You fellows can't tolerate much when it comes to differences of opinion, can you? All this talk about behaving as gentlemen whilst gathering stones to throw.
Build Me The Perfect "Safety Razor" Newbie Starter Kit
- Thread starter Tat2d Bald Dude
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Well, I would disagree about that. I think it has more to do with women, and how they prefer men to smell like men, and when they say otherwise, they're lying.
Just where do you think women got that idea that Rose, Lilac, and Lavender are not manly scents from? It's a creation of our very silly culture, that makes certain things "forbidden" so that nobody can have grounds for accusing us of being a homosexual.
You are on a site dedicated to the luxury of wet shaving, do you really expect us to embrace inferior products? We are here to get the best shaves possible, and that is not accomplished by using inferior products.
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I'm certainly not throwing stones. I'm trying to explain a point while you appear to be simultaneously attacking someones manhood and picking select sentences out of the FAQ to support a ludicrous statement that motor oil should be used to shave with.
Both cases are one upmanship which certainly isn't gentlemanly.
With that, I refuse to participate in this tom-foolery any longer, and let those who read this be the judge.
Do you not see the emoticons poking a stick and winking?
This should be clear evidence of a joke.
This should be clear evidence of a joke.
and perhaps you would understand more where I'm coming from if you knew that I get at least a DFS every time, and quite often BBS, using nothing but the aforementioned barbasol and cheap wal-mart blades.
With this in mind, it is not hard to see the claims that you must use a brush, and must use the finest of things, as a bit elitist.
With this in mind, it is not hard to see the claims that you must use a brush, and must use the finest of things, as a bit elitist.
On the canned goo, I stand my ground.
But if a new person, or any person at all could read that and think that motor oil would really be a good thing to shave with, there is cause to remove sharp objects such as razors from his reach.
But if a new person, or any person at all could read that and think that motor oil would really be a good thing to shave with, there is cause to remove sharp objects such as razors from his reach.
phil, where did your post go?
Now it looks like I'm talking to myself.
It seemed that perhaps we were on the verge of coming to an understanding.
At any rate. You're a prep man. I get that. I get that most people here are.
I'm more about technique, and find that I don't need anything fancy to get a nice shave, and thoroughly enjoy it.
I think there's room here for all of us.
Now it looks like I'm talking to myself.
It seemed that perhaps we were on the verge of coming to an understanding.
At any rate. You're a prep man. I get that. I get that most people here are.
I'm more about technique, and find that I don't need anything fancy to get a nice shave, and thoroughly enjoy it.
I think there's room here for all of us.
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Despite my better judgement...
I do agree there is room here for virtually every train of thought on the subject.
I understand that for you, you seem to like and shave well with canned foam. That's fine, and it is your perogative. I have no right to tell you not to use it, and I wouldn't.
My biggest beef was that this is a thread posted by a new member, looking for advice on wetshaving. He was likely led here by one of many of the accounts spread accross the web about wetshaving, which GENERALLY means a brush, soap or cream, and a safety or straight razor as compared to what is currently commercially pimped, the cartridge and can.
Though the can of foam may work well in your hands, it certainly isn't the train of thought that prevails on this Forum, and it certainly isn't the advice that would be prescribed to a newbie looking for a change in his life.
I'm not a prep guy. My prep is a hot shower before I shave. I don't use oils or towels or balms. Just hot water and soap to wash with.
My reply to the young man in this post was the first. Take a look at it, and see if the products I recommended to him are "top of the line" stuff.
I have and will use VDH soap, Walmart Personnas (do a search and see how hard I push these) and I use a 12 dollar tweezerman brush for travel.
That is not elitist, and it is not "fancy".
There were no emoticons in any of the posts you and I had indicating that humor was your intent, and you consistently quoted portions of the FAQ out of context to prove a point which wasn't there. Whether you meant your comments about trying a shave with motor oil and reporting back about it as a joke or not, you said it after recommending a can of foam to a newbie, which I found equally as absurd. You wrote it. I simply read what you wrote.
I have no personal beef with you, and don't wish to have one with anyone.
I wish you many happy shaves with the products of your choice.
Good night and have a very pleasant weekend.
I think most members on this board would agree that recommending a can of foam to a newbie is absurd. Making such a recommendation shows a fundamental lack of understanding about the purpose of this board.
Honestly, it's hard to respect anything you would now say, as making such a statement greatly undermines your credibility.
Your followup statements trying to use the FAQ out of context just serves to further make you look foolish.
the newbie did receive many suggestions that you approve of.
I am working off the assumption that he has shaved with something before, be it a multi-blade or a cheap disposable.
I'm not afraid to suggest that perhaps all he needs is an inexpensive adjustable, and learn to use it, without changing anything else in his routine just yet.
I am working off the assumption that he has shaved with something before, be it a multi-blade or a cheap disposable.
I'm not afraid to suggest that perhaps all he needs is an inexpensive adjustable, and learn to use it, without changing anything else in his routine just yet.
Oh, I see it now. I thought I had gotten the gist of the board. That it's about getting a great shave and sharing your experiences, helping others to get great shaves too. Also understood the part about disdain for multi-blades and multi-dollar approaches. The part of the mission statement that escaped my notice was the part about sophisticated pursuits, and I guess by your judgement I am not sophisticated enough.
What a dilemma for you. How is one to call out another, and make him aware that he is not sophisticated enough, is not gentlemanly enough, while maintaining those qualities in himself? Is that even possible?
And what a trivial matter over which to ostracize somebody!
Because I use no brush, it has been either outright said, or strongly implied ---
that I am not a wetshaver.
that I have no credibility.
that I do not belong here.
This is not gentlemanly! Oh, the irony! Now I find myself in the same boat as you.
What a dilemma for you. How is one to call out another, and make him aware that he is not sophisticated enough, is not gentlemanly enough, while maintaining those qualities in himself? Is that even possible?
And what a trivial matter over which to ostracize somebody!
Because I use no brush, it has been either outright said, or strongly implied ---
that I am not a wetshaver.
that I have no credibility.
that I do not belong here.
This is not gentlemanly! Oh, the irony! Now I find myself in the same boat as you.
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Against my better judgment, I will respond again.
What you are suggesting goes against the train of thought of what most seem to believe on this board. Many have found, that a very good shave can be had from a Gillette Sensor (it's the most popular of the cartridge razors on this board) with proper prep, and with top quality shaving cream/ shaving soap, and a brush.
Developing better technique, and using superior products = superior shave.
There are some people who decided a DE razor is not for them (this is ok, we realize the DE is not for everyone) but these people usually still opt to keep using their high quality soap/ cream, and brush as they have found that it is these factors that result in a superior shave.
While I believe that the very best quality shaves are accomplished with a DE razor/ SE razor, using proper technique, and top quality products very nice quality shaves can also be accomplished with a Trac II, Atra, or Sensor.
Most here, would suggest that a newbie who is on the fence about switching to a DE razor, invest in a shaving brush, and a top quality shaving cream/ shaving soap, and then hone their technique. It's very possible that this improves their shaving experience so much, that they have no desire to switch to a DE; their goal has still been met: they are experiencing far better quality shaves.
Have you tried out a shaving cream/ shaving soap, and a brush? Or have you just written off the entire line of products we all rave about as being too "hoity toity" for you, and never given them a far shake?
P.S. I really hate the fact that a thread started by a newbie seeking out our help has now been polluted by 10-15 posts that are of no benefit to him whatsoever. Talk about hijacking a thread.
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- #34
Ok, my current situation is this: I currently shave my head and face every other day. For the past two years, I have religiously used the Gilette Fusion power razor with the matching Gilette Fusion Shave Gel and then finished up with Gilette Fusion After-Shave Balm (notice a pattern). Some days, I've been left feeling like I didn't even spend that last 25 minutes shaving me head and face (though, this may not have been because of shave quality, but because of me missing spots, etc.)...some days, I've spent half an hour feeling my head, admiring what feels like the closest shave I've ever gotten. However, unfortunately, the number of days that I've shaved at 8 a.m. and gotten 5 'o clock shadow by 3 p.m. (or by, ummm, 5?...lol) outweigh the number of days that I've stroked my face and head and thought "Wow, the Gilette Fusion is amazing". The only remote "issues" I have had is that sometimes I'll get a little redness, but never any ingrown hairs. That's about it.
So, long story short, is there necessarily anything wrong with my current shaving routine or the products/equipment I'm using? Not at all. But do I space out for a moment out the bathroom window some mornings wondering if (or even sometimes, being convinced that there IS) an even closer shave, or possibly even the closest shave ever, available to me out there? Absolutely.
And that's why I'm here. To determine whether what I'm doing now is "the best I can get" (no Gilette tagline-pun intended) and serves its' purpose for me or if it would definitely be a world of difference for me to make a switch to the world of safety razors.
So, let's re-start there. Your thoughts? Comments? Questions?
P.S: amishmotorboat (and any of you other fellas that would like to answer this one) You touched on "women wanting their men to smell the way they prefer a man to smell"...how about looks with shaving? Is switching to the old-school safety razor/mug/brush/soap routine going to give me a closer shave that is, without a doubt, more noticable to women than the "Fusion Package" that I'm using now? I mean, are they (women everywhere) really going to notice?
So, long story short, is there necessarily anything wrong with my current shaving routine or the products/equipment I'm using? Not at all. But do I space out for a moment out the bathroom window some mornings wondering if (or even sometimes, being convinced that there IS) an even closer shave, or possibly even the closest shave ever, available to me out there? Absolutely.
And that's why I'm here. To determine whether what I'm doing now is "the best I can get" (no Gilette tagline-pun intended) and serves its' purpose for me or if it would definitely be a world of difference for me to make a switch to the world of safety razors.
So, let's re-start there. Your thoughts? Comments? Questions?
P.S: amishmotorboat (and any of you other fellas that would like to answer this one) You touched on "women wanting their men to smell the way they prefer a man to smell"...how about looks with shaving? Is switching to the old-school safety razor/mug/brush/soap routine going to give me a closer shave that is, without a doubt, more noticable to women than the "Fusion Package" that I'm using now? I mean, are they (women everywhere) really going to notice?
There are at least three levels of closeness in terms of shaves:
SAS: Socially acceptable shave; your shave looks adequate to a random passerby who might look at you. You probably look no different than the typical male on the street who shaves. In other words, no visable patches of
stubble.
DFS: Damn Fine Shave. If you stroke your face in the direction of hair growth, it feels close, and smooth all over. Stubble is probably still felt if you stroke against the growth of the hair.
BBS: Baby Butt Smooth: feels close, and smooth in all directions. Stubble cannot be felt when stroking your face in any direction.
Note, that in terms of looks they probably all look about the same. The differences are only noticed by you (because we become obsessed with shaving on this board, and thus constantly stroke our shaved faces), or by a female in close proximity who is rubbing your face.
P.S. This is my take on the differences in shave quality, any seasoned members can feel free to correct me, as I am still a newbie myself.
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In my opinion of all of the variables the razor is not usually the deciding factor. The total package is what counts.
I think you would see remarkably improved shaves if you bought a shave brush, and quality shaving cream/ shaving soap, and continued to use your Fusion. If you further learned better technique, your shaves would drastically improve further.
Once, you have improved in those areas, you can get the best results ever with moving away from the 5 bladed monstrosity.
The extra blades in a Fusion are of no benefit, and for many simply produce further irritation, and ingrown hairs. The Fusion is nothing more than a marketing gimmick: It performs no better than the Mach 3, and the Mach 3 performs no better than the Sensor Excel that preceded it.
In my opinion, anything more than two blades is of no benefit, and serve overkill.
Having been DE/ SE shaving for two months, I do honestly believe that the best shaves are accomplished with a non-cartridge razor. But I also know that some people simply prefer a cartridge razor, and if you are happy with your results, then that is what is most important.
If you can get over the difference in technique, DE shaves will definitely be closer than the Fusion. I think the issue will be avoiding nicks and cuts when shaving your head with the DE. Maybe some other guys who do shave their heads with DE razors can tell you. I know a few guys who DE their face but use Fusions on their heads.
- Aaron
R
rainman
I've shaved my head with a fat handled tech, a weishi, and soon to try a black handled SS. All of these razors I mentioned are mild. This could actually work for you when you get your starter razor, it will also be suited for your head. Later on, you may want something more aggressive for your face but can continue to use the initial razor you have purchased for your head shaves.
For the benefit of the real newbies (read: ME) would you please define BST , or even link to it
British Summer Time
Bible Study Tools
Biochemical Supply Transactions
all the above were results in a google search!
It's the buy/sell/trade board here.
