Sound of Shaving

[Robotack]

This is really just a bit of a random thought by me, but what the hell..

Has anyone ever thought of the importance of the sound of shaving. Yesterday My brother was at my house and we were both going out last night so he was getting showered at mine. I was rushing too so while he was in the shower I shaved in the bathroom. The noise of the power shower meant I couldnt hear that satisfying sound of the razor cutting, that's so much better on a DE than cartridge. Actually meant I could not tell which parts needed some polishing / another pass...

Just a thought, but seems to me that the sound is important. I still got a DFS but just didnt enjoy it as much.

[wchnu]

I have stated before that my favorite pass is right next to my ear so I can hear.. and the sound from a SE is even better IMO.

Fuzzy

[Shane]

It has been my experience that the sound of shaving has a direct correlation to the smoothness and sharpness of the blade. It's odd, but the more of a hollow, almost "scraping" sound I hear, the smoother and sharper the blade is. If I don't hear that, I know that the blade isn't all that sharp or smooth. YMMV.

[blade08]

I like to hear the sound too, this is one of the best ways to know if your blade angle is correct.

[galopede]

Use a Futur - get deafened!

Gareth

[BatNastard]

I definitely use it to check blade angle - generally the higher in pitch, the better.

[_JP_]

I simply like to hear the blade as it does it's work, so I always rinse the razor in a sink full of water instead of under running water. (I don't like the whine of running water either!) Different blades produce different sounds, and straights all have their own sounds as well.

[Straight Arrow]

Blade cutting whisker sound is important for me. That's why I never listen to music while shaving as so many do.

[apswartz]

Blade cutting whisker sound is important for me. That's why I never listen to music while shaving as so many do.

Yes, I love the sound!

[dpm802]

I love that sound.

Oddly, I find its a random thing. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't. Even using the same combo of cream / razor / blade, its hard to predict when I will hear it and when I don't.

Its purely an aesthetic thing with me, though. Hearing the sound doesn't guarantee that I'm getting a better shave. Not hearing it doesn't mean that I'm doing anything wrong, either.

[Thebigspendur]

You want sound while you shave? Use a singing straight razor and then you'll know what sound is.

[prewt]

hmm, guess I need to quit listening to adult films when I shave so I can hear the razor. I just listen to them to feel good about my shaves. j/k

[OldSaw]

Sound of cutting whiskers is good. Worst sound while shaving is a wife with a blow dryer standing along side. Even worse than the sound is the blast of air that dries your lather.

[thevelvet]

The sound of the whiskers being cut is by far my favorite part of shaving, hands down.

[ShaneC]

Since switching to DE shaving, I've gotta have it quite in the bathroom so I can hear everything being cut.

For me, it's mostly to make sure I've got the blade angle right. I don't really have this down to a set method just yet.

[Robotack]

Yeah I've to alter my blade angle for different parts of my face. Crazy how with DE shaving you get to know every little bit of your mug!... Sound is important to make sure I've got that sweet spot.

[quattro]

you guys are the most keenest of observers and shavers. i like the sound of shaving. can't explain but i like it.

[tom myers]

I'm not sure if there is a direct correlation between the amplitude of the sound of the razor's cutting and the quality of the shave, but my current choice of razors is an old Gem single edge lather catcher style from around the turn of the twentieth century. It gives me the best shaves that I've ever had.

Interestingly, that big lather catcher acts like the sounding board on a piano; it is the loudest razor I've ever used. Does that great sound subconsiously help me adjust my angle etc, and contribute to the quality of the shave? HMMMM. :w00t:

Regards,
Tom

[asat00]

Use a Futur - get deafened!

Gareth
And if you want the volume turned up even futher, try the VISION. loudest shave outside of using a lawnmower.

[Walking_Target]

Yep, i learned this pretty quick with my straight that it's not the visible angle or approach that matters so much as how the razor sounds when it's doing it's work.

I know some will argue this statement, but hear me out; you can't usually differentiate by eye the precice angle on your face when it's covered in lather. The sound of the razor helps you fine tune the angle. So while yes, i could shave by eye, listening to the razor is really what brings the whole thing home.

[bmbrown911]

Just out of curiosity what kind of a sound do you normally hear that signifies your doing a proper angle. I seldom pay attention to the sound. Usually the only time I really hear is in stubborn places on my face that I have to go over numerous times but I've never really learned what sound I should be hearing that means the whiskers are cutting correctly. What would the sound be when the blade is held more parallel with the face instead of with the floor? Maybe I can use this as guideline to improve my shaves?

[jeffinkalamazoo]

I have to agree that I like the sound of the razor doing its thing.... so much so that I have begun to turn off the faucet (for rinsing the razor) and killing the bathroom fan so I can listen to the music!

[Seraphim]

"WHAT"S THAT YOU SAY?!"


"Huh, HEH! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?"

His mouth is moving, but I can't hear a darn thing....ever since I shaved with my singing full hollow made in Solingen beauty everybody's been mumbling today...

[smokelaw1]

The crazy thing is, I love that sound, but I never realized how much I loved it until I saw this thread! I have noticed a difference in the sound depending on soap/cream/balde combo.

[jss]

Then there is that pinging sound that reverberates like its coming from a tuning fork.. There's melody that can't be duplcated by multi-blades, or electrics....:wink:

[Rhino]

Didn't Simon & Garfunkel do a song with those lyics?




:w00t:

[talibeard]

It is not just about liking the sounds of shaving, I think it gives me far more information than my visual about the state of my shave! I decide on hearing whether it is time to go from WTG to XTG to ATG. If I had to make a choice between shaving without a mirror or without hearing I would most certainly skip the mirror.

[Seraphim]

Check the vid for some righteous shave sounds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuuuvuOzB7U&feature=related

[Bluestaco]

Come to think of it, yeah! I like that sound.
I also like to do the hanging hair test in a really quiet room and hear that faint "clink." :biggrin: Happy sound.

[npfaff]

I'm with you all. I find that being able to hear while shaving is really important. My old girl friend used to use the blow dryer or have the TV on and it was annoying as all get out. I really think you get a better shave listening to the razor do its work.

[battlemonk]

The sound is also a way for me to tell how well-stropped my razor is.

But I do quite enjoy the sound; I once shaved while the hallway outside my room was being vacuumed and it was kind of odd, not hearing the scraping noise.

[Spacegeezer]

Shaving isn't shaving without that snap, crackle, pop!


Sound of cutting whiskers is good. Worst sound while shaving is a wife with a blow dryer standing along side. Even worse than the sound is the blast of air that dries your lather.

Heh, that reminds me of that Cary Grant movie, forget the title.