The precise cut of a razor shave

Daily Mail Co Uk ^ | 6-15-12

[rawhide]

There is no disputing that a wet razor shave leaves men with far smoother skin than if they had used an electric shaver.

But just how much finer a cut is delivered can here be seen in unprecedented detail.

Scientists have placed two beard hairs under a scanning electron microscope

On the left is one that was cut by a razor - it clearly shows a precise cut. The hair on the right was cut by an electric shaver and, by contrast, is jagged and appears as if it was ripped from its root.

[rawhide]

Under the microscope: The hair on the left was precisely cut by a razor, while the hair on the right was cut by an electric shaver and, by contrast, is jagged and appears as if it was ripped from its root

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Not shown is the blood from when I cut myself because I’m rushed and haven’t had enough coffee.

[Labyrinthos]

Or the dry-cleaning bill to remove the blood splats from my shirt collar.

[Tainan]

Something known for decades if not longer.
Very few real barbers around these days. Even fewer who use a real straight razor.
I used to prefer a Wilkinson Sword injector blade razor;but now almost impossible to find.
Tried the old double-edged razor a few times - didn't like it.
Never did like an electric for anything other than a mid-afternoon quick touch-up (usually in the car).

Now, its a Shick Xtreme 3 unit for my daily cut.

I refuse to use a razor with more than 3 blades...or one that requires batteries. Pure markting BS IMO.

[FreedomPoster]

I thought the same thing until I tried a Fusion shave (5 blades). It’s better than a Mach 3 for sure.

I’m a big fan of lathering with real shaving soap, no shaving creme from a can for me. Have a nice soap, razor and brush stand I got from Classic Shaving.

[Fido969]

When I started doing civil war reencating, I got into shaving with a straight razor in camp. There's a bit of an art and science to doing that, and keeping the blade sharp. You take care of the blade like it's a living thing, once you get it sharp, you need to keep it sharp for the best shave.

I shed a lot of blood while learning how to shave with that, some mornings when I was just starting I'd look like I'd been in a swordfight.

Once you learn how to do it, it's easy, but still requires a fair amount of regular razor care.

[Romulus]

I shave in the shower, with a disposable double edge and the same deodorant soap I use on the rest of me. It’s been two decades since I’ve used shaving soap and brush; I can’t see any reason to go back. Anything more is a gimmick, IMO.

[MrEdd]

Meh.
By cleaning it thouroughly (and having very fine hair) I have used the same electric shaver blades for six years.

Frugality is a virtue.

[knarf]

I've been waiting for this thread a long time.

I'm using a cheap, two blade gillette something or other (who remembers the generic-type razors that come 10 in a pack?) and I shave in the shower.

The razor I'm using is about 3 or 4 weeks old and still shaves perfecly.

I have a ledge at the top corner of my shower surround and I put a spray deoderant cap up there about 3/4 full of water.

For shaving soap, I use body wash ... the same stuff I use on my body. Slicker'n snot and very economical.

I shave with the shower on, everything goes down the drain.

When finished, I rinse the blade off and shake out (tap on the shower head ) any residual water that may have stray beard cuttings and place it in that cap with the water in it.

The bain of razors is rust, and rust can't happen if steel never really gets a chance to be in the oxygenated air ... so, my cheap, $5 pack of ten blades lasts me about a year and my shave, though not straight razor smooth ... (nothing but a straight razor shaves that smooth), it is smooth and clean ... and cheap.

[rawhide]

I agree with the Fusion. I used the Mach 3 for years, but got me a Fusion for free when they first came out. In fact, I have about a dozen free Fusions. I have both manual and electric Fusion.

I find the manual actually gives me a closer shave. But the electric Fusion is a quicker shave. Now after using the Fusion for over a year, I will not go back to the Mach 3. I find the blades last me for many months. The electric blades last even longer.

[Cboldt]

Try Shave Secret sometime. Beats the tar out of the best shaving soaps.

I like the Fusion too, but it is no good for trimming sideburns. I use an old Shick injector for that. Best shaves I ever had were from a straight razor, but I never learned how to use one on myself.

[rawhide]

I remember Clark Howard saying he actually blow-dries his razor dry.

[N. Theknow]

Fusion and shaving soap/brush for me as well.

Every time I tried an electric I had tiny pimples on my neck from the hair being pulled at by the "floating heads.".

I seem to be cursed with a tough beard and tender skin.

Shaving cream from a can gave me a HUGE ingrown hair every other week that would look like I had a jelly bean stuck under my skin until I could dig it out.

Soap and brush gives me no ingrowns, no pimples, no problems. Plus the blade seems to last about 3 times longer.

[Tainan]

Anyone remember the old story about keeping yr razor under a pyramid to keep it sharp?

Never worked for...that I can remember. It was back in the 70s...heh heh heh.

[rawhide]

razor under a pyramid

Had to google that. Sure enough, there are links talking about that.

[knarf]

The directed rays of a glass or plastic pyramid dried the blade .. no rust .. and etc.

And another thing about this personal hygiene stuff .. I re-use those pump foam soapers using body wash.

when the expensive pump foam soap is gone, open it up, squeeze about a half inch of body wash in, fill with water and voila! ... more cheap, foam hand cleaner

[laker_dad]

I shave with a piece of broken beer bottle. If you use the bottom piece of glass from last night’s beer, the alcohol residue heals up any nicks...

[bk1000]

“I like the Fusion too, but it is no good for trimming sideburns.”

You do know there is a blade on the back side of the Fusion specially designed for sideburns, right? I use it for edging around my goatee as well. Works great.

[chrisser]

I have a problem with ingrown hairs - ever since adolescence.

For most of my life, I used various electrics, under the assumption they were better for this problem. Probably the last 20 years I used Norelcos.

The best solution was to grow a beard, which I did in the winter for several years until my beard started to grey

Then I read on the web that good old safety razors were actually better than electrics.

Went on ebay and got myself an old (50s) Gillette butterfly safety razor.

I like it a lot. Nicked myself a few times over the last couple of years I've been using it, but blades are dirt cheap and I've grown to enjoy the slightly more involved process. It has been better for my skin.

It's difficult to explain, but there is something about gliding a single blade over your face housed in a heavy, non-pivoting metal razor that just feels "right". Since I switched to the "old-school" safety razor, I oddly enough look forward to shaving in the morning. It's kind of my little personal ritual now and I feel weirdly connected to the past using a razor older than I am.

Don't mean to overly romanticize something as mundane as shaving, but after 30 or so years of near daily shaving, I was kinda surprised how different and strangely attractive the otherwise routine experience with the safety razor has been.

[31R1O]

Not so hard to find...

http://www.amazon.com/Schick-Injector-Plus-Blades-Ea/dp/B000RYV4KO