# SDMB Guys: Electric or Blade -- What do you shave with? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 25, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904 "2003-01-25T20:40:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/1 "2003-01-25T20:40:10Z")
I just finished shaving with my trusty Norelco rotary 725RL, and it occurred to me to wonder which is more popular, electric shavers or blades – and why. I prefer the convenience of the electric: no blades to run out of, no need for shaving cream, etc. Plus I think it gives me just as close a shave. So what do the SDMB guys prefer? (You straigh-razor people are crazy, but go ahead and join in anyway 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/2 "2003-01-25T20:42:15Z")
Gilette safeties. So I guess I’m a ‘blade’ man. Electrics have never really done it for me. I get burn. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/3 "2003-01-25T21:03:11Z")
Heat vision reflected off a piece of my space ship. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/4 "2003-01-25T21:12:23Z")
Blades - the hideously expensive Mach IIIs (so expensive that some supermarkets have started putting them behind the counter instead of on the shelf.) But the key - shaving IN the shower. Yes, no mirror but you can get used to that. Lots of heat and steam = soft whiskers, no irritation, and no water/shaving cream on my shirt/neck/sink/countertop. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/5 "2003-01-25T21:14:01Z")
Yeah, **pilot** speak the truth. That’s an enormous help. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/6 "2003-01-25T21:14:43Z")
A 50-some year old ivory-handled safety razor. Thanks, gramps! The Mach 3’s and whatnot are too damn close a shave for my liking. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/7 "2003-01-25T21:20:59Z")
Electric… Fast Easy No fuss No mess No cuts Do it in the car or in the office Clean up the back of my neck between haircuts Easy to pack for travel ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/8 "2003-01-25T21:37:02Z")
Twin blade Gillette Sensor. I don’t think the Mach 3 gives a noticably better shave for 2x the price. I’m also into using a shaving brush and shaving soap instead of the stuff in a can. Nice hot lather, and it’s fun too! ---
**Author:** ![jmizzou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/edb3f5/32.png) [@jmizzou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmizzou)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/9 "2003-01-25T21:46:28Z")
Both. Electric when I’m in a hurry, blade when I want to look nice. ---
**Author:** ![Toffe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@Toffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toffe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/10 "2003-01-25T21:48:28Z")
Also twin blade Gillette Sensor. Much closer shave than my previous electric razor, burns are just as annoying, and it takes less time although it’s a bit more hassle. I’d like a straight razor though, if I could find one at a non-ridiculous price. Would make it easier to shave after holidays or hiking/caving/mountaineering trips where I don’t/can’t shave for months. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/11 "2003-01-25T22:16:35Z")
Schick Xtreme 3 with Edge shave gel. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/12 "2003-01-25T22:20:08Z")
Electric: 2 Blades: 6 Both: 1 Some sort of thermal technique: 1 ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/13 "2003-01-25T22:27:46Z")
I use a Mach III, primarily because I just got one in the mail for some reason. But even before that, I was a blade guy, myself. ---
**Author:** ![kirk280980](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kirk280980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk280980)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/14 "2003-01-25T22:30:04Z")
Gillette Sensor Excel, with plenty of their sensitive gel. I’ve tried rotary and foil shavers in the past, and have never been able to find one which doesn’t give me a terrible shaving rash - unfortunate, considering how convenient they are. A shaving brush makes all the difference, even though I use gel from a can. Really helps the work the lather into my stubble, much better than I could do with my bare hands. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/15 "2003-01-25T22:32:33Z")
I use an electric razor (think it’s a phillishave) and then go over everything with a Mach III. ---
**Author:** ![kiteboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9c0ed/32.png) [@kiteboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiteboy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/16 "2003-01-25T23:24:27Z")
blade. the skin below my jawline (neck/throat) is too sensitive to razor burn when using an electric. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/17 "2003-01-25T23:33:00Z")
Electric shavers are fine if you shave everyday, but the ones I’ve had have been useless if you miss a couple of days. On the other hand, I never seemed to master the knack of shaving without cutting myself until the triple-blade cartridges came out. I shudder to think what I’d do to myself with a straight razor. ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/18 "2003-01-26T00:08:03Z")
Gillette Sensor here. I’d like to try a wet/dry shaver, but they’re too expensive at the moment. While I don’t shave _in_ the shower, I shave directly _after_ my shower, without drying my face. The soap, hot water, and steam soften the whiskers nicely. And my mirror isn’t fogged because of my bathroom’s exhaust fan. ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/19 "2003-01-26T00:39:18Z")
College student checking in. I use some sort of Remington electric razor. I find it very convenient next to the toilet, as I can then shave while going #2. Somehow, a blade just wouldn’t be the same. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/20 "2003-01-26T00:45:59Z")
**Jonathan Chance** and **pilot141** both know what’s up. Shaving cream is for suckers, or people without reliable hot water supplies. OTOH, I wouldn’t want to shave myself with a straight razor - it’s a wonder of modern technology that persons such as us can even dream of dispensing with the lubricant. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904.md?page=2)