# How can I get a clean shave? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 14, 2006, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368 "2006-11-14T11:15:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/1 "2006-11-14T11:15:51Z")
Hi all, I have a problem with shaving – I never could see to get a good, clean shave at all. It seems that I have an extremely hairly neck and after shaving, there is always some hint of a stubble left. It is not that much a problem - but it does gives the impression that I am untidy, unprofessional (will be due for an internship next year) and I will get into some deep shit when I head back to the Army after my university course (damn conscription…) I tried the usual advice - warm water, shaving cream, a good razor (it’s one of those triple-layered Gillete blade which can vibrate) and it’s isn’t working well. If I shaved in the morning, by noon I will be looking unshaved again. Any idea on what can be done? The irony is that I am losing hair from my scalp but have no lack of it for my neck. Is there some super-technique for getting a clean shave? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/2 "2006-11-14T14:50:16Z")
Use a Fusion razor and shave against the grain. I’ve never had a closer shave than that. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/3 "2006-11-14T14:51:07Z")
[QUOTE=ExtraKun] Hi all, I have a problem with shaving – I never could see to get a good, clean shave at all. It seems that I have an extremely hairly neck and after shaving, there is always some hint of a stubble left. It is not that much a problem - but it does gives the impression that I am untidy, unprofessional (will be due for an internship next year) and I will get into some deep shit when I head back to the Army after my university course (damn conscription…) I tried the usual advice - warm water, shaving cream, a good razor (it’s one of those triple-layered Gillete blade which can vibrate) and it’s isn’t working well. If I shaved in the morning, by noon I will be looking unshaved again. Any idea on what can be done? The irony is that I am losing hair from my scalp but have no lack of it for my neck. Is there some super-technique for getting a clean shave? Thanks in advance! [/QUOTE] I have a British gentleman acquaintance who swears that Trumpers is the only place in the world to get a civilized shave. > **[Luxury Mens Shaving Products | Mens Grooming | Geo. F. Trumper](https://www.trumpers.com/)** > > Shop the world-renowned Geo. F. Trumper range of luxury mens shaving products including shaving cream and soaps, shaving brushes and razors. > **[The fundamental principles of wet shaving for men | Geo. F. Trumper](https://www.trumpers.com/the-fundamental-principles-of-wet-shaving/)** > > Shaving is an art, not instinctive knowledge. By refining your technique and using good quality products you can make shaving a pleasurable experience. VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![seenidog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@seenidog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seenidog)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/4 "2006-11-14T15:09:12Z")
I don’t shave anymore, I look like a ZZ-Top wannabe. But back when I did shave I found that any nagging stubble could be removed by application of a little “William’s Lectric Shave” lotion. It is basically alchohol with a few lubricants, and as it evaporates makes the whiskers stand tall, making them easier to shave. A little touch up with a new razor and the job is done. Be careful though, with no foam the razor can be very unforgiving, and if you are prone to razor burn forget the whole idea. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/5 "2006-11-14T15:14:38Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Use a Fusion razor and shave against the grain. I’ve never had a closer shave than that. [/QUOTE] Er, what do you mean “against the grain”? ---
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/6 "2006-11-14T15:18:38Z")
[QUOTE=ExtraKun] Er, what do you mean “against the grain”? [/QUOTE] Run your fingers down your cheek, top to bottom. Fairly smooth, right? Now run your fingers up your cheek, bottom to top–you’ll notice it feels rougher. The whiskers grow generally downwards on your cheeks, so shaving top-to-bottom would be ‘with the grain’ and bottom-to-top, ‘against the grain.’ Experiment with the rest of your face to figure out which way the grain runs. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/7 "2006-11-14T15:20:47Z")
I conned myself into buying a Fusion Power razor, the one with a vibrating motor inside it the other day (cost a bloody FORTUNE). It seems to encourage a different way of shaving from normal - slowly, against the grain, one pass only. But combined with King of Shaves gel, it’s the closest damn shave I have ever had. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/8 "2006-11-14T15:21:11Z")
If all the hairs normally go this way: /////// then the razor goes from right to left. So, for the most part, move the shaver up. This goes contrary to normal shaving theory, however, and will cause some people to get ingrown hairs. I have a different version of the same problem: very pale skin and a beard that’s very dark (well, the hairs that aren’t gray, that is). Immediately after shaving with a brand new blade, my skin is smooth as an android’s butt and I have a five o’clock shadow, because you can see the stubble through my luminous skin. So, I grow a beard and only shave bits around the edges to make it look tidy. If people want to fire me based off of quantity and location of body hair, I have some speeches prepared for them, since the color of my skin and hair really shouldn’t count against me… ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/9 "2006-11-14T20:21:21Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Use a Fusion razor and shave against the grain. I’ve never had a closer shave than that. [/QUOTE] Thank you for standing up against the “don’t shave against the grain” crowd. 🙂 I, as well, must shave against the grain to get rid of the stubble. (I swear Cecil said not to do it, but I can’t find the article now…) ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/10 "2006-11-14T20:27:59Z")
Use a straight razor. Before using it on your face, however, practice on a peach until you can shave the fuzz off without breaking the skin. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/11 "2006-11-14T21:15:32Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Use a Fusion razor and shave against the grain. I’ve never had a closer shave than that. [/QUOTE] I suggest shaving with the grain first, then against the grain, then with the grain a second time. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/12 "2006-11-14T21:20:48Z")
Get a fog-proof mirror and shave in the shower. It does wonders for me. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/13 "2006-11-14T22:23:52Z")
I’m going to second what Trumpers says about using a shaving oil before applying the foam/cream. It makes a big difference in sliding the razor against the skin. Especially when you are shaving against-the-grain. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/14 "2006-11-14T22:34:29Z")
[QUOTE=ouryL] I suggest shaving with the grain first, then against the grain, then with the grain a second time. [/QUOTE] Makes no sense. If against the grain (up) gets more of each follicle than the other direction, why step #1? My experience is if I wait for two days in between shaving, I get a closer shave easier. That tends to suggest that slightly longer hairs get clipped better than short ones. If true, then you should get as much as possible on the first stroke, and that should be up or against the grain. Works for me. I have heard that shaving in that direction encourages ingrown hairs, which I have never had, so it can’t be a universal fact. ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/15 "2006-11-14T23:00:05Z")
[QUOTE=Musicat] Makes no sense. If against the grain (up) gets more of each follicle than the other direction, why step #1? [/QUOTE] WAG: I think that the single-step-against-the-grain procedure is what promotes ingrown hairs. If I shave with the grain first, then follow up against the grain, then the first pass shortens the hairs to a length so that the second pass doesn’t snag any. I use the third pass, either with or against the grain, only to touch up places I missed in the first two passes. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/16 "2006-11-15T00:13:16Z")
[QUOTE=Subway Prophet] WAG: I think that the single-step-against-the-grain procedure is what promotes ingrown hairs. [/quote] > [@Musicat](#): > > I have heard that shaving in that direction encourages ingrown hairs, which I have never had, so it can’t be a universal fact. 2C ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/17 "2006-11-15T00:23:07Z")
Don’t know if you need the most expensive Gillette but I use an MP3 razor and find it substantially better than a regular razor. I shave twice as follows: I shave down once. then I shave a 2nd time up from my jaw line and down a 2nd time on my neck. If I shave up on my neck I will get ingrown hairs. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/18 "2006-11-15T00:44:10Z")
[QUOTE=ouryL] I suggest shaving with the grain first, then against the grain, then with the grain a second time. [/QUOTE] I go to one of those old-fashioned barber shop run by men in their 60’s and 70’s who have been cutting hair for 50 some odd years and would take what they say as close to fact as possible. When I was in the Marines I would often get asked if I shaved, and this was about thirty minutes after shaving. It got to the point that the only way I know I got even close to a good shave was by having numerous cuts on my face. On various occasions I have been given the following advice: Rub warm/hot water on your face. Lather shaving cream, rub it in good. Let shaving cream sit for a little while to soften your skin and stubble. Shave with the grain first, this will help prevent irritation and ingrown hairs. Shave against the grain. This will get rid of extra hairs. Change your razor at least once a week, if you shave daily. Only pat dry when done, do not rub dry. It has worked wonders for me and I have probably only missed 15 days shaving in the past 12 years. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2006, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/19 "2006-11-15T00:45:14Z")
Oh, and add me to the list of Fusion users. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2006, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368/20 "2006-11-15T04:30:07Z")
I shave in the shower. Take a nice hot shower, remembering to start with a thorough soaking of your face first. You want your whiskers wet for a while before grabbing a razor. Next step is to get all the non-hair crud off your face (oils and dead skin and whatnot). Good wash with whatever your favorite soap is. I also use some stuff called “St Ives Facial Scrub” which is a skin cleaner with powdered walnut shell in it, makes a noticeable difference (it’s cheap, they sell it at Target). Now lather up (I just use plain old Dove, no fancy soap, shaving cream, etc). As some others have recommended, I start by shaving with the grain (i.e. downstroke), making sure to rinse the blade often and using as few strokes as possible. Then I rinse, re-lather and do a pass against the grain (upstroke). Almost never cut myself and gives a very close shave. To keep any irritation to a minimum rinse thoroughly, pat dry and I use a bit of witchhazel as aftershave. All that said I’d like to learn how to shave with a straight razor, I’ve been told by barbers that that’s the absolute smoothest shave you can get, it’s just very labor intensive - not the shaving itself but maintaining the razor properly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-clean-shave/380368.md?page=2)