Cut my Throat or not?

[Mr Ploppy]

why bother shaving in the first place. i use an electric trimmer that takes it back to stubble every couple of weeks and thats it.

I do the same but do my whole head, excluding eyebrows although that would be an interesting look.

[Xfigio]

Phillishave,  Mine's on it's way out, ...after 14 years.  Far better economy than disposable..., and so much safer.

[Matto]

Lost,

You've got to be brave going all the way to a cutthroat. About 3yrs ago I got sick of buying Gillette shares, and asked for the following for my birthday :
* Double-edged razor with sample pack of blades (not this exact one, but same razor : http://www.theshaveshed.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_5&products_id=20&zenid=83ebf17b98da947ff1381031857b698f)
* Cheap Badger-hair brush (http://www.theshaveshed.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7)
* Good shaving soap : http://www.theshaveshed.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=292

Since then I've gone through maybe one of the sample packets of blades - I've still got another 4 or 5 packets left. I've used an entire cake of the soak, but bought another puck for $18 from the local ShaverShop. Blades are cheap as chips (they're just razor blades after all) and last quite well if you strop them on your arm before & after use. Biggest trick is learning how to shave with the DE razor, no pressure at all, keep the angle right, etc, and you won't cut yourself. I have fiendishly sensitive skin and if I can figure it out, anyone can. Decent aftershave is a godsend.

For me, it's very cheap once you buy a decent razor, and it's safer than a straight razor with less maintenance (IE, you don't need a leather stopping belt, etc). I've had a few different electric shavers, I never seem to be able to make them last. The last philishave I had I needed to put 3 new blades in, and that was basically the price of a whole new unit. Takes me longer to shave with an electric shaver than a quick wet-shave anyway.

The barber I go to uses wonderful plastic, disposable straight razors - if you want to experiment it might be worth buying a 100-pack of them to test out with first. They do a fantastic job and are super-sharp. It's certainly a good skill to have though, and means you'll never need to buy another razor again.

Good luck - post photos.
Matto

[LJs GU]

Shave while you're in the shower... hairs are softer and makes the blades last longer.
LJ
You do shower don't you? 

[Isuzumu]

I use the gillette mach 3 razors and shave every second day.  Use that razor blade cleaner thing I posted about a while ago after every shave.  I get at least two weeks out of each razor and pushing closer to 4weeks.

I also only use proraso products

http://www.mensbiz.com.au/shop-by-brand/proraso.html?gclid=CITu5LfF_7ICFWRKpgodY3YAJw

Cant remember the last time I had a rash and for wog skin thats not too bad.....

The razor cleaner/sharpener thingy Dazzler is the best thing ever invented. I brought one after seeing your thread. I now use Aldi razors, cheapest around, give them a clean before using them even for the first time and every day after and get up to 4 weeks out of one razor. Bloody great thanks mate 

[mystq]

Yes do it

[Matto]

Or this: THE BEARDS - If Your Dad Doesn't Have a Beard, You've Got Two Mums (Official Film Clip)

Cheers!
Matto

[cruisindub]

Refresh on the cleaner /sharpener thing again please.?

I also tried recently when I bought $120 phillishave rechargeable, figured it would pay for itself if I got a year put of it, any longer would be a bonus, buy a new one when blades wear out.
I couldn't get along with it. So for now,still with the expensive Mach 3 Gillette.

Usually a blade a week, sometimes less, so shaving is expensive. (Not more than a week out of one blade)

Recently told it takes a while to get used to a razor shave over blade and definitely not as clean or smooth after.

If I was rich andhad the money,I would get a proper barbers shave everyday. Hard stubble beard with an easily rashed neck makes shaving a nightamre daily occurrence.

Not sure I would be confident enough for a cut throat, but the the twin blade looks set up looks interestinyg.

Anything to save on cost of shaving ...........

[Squalo]

You can make blades last longer by drying them immediately after use - it's corrosion rather than cutting that prematurely blunts them.

Hit the blades with the missuses hair dryer

[bussoboy]

i'm nearly 46 years old and have hardly ever used a razor..........i was bought a Braun for my 16th birthday which lasted until i was about 22 when i bought myself a Philishave which was replaced with another Philishave about 5 years ago but having  goatie and ocassional full beard means the shavers have never had a big workout so last a long time

I wouldn't dream of using razors and i'm lucky my wife loves me no matter how feral i look

[fuji]

Refresh on the cleaner /sharpener thing again please.?

I also tried recently when I bought $120 phillishave rechargeable, figured it would pay for itself if I got a year put of it, any longer would be a bonus, buy a new one when blades wear out.
I couldn't get along with it. So for now,still with the expensive Mach 3 Gillette.

Usually a blade a week, sometimes less, so shaving is expensive. (Not more than a week out of one blade)

Recently told it takes a while to get used to a razor shave over blade and definitely not as clean or smooth after.

If I was rich andhad the money,I would get a proper barbers shave everyday. Hard stubble beard with an easily rashed neck makes shaving a nightamre daily occurrence.

Not sure I would be confident enough for a cut throat, but the the twin blade looks set up looks interestinyg.

Anything to save on cost of shaving ...........

I use a face wash before I shave and it does soften the whiskers. So give it a try. I use Clarins face wash and it lasts a while. IMO
Wayne

[ap]

I shave 5 times a week for work and electric razors just don't work for me.  I tend to try and avoid shaving on the weekends nut if we are going out I need to as come Sunday afternoon I'm a bit of a wooly monster.  I use one of the fancy five blade plus a precision cutting blade Fusions.  I agree the blades are stupidly expensive but I find that these last for ages, I easily get over a month out of each blade.

I find the key is go old school - wash the face with hot water to soften the beard, use a cheap shaving brush and shave stick (the $2 stuff) to lather up, shave with the grain of the hair, lather again and then shave against the grain.  Quick and easy and you get a really close shave.  The important thing is knowing the grain of the hair for the initial shave - downwards on the cheeks and upwards on the neck.  This can really help stop you cutting yourself up.

For those of you in Sydney who want to be a bit indulgent go visit Steve for a proper barber's cutthroat shave.  Its about $50 but it is the best experience, you feel great afterwards.

http://media.smh.com.au/executive-style/essential-male/a-perfect-shave-2840468.html

[jclures]

I did read somewhere that the shaving creams today are part of the problem with shavers, using soap or a shaving stick is better for the blade. The argument was that the razor blade companies need to sell razor blades, so the manufacture creams that don't look after the blade but give you a good shave.

[Barrabart]

Most of us NQ blokes use a 4" grinder to smooth the face off.................... !!................ Yep hard bastards up this way!!

[fuji]

I did read somewhere that the shaving creams today are part of the problem with shavers, using soap or a shaving stick is better for the blade. The argument was that the razor blade companies need to sell razor blades, so the manufacture creams that don't look after the blade but give you a good shave.

And soap is bad for your skin. Use a nice skin cleanser and then shave, IMO

[Bird]

still thinking

[Matto]

still thinking

Was only thinking of this the other day, and wondering if you actually went ahead with it.

What's holding you back? $40 for one of these - http://www.mensbiz.com.au/dovo-shavette-straight-razor-black.html - may as well get one and try it out. I'm led to believe they're a good starter option. Go slow, read up and watch a bunch of youtube vids, and try it out one afternoon. Preferably a day where you don't have to go out in public tomorrow. Don't shave for a few days before hand. Commit to trying at least half a dozen times though - don't just do it once, get disheartened and give it away. It took me a couple of years to get my skills to a level I was happy with, but I'm a notoriously slow learner.

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/10/06/how-to-straight-razor-shave/

Me, I'd be scared witless of doing irreparable damage to myself. I have a thing about blood (can't even get a blood test, my brain just freaks out - it's all in my head).

DE shaving for me. Still loving it. Much quicker now than I was back in 2012. Have a new technique that means cuts and nicks are non-existant. New "after shave" (http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/product.asp?id=64602) that's cheap and works a lot better than pretty much every other "sensitive skin" specialist product (trust me, I've tried 'em all regardless of price). Still have a box of blades left - a blade is lasting me about 3 weeks before it starts to blunt and I start nicking myself. If I change them proactively, all's good.

Good luck. I'm honestly interested to hear how you go with this.

Cheers,
Matto

[Bird]

What's holding you back?

I'm not a morning person.. chances of fatal injury are quite high..

Actually was thinking about this thread again week or 2 back, as my disposable was as blunt as bubble wrap.
Might go the cleaner gig people were discussing, cant remember who, saw it mentioned on this page.. will re-read the thread.

[Matto]

I'm not a morning person.. chances of fatal injury are quite high..

Try it out one afternoon. When I was learning the other stuff, I'd shave the night before so I could take my time. First few times took almost an hour. Now I've got it down pat, it's 10 mins in the morning.

Fatal injury, well, no pain no gain / chicks dig scars. You can always practice with that Dovo handle, with the disposable blade removed. You'll just be scraping shaving cream, but it'll give you a feel for the weight of the handle and how to hold it.

Go on - you know you want to. If you didn't, you wouldn't have come back to this thread.

Cheers,
Matto

[Bird]

Fatal injury, well, no pain no gain / chicks dig scars.

I already got that sussed

[Matto]

So unless you're REALLY unco, you're unlikely to do anything near as major as that with a piddly little razor blade.

Alternatively, if you do manage to out-do yourself, then bravo, I guess.

Cheers,
Matto

[Bird]

So unless you're REALLY unco, you're unlikely to do anything near as major as that with a piddly little razor blade.

Alternatively, if you do manage to out-do yourself, then bravo, I guess.

...small razors can do damage, don't sneeze

[Swannie]

Go the DE typre razor. Get onto www.mensbiz.com.au and get a starter pack
Swannie

[Tractor88]

Hey Lost, as you said you are not a morning person take the advice given and use it every arvo. Just have a couple of beers to steady the hand and away ya go. Goorn mate get that cut throat and give her a burl. Bet you'll love it.   

[Trex_s4m1]

Go the DE typre razor. Get onto www.mensbiz.com.au and get a starter pack
Swannie

Exactly what I did. I now enjoy shaving. The disposable razors are so bad. Not worth the cuts and rash they cause.
DE blades equate to 5c and you get 4/5 good shaves (2 passes per 'shave')