# 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:** 12\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/61 "2003-01-26T21:20:51Z")
I’m a **Gillette Atra or Ultra** man, myself. I’ve never had the pleasure of shaving soap and a brush, but I’m familiar with the concept. I do, however, soak a washcloth with VERY hot water and apply it to my face until it goes lukewarm, then I palm on the shaving cream. I feel that the heat softens the bristles a bit, and opens up the pores. I’ve not dallied with the Mach III. Anything that sounds like Chuck Yeager should be flying it, I don’t want near my face. I know, call me overly cautious. 😃 I would love to learn how to use a straight razor and strop. Anyone do that, and anyone have any tips? Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/62 "2003-01-26T21:22:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*Well, since you asked… in addition to the Sensor I use for my beard, I have a Mach III used exclusively for my naughty bits, the extra cost is worth it to protect the boys. \*\* No, no…really. We didn’t want to know. :eek: So, now we know who the extremely COMFORTABLE man with the open stance is, at the Hartsdale Train Station each day. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/63 "2003-01-26T22:17:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rsa \* > \*\* [hijack] > What is the supposed improvement in the Mach III **Turbo**? I can’t imagined the regular Mach III being improved upon. Plus I’m hoping that with the Turbo blades out now, the price of the regular Mach III blades will drop. > [/hijack] \*\* It has more microfins, an extra lubrication strip, and the blades are somehow anti-friction coated. I’m not sure that it’s really better than the Mach III, but I had only been using the Mach III for 2 years or so. With the Turbo, I have yet to get a single nick, and frankly, considering how infrequently I shave, any amount of money is worth it to me to get no nicks at all. If you feel like giving them a shot, they work with the standard Mach III handle. You don’t have to upgrade the whole razor, just use different cartridges. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/64 "2003-01-26T22:50:35Z")
Slight hijack - is it worth upgrading from a Sensor Excel to a Mach 3? They don’t look that much different, and the price scares me, but if they really do work that much better, I’d be willing to spring for them. ---
**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 26, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/65 "2003-01-26T23:41:08Z")
Gorsnak, if you’re unhappy with your current shave, spend the $7 bucks on the Mach III and give it a try. I find the shave I get with the Sensor to be fine, and the Mach III not noticably better, so I stuck with the Sensor to save the bucks. YMMV (wildly, in this case) ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/66 "2003-01-27T00:09:36Z")
Mach III Turbo, they cost an arm and a leg but its the best shave I’ve had. Also people let me suggest a vastly superior alternative to creams and gels: Oil. If there is a shaving speciality store near you like “The Art of Shaving” give oil a try. American Crew and King of Shaves make good products, but the best bar far is Mont Source. A fluid ounce costs $18 but it will last you months. Four drops in your palm, massage into a wet face (best right after a shower) let sit for 30 seconds, rewet face and shave away. It lubricates and anesthizes your skin, and is clear providing the best possible visibility. I guarantee the closest, cleanest shave ever. ---
**Author:** ![Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermann_Cheruscan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/67 "2003-01-27T00:31:51Z")
I use GoodNews blades. They’re relatively cheap, and they last about 3-4 shaves. I do have a Mach III razor. I just can’t afford blades for it though:( ---
**Author:** ![TVS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@TVS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVS)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/68 "2003-01-27T15:08:43Z")
I am pretty picky. I shave in the shower, heating the blade up as well as my face. Another Mach 3 here. I don’t use shaving cream, I use body wash. It acts as a moisturizer as well as a lubricant. I make sure to top the whole thing off with a good aftershave. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/69 "2003-01-27T18:39:28Z")
When I was a pubescent lad, my dad bought me an electric Remington, which I used faithfully for 10 years until it died. But towards the end of that, I did grow a full beard, and also started doing some wet shaving with a **Wilkenson Protector** , which I still have. I now use the blade exclusively, except for trimming my van dyke, which I use an electric hair trimmer (although in a pinch I can use scissors and a comb). It really helped when I learned proper technique for wet shaving, which includes using soap and a brush (none of this foam in a can crap). In three weeks, I’ll be picking up my straight razor, continuing my quest to screw the consumer-based economy by using something that never needs to be replaced. I’ve found this chat group [Straight Razor Place](http://groups.yahoo.com/group/straightrazorplace/) to have some good and bad advice, but at least they’re doing it. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/70 "2003-01-27T18:54:06Z")
Schick “Slim Twin”. Cheap, efficient and disposable. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/71 "2003-01-27T18:54:18Z")
Like all real me, I don’t shave. I have a full beard and mustache. 😃 And believe me, they are greatly appreciated in this cold snap. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904/72 "2003-01-27T19:46:18Z")
Gillette Mach III for this face. Yes, the blades are very expensive but it has a cool blue handle. Also, as my facial hair grows very slowly, I only have to shave twice a week or so - I can make a single pack of blades last a year. I have an electric trimmer for keeping the goatee under control but I’m just as likely to grab a pair of scissors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-guys-electric-or-blade-what-do-you-shave-with/150904.md?page=3)