what electric shaver do u use?

If you don't mind spending a little money, I would recommend a top of the lime braun shaving unit with cleaner. It really can keep your beard as closely shaven as a razor with enough practice. The thing is, is that your face actually has to adjust to dealing with an electric razor so you won't have perfect results the first few times... But once you get the hang of it you will not have to use a razor again. The trick is of course to trim your beard short enough to get the optimal length for cutting so that means don't let your hair grow longer then a few days and you'll be golden.
 
Your face has to adjust to the abuse as those dull blades are whacking the surface of your skin.. The "adjustment" is really desensitizing (killing nerves). There were microscope photos posted of a comparison between an electric and a wet shave on skin samples. That convinced me never to go back to electrics even though I've used them longer than any other method (both systems, Phillips and Braun - any other brand is using either or under license). By the way, it still won't be able to compare to a proper wet shave :cool:
 
Every guy has a shaving story... and every guy thinks they have the best shaving system... but it is all about what works best for each individual, of course.

My story: I've had a dozen different electric razors over the years (either Braun or Philips), and ultimately have not been happy with the shave I had with any of them. Today, I actually enjoy shaving with the following kit:
  • Williams Mug shaving soap. This is a round cake of soap (about $2 each) that requires a mug. You can get a nice hot wet lather going with this. I've just tried out the Neutrogena shaving cream in a tube... it is pretty good too. You don't need to apply it with a brush either.
  • Omega shaving soap brush from TBBS - Mine is a cheapie (about $20) with fairly long and dense bristles (probably boar hair.) Gets a nice thick and wet lather going. I know there are purists out there who like the badger hair brushes, but those are pretty expensive (>$100) to get a decent one and for my money, I don't think that you get a better lather or a better application of lather than the cheap Omega. Do not buy those ultra cheapo brushes from the drug store... they are completely unsatisfactory.
  • Gillette Fusion and Schick Hydro 5 razors.
I do two passes each time I shave... the first with the Hydro 5 in the direction of the growth, then re-lather and use the Sensor to shave against the grain. Works great every time! I'd try a straight razor but once again... expensive to get a decent one, and I'm hard pressed to believe that you get a better shave from them. You still have to shave every day, so why risk slashing yourself to pieces with a straight razor? I get about 20-30 shaves out of a cartridge with this method, so it is reasonably economical as well. I avoid disposable razors like the plague.

Just my $0.02!
 
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I agree with Ike on most parts but the "slashing yourself to pieces" is way out there. Unless you're deliberately going Emo on yourself, you're as likely to slash yourself to pieces with the Gillette Fusion as with a straight razor.
 
^ Agreed. Straight razor is the way to go. Forget all these electric shavers and fancy razors. They are all hype without any real benefit. Straight razors are tried and true methods to have an excellent shave. If you are really on a time crunch, switch to a 2 bladed razor. 2 bladed razors offer the least amount of irritation after a straight razor and safety razor.
 
I'm into the gentlemanly arts, so the straight razor thing sounds pretty cool. But from a practical point of view, I think I'd get annoyed of all the stropping and lathering every morning. Might be a nice treat on a weekly basis, though.

I used to use an electric - philips. Found it was never good enough. Then did all the Mach's, and found it acceptable. Finally got tired of the whole thing, and grew a beard. Now I just use a beard trimmer, and clean up the edges with a disposable razor.
 
A 2-bladed razor won't save you any time over a safety/DE/double-edge razor. By the way, if you go with a safety razor, just ebay your blades. You can buy 100 Derby blades for $10 shipped and 100 Feather blades for $30 shipped. By the way, my recommendation is to go with Derby.. Great shave, low irritation, last forever and way cheaper. I find Feather blades to be a bit too harsh for me in comparison with Derbys, otherwise they're OK, but in my case Turkey beats Japan hands down.
 
FiReSTaRT said:
I agree with Ike on most parts but the "slashing yourself to pieces" is way out there. Unless you're deliberately going Emo on yourself, you're as likely to slash yourself to pieces with the Gillette Fusion as with a straight razor.
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Firestart.... You're probably right - I guess I watched too many of those scary movies as a kid....LOL!!! I am sure that shaving with a straight razor is one of those manly skills that must be learned - sometimes painfully. Hyperbole aside, you are way more likely to get cut with a straight razor than using a modern cartridge razor like the Fusion. Same goes with those double edged "safety" razors.

Here's a tip for all you retro guys who want to try out a straight razor though.... back in the day, when they taught barbering in the beauty schools, they used to lather up balloons and shave them with straight razors. You passed if you could shave the balloon without bursting it. Might be a good way for people to practice their stroke and angle before they take blade to face. That's gotta be more fun than shaving a balloon with a Philishave electric!
 
have had both philips and braun, and suggest either is fine, as long as you get something on the higher end of their product line. . .

stopped using razors back when mach 3's were in their prime. . .good shave, but no longer have the time to do it properly.

yes, the electric shave is inferior, but i can do the deed in a fraction of the time, and i abuse the hell out of my electric shavers (neglect maintenance, mostly)
 
@ike
Barbers were taught on balloons for 2 reasons...
1) Shaving someone else is different than shaving yourself so you had to acquire an EXTRA-delicate touch
2) Cutting your customers is a bad business practice

Speaking of 2's, as long as your blade is sufficiently sharp (*) and you only move it in a downward or scything motion (hint: slashing is bad), you can't get cut.

(*) One reason why you don't wanna buy el-cheapo Pakistani made straight razors available for $20ish brand new off e-bay. They're too soft and not fine-grained enough to take and/or keep a proper shaving edge. If it's a new razor and it's not a DOVO, Thiers-Issard, a custom made by a reputable knifemaker who knows razors or Col. Conk (rebadged DOVO) chances are it's a Pakistani piece of junk. Even if it says "Solingen" (made in Pakistan, sent to Solingen to get etched). (**)
(**) I have no issues with Pakistan but I do have issues with razors made in Pakistan :cool:
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