To fight the aggression caused by blades, I decided to give a shaver a go. It cost about $300 but I'm not happy with the result. Please share your experiences. Thanks.
What Do Male OzBargainers Use to Shave Themselves? Blades or Electrical Shavers?
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Haha, me too!
I figured everyone who does shave was already a DollarShaveClub member. Refer all the people, we have scored about a years worth of free razers via referral since we joined a few years back.
My last shave was in 1976….how much have I saved??????
I'm sure you've saved a lot of things in that beard too. ;)
Both. A quick runover with my Phillips electric, then a blade shave. Blades last longer that way :) My job requires me to be clean shaven, so saving money by not doing it is unfortunately not an option.
Gillette blades and King of shaves gel.
Also I have a squirty bottle of cold water in shower to clean out blades as I shave. Cold water keeps metal blade from expanding therefore sharper so I'm told but keeping blades clean and free of gel works wonders. Gillette blades come off if you try and tap them clean so my method eliminates that problem and gets blades clean like new.Both - when I used to shave. Electric razor then blade in the shower with a bit of soap.
Blade on Monday as don't usually shave at weekend, then quick electric rest of mornings in week ;-)
Which electric do you use? I'm thinking of getting a Philips.
Beauty of a shaver (battery) is you can use it anywhere.
Yes
I use both Gillette razor and a trimmer, usually shave once a week because I like stubble then once it gets too long and itchy I shave again or trim it :)
Majority of guys would look better with some stubble rather than clean shave, I certainly don't see clean shaven as a 'professional' look, I don't know where that perception came from. I just use a battery powered beard trimmer with no attachments directly on the skin, leaves a thin stubble layer behind so I don't get ingrown hairs, don't look like an overgrown 19 year old, and don't see my acne scarring. Win win win.
A Gillette Fusion razor and blade. I know its much more expensive than DE razors and blades but I find that it gives me the quickest, closest shaves with the least amount of effort and constant need to hold the skin tight. With this method I can get one cartridge to work fairly decent for about 2-3 months.
I don't think electric razors have reached that point yet to provide me the level of close shaves, without irritation that normal razors can. Or maybe, its just my skin and beard type.
That you tube video is brilliant, just saved me a few bucks, cheers!
OP - some facial hair types aren't compatible with electric shavers. Stick with razors but use a decent quality one with a good gel like 'King Of Shaves Sensitive'. To avoid shaving your whole face often, try clipping (blade 1 or 2) and shave a beard line for a neat and tidy look. All the best!
I use a Gillette fusion blade, I know it's common knowledge but if you shave after the shower then put a really hot cloth over the face that maximizes the opening of the pores. Just dab a little extra aloe vera on the blades, smooth as a babies bottom.
Machete
Sometimes I use my housemate's gillette to shave my pubes.
Reasons for why not to get a house mate
I know eh. it's a bit ick to have someone's razor which they have used for their face on your genital area.
no judgin as this is ozB and gotta save money some how…
Aldi disposables, stretching each razor out over six months by honing. I'm 25 but shave about once a week as I grow very little facial hair.
Panasonic ESST29 Electric Shaver.. Cant complain, batteries good, its fast and I dont need to use shaving cream. Although if I need a really close shave I go back to my razor
Trimmer and Gillette Mach 3 to tidy up around the edges, was thinking about trying out a cutthroat but not sure if I've got the skill to not kill myself while using it…
Bought braun series 7 like 6-7 years ago for about $450 - $500 if not mistaken and still going till now. Haven't change the foil since bought (I suspect 2 things I don't have beard to shaved and always shave after washing my face) and still have a very close shave. I shave every two days and only need to charge it once every one or two months. This is the very best investment I ever own.
The trick to shaving is first use an electric shaver like Philips or Braun to do the groundwork especially if you have acne prone skin, then if you need a superclean shave apply cetaphil cleanser to face and use gillette fusion power rasor to finish off.
I use the Gillette Fusion Proglide with the ball thing I got for free (sample) on ozbargain.
I’ve used schick’s razor blades before and it feels a lot smoother than Gillette’s, but I don’t like the bulkiness of the blade head and the handle feels flimsy.
For my legs I got some random free ones also on Ozbargain. I think they’re Schick or something for women, and a bunch of other free ones (for the record I’m a cyclist and for guys it’s normal to shave the legs).
I don’t like the grille they put on women’s blades, you have to shave against the hair, whereas men’s blades you can shave along the hair.
I haven’t bought any razor blades in the last two years! Thanks ozbargain.
Never really tried blades much except when I first started shaving. I just buy quality electric shavers and they work great, I have found the Philips ones the best by far ($200+). I never do clean shaved though, stubble is as low as I go.
Hi saard I'm the same as you and keep stubble, but which Phillips model do you use? And does it give you a consistent trim all over the face?
Model: RQ1175. I'm pretty rough with my shaves, so I generally don't notice if it's consistent but in general yes. My experience is you just need to shave for longer if you are getting it really uneven.
I shave once a week. My wife prefers it
Also shave my face two to three times a week with Gillette.
Trim with electric then shave with a razor. I just use cheap disposables does the trick only shave once a week.
Tried electric shavers few times over the years, the result was never good enough.
Gilette Fusion Razors; or any other manual razor will result in a cleaner shave.
Movember last year while the girl was away.
Didn't remember how to shave come December.
I use tweezers and pull them out. It doesn't hurt at all. I don't grow many of them though.
Merkur Barber Pole, Feather blades, Proraso shaving cream.
Or as I prefer to call them, my Axis shaving kit (German double edge razor, Japanese blades, Italian cream/aftershave)
Electric razors, even the more expensive ones always seemed shitty and inconsistent to me. I can shave more evenly and quicker with a cheap shit disposable blade than an electric.
That is fantastic. Exactly what I use… will remember that!
Electric shaver
Chose to try a cheap Chinese Kemei branded one from AliExpress this year and love it. Its rechargeable shaves hardest beard good for everyday use.
Best part its less than 20A$
No wax option?
hi OP,
learn to shave using a safety razor I recommend a merkur 34C such as this one
http://www.mensbiz.com.au/merkur-heavy-duty-hd-double-edge-r…
for blades get FEATHER (they are the best)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100x-Feather-Hi-Stainless-Double-…a box of 100 set you back 38.95 .. a blade will last you 5-6 times each.. lets assume you shave every other day.
do the maths for 40 bucks your looking at almost a 4 year supply (or $10 a year) on blades……… and the result is much much better than mach 3 crap .. or indeed with the result you get on an electric.. this will give you a BSS (baby smooth shave)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IuA8HGacJw
have a look and this video and channel… geofatboy will teach you what you need to know..have been shaving this way for over 6yrs
no looking back.. is the most cost effective and its also the best so its a win win
Been thinking about going down this path for a while, so had a look at the vid. But 10min for a shave, think I'll stick with my approx 1min cartridge shave in the shower for now.
It doesn't take that long if you use cream or foaming gel. Takes me marginally longer than a cartridge only because I can't race through as quickly.
3 passes!?!
as someone who shaves head and face everyday.
I use a braun series 7 shaver to do the heavy lifting and then a classic mach 3 razor to finish.
its really the best of both worlds.Hard out!
Safety razors all the way. You only need something cheap to hold the blades and then you're good to go. Get a decent badger brush and shaving cream as well and it's glorious.
Closest shave I've ever had, easy to do and much quicker than using any other method I've seen. Also cheapest option as others have mentioned. You shouldn't have any issues learning how to use it either, maybe a few nicks and cuts the first few times but otherwise you'll be fine.
I need a new electric shaver, pls guide me some good very cheap options.
Braun, pick a $200+ model that does wet and dry and usually when they have a sale at the shavers shop it's around $100 and I'm very happy with it. Comes with a trimmer and it's a great use when you haven't shave for a week.
I got this but without the armoral stuff for $50.
Not as close as razors but SOOOO much faster. Times when you can't be f'd shaving become times when you can. If it keeps working for 2 years it will probs be cheaper than disposables.
I got one of these but Philips brand. Still going after 12 years.
Can do close shave so close that people ask if I'm 14 years old.
Did you start shaving at 6 or something?
I'm almost 30 :(
Same Philips electric shaver for the last 10 years. And I didn't buy the up-sell maintenance spray. I never oil it or anything, and it's still fine.
Same
DE razers/safety razo. Feels great and cheap after buying all the equipment you need, shaving use to be a chore whrn i used that crap stuff from gillete etc and much better for your skin
Aldi's razor. Then again, I don't have much facial hair anyway, so I only change the blade once a year. Yeah. I'm not very manly.
I gave up shaving about a year ago. I now go for the 3 day growth look by trimming it twice a week with a beard trimmer. I did have a a VS Sassoon but the rechargeable trimmer but the battery died. I now use a Braun one which is not quite as good (have to go over my face about 3 times) but does the job.
Which vs one did you have Matt? I like keeping stubble also, it's manly
It was about 5 years ago that I bought it and since thrown it out, not sure of the model. I hope that they have improved the quality of battery since then.
Cheese grater. Because I'm ahead of the pack.
LOL
Joke: What did Ray Charles comment when he handled the cheese grater? A: Most violent novel I've ever read.
Went from mach3 to Fusion power and never looked back. Found them at local wollies on sale/ clearance for about $2.5 each. They last very long time and therefore turn out cheaper than most cheaper blades.
I also use electric shaver and they are ok for everyday shaving… if i dont shave for couple of days electric is no gono-one uses a cut throat razor anymore…
Bic sensitive 2 blade disposables. Usually just use them once on the face then once on the body and throw away
Ive tried the electric shavers with the 3 circle things. Did nothing. Tried the foil type. Did nothing. Clippers work okay but sometimes dig in.
Seriously, (based on all the comments) it always seemed to me that all Ozbargainers are male. Or is that just me?
Well this thread asked OzB-Bro’s so if you’re thinking about just this thread then it’s going to necessarily be skewed, but FWIW my other half is on OzB all the time but doesn’t have an account, so yeah not 100% sure if that counts? Prob not, but she’s still engaging I guess? I dunno b/c no gender is provided for accounts, which is how it prob should be IMO anyway so I have no idea who’s who and doesn’t bother me.
If you want baby skin smoothness… Go blade. But for me, it's electric cause I don't have time for shaving cream and the mess. I use Braun, coz it's nicer on my skin, Philips is ok, but takes a bit longer for me.
I choose NOT to have my facial hair plucked out one by one like some form of torture… so no, I don't use an Electric Razor ;).
I have thick black facial hair, and there isn't an electric razor I've discovered that gets through it without pulling.I keep getting fooled by the marketing, and every 5 years or so I give one a go because it says "closest thing to a razor", and then I'm instantly disappointed after purchase.
But I also refuse to pay Gillete razor extortion money too.
My choice? Oscar Razor.
A mail order razor… cheap and good quality multi blade cartridge that cuts good and last ages.Was tempted to go down the route of a safety or straight razor, but with 5am early starts I don't want a blood bath shaving half asleep.
I tell you what though, best aftershave for sensitive skin? CLINIQUE POST SHAVE HEALER!
Not oily, no smell, and leaves your face silky smooth (yes like Zohan).I’ll give it a try, both the razor and the post shave healer.
I keep coming back to the Nivea Sensitive Balm because I haven’t found anything better yet.
Tried the Nivea one too prior to the Clinique one, too oily for my liking.
Definitely give it a go. Put like a 10c piece size in one palm then with other finger dab a few spots around your face then rub it in with the one hand. You don't need much, and the small little container you get should last at least 6-9 months. It's $40 for a small bottle, so my tightarsedness has figured out a way to get as much of it as possible on the face and not on the hands ;).
I use Occam's Razor.
Because the simplest answer is the, most likely, the correct one.
All things being equal….
Shicks long lasting razor, still 3 months with the 1 razer with a good end result
I use both. Electric first then a cleanup with razor
I always used an electric Braun shaver, from memory it had two foils and a middle trimming blade with a pop out grooming attachment, it never gave a particularly close shave but much cheaper and easier than wet shaving IMO.
A true Ozbargainer uses scissors and makes money for Eneloops selling hair extensions
Interesting caveat - "to shave themselves". OP doesn't want to know what we use to shave other people?
If your dad doesn't have a beard you got two mums. Two beardless mums.
DE shaver.
Pros:
- Removes all irritation associated with blade shaves.
- Turns shaving into a pleasurable experience.
- Minuscule ongoing costs.
Cons:
- Can't take them on a plane (carry-on)
- Learning curve (visit badgerandblade.com)
- Some initial costs (less than an electric)
I honestly can't agree with the comments about DE removing all irritation from shaving - not attempting to argue, just my experience.
I've had the Merkur 34C for a could of years now and tried all manner of blades, though currently using the Astras. The process is fantastic and very manly. I still get in grown hairs and irritation though and I only shave twice a week. With the grain. I always see older guys with perfect shaves on a daily basis, but that would torture my face.
The badger brush though… That is truly awesome..
100% agree with this.
The 34c comes out on special occasions for me, but not every day (or even every week, too much hassle). When I have the time and need a really close shave I'll use the DE shaver.
But yes, I always use a badger brush! It's the only way to lather :).
FWIW, I had to try a bunch of options, before finding my sweet spot.
I use a Merkur Slant with Feather blades. Always with or across the grain. As shallow an angle as possible.
Only tallow-based shaving soap and a boar brush.
I just picked up a vintage 50s Gillette DE razor for prob around $10 at a market in Mexico. I hope it will help with irritation i get from cartridge blades.
im not scared about the extra process involved with DE shaving as i have always hot towelled and lathered pretty full on anyway.
nothing?
Be a man and let it grow!
this is basically my hair + beard, but with a longer beard
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2b/21/a9/2b21a947e217dc79a4418d862…That's a hair EXTENSION - you sissy boy!
unless someone has been attaching these to me then i all natural
I got a cheap merkur and a variety pack. Sadest thing is I can't remember which ones were good. Double edge razors are the best. They seem to rust though, wish they'd use stainless steel instead of cheap steel with exterior chrome plating.
You left out a zero trimmer. Those things are really good!
I always leave a bit of stubble as I look like a small child clean shaven.
Electric trimmer and Gillette Mach 3 to clean up neck pubes with generic ebay chinese refills ($0.67 each). Personally didn't notice much difference between the official and chinese blades.
I owned an expensive electric shaver years ago. It might work for some men, but my facial hair was too thick for it work. It looked like I hadn't shaved, or shave with a razor a day or two ago.
I usually use an electric trimmer back to what looks like a 2-3 day growth. But when I do shave properly I use a disposable. However I only change one every 6-12 months. Because I read online to push the razor forwards (opposite direction to shaving) along your arm a few times before shaving, and it really does 'sharpen' it enough to use it dozens of times.
Have often thought about buying a quality cut throat razor though.
Merkur. Done and done. Been using the same one for years. The Gillette razors are cheap and last for ages.
Also use soap to lather up. Everything else is expensive and rubbish. If you are sensitive, try goats milk soap (not the supermarket brand).
Blade only for 13 years… recently switched to braun beard trimmer. using blade as needed for clean shave which is not that often.
Just a blade for the cheeks, everything else is hidden by the beard! I tried to shave under it the other day, but it's an impenetrable jungle.
Blades on the Monday because I don't shave over the weekend.
Electric for the rest of the week to keep it down.
Anybody here got rid of his beard or perhaps her beaver with IPL?
IPL has become so cheap now it must eventually break thru.
I am still on https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/283792