straight razor

[Neco]

Yeah that's usually what I do..  Sometimes I wait a week to shave, other times its ever 3-4 days..  Kind of varies on how much I shower.. I don't exactly do a lot to work up a sweat and get to the point where I feel dirty, and I won't take a shower unless I feel dirty or actually reek..    Doing my part to conserve water and save the planet!   :'(

[Aneroph]

Yeah that's usually what I do..  Sometimes I wait a week to shave, other times its ever 3-4 days..  Kind of varies on how much I shower.. I don't exactly do a lot to work up a sweat and get to the point where I feel dirty, and I won't take a shower unless I feel dirty or actually reek..    Doing my part to conserve water and save the planet!   :'(

Honestly there are a lot of small shaving tips that people don't bother with that would probably help your situation. Like Showering with hot water before shaving to open pores then rinsing with cold water to close the pores for less irritation. Using specific shaving creams and after shave to open/close pores correctly and cause less irritation.

Or you can be like me and buy five razors for a Gillette Mach 3 Turbo and make them last over 2 years...dry shaving the whole time (true story). Sure it hurts, sure your face itches for a day or so, sure you feel like you're ripping out your hair when you shave, but it's nothing you can't live with. Buck up and be a man or perhaps you don't deserve facial hair lol. Of course this doesn't apply if you have a serious medical condition.

[mgz]

http://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Shavette-Straight-Razor-Handle/dp/B001GMVNXO - razor holder for disposable blades

http://www.amazon.com/Dovo-American-Shavette-Blades-5-Pack/dp/B002P9MKZ2 - razors to go with it.

[Humanoidz]

Straight razor?  Isn't that the single blade or the old school barber jackknife doohicky?  Those are hardcore and take practice but are by far the best shavers.  Otherwise get a commercial 3 or 4 blade, Mach 3 is great.  I've always noticed a fresh blade hurts like a mofo and takes a couple shaves to break in and then lasts for weeks.  Your face will adapt to being shaved, just do it daily, after a shower, and use a simple lotion without smelly stuff in it afterwards.

[bcr123]

I can't use an electric razor either (and even have special permission from medical to shave less often than normal) but found that the Gillette Mach 3 combined with the sensitive skin shaving gels works pretty well.

I use the Mach3 by itself, I shave in the shower with just regular soap then do a touch up of anything I missed in the mirror afterwards, less cleanup that way.

I thought the question was about actual "straight razors" though, they actually make disposable ones, hair dressers/barbers use them for sanitary reasons.

[Neco]

I might try glycerin based soap in the future, but for now I chucked $30 for a new Norelco electric, with the neck pivot and floating head feature.  So far its been the least painful of any electric I've used in the past, so I'm hoping I'll get used to it without issue.

Otherwise I may have to see how a glycerin soap goes with a Gillette razor,  or maybe look into an inexpensive traditional straight razor, or one of the other kind that look like a T (double edge straight?).

[slayman]

I use this one if I don't find the time to shave every morning and let my beard grow out to much.
When using a razor like this one, it's very important to NEVER shave the opposite direction of the hair growth, this can cause skin damage, tearing and inward beard growth. ALWAYS shave the same direction as  the hair growth.


and I use this one for every day use. quick and easy.


Also, don't use blades/knife razor at a young age. Not a good idea.
Not until you are like 19+

[temuchin]

http://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Shavette-Straight-Razor-Handle/dp/B001GMVNXO - razor holder for disposable blades
http://www.amazon.com/Dovo-American-Shavette-Blades-5-Pack/dp/B002P9MKZ2 - razors to go with it.

i second Dovo straight razors- they are one of the best brands of quality straight razors available today and many come pre-sharpened.  a quality razor will set you back at least $150.- US.   expesive yes, but with proper sharpening the blade will last forever. 

personally speaking my skin is ultra-sensitive.   i dampen my face in hot water, apply shaving cream (i use Barbasol) and shave with a Shick Xtreme 3.  then i rinse with warmish water- before showering.

[Neco]

Shaving against the grain is the only way I've been able to get the closeness I like, but I've never had problems with damage or ingrown hairs or any of that.

I like a shave that I can swipe my hand any which way against my skin and it is hands down, smooth.

I think Gillette even advertises  one of their razors as easy to use or w/e "even against the grain".

As long as you have someone teaching you the proper way to stroke, and not to go too fast,  there is no reason a young teen couldn't shave with a blade.   It's all a matter of being taught properly.    Although I only started using a blade cause I got a free Mach 3 in the mail when I turned 18.

I think that's a little disturbing tbh,  its one thing to have my name and address on a mailing list.   But totally another to have my age.

[Micharus]

I use the Mach3 by itself, I shave in the shower with just regular soap then do a touch up of anything I missed in the mirror afterwards, less cleanup that way.

I thought the question was about actual "straight razors" though, they actually make disposable ones, hair dressers/barbers use them for sanitary reasons.

Funny that.

I also use the Mach 3, have done for ages.

I also use a shaving gel when I shave.

The one big thing is to make sure the razor is *sharp* and to take your time.

I tend to ignore the 'blue strip' on my Mach 3 and change the head every 3rd or 4th day.

Since you have just started shaving, don't stress over it, it won't be the end of the world if you don't get it right the first time and eventually you will find a way that works for you.

Lastly, the 'smooth as a babies bottom' shave is not doable all of the time, it's a nice ideal to have tho and is normally only something you can aspire to after not shaving for a couple of days. 

[flyawave]

Since you have just started shaving, don't stress over it, it won't be the end of the world if you don't get it right the first time and eventually you will find a way that works for you.

yeah I'm getting there... (haven't cut myself yet so i guess that's good)

[mgz]

meh i dont see what the big deal is about straight razor shaving i know i have shaved with my regular knives before just to make sure they were as sharp as i wanted them to be

[spinsane]

Safety razors are probably the easiest/nicest. Replacement blades are ultra cheap and last longer than cartridge razors while also providing the closeness of a straight razor. Best of both worlds.

The most important part of a good shave is a sharp blade and a nice shaving cream. www.theartofshaving .com/ has a very nice shaving cream. A small amount goes a VERY long way- the nicer the brush the longer it goes.

It goes without saying that you should use a cream that you have to lather. There are some high protein soap bars with silk and junk in them that make them good enough to wash your face and shave at the same time, but its probably best to use a dedicated product (also to prevent any dryness).