Shaving: Hints, advice, questions (for the bois)

Linus · 05-28-2010, 08:15 PM

I've been contemplating getting a straight razor (as opposed to the commonly used triple/quad commercial razors). Has/does anyone use a straight razor? Are there any brands that you'd recommend over others? I have a nice shaving soap my aunt got me. It lathers nice and I have a nice faux badger brush to lather with. I just need a nice razor to go with.

I've also considered a double-edge (old fashion razor) but my concern is that it's hard to do the very specific and narrow shaves along my side-burn area.

Dylan · 05-28-2010, 08:22 PM

I have an old double edge

I've been wanting to play around with a straight razor, but I'm also afraid I'll rip off half of my face

I'm interested to see the responses, because I too would really like to know a little more about technique

Dylan

Blade · 05-28-2010, 08:28 PM

I'm with you Dylan, I don't think I'd want to be practicing with a straight razor. OUCH! just wouldn't be enough if I cut myself, I'm sure I'd have all kinds of colorful language.

Linus · 05-28-2010, 08:29 PM

E-How to Shave with a Straight Razor: http://www.wikihow.com/Shave-with-a-Straight-Razor

There are a few videos on Google and Youtube as well. This one on Google looks interesting: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1741780429878#

Mike · 05-28-2010, 08:40 PM

If you plan on using a straight razor and dont want to practice on yourself or anyone else, practice on a balloon. When you can shave the balloon without popping it, you should be able to shave your face. I have shaved this way many times, but it lots of work to keep one sharp.

little man · 05-28-2010, 08:49 PM

a good, sharp edge is the key. for me, the coarsest facial hair i have is on my chin. that's a lot of work with a straight razor. the key for a smooth shave, no matter what razor your use, is to work against the 'grain' of the hair growth. it gets pulled up and is cut below skin level, for that baby butt smooth feel. if you can stand a few nicks and cuts, start lightly on your cheeks...you'll get the feel for it soon enough.

dylan...i have used the double edged razors before and left a chunk of my face in the sink. i think they might be more dangerous than straight razors. so much for "safety" razor, eh?

i think the key to technique on any sort of razor is to take your time.

btw...anything with a sheffield blade is usually good stuff.

Daryn · 05-31-2010, 07:00 PM

My facial hair (under chin and upper lip) is coming in as aging advances (but I am a guy not transitioning) so I have to shave every other day. Carson Daly is anti-shaving against the grain but... I found this article to be useful in general (and yeah I have sensitive skin)

http://www.helium.com/items/460597-s...sensitive-skin

Thinker · 05-31-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus

I've been contemplating getting a straight razor

What interests you about the straight razor? What benefits are you looking for that are lacking in your current shavers/razors?

Curious,
Thinker

Linus · 05-31-2010, 08:43 PM

Better control for very narrow edges. Plus, I like the feel of a straight razor (I've had it done a couple of times at a barber).

Sam · 05-31-2010, 08:43 PM

I use a straight razor now that i have shaved off my scruff completely. easier to get around my sideburns and chin.

i practiced on 5 balloons, until i didnt hurt the 5th one

05-28-2010, 08:15 PM	#1
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,727 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Shaving: Hints, advice, questions (for the bois) I've been contemplating getting a straight razor (as opposed to the commonly used triple/quad commercial razors). Has/does anyone use a straight razor? Are there any brands that you'd recommend over others? I have a nice shaving soap my aunt got me. It lathers nice and I have a nice faux badger brush to lather with. I just need a nice razor to go with. I've also considered a double-edge (old fashion razor) but my concern is that it's hard to do the very specific and narrow shaves along my side-burn area. __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

05-28-2010, 08:29 PM	#4
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,727 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	E-How to Shave with a Straight Razor: http://www.wikihow.com/Shave-with-a-Straight-Razor There are a few videos on Google and Youtube as well. This one on Google looks interesting: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1741780429878# __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

05-28-2010, 08:49 PM	#6
little man Member How Do You Identify?: mister Preferred Pronoun?: he Relationship Status: hard to hold Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: where the road goes on forever and the party never ends Posts: 1,003 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 169 Thanked 1,535 Times in 437 Posts Rep Power: 13709164	a good, sharp edge is the key. for me, the coarsest facial hair i have is on my chin. that's a lot of work with a straight razor. the key for a smooth shave, no matter what razor your use, is to work against the 'grain' of the hair growth. it gets pulled up and is cut below skin level, for that baby butt smooth feel. if you can stand a few nicks and cuts, start lightly on your cheeks...you'll get the feel for it soon enough. dylan...i have used the double edged razors before and left a chunk of my face in the sink. i think they might be more dangerous than straight razors. so much for "safety" razor, eh? i think the key to technique on any sort of razor is to take your time. btw...anything with a sheffield blade is usually good stuff. __________________ i gots pitchers here i'm a rambling man i ain't ever gonna change i got a gypsy soul to blame and i was born for leaving --zac brown band (colder weather)

05-31-2010, 08:43 PM	#9
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,727 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Better control for very narrow edges. Plus, I like the feel of a straight razor (I've had it done a couple of times at a barber). __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

05-28-2010, 08:22 PM	#2
Dylan Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: She thinks all my jokes are corny Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Great State O' Posts: 880 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,027 Thanked 1,838 Times in 500 Posts Rep Power: 0	I have an old double edge I've been wanting to play around with a straight razor, but I'm also afraid I'll rip off half of my face I'm interested to see the responses, because I too would really like to know a little more about technique Dylan

05-28-2010, 08:28 PM	#3
Blade Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: TG Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: once in a while someone amazing comes along...and here I am! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Down on the farm Posts: 5,501 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,855 Thanked 14,412 Times in 4,058 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I'm with you Dylan, I don't think I'd want to be practicing with a straight razor. OUCH! just wouldn't be enough if I cut myself, I'm sure I'd have all kinds of colorful language.

05-28-2010, 08:40 PM	#5
Mike In Loving Memory and Many Thanks Relationship Status: connected, emotionally and physically Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 511 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,188 Thanked 2,453 Times in 416 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	If you plan on using a straight razor and dont want to practice on yourself or anyone else, practice on a balloon. When you can shave the balloon without popping it, you should be able to shave your face. I have shaved this way many times, but it lots of work to keep one sharp.

05-31-2010, 07:00 PM	#7
Daryn Timed Out How Do You Identify?: genderqueer leaning male Preferred Pronoun?: he/ze Relationship Status: open to persuasion..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: OR Posts: 185 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 209 Thanked 281 Times in 81 Posts Rep Power: 0	My facial hair (under chin and upper lip) is coming in as aging advances (but I am a guy not transitioning) so I have to shave every other day. Carson Daly is anti-shaving against the grain but... I found this article to be useful in general (and yeah I have sensitive skin) http://www.helium.com/items/460597-s...sensitive-skin

05-31-2010, 08:43 PM	#10
Sam Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 2/11/2011 Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: I'll let you know Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,131 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,101 Thanked 668 Times in 363 Posts Rep Power: 0	I use a straight razor now that i have shaved off my scruff completely. easier to get around my sideburns and chin. i practiced on 5 balloons, until i didnt hurt the 5th one