we can work on option 3 if you like :p

BTW, hadn't realized how much your dad looked like that guy. Your uncle Percy more so, though -and it's not just the sailor's uniform.

That sounds quite difficult - I'm picturing right hand shaving the face while left hand works on the head. I bet you're a wow at that rub-your-tum-and-pat-your-head-at-the-same-time game - well, at least, I hope you are....

Anyone else ever use a straight razor? I had the interesting experience, yesterday, of getting a haircut and having one used on my sideburns and neck. I didn't expect it, but once I realized what was being dragged across my face, I quickly stopped talking and remained as motionless as possible. Wow, do those things look dangerous!

When I was a kid, they used a straight razor around the ears and around the back, every time. Over the years they seem to have gotten away from that but the young lady that cut my hair last week, used a straight razor around the back of my neck.
Gave me flashbacks... 50 year flashbacks..... made me feel 12 again.











I gave her a $10 tip on a $15 haircut.

We get the straight razors (or cutthroats as they are more appropriately named here) at most barbers/gents hairdressers. They have the reputation of making the hair return more slowly where they are used, so sideburns, behind the ears and back of the neck are the usual areas to get treatment. I've only ever ventured once as far as a cutthroat shave - there was a reason - the obvious one!

When I saw the thread title I thought "Ribs!" Then I realized this wasn't the food thread.

This is at least partially walmart's fault. As a supplier to them gillette needs to either lower there price on an existing product or bring out a new value add to an existing product every year. Guess which lets them make more money. It's the same reason for the ridiculous profusion of toothbrushes now available.

I have a love/hate relationship with shaving. I try to do it as rarely as possible, but always enjoy the experience. I use a mugcake for the lather, and I get the water as hot as possible. I've been known to add boiling water to the sink if it's not hot enough out of the tap.

I currently use the Mach3 Turbo. It's not too bad. I think the "science" behind the vibration is that it causes the blade to saw through the hair. I'm not sure I buy it. I'd like to get a nice single-blade safety razor. However, I haven't drawn any significant blood in years and I suspect my first few times using one would start my day a bit more crimson than I like.

Wet or Dry
 

Still use a twin blade razor with an old fashioned barbers brush and shaving soap in the shower. Electric razors are annoying and irritating.
Nothing like a good hot shave.

You shouldn't. Notice how you don't see those commercials describing the mechanism, anymore?

But "sawing through" and "lifting up and away" are different mechanisms?

I had heard that straight blade razor barbers have learned how to slightly move the blade sideways to gain the best effect

They are, a bit. Up and away is like pulling thread tight so that you can cut it easier.

Me? I'm more a fan of not shaving except when it's important.

You need to add another option to the poll: fatlah :eek:

I use old school Trac IIs when I'm after the last word in "nice and clean." If it's a bit more of a hurry I'm in, the Remington electric gives me a buzzjob, but that just isn't as close, no matter what.

I've used a straight razor a few times -- trickier to get the edge angle right than with a handled razor. It's a far slower shave than with doubled blades, which I am not convinced shave any closer or "below the grade" but which does complete the job faster, so the multiblade head is really a plus.

In boot camp, even with the Trac II I never could pass the ultimate test of a close clean shave: the edge of a military ID card scraped along the jawline, listening for the scratchy sound of the merest stubble. My beard was too hefty.

I look very vaguely like that Players guy -- after he retires from the service. The mustache gets about that big if a little leaner drawn, and now the beard is going steadily more gray.