Shaving

[HappyAsHellas]

It seems every advert I see for some new razor blade configuration guaranteeing us the closest shave ever all seem to involve some footballer/actor who doesn't know how to shave. They all go down the face and then down the neck which is inherently wrong. Everyone knows you go up the neck and down the face so why do this lot do it wrong?
I suppose it could be down to higher standards of living - by which I mean when I grew up we never had a bathroom so my Dad always shaved at the sink and therefore taught me this noble art whilst using Five o'clock shadow blades, sadly unobtainable nowadays.
Anyway, how do they all get it wrong?

[Scouse Hibee]

It seems every advert I see for some new razor blade configuration guaranteeing us the closest shave ever all seem to involve some footballer/actor who doesn't know how to shave. They all go down the face and then down the neck which is inherently wrong. Everyone knows you go up the neck and down the face so why do this lot do it wrong?
I suppose it could be down to higher standards of living - by which I mean when I grew up we never had a bathroom so my Dad always shaved at the sink and therefore taught me this noble art whilst using Five o'clock shadow blades, sadly unobtainable nowadays.
Anyway, how do they all get it wrong?

I’m 52 and have shaved since I was 16, down the face and down the neck. It’s never done me any harm and I wouldn’t feel comfortable shaving any other way.

[Pretty Boy]

When it comes to the neck the best thing you can do is map the area so you know the direction of the grain. It's not like the face where hair grows pretty in a pretty uniform way. There are loads of guides online (there are entire forums and blogs dedicated to shaving). The biggest mistake people make is tilting their head right back which pulls the skin taut and then applying pressure with the blade. You should use minimal pressure when shaving the neck.

I use a double edge razor, hot towel and thorough clean of the neck, big lather left for a few minutes, small strokes and good clean of the blade after every stroke.

[Hibby Bairn]

I’m 52 and have shaved since I was 16, down the face and down the neck. It’s never done me any harm and I wouldn’t feel comfortable shaving any other way.

Ditto. If I shave up the way on my neck it rips the skin to shreds.

[Peevemor]

I used to shave my neck up the way and changed after watching shavings adverts. Afterward I had far less trouble with shaving burn and ingrown hairs.

[G B Young]

I've grown a beard during lockdown so a whole new shaving challenge awaits when the time comes to take that off, but prior to that I used to shave slowly down the way for both face and neck, then go back up the way for both and follow that process all the way through the shave. I found it provided the closest shave and ensured you didn't miss any stray hairs. Also used to loosen things up with a warm flannel to the face beforehand. Oh, and I always use shaving soap and a shaving brush.

[HappyAsHellas]

I always use a shaving brush as I tried the aerosol stuff years ago and had far more nicks and cuts. It was just a style we grew up with I suppose, so it just seems a bit strange watching others using a different method.

[Colr]

It seems every advert I see for some new razor blade configuration guaranteeing us the closest shave ever all seem to involve some footballer/actor who doesn't know how to shave. They all go down the face and then down the neck which is inherently wrong. Everyone knows you go up the neck and down the face so why do this lot do it wrong?
I suppose it could be down to higher standards of living - by which I mean when I grew up we never had a bathroom so my Dad always shaved at the sink and therefore taught me this noble art whilst using Five o'clock shadow blades, sadly unobtainable nowadays.
Anyway, how do they all get it wrong?

I’ve got a beard now but before that I was using a Merkur razor with Feather blades. They’re the sharpest blades and it come down to 17p a blade. Blade would last me 7 - 10 days.

If you mean 7 o’ clock blades by Gilette, you can still get those.

[greenlad]

I’ve got a beard now but before that I was using a Merkur razor with Feather blades. They’re the sharpest blades and it come down to 17p a blade. Blade would last me 7 - 10 days.

If you mean 7 o’ clock blades by Gilette, you can still get those.

Yes, the Feathers double edged blades are sharp! Everyone's preferences are different but I've come to like the Gillette Nacet which are nearly as sharp as Feathers but much smoother and last longer. Ones I get from EBay (£13 for 100) are designed for the middle eastern market, work a treat in my Edwin Jagger. And old fashioned Arko shaving soap. £10 for a pack of 12. One lasts about 2-3 months used liberally. So I'm covered for lockdown...

As for technique, everyone is different. Would agree never to press hard at all, the weight of the razor will do the job. I find a double pass shave works. Down then up on my cheeks and two thirds of my neck. But the lip, chin and middle neck needs more care, down then across. Any sort of up motion there gives me weepers.

But everyone is different, just need to experiment to see what works for you.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

DE shaving is making a real comeback. You really have to stick with it though. The blade is key to it and the best idea is to buy the assorted pack. I have finally settled on a Rockwell Razor and Shark blades or Persona blue. Three pass shaves work for me. Down and across on the most aggressive setting and then against the grain on the mildest.

[RyeSloan]

These shaving threads soon disappear into extreme geekiness!

It’s an interesting read right enough but considering I shave once a week with a disposable that gets changed about once every 4 months not overly relevant [emoji2957]

But for what it’s worth I do a quick once over..largely down but always up on the central part of the neck. Quick rinse, a touch more shave gel (king of shaves stuff does me fine) then up on the cheeks and a bit of finessing around the nose / mouth area. Pat dry and finish off with a bit of post shave balm.

And boom...perfectly smooth shave and not a fancy blade in sight [emoji23]

[wpj]

Not been clean shaved for over 10 years but often shave under the chin. Use an old fashioned razor, brush and a good soap. With the lockdown I am letting things go a bit.

[IWasThere2016]

Not been clean shaved for over 10 years but often shave under the chin. Use an old fashioned razor, brush and a good soap. With the lockdown I am letting things go a bit.

About 4 for me. Prefer not to be clean shaven now.

I'd add,if we weren't meant to have beards, we would have evolved to be naturally without facial hair. It's meant to be!

[StevieC]

For years I used to use Bic disposables, and wondered why anyone would pay 5 times the price for the Gillette triple blades.

Got given a Gillette gift pack for a birthday/Christmas and soon realised why. It was literally night and day, and never looked back.

“stropping” the blade on denim is something I discovered, and a good way of extending blade life. I stapled some old denim round a rectangular piece of wood, keep in the bathroom cabinet, and it’s great for “stropping”.

[Colr]

DE shaving is making a real comeback. You really have to stick with it though. The blade is key to it and the best idea is to buy the assorted pack. I have finally settled on a Rockwell Razor and Shark blades or Persona blue. Three pass shaves work for me. Down and across on the most aggressive setting and then against the grain on the mildest.

I bought a Merkur Futur adjustable DE razor. It looks cool but I’ve never been able to use it as it cuts the skin even on the lowest setting!! To be avoided unless you have skin like elephant leather.

[Scouse Hibee]

For years I used to use Bic disposables, and wondered why anyone would pay 5 times the price for the Gillette triple blades.

Got given a Gillette gift pack for a birthday/Christmas and soon realised why. It was literally night and day, and never looked back.

“stropping” the blade on denim is something I discovered, and a good way of extending blade life. I stapled some old denim round a rectangular piece of wood, keep in the bathroom cabinet, and it’s great for “stropping”.

I always stropped my chisels on the palm of my hand, was shown it as an apprentice and still do it now on the odd occasion I sharpen them.

[Scouse Hibee]

These shaving threads soon disappear into extreme geekiness!

It’s an interesting read right enough but considering I shave once a week with a disposable that gets changed about once every 4 months not overly relevant [emoji2957]

But for what it’s worth I do a quick once over..largely down but always up on the central part of the neck. Quick rinse, a touch more shave gel (king of shaves stuff does me fine) then up on the cheeks and a bit of finessing around the nose / mouth area. Pat dry and finish off with a bit of post shave balm.

And boom...perfectly smooth shave and not a fancy blade in sight [emoji23]

I agree some folk seem to over think such a simple process, each to their own though, if folk enjoy shaving and think they have taken it to the next level then so be it.

[RyeSloan]

I agree some folk seem to over think such a simple process, each to their own though, if folk enjoy shaving and think they have taken it to the next level then so be it.

Ahh yeah totally..wasn’t slating the shaving aficionados!

But none the less I do sometimes wonder at just how far some take a process that seems to be relatively straight forward and, for me at least, has never required much thought!

But we all have our foibles and obsessions so more power to their blades I say. [emoji14]

[Bangkok Hibby]

Had a conversation at work recently about shaving and do folks actually enjoy it. Most who are clean shaven say they like feeling of being clean shaving but don't enjoy actually doing it. Those of us with beards just sat with smug smiles. :greengrin:greengrin:greengrin

[HappyAsHellas]

I’ve got a beard now but before that I was using a Merkur razor with Feather blades. They’re the sharpest blades and it come down to 17p a blade. Blade would last me 7 - 10 days.

If you mean 7 o’ clock blades by Gilette, you can still get those.

The blades were called 5 o'clock shadow and came in a green pack. Haven't seen them for about 40 years so safely assume they're long gone.