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?
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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 to have some good and bad advice, but at least they’re doing it.
