[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.

[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.

[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.

[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...

[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.

[Harley]

The secret to a great shave is preparation. Soften your beard with a hot shower. Use a good face scub. I use hot towels to the face to raise the whiskers so they can be cut off to leave your face BBS (baby butt smooth). I use a multitude of razors, but the best I have found is the Feather Artist Club SS which is a straight razor with replaceable blades. These blades are $.60 each and last 10-12 shaves. I dry the blade and apply a light coat of mineral oil which stops rust and keeps the blade sharp longer.

The best part of the shave is the hot lather. I have a shave scuttle which is similar to a gravy boat with a double wall. Hot water goes around the outer wall and keeps the lather bowl warm throughout the shave. I use a good soap like L'Occitane Cade, Wool Fat Soap, or Presaro, all whipped into a luxurious lather with a silver tip badger hair shaving brush.

Many men consider shaving as drudgery, but with the right equipment, attitude, techniques and practice it can be very enjoyable. It can be done cheaper than the high priced multi-blade cartridges and canned shave cream route.

There are many web sites dedicated to wet shaving if you want to learn more, I recommend Badger and Blade as a start.

[Mr Rogers]

I use a double edge razor. Blades are 8 cents each, including shipping ($8 for 100 blades). I use hand soap, wash well, leave the lather and shave. It gets as close at the Gillette Mach 3 I used to use...

Most electric razors are sold with a money back guarantee. I once spent 6 months going thru almost every brand available, and never found one that shaved as well as a blade.

[TurboZamboni]

that’s why I’ve always called them electric hair pullers.

[P.O.E.]

This thread is useless without pics (& vintage video)

Take it off. Take it all off.

[11Bush]

Is it ironic that a thread about shaving comes from...

...rawhide?

[Cyber Liberty]

I take a hammer, beat the hairs back into my face, and bite them off from the inside. That’s how a real man does it.