# Shaving is hard
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [July 19, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564 "2011-07-19T11:48:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/1 "2011-07-19T11:48:05Z")
So yeah, a bit TMI here due to shear embarrassment but:
I cannot figure out how you people shave.
_Frylock wtf are you talking about?_.
Well the basic problem in a nutshell is this. A single swipe or two across my whiskers puts my razor out of commission. Because by virtue of that swipe, the razor collects a gunk of stubble between its blades, and that gunk cannot by any means be removed. And it makes the razor unable to cut any further on future swipes.
Hence I end up using multiple razors simply to shave a single time. And I know this can’t be right. “Yer doin it wrong” I cry to myself every morning. (Well, every morning upon which I attempt the activity. Which is I guess about every couple of weeks. Because I hate shaving. Because I can’t figure out how you people do it.)
I try the fancy blades (gilette titanium or something… like thirty bucks for a fourpack?!) and it’s no better. I just end up spending thirty bucks for two shaves.
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### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/2 "2011-07-19T11:56:15Z")
Well, of course you’re going to have trouble shaving, if you only do it every couple of weeks.
Try giving yourself a good shave, whatever that takes, then do it again the next day. I bet that it’s a lot easier the second day.
Also, some general tips:[ul]
[li]Shave after a shower. The hot water/soap gets your whiskers softer.[/li][li]Let the shaving cream/foam/gel sit on your face for a bit. This also softens everything up.[/li][li]Don’t put too much pressure on the razor- if you’re not getting smooth enough, do a second pass with more cream instead of pressing down harder.[/li][li]Use a sharp blade. Most razor blades are really only good for 5 or less shaves, despite what some people will tell you.[/li][li]Use a decent aftershave product when you’re finished- this will just feel nice and lessen the incidence of irritation.[/li][/ul]
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### Author:  [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/3 "2011-07-19T12:03:35Z")
> [@bump](#):
>
> Well, of course you’re going to have trouble shaving, if you only do it every couple of weeks.
>
> Try giving yourself a good shave, whatever that takes, then do it again the next day. I bet that it’s a lot easier the second day.
No, this is not the problem. I shave rarely because the problem occurs no matter how often I shave.
> [@](#):
>
> Also, some general tips:[ul]
> [li]Shave after a shower. The hot water/soap gets your whiskers softer.[/li][li]Let the shaving cream/foam/gel sit on your face for a bit. This also softens everything up.[/li][li]Don’t put too much pressure on the razor- if you’re not getting smooth enough, do a second pass with more cream instead of pressing down harder.[/li][li]Use a sharp blade. Most razor blades are really only good for 5 or less shaves, despite what some people will tell you.[/li][li]Use a decent aftershave product when you’re finished- this will just feel nice and lessen the incidence of irritation.[/li][/ul]
Okay I’ll try it.
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### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/4 "2011-07-19T12:15:30Z")
It sure helps if you’re not going to disturb someone else’s sleep while shaving and after rinsing the blade under the faucet you can whack it good a time or two against the sink bowl. That’ll usually clear most of it for me.
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### Author:  [@Hakuna\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakuna_Matata)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/5 "2011-07-19T12:18:54Z")
I shave first with an electric razor and get most of the hair, then come back with a disposable and finish the job. Usually can get a disposable to last 3-4 days that way. I also get my face wet AFTER the electric shave.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/6 "2011-07-19T12:29:25Z")
This is why I love the Mach 3 / Mach 5. The blades are open on back. Running water will dislodge nearly everything, and a few whacks will help anything worse.
And if it’s been more than a couple of days, run it over with a electric beard trimmer on the lowest setting, or even hair clippers if you have them.
And when you get tired of paying 8 dollars every month or so for the outrageously priced blades, (Due to using gel for sensitive skin), move on to a rotary electric.
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### Author:  [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/7 "2011-07-19T12:39:59Z")
Grow a beard?
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### Author:  [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/8 "2011-07-19T12:54:57Z")
If you shave in the shower, you can use the spray from the shower head to clean stubble & soap out of the razor also.
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### Author:  [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/9 "2011-07-19T13:11:54Z")
You can try a double edge razor. That’s what I’ve been using for a few years now. The nice thing is that you can take it apart and clean the blade while you shave. The razors are expensive, 30-40+, but the blades can be dirt cheap, like $5 for 10.
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### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/10 "2011-07-19T13:15:35Z")
Rinsing the blade under hot running tap water doesn’t clear the “gunk?” 😕
What the hell are you using for shaving cream, quick-setting cement?
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### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/11 "2011-07-19T13:20:25Z")
> [@lieu](#):
>
> It sure helps if you’re not going to disturb someone else’s sleep while shaving and after rinsing the blade under the faucet you can whack it good a time or two against the sink bowl. That’ll usually clear most of it for me.
That works for me too. If rapping the razor against the sink bowl doesn’t clear the blades then something odd is going on with your facial hair.
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### Author:  [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/12 "2011-07-19T13:46:21Z")
> [@Frylock](#):
>
> I try the fancy blades (gilette titanium or something… like thirty bucks for a fourpack?!) and it’s no better. I just end up spending thirty bucks for two shaves.
Backwards is forwards. [Get one of these](http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Butterfly-Double-Safety-Razor/dp/B003NTHWLU/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1311083010&sr=1-4), or similar. You’ll feel better. They rinse easier than the silly new-style razors, and generally ship with a little brush. Also, the blades won’t put you in the poorhouse.
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### Author:  [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/13 "2011-07-19T13:46:57Z")
> [@bump](#):
>
> [li]Use a sharp blade. Most razor blades are really only good for 5 or less shaves, despite what some people will tell you.[/li][/LIST]
“Some People” here.
I disagree on the longevity of blades. As long as it’s kept dry between uses, it will last far beyond 5 shaves. I’m on just the 2nd or 3rd disposable 2-blade razor this year.
Using shaving cream/gel and the razor is kept rinsed throughout shaving, it doesn’t get clogged up unless I’ve waited too long between shaves. Even then, frequently running the razor under the water will dislodge most of the hair.
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### Author:  [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/14 "2011-07-19T13:56:17Z")
> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> Rinsing the blade under hot running tap water doesn’t clear the “gunk?” 😕
>
> What the hell are you using for shaving cream, quick-setting cement?
I used to have the same problem. I was probably using bar soap as shaving cream.
I used to buy disposable twin blades that had a little device between the blades. Push a little plastic tab and the device pushes the gunk out from between the blades. I can’t remember what they were and I don’t know if they’r made anymore, but they were made to solve the OP’s exact problem.
There are also single blade disposables.
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### Author:  [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/15 "2011-07-19T14:02:21Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#):
>
> If you shave in the shower, you can use the spray from the shower head to clean stubble & soap out of the razor also.
+1 on this.
I used to shave at the sink. When I started shaving in the shower, I got much smoother shaves because I could clean the razor better.
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### Author:  [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/16 "2011-07-19T14:06:45Z")
I shave _in the shower_, by feel, with running water available to keep re-wetting my face and rinsing my multiple blade razor. I just use plain soap suds instead of foam.
This lets me get a very smooth shave, since I am using touch to find the stubble traces (often with my eyes closed). I touch up the sideburns and problem areas in front of the mirror after I get out.
Possibly because everything is so slick, my razor blades last for _months_. Sure, they’re not brand-new-sharp, but they still shave me smooth with a couple of passes and enough soap and water.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/17 "2011-07-19T14:09:09Z")
> [@Frylock](#):
>
> Well the basic problem in a nutshell is this. A single swipe or two across my whiskers puts my razor out of commission. Because by virtue of that swipe, the razor collects a gunk of stubble between its blades, and that gunk cannot by any means be removed. And it makes the razor unable to cut any further on future swipes.
1. Use a single-blade razor. Multiple-blade razors are more likely to trap gunk.
2. Use a less-gunky pre-shave product that’s easier to wash out, like shaving soap, instead of gel or foam.
3. Between strokes, rinse your blade and then clean out more of the gunk with a small towel (“shaving towel”)
4. I don’t know where you live, but if you have a fancy shaving place nearby, like the Art of Shaving, which has shaving services in addition to supplies, make an appointment with them for a shaving lesson. It might cost you a lot, but it might be worth a lifetime’s relief. You might even stop by for some advice. They’ll try to sell you expensive stuff, but, again, you might find it worth it.
> [@Sailboat](#):
>
> I shave _in the shower_, by feel, with running water available to keep re-wetting my face and rinsing my multiple blade razor. I just use plain soap suds instead of foam.
>
> This lets me get a very smooth shave, since I am using touch to find the stubble traces (often with my eyes closed). I touch up the sideburns and problem areas in front of the mirror after I get out.
>
> Possibly because everything is so slick, my razor blades last for _months_. Sure, they’re not brand-new-sharp, but they still shave me smooth with a couple of passes and enough soap and water.
I know some people who have put shaving mirrors in the shower just so they can do this. They’re not necessarily very expensive or difficult to install.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/18 "2011-07-19T14:16:42Z")
Shaving is easy. Comedy is hard.
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### Author:  [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/19 "2011-07-19T15:17:10Z")
Be a [man](http://www.amazon.com/Fromm-Straight-Razor-Round-Point/dp/B000RQRN7U/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1311088411&sr=8-14), just don’t slit your throat doing [it](http://www.shavemyface.com/downloads/The-Straight-Razor-Shave.pdf).
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-is-hard/589564/20 "2011-07-19T15:34:35Z")
I run into the same problem. Try Schick razors. They’re a good razor overall and they have a little button that pushes the hair out from between the blades.
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