How Crisp has no opinion whatsoever on razor blades is beyond me, but to each his own. That dude enjoys figuring things out about the Rocket’s offense and writing essays and winning trips and whatnot – I enjoy clean close shaves and rooting for the end of the Sacramento Kings’ bench. So. In response to his casual reference to a “Mach 4” razor in his "no opinon" post, I did a little research during a late-nite trip to Tar-get hier soir. Crispee's Mach 4 thing was akin saying 'oh, you know, I don't care about the new G5' to a Mac user. There is damn such thing and you know it, but wishful thinking is enough to carry you to the shaving aisle to check. There are “Mach 3 Turbo” blades, however. Lucky for me, they were marked at six bucks for 6 blades – which in this era of tight Bay-area economy, was about as much as I was willing to pay for anything other than a G5. I mean Mach 4. Whatever. It turns out I paid $12.99 for six blades looking at my receipt later, which was stupid. Things were mismarked. But those pups last a month apiece. Or longer, I forget. Still, $13 is stupid for razor blades. But the M3Turbo did its work quite well, no complaints. It’s a fine shaving tool, no doubt. But so is the similarly ill-priced Mach 3 regular. We'll see about the endurance later. On to the shaving cream. Someone asked about Kiehls shaving cream. I first bought it because they don’t test on animals, but little did I know what I was getting into. This is a fine shaving cream. The best by a longshot. But its not for beginners. It’s not for people who are content to shave with a happy meal (Colgate Foam and a Bic Twin). Good for those guys, I wish I was one of you. Kiehls is for people who need something more. First of all, this crap has Jaegermeister or Opium or something in it, I am telling you. It, like, freezes your face off. They probably play up the “we don’t test on bunnies” angle to lure in saps like me, but that policy is probably in place partly because they <i>cant</i> test this propane/windex/heroin/nivea mixture on anything other than a grizzly bear– it would never get through an animal testing protocol. Anyway, you put a little soap or scrub or whatever your girlfriend has laying around the shower first (‘damn this stuff goes fast, I am going to quit buying it…’ ‘no no, baby, you like it, you should have it as something nice for you…’). You sorta moisten up your grill with that first. Then, you apply the Kiehlstermeister – which does not lather at all. Then take the Mach 3 to it – man, you don’t even need to shave the next day and you feel like you should not drive a car afterwards. It also is easy on the $13 blades you just bought, making them last 4-6 weeks apiece if not longer. Use the Kiehls sparingly, its expensive and you don’t need much. It wont lather no matter how much you pile on your face. get the blue tube. Try it. You’ll like it. CBFC[
Never tried the Kiehls, I'll definitely give it a shot. The Mach3 kicks @ss, definitely worth the extra cash. Speaking of raiding the gf's skin care products, if she's got any exfoliating stuff, I recommend trying it. It's kinda gritty & removes all the dead skin off your face = super close shave. Also, I read (in Maxim or Playboy or something) that if you ever want a REALLY close shave, shave once normally, then once against the grain, then once again normally. Good for special occasions.
I like my pitchers to throw knucklers, my forwards to wear knee highs, and my razors to be electric. Whether its mach speed or ludicrous speed, I just can't betray the brotherhood of the norelco.com.
Buck--doesn't that break out your face when you shave against the grain? It does to me...I never shave against the grain, so I never get a really smooth shave, even with a mach 3. I think I might have to try the Kiel's.
Norelco is the best! I have a Norelco Advantage (3 blades) and it shaves so well that three of my friends visit just so that they can shave with it. It leaves my skin smooth as hell even smoother than shaving with a regular blade against the grain.
I tried an electric shaver for a while (not sure which brand, but it was a nice one) and it was total crap. Somehow, through all the superior space age technology the thing was packed with, it managed to tear up my skin AND not shave any hairs off. Perhaps I just have talented whiskers, who knows, but it was frustrating and a little painful. I returned that baby. Now, on a lark and a tip I received from someone else here in another shaving thread long ago, I went and bought one of those shower head mirror accessories that allows the water to pass through it so it doesn't fog up. I then began shaving in the shower, and ceased using any shaving lotion. Eureka! This was the best solution I could have hoped for! I no longer get any irritation, my shaving goes faster because I do it in the shower and don't have to worry about messy lotion, and I save money too! I do use the Mach3 razor as well, because I have pretty sensitive skin and it helps to be running the razor across it as little as possible. So, whoever it was that suggested the shower head attachment before, I now thank you, mysterious stranger!
The best shave is a hot-towel shave from the Bellaire Original Barber Shop in Bellaire, Texas. The second best is a hot-towel shave from any other barber shop. If you're going to do it yourself, and you don't have a straight-razor, use a Gilette Mach III.
No, but it will cause ingrown hairs (or something like that) which is why you shave again normally afterwards. I wouldn't do it everyday, but it's good for dates & other potentially intimate situations...
Testimonial from me: a 26 year-old man with the world's most sensitive skin who only needs to shave every 2-3 days: I used to always shave with a Mach 3 and Noxema Sensitive Skin shaving cream. The Noxema is great, its the ONLY thing that has ever prompted me to call customer service simply to tell them how much I love their product. My girlfriend now shaves her legs with it and it alone. Noxema rules. I don't even have to use a Mach 3 as long ass I have Noxema Sensitive Skin shaving cream. I now shave with a Norelco, the one with the goo stuff that squirts out the top of the razor. I love this thing. I still use the Noxema with it, and I don't have to use very much at all. I'm definitely a Norelco convert.
<a href="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16379">Apparently he has no opinion</a> . . .
Also, always shave after you shower (hot water softens the beard) & when you're done, rinse your face in cold water (closes the pores & prevents it from getting too dry & irritated).
Hold on a second. When did I say I have no opinion on razor blades. I said I have no opinion on Mach3s. You see, I'm in love with my iron side, Merkur Adjustable Razor 70 and its Super Platinum Rostfrei Stainless Blades...you know, German technology. My "no opinion" comment about the Mach3 is similar to married men fielding the question, "So, check out the hot young, tight babe. What do you think?" Ummm, no opinion...I'd have to sneak the family jewels out of the wife's lock box to have an opinion. I'm hooked on the Merkur, now. No glamour blades for me! If you have great German blade technology, you do not need 3 inline American blades. check it out: <a href="http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Merkur_Adjustable_Safety_Razor_70.html">an excellent example of German craftmanship</a> and here are the special blades <a href="http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Merkur_Double_Edge_Safety_Razor_Refill_Blades_219.html">Edged in Platinum...lasts 3 times longer</a> As for animal-safe shaving cream and raiding the girls bathroom products (LOL), I'm currently using "Kiss My Face" shaving cream. That is, when I need it. The Merkur can be used with hot water only....yes, it can...Shaving Cream is largely a marketing scam based on poor American blades to make you use the foam. anyhow, the misses can only find Kiss My Face in Wholefoods.
During the dot com fallout when online drugstores were dying (i.e., PlanetRx), I managed to get packs of Mach 3 razor blades for around 66-75% off. I was in heaven... I'm stocked for quite a while now... woo hoo.
