BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: smallpiper
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 07:55 PM

got to be a blade every time, nothing closer and it exfoliates as well

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 03:00 PM

Shaving brush and soap in a mug. Lots of hot water as hot as I can bear on my face. I've used electric but they irritate my skin after a couple of shaves and I have to agree with those that found they didn't get a close shave with them. Den

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 12:39 PM

EBarnacle, doddle is a word for easy like "Easy peasey lemon squeezy"!!

Just ask me bloke if he loves me for me or my eyebrows.....he said he loves me for me......and after a pause he said my legs!!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 11:51 AM

JohninKansas, I had idly wondered why shaving in a hot shower worked so well over the years.

Cat,does he love you for yourself or your eyebrows? What is a doddle?

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 02:10 PM

Open Mike, plucking of the eyebrows only hurts the first time you pluck after that its a doddle!!! I got lazy the other week and couldn't be bother to do mine. My bloke in the middle of town commented that I had grown an extra set of eyebrows....and to think I thought you guys either didn't notice these minor details or weren't really bothered!!!! Lets just say I wont be lazy again!!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 11:42 AM

Since my dad was a barber when I got to the age to shave, I didn't know that safety razors existed, and bought my own brand new DubLDuck when I was about 13 or 14. I never used anything else until I got to basic training and they wouldn't let you have one in the barracks.

I have tried a few electrics, and consider them a mild form of sado-masochism, aside from never finding one that actually gives a "clean" shave.

The real secret to a decent blade shave is "lubrication." This can't really be accomplished by the lather - or any of those "shaving accessories" that are advertised so much. The proper lubricant is "sweat."

The old-time barbershop routine was to lather the face first. A really "first-class" barber might then massage the lather in a little to relax the customer. The key to the good shave was the step that followed - slapping a steaming hot towel on, and letting the customer "soak" for a bit. (Note: if you could hold the towel in your hand, it's not hot enough.)
The hot soak should cause a mild amount of perspiration on the face, which brings a little natural skin oil to the surface (and also slightly numbs the skin) that makes the rest of the shave almost pleasurable.

Modern "disposable" blades attempt to provide the lubrication with silicone oils and little "soap strips" that are supposed to "lubricate each stroke," but none of these gimmicks get the grease where you need it - on the skin surface - like shaving while you're "in a sweat." They do help some, if you're ignoring the basics, but its the loss of lubricant that makes them "wear out" so quickly, rather than their becoming "dull."

Since I gave up the allover shaves many years ago, I now use a disposable - in the shower, for the areas I do shave. I take a rather hot shower, and once it feels comfortable, do my limited trimming "underwater" quite comfortably - with nothing in the way of soaps or lathers needed. If I'm careful to rinse the razor thoroughly and hang it out to dry, I find that the typical disposable will do for about 3 or 4 weeks of daily use. (Remember, I was raised on blades that last forever.)

Some people with very sensitive skin may find that modern disposals are actually "too sharp" for comfort, and might benefit from giving a new one a very hot rinse and then hanging it up for a day before the first shave. It is not necessary to have the "ultimate" in sharpness for a good shave. (Note here: a new X-acto knife blade isn't usually sharp enough to suit me, until I've "tweaked" it a bit. There's all kinds of sharp.)

For those who might be interested in a "traditional," you can still buy a new one cheaper than most garage sale or antique shop deals if you check your local barber supply outlets. But don't expect a "practicing" barber to know how to teach you to use it.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: open mike
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 01:41 PM

does seem like a torture tool- brings tears tomy eyes just to think of it--like plucking eyebrows

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 01:29 PM

I have been told that Shin Bet (Israeli Secret Service) uses the Epilady to get information from Palestinian prisoners.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Mr Red
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 06:12 AM

scissors and electric for the tidying-up - now what is all this shaving malarkie?

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 12:38 AM

For the most part, medicine cabinets still have the slots for blades. Since I do not shave, and use a beard trimmer (professional model) for anything else (I don't cut my hair either, what I put down the slots is the dull X-Acto blades.

When I did shave, I splurged every once in awhile and had a barber do it for me. It's a great feeling to have that done on so many levels.

pax yall

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: open mike
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:39 PM

don't believe in it-on any body part.... remember those bathroom cabinets with the slot in the back to put the used blades down the wall? wonder how many old houses still have a pile of old blades in the space below the medicine cabinet?

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: alison
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:18 PM

don't like either.... both get regrowth too fast..... but I have one of those epilator thingies (thougsands of tiny tweezers yank the hair right out at the roots....... and its totally painless... YEAH RIGHT!!!)......

but if you can ignore the pain, it gets easier.... (and its not as bad as waxing!!)... the hair doesn't grow back for weeks..... woohoo....

see sorcha... it does apply to us.... hahaha

on a man however I do like the smooth finish you get with a blade.... although I don't find a nice soft beard either...... *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 09:27 PM

I've got a waterproof, cordless electric one. Can use it in the shower if I want to, which I don't. Never tried a straight razor, and those disposable ones slice up my face/head.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 04:16 PM

I hope the only reason you stopped was that you wished to let it all grow out.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST,Bill in Alabama
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 04:04 PM

The last shave I had, I used an old Gillette double-edge razor blade and razor. That was in 1970.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 12:27 PM

The 'cutthroat' types are much more forgiving that most give them credit for being. Pretty much as long as you are not slashing at your skin or don't have bumps there is almost no chance of hurting yourself. I find (as mentioned above) that the hair shaper gives a great trim in the shower. Because the works are not high carbon steel there is no chance of rusting. On the other hand, I also keep my old Double Duck ready to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 08:10 AM

Unwillingly with disposable blades and shaving foam. Ritual with hot water and soap a must. I started shaving when I was three with my grandad's cut-throat. It was so sharp that I never felt a thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Jim Krause
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 03:28 PM

Yeah, I started shaving with an electric when I was in highschool. I had five o'clock shadow by 9 AM and I had a blond beard in those days!
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 02:38 PM

The accepted wisdom in my younger days was that if you started shaving with a blade then you'd never get a decent shave with an electric. I did and I don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: RichM
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 01:35 PM

I was bearded for most of my 30's and 40's. Shaved it off on a whim (from a chance comment by my wife wondering what I would look like without)...

I tried growing a beard again,this past April; but after a month the itch was driving me nuts. Maybe my hair is coarser now than before?

Anyway, it's a clean face for me now. I use either an electric or a blade---either one about half the time. I prefer a blade shave, it feels so goood...and its a better shave. But sometimes I'm lazy and use the electric.
Rich

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 01:26 PM

Do you think Occam would have used a Norelco?

Wait a minute.....hmmm.....there's gotta be a song here....*G*

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Jim Krause
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 11:57 AM

I used to be bearded. Most days of the week I use a straight razor. No kidding! The reason is I found an antique Wade & Butcher {unfortunate choice of names) straight razor on Ebay in darn near new condition for twenty bucks U.S. I went to Walmart to look for electrics and couldn't find one for less than about fifty bucks.

Yes, I could use a safety razor. And some days I do. But I can get only three maybe four shaves out of a safety razor blade, and then it goes in the trash. Razor blades come about ten to a package, so that's about forty shaves and then the whole batch of used blades goes into the trash and into the landfill.

So I concluded that using a straight razor is good for the environment, and economical in the long run, too. That Wade & Butcher straight razor will never wear out if I take care of it.
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 10:23 AM

Sorcha, I use my blokes blades when I have run out of my own, don't really see the big deal and he hasn't complained yet!!!!

cat

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 07:15 AM

I just threw out two electrics. Couldn't give em away... even to the yard sale "pros". I would consider that to be conclusive proof that you should get your money back.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Mac Tattie
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 06:32 AM

Gillett twin blade disposable. It realy is true, the best a man can get. cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Troll
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 06:28 AM

I've used both, and fairly recently ,and I prefer a blade to an electric a hundred to one. A "straight", or "cutthroat" razor works best but they are a bear to keep properly sharpened. The old mug, brush, and plenty of HOT water with a fairly new blade is the way I go right now but when I finish this Japan gig in November, the beard comes back.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: van lingle
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 06:18 AM

Shame on you, Sorcha. You should make him french toast. vl

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: The Walrus
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 03:43 AM

Definitely use a blade, however, it MUST be done with soap and hot water, not "shaving foam". A soap lather "wets" the beard and softens its for shaving, the foam just tell you where you've shaved.
A wet shave cuts the beard at skin level, an "electric" shave cuts just above the skin (the thickness of the foil/mesh guard).
As a side point, the closest shave I've ever had was with an open (cut-throat) razor (long story), I even managed it without cutting myself - which surprised me, it was the first time I'd ever tried - however, a word of advice, never take a beard off with an open razor on a windy (UK) January morning, it brings a new meaning to feeling cold.

Walrus

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:23 PM

I once saw a guy shaving with a cordless electric razor while driving his BMW convertible in heavy traffic with the top down. Definite evidence that electric razors can turn a seemingly normal person into a brainless twit. Save your brain! Use a blade!

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 10:47 PM

Ohhh, I remember shaving my legs!! Yea! I just used his blade (horrors--grin)

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Gareth
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 06:52 PM

Eeerrr! Shaving, Whats that ?

The last time I had my beard removed it was under anethetic (SP) and raised £400.00 for the Sheerness Life Boat. I regret due to the effects of the anesthetic, supplied by Sheppard & Neame in the Foresters Arms @ Sittingbourne, Kent, UK. I can not recall what instrument was used.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 05:31 PM

Well I shave my legs and I found that a blade is better than an electric razor but thats my personal opinion, you blokes have to shave your faces and a boyfriend of mine swore by a cordless electric razor because he could use it in the car on the way to the office!!!

Really I don't care but hey thought I would contribute anyway!!!

cat

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: van lingle
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 04:54 PM

Atra blades. Preferably ones that aren't clogged with feminine leg stubble. Aha, that's why you should care about this, Sorcha! *grin* I use a shaving mug and brush and encourage others to do the same as there will be that many less shaving cream cans in the landfill plus the brush keeps the soap away from fingernails (for you guitar players). I also have a self-stropping Rolls razor that I've never had the nerve to shave with. vl

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: MMario
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 12:59 PM

well,sorcha; having five sisters I know they have definate preferences in both what they use themselves for shaving - and what their significant others use to shave with.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 12:51 PM

As a pogonophile with a 30 year beard, I have found that my once or twice weekly beard trim works best with a reasonably fresh blade in my hair shaper. This gadget works like a barber's razor and, despite a few scrapes over the years, gives a shave that passes the ladyfriend test.

As Rick would say, "Here's stroking at ya, friend."

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:58 AM

Sorcha,

Why do you feel the need to post to a thread that doesn't interest/concern you?

Do you love the sight of your own posts that much?

Oh dear...

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:47 AM

Sorcha, you shouldn't care. This is mere piffle (technical term).

DAve Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:41 AM

Remind me why I should care about this.........

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:39 AM

I'm with Mario......I love the clean feel you get from shaving with a blade as well.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: MMario
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:36 AM

haven't ever found an electric that would leave me looking like I had shaved.

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:22 AM

Either one is OK

Straight-edge can slit half way through a neck .... messy but quiet....and 100% guarantee

Electric in a bath-tub .... more likely to be considered accidental

Subject: RE: BS: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST,Schantieman
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:08 AM

Hmm, yes. I'm a beardie, but in the dim and distant days when I used to shave I had to do it with a blade and lather. If I used an elecric razor - even the best I tried - I still needed a shave when I'd finished. Tough beard and sensitive skin - good reason to grow a beard!

Good luck!

Steve

Subject: Shaving: Blade or Electric?
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 09:54 AM

Maybe a bad place to ask, given the number of bearded folkies...

I've never managed well with a blade. Cut myself lots, find it takes too long, and don't believe those who say you get a 'closer shave' I've only ever got blood and a sore face...

Paul