Thread: The Art of Shaving

Ever since the first bits of face fluff started appearing as a teenager, I've always wet shaved with cartridge type razors, but never had a traditional shave with a cutthroat.
So on my 40th birthday a few weeks ago I decided to treat myself to a 40 odd minute long, hot towel shave with a cutthroat at an old fashioned barber shop.

Absolute bliss whilst it was happening, very relaxing and I thought the bloke did a really good job (mind you he was a huge tattooed Kiwi fella, so I wasn't going to argue too much whilst he had a blade at my neck ).

But...... the little nicks and cuts slowly started to appear and my neck and face for about two days afterwards looked like I'd been attacked by a feral cat and stung and itched like crazy. He obviously didn't do such a good job after all

So, whilst it was a good birthday present to myself for all of, maybe, an hour, I think I'll stick to the cartridge things for now!

He had not the experience to do the job properly.

Get yourself a vintage DE razor off ebay and a sampler pack of blades from mensbiz and learn the art of real shaving.

Oh, and watch the Mantic videos on yourtube. Ill post a link when I get home form work. The work nark marshall blocks youtube.

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

Is it wrong that I have a group section of contact in my phone for hair removal, and none of them do anything facial (well hair removal wise anyway)

Not at all

Can you recommend me a place in SYD?

I'm afraid not.. I buy vintage razors online, restore and sanitise them. I order my blades from men's biz and he posts them same day, usually with a gift thrown in.

Taught myself to shave with what I believe to be a 'safety blade' razor. The smooth result has yet to be replicated by the now traditional disposable clip on razors...and that's now 28 years of trials.

For a time in my mid 20's I was regularly on the move with work, and without running water, let alone warm water, I had very early starts and I spent a few weeks of each month shaving 'dry'. Man, that hurt, and ironically could be said to 'put hair on ones chest'.

I do like the idea of returning to the safety razor, largely due the outrageous cost of disposable clip on's, and although chicks dig scars apparently, I'm yet to return for fear of resembling Norman Gunston.

Matt.

A bit of practice and you will be as right as rain mate.

Nothing better than taking the time to have a great shave on a sunday afternoon. My bathroom window faces the west so I do it when the sun is low in the western sky.

I put on some vintage blues or classical. Then I generally have a shower, soak my face, put a hot wet towel on it for a few mins and then make myself a great rich lather from one of the better shave soaps and a shot of glycerine. Take a sip of whisky (to set the mood), maybe a puff on my pipe and shave away with a good, solid vintage razor from the 40s or 50s. Finish with some Proraso aftershave and Im good to go.

During the week I use a palmolive shave stick and a 1960's super slim adjustable for a perfect two pass five min shave.

If you are interested, have a look at this youtube and perhaps some of this guys other vids. Its a good place to start to learn to shave like a man.

(A thrifty man - Do you know what the markup on modern blade carts are? Ridiculous. My blades cost about 29c each and I get about two weeks out of one. )

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufG1dPmVo8Q]How To Shave With A Single-Blade Razor - YouTube[/ame]

For those wondering what we are on about....

This is a straight razor (heathens call it a cut-throat)



This is a DE (double edged) 'safety razor'



I prefer a DE 'open comb' razor myself...



There are also single edged razors, and many varieties of all of the above.

Sound Advice:


after all they are just silly....


Just remember -





DE razors are easy to use anyway....