will have blended in.
I do have a double edged waiting, I'm just not ready yet. I tried electrical, somehow it doesn't work with me.
Junior has a Wilkinson Sword with a dozen blades or something, I dunno.

 

[MarkBowie]

I use beard scissors every couple of months to get rid of scraggly bits. I don’t shave

 

[GhostShip]

I completely fail to understand why anyone would pay a monthly subscription to shave. It's an absolute rip off.

Go to Amazon or eBay, order a good quality double edge razor, 100 blades for a few quid (I'm currently using Polsilver Iridium blades) and Proraso shave cream and after shave cream.

The best shave you'll ever get for a few pence a shave. And Proraso products are the best on the market - certainly far better than the rubbish the likes of Cornerstone push out.

 

[Thumper]

I just discovered Harry's. For £19 every other month I get 8 blades and a bottle of shaving gel delivered to my door.

I was using Gillette Fusion before, and it's about £20 just for 8 blades. The Harry's blades are the same, 5 on the front and a precision trimmer on the back, for less.

 

[Ken L]

An electric trimmer with no guard for day to day use or a straight razor when I'm out and about and can't be bothered carrying it.
The straight razor gets a few odd looks in shared facilities..

 

[GhostShip]

I just discovered Harry's. For �£19 every other month I get 8 blades and a bottle of shaving gel delivered to my door.

I was using Gillette Fusion before, and it's about �£20 just for 8 blades. The Harry's blades are the same, 5 on the front and a precision trimmer on the back, for less.

I got 100 Polsilver Iridium double edge blades for around £8. Will probably last me a couple of years.

 

[BeardedMag]

What's this shave you all speak of?

 

[freester]

How difficult is it to use one of the non-cartridge ones some of you guys linked?

It's a slightly different technique. APPLY NO PRESSURE. Learn to shave with the grain. Take your time.

It's not difficult and it honestly gives a better shave. Doesn't take long to learn. And costs eff all after the initial investment for a razor which is about 2-3 lots of cartridges.

 

[marshbrewer]

Lidl own brand multi blade thingie for me; shark I think it is called. Much cheaper that the branded stuff and just as good IMHO. However, I do use proper shaving brush and cream rather than stuff in a can as it works better for me.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Lidl own brand multi blade thingie for me; shark I think it is called. Much cheaper that the branded stuff and just as good IMHO. However, I do use proper shaving brush and cream rather than stuff in a can as it works better for me.

 

[Leon103]

Can anyone recommend a good beard trimmer. My trusty one is on its last legs, it's battery operated and I have to change the batteries nearly every use. I have bought a few over the years but they haven't been any good, either they don't cut the length I desire or they are cheaply made.

I shave my head number 1 and like my beard slightly longer I guess a 1.5

 

[LesTom]

I got 100 Polsilver Iridium double edge blades for around �£8. Will probably last me a couple of years.

Just started with the double edged razor and I got 10 blades with it. If you don't mind me asking whereabouts did you get the Polisilver Iridium blades from? (lazy I know as there's always Google)

 

[Manxnorton]

For years been Mach 3...gel shaving foam.
But lately using the shaving oil!
Tried for years a cut throats razor (as I use to make them, custom made!)
Hot towels n all that! Badger brush etc in a Sunday!
But my lack of mobility and my shaky hand best not go there now haha!!
One cut n I'll bleed for ever due the blood thinning tablets I have to take!!
Had to re-learn shaving at hospital!! That was hard lol!!
But habit dont fade!
A good shave makes me look a bit normal (if I can!!)
Loved the event of Sunday shaving!!
Chill music in the background etc
Bri

 

[GhostShip]

Just started with the double edged razor and I got 10 blades with it. If you don't mind me asking whereabouts did you get the Polisilver Iridium blades from? (lazy I know as there's always Google)

Ebay! Just avoid those that ship from Bulgaria - these came from London.

Really good blades IMO.

 

[LesTom]

I've decided that my experiment with the double edged safety razor is not for me. It either takes too long and doesn't give as good a shave as a cartridge razor does or I end up looking like and extra from Friday the 13th (blood everwhere) so it's back to investing in a cartridge razor system.
I realise that it's probably me and my (lack of) shaving technique, but there you go you live and learn

 

[Nicks90]

I use a Gillette Mach 3 and the blades cost alot less than the company would have me spend.
Why?
After every shave I rub it down a razorpit sharpener.

Honestly it works brilliantly.
The lube strip usually wears off within a couple of weeks _ which is when most people tend to swap them. But my blades keep on going without the (pointless) lube strips for well over 2 months before I decide it's done it's monies worth!

I can fully justify the tenner for the razorpit, saved a fortune in blades over the past 5 years and it's honestly just as close a shave after 4-6 weeks as in the first week

 

[RichieBeer]

Anyone tried the Wilko Mach 3 copy blades? Half the price of the Gillette ones.

Wilko Mach 3 blades

I'm a Mach 3 user but not tried the Wilko version yet (intend to try them after my current Gillette supply runs out).