Bad shave at the gym today

[tbress]

I'm trying to get back into exercising, so I got up early and hit the gym before work. I put together a travel shave kit: a cheap "Derby" TTO razor and case, my old Tweezerman brush, and a stick of Arko. After working out and hitting the shower I tried my first gym shave with bad results. Here are some of the things that went wrong:

I did try the Derby razor at home once, but I should have practiced more. I'm used to the barberpole 38C and this thing felt like a toy.
Even though it is a toy, it is a SHARP toy. Two nicks, one by the ear and one on the chin. Bleeding in the gym, how embarassing.
I didn't pre-soak my brush. I recently upgraded from the Tweezerman to a Duke 3. This was my first shave with the Tweezerman in about a month. Let me tell you, I appreciate my Duke even more after this morning's shave. The Tweezerman felt like a stiff paintbrush compared to the Duke.
I usually use Superior 70 AS, but today I used Aqua Velva because it fits better in my travel kit. I'm not too fond of the scent.


So I ended up bleeding, poorly shaved and smelly. It's almost enough to make me give up exercising! Or at least exercising in the morning before work.

Any suggestions? I'm tempted to get a cheap electric razor for gym days. I'll still be poorly shaved but at least I won't be bleeding and it will be quicker.

[jtadmin]

Tbress,

I find the way to go as far as shaving is concerned is to take your razor of choice, AS of choice, Cream/Soap of choice and also your Brush of choice. I snagged my old Camera bag the other day when I went to the spa with my wife and loaded everything into it. The only difference in my shave that day from any other, was I packed my witch hazel into a small plastic tube from walgreens. And instead of lathering with a bowl I face lathered. You can buy some nice little bottles/containers for your products that are closable thanks to TSA. So I say load up your normal setup and take it with you to the gym.

Good Luck! :thumbup:

[Azza]

Is shaving the night before an option?

- Aaron

[Don B]

Wet shaving at the gym might be a good way to evangelize to cartidge users, assuming you're interested in fielding questions from strangers.

[BCatl]

I personally would not shave at a gym because of the chance of getting MRSA. I'm not saying I would never do it, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. I would guess that the electric might be a safer option.

[tbress]

Wet shaving at the gym might be a good way to evangelize to cartidge users, assuming you're interested in fielding questions from strangers.

That almost happened twice! First, I saw someone shaving with a cartridge razor while I was putting my stuff into a locker. I was tempted to evangelize but held back.

Second, when I was shaving another guy was using a sink at the other end of the counter. I wasn't looking directly at him but he lingered for awhile after he washed his hands. I thought he was going to ask me a question but he walked away.

[Fudgie1973]

That almost happened twice! First, I saw someone shaving with a cartridge razor while I was putting my stuff into a locker. I was tempted to evangelize but held back.

Second, when I was shaving another guy was using a sink at the other end of the counter. I wasn't looking directly at him but he lingered for awhile after he washed his hands. I thought he was going to ask me a question but he walked away.

Hopefully just about your shaving kit!!:w00t:

[oc_in_fw]

I'm tempted to get a cheap electric razor for gym days.

hold on there- don't do anything drastic:001_smile If you want to use that as a travel razor, I would practice with it at home to get a good feel for it and find out which blades it likes.

[Geordon]

I personally would not shave at a gym because of the chance of getting MRSA. I'm not saying I would never do it, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. I would guess that the electric might be a safer option.

I really don't think that there is any greater chance of contracting MRSA at a gym than there is at home. Then again, there have been like 4 cases of MRSA in my house in the last 12 months. None of them was in broken skin.

It's gotten to the point that MRSA is just another thing. I think that it has become common enough that it is nearly unremarkable, at least in my community.

That being said, MRSA still sucks rocks.

[tbress]

hold on there- don't do anything drastic:001_smile If you want to use that as a travel razor, I would practice with it at home to get a good feel for it and find out which blades it likes.

That's good advice. The two things that were most frustrating was the low quality/weight of the razor (and brush), and not being able to do the same prep (soaking the brush while showering).

Either getting a good travel razor and practicing with it or using my own would be better than using the cheap razor. I'd be more willing to take my good razor to the gym that my good brush, though. The razor would be cheaper to replace than the brush, and it would be hard to give the brush a chance to dry after using it and putting it back in my shaving kit.

[dklaiman]

When I shave at the gym, I use a cream I can use brushless. Nancy boy works well, as does KMF. There's a post from brothers (I think it's his post) in which he tested several creams without a brush. It's not as enjoyable shaving without a brush--I like to face lather--but I don't need to worry about moisture levels,soaking the brush, hogging a sink before work, etc.

[dklaiman]

It's a little old, but here's brothers original post if you decide to go brushless:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=116811&highlight=brushless

[Absolute Mustard]

Last week at my gym there was a guy shaving completely naked at one of the sinks.

Can we all agree that you should at least have a towel on at that point?

[Prince]

Oh yes, a towel is needed and appreciated. :blink:

[gixxer]

When I put together my travel shave bag I took the time to make sure I have what I like and what I am used to using in it. If you have to get a small plastic bottle that you can store your aftershave in so it fits in your bag. Like for instance I took my witch hazel and put it into a saline solution squirt bottle (the small ones for nasal use). When I took the squirt plug out to fill it I took the stem off of the inside so I can turn the bottle upside down to squirt it into my hand. I have been using it for quite some time and the cap does not leak. I made a leather case for my razor so I have no worries about bent teeth but you can buy something.

As for the rest of your gear like mentioned before I would not put anything in there that I am not used to using on a regular basis.

[gixxer]

Jeez, put on some underwear. I don't even shave in my own home without some drawers on.

[mattface]

as I have recently learned decent DE razors are cheap and plentiful. Get yourself an old superspeed, or someting else you like for ~$10. I have a plastic case meant for cartridge razors, but any of my DE razors will fit in it. If you find a cream you like that lathers well by hand you won't have to worry about the brush, I've found I can make do with soft soap if need be.

[Bloodhound]

I was traveling for work quite a bit, so I put togather a travel kit...Ball End Tech(just like one of the razors in my rotation), package of Sharks, Nice Badger Brush(GN knot in an Everready handle), a mug and a tube of C.O. Bigelow shave cream and a plastic bottle purchased at Target with my aftershave. I'm not traveling near as much now, but have left the kit in my travel duffle and use it when my wife and I are on the road.

Putting the kit togather kept me shaving with simular equipment and supplies used in my daily shave, and it was an excuse to buy another razor and brush and mug....Like I need an excuse :lol:

And yes...Put on a towekl or skivies

[gunter]

I would bring the equipment you are used to. Maybe take the brush in the shower with you to soak it some. Or maybe shave before you leave for the gym. Just a thought.

[Seraphim]

I shave with my straights at the gym. Conversation starter for shure, mostly with the older gentlemen. The younger guys generally try and pretend not to notice what I;m doing, or perhaps it simply doesn't register with them:001_huh:

I just use all of my regular stuff; razor, strop, soap, brush, AS, the works...it's my reward for working out. Plus, the wife isn't banging on the bathroom door wondering what's taking me SO long!:001_cool:

[tbress]

It's a little old, but here's brothers original post if you decide to go brushless:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=116811&highlight=brushless

That's a great idea. I hadn't thought of using a brushless cream. I've been meaning to try KMF and Nancy Boy, this will give me an excuse to get some.

Although I don't know how I feel about using products labelled "Kiss My Face Nancy Boy" in a men's locker room...

[maj3289]

sorry about your bad shave. I don't know how much you used the TW but mine has been breaking in smoothly. As to the razor, take something you're very familiar with, as you are not at home to easily fix mistakes

good one how the "Kiss My face Nancy boy" labels would stand out.. hahaha