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Made ya look!!
Well, I know it was coming for a while, but this morning my electric razor (Norelco three head rotary) finally died. Plugged it in, turned it on to use and it emitted a high pitched EEEEEEEEEEE-POP! and let the magic blue smoke that drives all electrical devices escape its captivity.
Crud...
So I grabbed the manual razor from the shower, lathered up the face and scrapped away the past 24 hours worth of stubble. Nice and close, but OHHHH THE BURN!!!
So I needs a replacement for my now ex-razor/new cat toy. Even though I've used Norelco's for 13 years now, I'm willing to consider alternatives. Any suggestions?
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If you really, truly, sincerely want a good, close shave without razor burn, invest in an old-fashioned straight razor and strop.
You knew there'd have to be a catch, of course: there's a bit of a learning curve, and it tends to be a bit bloody. Once you get the hang of it, you'll never consider using an electric again.
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Since you are used to an electric razor, you might want to try a Braun self-cleaning razor. The initial cost is fairly high and refills of the cleaning solution aren't cheap, but it gives a good shave and it is nice to have a clean razor every morning.
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Go back to blades.
The Mach 3 by Gilette.
I was a confirmed Atra man for many years. Then Gilette had to go and send me a Mach 3 in the mail. Three blades? What a crock o'crap, I thought. Marketing hype. What next? 10 blades?
"The first blade pulls the hair up, the second and third cut it incredibly close, and the fourth through tenth gouge progressively deeper until the hair folicle is eradicated, giving you the closest shave possible. Warning, may cause unconsciousness due to loss of blood."
My first shave? I was convinced.
Schick did just send me a Quatro for women (it was free!), and that gives a nice shave, but I still like the Mach 3.
The best thing about the Mach 3? I don't know whether it's just my whiskers, or what, but I'm approaching my SEVENTYTH shave with a single blade cartridge, and it's still performing better than my Atras did when the blade cartridge was brand new.
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... invest in an old-fashioned straight razor and strop.
You knew there'd have to be a catch, of course: there's a bit of a learning curve, and it tends to be a bit bloody...
That is an understatement. Yes its a great shave.. but man does it hurt when you slip up.. and the down side.. is the long cut you make instead of the little nick...
Close shave.. is true... got to be real careful though... make sure the bathroom door is locked good when shaving... I sliced my finger up bad one day when a room-mate scared me by opening the door when I was shaving....
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I'd vote for a Mach 3 with the lubricating strips and consider using this:
www.shavedeluxe.com
the stuff works on the toughest beard and the most sensitive skin.
Regards,
Rabbit.
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Geez!
That Shave Delux also carries one heck of a delux price!
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Seriously, just get a Mach 3 and good brush and shaving soap. I know its a weird combination but it really gets a smooth close shave, and you have to TRY to cut yourself. For some reason it also completely eliminated and sign of razor-bumps which i had previously been quite prone to.
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C_yeager took the words right out of my mouth, mach 3 with brush and a nice quality soap. Consider after shave gel of some kind to kill bugs and moisturise skin.
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I've tried ShaveDeluxe and wasn't impressed. I tossed it after about 10 shaves. It worked ok, but it made me feel like I had bathed my face in cooking oil. I get the best shave (most comfortable, not closest) by shaving under the shower without shaving cream. I use a disposable Mach3 women's razor.
I too got a free Quattro women's razor in the mail, but the dang head is too big to maneuveur underneath my nose properly.
If you want your free, pink, Quattro, go here: http://www.holdonladies.com/html/sq_home.html
Chris
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My electric died many years ago, and I couldn't justify the cost of a new one at the time, so I went the the disposable razor gig. Figured out quickly that it was much easier in the shower, and the non-disposable types had better heft. Got nostalgic for a time and did the straight razor thing, but it was too time/attention intensive. I now use the Mach 3 with whatever conditioner(OK, not the expensive stuff) the wife has in the shower. Works much better for me than standard shaving cream, and the Mach 3 "feels" better than the double blade jobs.
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Try a cat.
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I use this, and I'm getting the best shaves of my life. You might try the Brookstone stores-they're discontinuing it, but one near you may still have it.
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Thanks for the suggestions folks. Interesting that the Mach 3 is recommended by several, since that is the manual razor I have for the shower.
grampster: Hmmm...I tried each of the four in the house, but they all objected MOST VIGOROUSLY to getting wet and soapy, and their claws only got a few of the wiskers. You got any suggestions on soothing ruffled feathers on a cat?
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Heh Heh Heh, soapin' them cats up was yer first mistake. Perhaps I neglected to mention putting the hairball remover on yer cheeks and lettin' them cats lick yer whiskers off.
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Mike, the last bottle I bought of SD lasted almost 8 months. It only takes about 6-8 drops. I pay about $5. for a bottle at Whole Foods, not that I shop there a lot.
mtnbkr, at least Skunky hasn't chimed in about shaving the Chinese way with soybean oil
Regards,
Rabbit.
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I've had a Braun and other electrics, but I've preferred and used daily a twin blade razor. I always saw the ads for the 3 and 4 blades razors and thought it was the biggest bunch of hype - just like Mike said, "What a crock o' crap." Several months ago I got a free 3 blade razor with a can of shaving gel. I tossed it in a drawer and figured I'd use if I ran out of blades for my regular razor. Guess what? I ran out of blades for my regular razor . . . about two months ago. I don't know how it works, but this three blade thing kicks ass, and I've been using the same one for the whole time. My beard is pretty tough. Cheap disposables dull in a few days and don't shave that well when they're new. Others clog real easily. If I can get by on five or six of these 3 blade razors a year, it'll save me money and they shave great. I can't even remember what brand it is.
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Mach 3 user here too. Should have ran a poll!
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I am a long time razor shaver. I prefer the Gilette Sensor Excel (no Mach III and all that fancy crap. Can't cut a straight line with those for 'burns dude). Anyway, I was getting really bad ingrown hairs despite shaving with the grain so I grew a goatee. Well, that helped for my chin but I was still getting them elsewhere. I remembered that I had bought a really fancy, expensive Panasonic wet/dry shaver a few years ago and used it for a while. Wet shaving sucked and I lost the charger for it so I had to buy something new. Not wanting to spend nearly $300 on a new razor, I decided to talk to my barber. He uses a $20 shaver from Walmart. His is a but I didn't see it at Walmart when I went to look. I did see a Braun though so I decided to give it a whirl. The $20 Braun shaves better than the $300 Panasonic, hands down, and the ingrown hairs have stopped.
For $20, it was well worth the bucks to try something else.
Greg
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Another vote for Mach 3. The replacement blade cartridges are expensive buggers but they seem to last a lot longer than other disposables.
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I'm for Mach 3 as well. how long they last probably depends on your facial hair, but I stretch them out for several shaves each, and it's both comfortable and close.
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TarpleyG, funny you should mention ingrown hairs. I used to use a Mach III and developed a terrible problem with ingrown hairs. Switching to an electric razor took care of the problem.
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Anothe one for Mach 3. I'm still amazed by how much better the shave is with a third blade. Anyone try one of the vibrating ones? Does it actually do anything, or just a gimmick?
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Mach 3 again. Gets me close enough that when out in the field I can go a day or two without shaving and noone really notices. Really great for when pulling more than 24 hrs straight and don't have time to take care of eating, drinking and going to the bathroom let alone shaving.
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TarpleyG, funny you should mention ingrown hairs. I used to use a Mach III and developed a terrible problem with ingrown hairs. Switching to an electric razor took care of the problem.
Yep, them little bastards can hurt and they like to stick around for a few days. No more though. I have to shave more often but it is better than the alternative.
Greg
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Sindawe, have you ever tried witch hazel?
I have extremely sensitive skin on my face and quite a few scars on my chin (long story) that make shaving an ordeal.
When I do shave, I use witch hazel immediately after and the razor burn is gone.
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Sindawe, have you ever tried witch hazel?
I have extremely sensitive skin on my face and quite a few scars on my chin (long story) that make shaving an ordeal.
When I do shave, I use witch hazel immediately after and the razor burn is gone.
I sometimes use witchhazel, usually when it's hot out side and I know I may do some perspiring. Or I use rubbing alchohol if I can't get any witchhazel. My sinuses can't get along with smelly aftershaves.
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You seem to have overlooked the best solution of all. Grow a beard, and only shave around the edge once every three months after the barber clips it short. That way, you can use the same manual safety razor blade for years, and ingrown hairs are a momentary irritation. It saves a lot of time during the daily cleansing ritual.
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considering the scar I have from a mach 3, im staying the #### away from a straight razor
atek3
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I was an electric (Norelco) kinda guy. I've since found the key to blade shaving is prep. Hard wash in the shower using a scotch bright pad. Pulls up the hair removes dead skin. Actual shaving involves using a splash of Williams Lectric shave followed by a shaving soap. The razor is a BIC (gotta show some support for the French). Finish up with a soapy wash and a face balm and I'm good to go. After decades of shaving and fighting ingrown hairs I think I've licked the problem.
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Anothe one for Mach 3. I'm still amazed by how much better the shave is with a third blade. Anyone try one of the vibrating ones? Does it actually do anything, or just a gimmick?
I use it for my legs (I'm a female by the way) and love it. My bf uses it and he says he likes it better then the regular Mach III... Only thing is that we're cheap and refuse to pay the extra price for the Mach III Turbo blades. He says it gives him a closer shave and I'll admit his 5 o'clock shadow isn't as bad as with the regular Mach III...
Kat