Thread: Some questions for younger shavers

I'm 45, so when I started shaving, there were only two options for. The Gillette DE and the old Trac II. (well, actually, there was a third option, i.e. straight razors, but without the internet, they were hard to come buy). I started with one of my dad's old DE and shaving cream out of a can. That's what I used almost exclusively until I tried using a straight (actually, I started using a brush and shaving soap in my 30's). I used a the Trac II from time to time, too.

I was in the drugstore the other day and there seems to be dozens of different disposable systems out there now. If you're under 30, what did you start shaving with? If you're under 25, what did you start with? I'd like to hear from all you youngsters, especially those that were in the military who had to shave daily. How would you choose? I mean, they have so many silly options and variations I can't imagine that you would be able to make a sensible choice.

21, started shaving with a Mach 3, and then bought a fusion early this year as it was on a pretty serious offer.

I still stand by the fact that a Mach 3 is a great razor for what it does, but it's simply to expensive to justify the use.

I now use a DE HD, and a straight.

Gillette make it easy to decide by sending free razors to kids who are about to turn 16, that's how I got my Mach 3.

I can't remember what I used prior to joining the military, I know I shaved somehow just not sure what I had used. In boot camp I was indoctrinated into using the Mach 3 exclusively as it was supposed to provide a superior shave for inspections according to my RDCs (recruit division commanders) .. in the Navy. After boot camp I used the Mach 3 for a time then shifted to an electric, finding the ones with three heads not working very well I shifted to a linear electric shaver that worked pretty good for a long time, bought another one last year and then made the jump to straights after reading an article online. I did use a fusion for a little while before I used the straight, about a week or two. I now have several straights and use them most of the time and also just acquired a merkur slant DE. I'm 26 now almost 27 so have had to shave daily since about 20 when I joined the Navy.

24 now
similar story as above, Mach III while in boot camp. Ran into a Fusion display afterwards so i gave it a shot.
ran into a straight razor at a flea market and its been str8 only since.

21.

I used a sensor excel when I first started. It was what my Dad used, so I just hopped on the bandwagon. Afterwards, I occasionally used a Mach 3, but tried not too since the cartridges were so much more expensive than the sensor excel. Now happily using a straight razor, and learning to use a DE.

25.

I started with a set of free mach 3's from the mail. Ever since I have wondered why I continued to use it because of the expensive replacement blades. I just recently received my great-grandfather's str8, and have been trying to learn since.

Originally Posted by joesixpack

I'm 45, so when I started shaving, there were only two options for. The Gillette DE and the old Trac II. ... If you're under 30, what did you start shaving with? If you're under 25, what did you start with? I'd like to hear from all you youngsters, especially those that were in the military who had to shave daily. How would you choose? I mean, they have so many silly options and variations I can't imagine that you would be able to make a sensible choice.

Funny. I'm only 28 and Trac II was without any extra thought or known option the razor I used to start out shaving with. That would have been the early 90's. It worked, so I never had a reason to try anything else until late last year when try as might, I couldn't find anymore cheap Trac II blades even in bulk.

Poor Lee. mslovacek gave me a straight razor a couple of years previously, I assumed as a gag gift. I called him up and found out about SRP and how I could shave with it. Hurrah. The only other blades to ever touch my face were these three below, each on one and only one occasion:

1. Disposable Bic: I skipped my shave rather than be late to work, and when I arrived to work my manager coerced me into buying some cheapos at the drug store and shaving right there at work. It was painful, but bearable.

2. Venus: The only sharp straight razor I had wasn't sharp anymore, and I had already gone 2 days without shaving. I chose to borrow my wife's razor

3. Mach3: My manager (same one, I've been working there too long) furiously preached to me about the virtues of the Mach3 and how he "couldn't believe in this modern day of technology that you would use an old" and then he'd stop and make a mocking gesture with his hand down his face, pinky out. He gave me a Mach3, and I did agree to try it once. I shaved half my face with my straight and half with the Mach3. You can find the results here

When I started visiting SRP, I thought a DE was something that I used to put in utility knives, and marvelled that people would shave with such a dangerous object. My ignorance paid off, I enjoy my straight razor

Originally Posted by bevansmw

I can't remember what I used prior to joining the military, I know I shaved somehow just not sure what I had used. In boot camp I was indoctrinated into using the Mach 3 exclusively as it was supposed to provide a superior shave for inspections according to my RDCs (recruit division commanders) .. in the Navy. After boot camp I used the Mach 3 for a time then shifted to an electric, finding the ones with three heads not working very well I shifted to a linear electric shaver that worked pretty good for a long time, bought another one last year and then made the jump to straights after reading an article online. I did use a fusion for a little while before I used the straight, about a week or two. I now have several straights and use them most of the time and also just acquired a merkur slant DE. I'm 26 now almost 27 so have had to shave daily since about 20 when I joined the Navy.

While in Navy boot camp they forced us to use M3s. They really aren't that bad, especially when you only have 3 minutes to shave and brush your teeth. I was using a straight for years prior to that though and don't remember what I was using prior to that. Bevan, are you stationed in pearl harbor? I'm going to be there next month for RIMPAC.

I'm 25. I think I started using those single blade bics or something, but Gillette sent me a mach III on my 18th (I think) birthday. So I went with that. From there I tried an electric years later and ended up hating it. I then thought that there had to be a better way and started getting into straights. After my first straight shave I threw away any non-straight gear that I had.

I blogged about it here: http://theparadigmshift.wordpress.co...ourney-part-1/. Haven't quite gotten to the second part yet.