# That was a Close Shave.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 7, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307 "2005-06-07T16:34:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/1 "2005-06-07T16:34:17Z")
So, the Mennen corporation, in its finite wisdom, has decide to discontinue the brand of pre-shave gel I’d been using with my electric razor. (Afta - which still has an available aftershave version). I know this because I’ve checked multiple stores for the product over the course of a month, and turned up bupkes. I’m more than a little upset - I can’t use aftershave, because the act of rubbing anything on my face after shaving it causes me no end of irritation. So, I do what I always do in a situation like this. I buy the “equivalent” product that looks the best on the shelf. In this case, Lectric Shave’s pre-shave liquid. And, you know what? It works really well. Better than Afta. Close shave, no irritation, and I can even bear the smell, which is unusual for me, as I’m normally very avoidant of strong odors. The problem is that it’s a liquid, and not a cream or gel. It doesn’t rub or spread; it runs right through my fingers as I try my best to slop a small portion of it onto my face. Short of acquiring a bucket, and filling it with Lectric Shave, I can’t figure out a way to get decent coverage. Advice is being solicited - don’t let me down. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/2 "2005-06-07T16:38:38Z")
Ya know what I use? [Kinda weird but . . .](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=45829&catid=10401&brand=7897&trx=BSMMP-7897&trxp1=CPFP%2D10367&trxp2=0&trxp3=45829&btrx=BSMMP-7897) it works. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/3 "2005-06-07T16:48:30Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Ya know what I use? [Kinda weird but . . .](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=45829&catid=10401&brand=7897&trx=BSMMP-7897&trxp1=CPFP%2D10367&trxp2=0&trxp3=45829&btrx=BSMMP-7897) it works. That stuff, or just use the bottle in comes in to apply the pre-shave? That stuff would wreck my face for shaving, I think. I have the opposite of dry skin. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/4 "2005-06-07T16:51:40Z")
Uhhh - _pre-shave?_ My apologies, I thought you were looking for an aftershave. Guess I misread your post - and badly. Sorry about that. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/5 "2005-06-07T16:57:13Z")
Lectric shave still uses the bottle with the tiny little opening that causes the liquid to drip out, right? Here’s what I used to do, before I got too lazy to use a pre-shave. Pour about 5-6 drops in the palm of your hand. Apply your other hand to that hand sop that both hands are moist. Slap cheeks. Repeat for neck, jaw, etc. until entire face feels wet. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/6 "2005-06-07T16:58:31Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Lectric shave still uses the bottle with the tiny little opening that causes the liquid to drip out, right? > > Here’s what I used to do, before I got too lazy to use a pre-shave. > > Pour about 5-6 drops in the palm of your hand. Apply your other hand to that hand sop that both hands are moist. Slap cheeks. > > Repeat for neck, jaw, etc. until entire face feels wet. Yes, still that same way. Hmmm. Worth a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/7 "2005-06-07T17:06:56Z")
I use King of Shaves shaving gel; some friends swear by KoS Kinexium shaving oil. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/8 "2005-06-07T18:12:23Z")
Turtles shave? Sorry, couldn’t resist. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/9 "2005-06-07T18:26:09Z")
Don’t really know anything about electric shaving, but I got to thinking about this. How about getting a generic spray bottle and putting Lectric Shave in that? That way you just spray the stuff where it’s needed. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/10 "2005-06-07T18:32:23Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Don’t really know anything about electric shaving, but I got to thinking about this. How about getting a generic spray bottle and putting Lectric Shave in that? That way you just spray the stuff where it’s needed. It’s a thought - don’t know how well it atomizes, and I bet I don’t want it in my eyes… ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-a-close-shave/307307/11 "2005-06-07T18:47:55Z")
Cotton ball or pad, maybe? Or it could be squirted into the palm of your hand… Or you could go get a 50 cent bottle of rubbing alcohol, and not worry about the cost of wasting it all over your counter. 😛