Thread: Attempting to learn...

Take Two

Ok, I took some advice from some of the sages here and had mixed results – most probably due to operator error – I think the advice was pretty sound.

I have some Baxter of California stuff (Daily Face Wash, Super Close Shave Formula and After Shave Balm). I thought I’d try just using a Bic Sensitive to wean myself off the Mach 3… It was BRUTAL. I looked like an extra from the movie Saw. Used more syptic pencil than shave balm!

However, I concede that I probably didn’t properly prepare my beard, and, I’m sure that my technique with the razor is fairly poor. The first shave, I just lathered the cream on my face with my hands, the second time I tried a brush (second time was with a Bic Comfort 3), lathering in my palm and on my face. Slightly less bloody the second time, but still pretty bad. (both times in the shower)

Normally, I shave every other day – this time I went 2 in a row… I’m also in Flordia visiting my folks and have gotten a bit of sun… so there are many factors at play.

So for now, I’m just going to focus on getting this lather thing together and stick with the 3 blade jobbies temporarily… I probably need a mug, though – none of this palm-lathering, huh?

Also – I had my first straight shave at a barbershop on Wednesday – I figured I’d just see what it was like… Interesting, intriguing, but not mind-blowing… she definitely knew what she was doing, but my beard is a multi-directional nightmare under my chin, and I have a bit of a cleft chin – so she had her work cut out for her (no pun intended!). Also, I’d imagine that a barber needs to get to know a customer’s face in order to really shave it well… but it was fun and got me psyched for my own efforts… I was a little disappointed to see that she finished off with a Mach 3… she actually did quite a bit of it with the Mach 3…

…and, unfortunately, I have gotten a closer shave on my own with a Mach 3… granted there were areas that were really close and beautiful – but overall, NOT worth $35.

My journey continues…

No doubt, that sux about the Barber. I'd be ****ed if I paid 35 bucks for a shave with a Mach 3. That's NOT the experience you'd expect to get, and if she had to go to a Mach 3, that may tell you something about her, or your face. When you say you cut up your face, with a Bic sensitive, and Bic Comfort, Are they Disposables? I'm not familiar with them. Normally, Cartridge razors, mach 3, quattro, Bic, etc...are designed to be at the perfect angle so you don't cut yourself...That's the whole idea behind them. Unless I'm misunderstanding you. How do you cut yourself with one of those razors? Are you using a lot of pressure? If you have trouble with those, I'd wouldn't mess with straight razors in all honesty. I'd try an electric....Seriously...Unless I'm missing something....

Sounds like you have your work cut out for you.

Forget about the barber, unless you plan on dating her. Otherwise she is probably out of your life forever.

BIC huh? I think you'd be better off with the Mach 3. Atleast if that is what you are used to.

Hot water, lather with moisture, a decently sharp blade. From there all the concepts are the same.

Good luck and hang in there.

Originally Posted by zib

Normally, Cartridge razors, mach 3, quattro, Bic, etc...are designed to be at the perfect angle so you don't cut yourself...That's the whole idea behind them. Unless I'm misunderstanding you. How do you cut yourself with one of those razors? Are you using a lot of pressure? If you have trouble with those, I'd wouldn't mess with straight razors in all honesty. I'd try an electric....Seriously...Unless I'm missing something....

Ha ha... well, I've been shaving for 25 years, and I assure you that ANY razor can nick, scrape or cut ya... maybe not as severely as a DE or a straight... but without the right beard prep, problems will arise.

I'm actually able to get a pretty damn smooth shave with a Mach 3, Trader Joe's shave cream, rinsing my face under cold water afterwards and adding a bit of moisturizing cream... I RARELY cut myself with that method.

I've also used a Braun Pulsonic for a year or so and it was cool.

But... I'm interested in the straight edge because of the skill of it, the art of it - and because I'm to understand there is nothing like it.

The problems with the Bic Sensitive were probably because I used poor lathering technique, as I mentioned...

The gal who gave me the straight shave did just fine and dandy on the sides of my face - so that tells me that once I learn the fine art of beard prep, I can shave the whole thing, as well...

I've used the Bic and got a pretty good shave out of it, but not as good as the cartridges.

You can't look at straight razor shaving the same as you look at DE or cartridge shaving. It's definitely more of an art form and more of a shaving experience, especially if you do it yourself.