Thread: First Shave!

I am from Houston originally (Woodlands/Conroe Area) and no the water does not get very cold. Alaska on the other hand comes out colder then I can stand to splash on my face. takes my breath away literally. I will look into the cold prep. sounds counter intuitive from my history in shaving with a regular shaver.

what possessed you to go to Alaska from Houston? that's quite a large change,, youll need to keep a beard most of the time ! at least I did while I was working out of prude bay up on the north slope good luck tc

I echo Moo's comments about cold water shaving. Solved a heck of a lot of problems for me. But don't take the 'cold' water statement literally. You have to remember that 100 or so years ago hot water would be a luxury for the masses, and by most appearances they seemed well shaved using what ever temperature water was available. I find that skin temperature or lukewarm water is just as effective as cold, cold water shaves. And 98% reduction in irritation.
I am waiting, here in temperate Oregon though, for our short, too hot spell, so I can try a freezer cold shave and an ice cube facial for a finish to see how much torture I can handle. Good prep (and a cheap pre shave of Kiss My Face or Cremo to improve glide) and a good lather goes a long way despite the softness or hardness of your beard.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

what possessed you to go to Alaska from Houston? that's quite a large change,, youll need to keep a beard most of the time ! at least I did while I was working out of prude bay up on the north slope good luck tc

Work as usual. I work for Customs and Border Protection and they gave me the "option" of Alaska. Short staffing has made it almost impossible to leave. a neighbor of mine works up at the slope every winter driving the water trucks making the roads.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

I echo Moo's comments about cold water shaving. Solved a heck of a lot of problems for me. But don't take the 'cold' water statement literally. You have to remember that 100 or so years ago hot water would be a luxury for the masses, and by most appearances they seemed well shaved using what ever temperature water was available. I find that skin temperature or lukewarm water is just as effective as cold, cold water shaves. And 98% reduction in irritation.
I am waiting, here in temperate Oregon though, for our short, too hot spell, so I can try a freezer cold shave and an ice cube facial for a finish to see how much torture I can handle. Good prep (and a cheap pre shave of Kiss My Face or Cremo to improve glide) and a good lather goes a long way despite the softness or hardness of your beard.

I want to try to transfer to Portland, as it could fulfill most of my hobbies well. Currently I just need to find a routine that works for me. I tried the cold shave this morning and I liked it. I do need to find a good pre shave routine as I don't think I am hydrating my face well enough yet as I still get a little pull. I am still anxious to shave and I haven't had the time to go all out yet. 70+ hour work weeks will kind of cut into my shave time.

Originally Posted by Saxxon

I want to try to transfer to Portland, as it could fulfill most of my hobbies well. Currently I just need to find a routine that works for me. I tried the cold shave this morning and I liked it. I do need to find a good pre shave routine as I don't think I am hydrating my face well enough yet as I still get a little pull. I am still anxious to shave and I haven't had the time to go all out yet. 70+ hour work weeks will kind of cut into my shave time.

We would welcome you to the Portland area. There are getting to be a goodly number of SRP members around here, plus one of the best mentors, pinklather. We are an unorganized bunch, I would love to see this area come together so we could have Oregon meets instead of having to go up into Washington.

As for the pre-shave, do try finger rubbing in your beard a little of the Cremo, Kiss my Face or Nivea for Sensitive Skin (that comes in a squirt can! no less and really works - dermatologist recommended). It adds a little cushion and glide. The pull could be as simple as blade angle.

I will be in Portland in July for a wedding, only for a day or two, are they any stores in that area you would recommend for shaving supplies? Soaps, after shaves, etc.? I will see if I can find that Nivea here in town.

And your right about the blade angle. I noticed less when I went to a lower angle at 15-20 degrees.

Originally Posted by Saxxon

Work as usual. I work for Customs and Border Protection and they gave me the "option" of Alaska. Short staffing has made it almost impossible to leave. a neighbor of mine works up at the slope every winter driving the water trucks making the roads.



I want to try to transfer to Portland, as it could fulfill most of my hobbies well. Currently I just need to find a routine that works for me. I tried the cold shave this morning and I liked it. I do need to find a good pre shave routine as I don't think I am hydrating my face well enough yet as I still get a little pull. I am still anxious to shave and I haven't had the time to go all out yet. 70+ hour work weeks will kind of cut into my shave time.

When i am at work i do 12 hour days, 7 days a week, and i still find time to shave daily, its just a case of when really, well when you have technique down, at the start its hard due to the process taking upwards of 45 mins (for me) with stropping etc, but now i am down to less than 20 all up.

Off hand I can think of The Body Shop, mainly women's products but they carry Maca Root and a range of AS blams, as well as an inexpensive synthetic brush. They are online also. I will do a little snooping and let you know what I find. There is also the PortlandRazorCo.com, a new operation that is making razors. Go to Herbanifestyle.com, click on on 'shop'. A list of states and stores that carry their products (as well as others). Shows two in Portland. Will check around for more, if any.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

When i am at work i do 12 hour days, 7 days a week, and i still find time to shave daily, its just a case of when really, well when you have technique down, at the start its hard due to the process taking upwards of 45 mins (for me) with stropping etc, but now i am down to less than 20 all up.

Yea it's taking me about 30 minutes. And I'm not a morning person so I wake up at the very last minute lol

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Off hand I can think of The Body Shop, mainly women's products but they carry Maca Root and a range of AS blams, as well as an inexpensive synthetic brush. They are online also. I will do a little snooping and let you know what I find. There is also the PortlandRazorCo.com, a new operation that is making razors. Go to Herbanifestyle.com, click on on 'shop'. A list of states and stores that carry their products (as well as others). Shows two in Portland. Will check around for more, if any.

That would be awesome. Thank you so much. Looking forward to be in a real city again. I need to pick up some parts for my car. Some shave stuff and maybe if SWMBO let's me a new mount for astrophotography.