Shaving poll

In My Humble Opinion
1

(This is the promised follow-up to the “male-kind’s greatest questions” poll)

Ever since I first started shaving at the age of 14, I’ve always used an electric razor. Never once used a straight razor, and I honestly don’t think I would know how if the opportunity presented itself. (Closest I came to switching was when I was in basic training in the army, living at CFB Dundurn, and my superiors didn’t like the fact I was using an electric razor - apparently Canadian Forces protocol mandates a straight razor, as an electric razor could be “heard by the enemy”. However, I was RTU’d (Returned to Unit) partway through my basic training for failing, and never had to switch.

I get the impression I’m in the minority, I see a lot more ads for straight razors than electric. Polling to see if I am correct, and other shaving preference stories from Dopers

2

So, a straight razor is different from a safety razor. A straight razor is what cool gangsters kept in their boots to slice people up. A few ultra-cool folks actually shave with them, but I think you’ll find most guys use electric or safety razors. I use a Gillette 4-blade safety razor and I shave in the shower.

3

I picked “other” because I use a safety razor… The new Fusion Pro-Glide to be exact. I started out on an electric but it chewed up my face so bad… The safety razor doesn’t even knick me and it gets so much closer! I don’t think I’ll ever have the nerves for a straight razor, or for the fancy shaving soap blocks.

4

I’ve used a straight razor a few times, but the care and maintenance was much too high. Then I moved to a safety razor, but to do it comfortably I really had to soak my beard in the shower for longer than I wanted to spend doing it in the AM. I’ve used an electric razor for over 3 decades now.

5

You seem to have left out the most common non-electric shaving choice. I use a Gillette Fusion, along with a shaving brush and shaving soap.

6

Right.

Safety razor, used by many ( including me ).

Straight razor, used by few ( though my barber does wield one on me when I get a haircut ).

7

I have not shaved in 46 years. But I was never able to use an electric razors. They pulled my beard. I used a safety razor, but they always left me bloody.

8

I started shaving around 18 or 19. The problem was that I didn’t really need to. I shaved my face because all the other guys were. I used a disposable safety razor and gouged up my face. I switched to an electric razor and used it for years. Last year I tried using a safety razor again. Now that I actually have hair on my chin, the safety razor is much better.

9

D’oh! I thought “Gillete Pro Glide” and the like = straight razor. That’s what I get for using an electric razor for 25 years, I suppose.

I guess I’ll just consider the “straight razor” and "other"s together (the “other” was merely added out of SDMB tradition than a viable third option).

10

I said “other” because I do a first pass with the electric and then follow up with a razor to get it nice and close.

11

Safety razors. History: High school thru near 30, Schick Injector-type single edge blade. Near 30 to mid 40s, pivot-head dual-blade, Gillette Atra-compatible. Since mid-40s, pivot-head triple blade, Gillette Mach 3-type.

12

“Other,” as it’s a safety razor.

13

Gilette Mach-3 Razor. Used it for years.

14

I voted “Other” because I’m a safety razor guy too, only I use a Schick Quattro (never tried the Fusion). I splash a little hot water on my beard three or four times, use a regular shaving cream, and then shave in multiple short strokes (usually and inch or two) going with, against, sideways and diagonal to the grain, generally pulling the skin taut with my other hand as I do. I do this with everything but my upper lip, which will chafe with anything but with the grain shaving. My face and neck are smooth as a baby’s butt when I get through. I’ve been tempted from time to time to try a straight razor or another brand of safety razor, but since I’m already getting as close a shave as seems possible I’ve just never bothered to try anything else.

15

Electric razors pull hair, irritate my skin, give me bumps and ingrown hairs. Can’t stand them. Haven’t even tried to use one for 15 or 20 years.

I use Gillette Sensors. They are variably available, which is a pain in the ass sometimes. I can’t shave with the wider heads on some of the newer models. Every once in a while, I toy with the idea of a straight razor (usually when I can’t find refills for my preferred shaver) but the maintenance would become annoying pretty darn quickly.

16

I use the generic disposable double blade kind. No shaving cream or soap, just water. I used a Gillette Mach 3 for quite a while but got tired of paying what I thought were outrageous prices for the refills.
Tried an electric years ago and it pulled rather than cut. Maybe it wasn’t a good one.

17

Used an electric at first and for many many years, but one day a few years back the one I had died and I couldn’t afford to buy another one at the time so I bought a $10 Mach 3 and never looked back.

18

I used an electric from the time I started shaving up until about 10 years ago. For shits and giggles, I decided to try shaving with a safety razor, if for no other reason, I figured I should at least know how to do it. Honestly, I prefer using an electric, but by the time I figured that out, I had a goatee (and still do) and I don’t think an electric would do a good job of getting around it.

19

With more than a day’s worth of stubble, safety razor, el cheapo dollar-store kind, followed by electric to get a closer shave.

When shaving daily, electric only.

20

Safety razor. Just those cheep throw aways. Each one lasts me about a month. I shave about 5 times a week. It’s OK if I’m a bit scruffy at work sometimes. As a programmer, it’s almost expected. :cool:

I shave in the shower. That’s what makes the difference for me.