First Time Leg Shaver...

Hey there, SRP forum-ites! I'm a junior road cyclist, and although I used to be embarrassed to say it, I no longer am - I'm a dude and I shave my legs.

Essentially, the deal is this. I'm a California boy, so whenever I'm not doing fast group rides or races (when the chances of me crashing and getting road rash are higher), I let my leg hair grow out.

I think a straight razor would be way easier than using these stupid disposable BICs that I buy, economically convenient, and it wouldn't involve me staying in the shower to get the deed done (my leg hair clogs razors incredibly quickly, so I need some pressure to make them usable).

So, having briefly read the sticky at the top of the page, I'll be shaving with the razor at a 30 degree angle to my leg, going with the grain. Other than that, I know nothing really about straight razors. Are there recommended ones for beginners? Will any shaving cream suffice?

And most importantly here, how do I deal with the knee joint? I typically try to get the long hairs behind my knee as well as the hairs on the front of my knee as my knees are often scraped by crashes. Less hair means less pain later while cleaning.

Thanks, all.

I won't be much help on the leg technique, other than recommend checking the posts at the ladies corner.
Many experienced leg shavers there, such as this post
http://straightrazorpalace.com/ladie...legs-such.html

I would recommend "real" shave soap, preferable with brush to provide the extra cushion and lube you won't get from the can.

You may consider a double edge razor too. They also are enviormently friendly, disposing of only the metal that will degrade in landfills.

Either path, remember easy pressure, take time to learn technique. Use easy pressure, focusing on reduction with multi passes. Not clearing all in one pass.

Good luck and enjoy the learning process

Welcome to SRP. I'm an avid bicyclist myself for an old coot. Mostly singletrack off road but I ride road too. I don't shave my legs but have plenty of scars on my shins from the hazards of the trails. I agree that if you want to use a straight razor for your legs check out the ladies forum. They know a thing or two about that topic. BTW, if you are using a Bic type disposable are you aware that moving the razor back and forth without lifting it off of the skin will help clear the blades and prevent clogging ? I only know this because I am a professional tattooer and learned it shaving customers to prepare them for the tattoo. Good luck with it and the cycling. :tu

Straights work great on the legs especially when you let them grow completely out there isn't much better. My wife uses a DE most of the time, but her straights are the thing for when she let's it go for a while. I don't know if WTG is needed for legs as much. She didn't seem to ever do it. It could also depend on thickness of hair as well as density, sensitivity and angle of growth.
+1 on using a quality soap/cream and brush. They really round out the whole experience, plus they are generally better for your skin.
As for shaving around knees, scars and road rash; I would suggest sitting down. This stretches the skin on the knees and helps to find all of the obstacles that you may catch on. The biggest thing that I have found with the wife isn't the obstacles, but the rougher skin on the knee that causes problems. With the deeper wrinkle lines on the knees the blade has a tendency to bury itself there. Keeping a loose grip like in Jimmy sig line makes the difference between a small nick and a cut.

A double edge? As in an edge on each side, or? I'm such a novice...

Would against the grain be best when the hair has really grown out? I feel like for basic maintenance (if you will) during race season would do fine with the grain.

Jimmy - I race single speed mountain as well. It's my passion - road is just a great way to stay fit when I want to hit the trail.

please don't use 30 degree shaving angle. The best you could do is
Make small strokes and find out the best shaving angle. it could be vary.
depends too many factors, how it has been honed, etc.
hope this helps.
gl

Am I a pig because I came here expecting to see pics of a girl shaving her legs in a bathtub? LOL

All great advice for you in this thread. I would think the knee area would be much like shaving a chin (rounded corners). But I wouldn't know because the hair on my legs ain't going anywhere!

As an aside question, out of curiosity, doesn't it itch like hell when the hair grows back? I assume you wouldn't want to wear pants or material that rubs against your leg at that time, but even at night when you're trying to sleep? Let's just say that I've shaved other areas of my body before and the grow back phase was a major PITA!

uhhh i test the sharpens of my razor on a small portion of my leg hair to make sure it is able to shave the hairs of my face. I guess its the same idea as your face, i would be careful with the knee, cuz there are a lot of wrinkles in that area. i Have to say i have never really shaved my legs so i don't know much about this, but then again i am not a cyclist so i don't need to worry about this, hope this helps some.

Low angle on the legs 5-15 degrees works best for most of the ladies. Round points come in very handy for around knees and ankles. Especially working on the back of the legs when you can't see as well as you would like. Go in sections. lower legs then upper seem to be the best way to go for most. Take your time and above all have fun. A good lotion is all you should need for post shave. I'm not a huge fan of the burn over large areas :)

Jem: My legs actually itch less when I shave them because I put lotion on 'em. As far as when the hair grows back, I average like a sixteenth of an inch of growth per day in the winter. It only sucks for like two days.

Carrie: Round point? Additionally, do double edge or safety razors (are these the same?) shed hair better than disposables?

Dude.... while you start shaving with a straight anyway (cos it rocks)... I would just go and get your legs waxed.

From a fellow cyclist and triathlete.. shaving sucks and you won't looks back. It is not too uncomfortable and over time the hair
density decreases. I get mine done every six to eight weeks.

That's my cents worth.... Good luck

Baldie

Baldie - I'm going to be honest... waxing to me just seems masochistic. I shave approximately every three days right after I get out of the shower. It's not too much work, I just hate these razors. A double edge seems to be a good choice if they shed hair pretty well...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dietzr

Jem: My legs actually itch less when I shave them because I put lotion on 'em. As far as when the hair grows back, I average like a sixteenth of an inch of growth per day in the winter. It only sucks for like two days.

Carrie: Round point? Additionally, do double edge or safety razors (are these the same?) shed hair better than disposables?

---

DE and safety razors are the same. They can clog, but no where near as bad as disposables. Depends on the length of the hair. If you are shaving every 3 days or so you shouldn't have a problem

I shave my girlfriend's legs with a straight. (She hasn't worked herself up enough to try it solo yet) I definitely agree with the comment about using a round point. With some research on the site, you'll see that straights come in all different shapes and sizes. But round point will make your life much easier getting around the knees and ankles. As a counter point, you'll probably want to stay away from a spike or a square. As for the actual shaving of the knee area, i find that using two hands is a MUST. For example, since the skin around the knee is so abundant and flexible as is needed for movement, you can easily pull the skin on the knee cap to the side which will give you a more level surface to slide the razor down. Play around with bending the knee versus straightening. I think mostly you'll just have to allow for a quite a bit more time shaving than you would with the disposables, at least until you start to get the hang of it. Slow and Steady will win this particular race =P