the art of shaving (your face)

[j44ke]

Hey I know this is a face thread but I have a desire to almost shave my head. I wanna buzz off as much as I can but leave the minimum. Think putting green.

What appliances would you recommend for a first-timer?

Oster 76 + a 000 blade. That will take you down to very short but not shaved. Supposed to be 0.5mm.

If you want 5 o'clock shadow on your head then 0000 and 00000 are 0.25mm and 0.2mm respectively.

The Oster is really nice. Smooth buzz. Doesn't over heat. Blades cut nicely. Your hair actually lies in different directions, so you have to cut into the direction in order to get a nice even cut.

[C50]

Check out the Wahl Balding Clippers. Adjust these to "zero gap" and you will have as short of stubble as you can get before using a razor, wet shave or electric and having bald skin. Lots of videos in the land of YouTube but I would start with the one from Harry at Baldcafe. I haven't used the Oyster but hear good things about that as well.

[false_aesthetic]

Very happy I can return to this thread.

[J_B]

It’s truly a Library of Alexandria.

[spopepro]

Does anyone still make a horse hair brush? I prefer horse for a variety of reasons, but my vie long brush is now like 15 years old and maybe lost too many hairs. Sadly, vie long was a family company that sold to proraso, and has now been shut down. Anyone have any leads? Searching doesn’t yield me reliable results and my typical vendor suggested a boar/synthetic blend.

[Mark Walberg]

I do hate shaving.
However, I bought a new razor, a Timeless aluminum slant razor.
This was to replace my Merkur slant, which I've moved to California.
The Timeless is really nice, much nicer to use than the Merkur.
Highest recommendation. $69 well spent.
-Mark Walberg

[gt6267a]

I generally grow out the beard and head for a month and then shave it all off. For the past 20 years, my main tool has been an Oster 111 Turbo. Its heavy, corded, and has never failed me. Over the years, I've tried trimmers from Wahl and Andes. They were ok but never cut as cleanly and easily as the Oster. Watching my son get his hair cut, I noticed what looked like some very high-end trimmers from BaBylissPRO. I purchased a modest trimmer and so far they have been excellent. Currently selling for $40 less than I paid over the summer.

[j44ke]

I generally grow out the beard and head for a month and then shave it all off. For the past 20 years, my main tool has been an Oster 111 Turbo. Its heavy, corded, and has never failed me. Over the years, I've tried trimmers from Wahl and Andes. They were ok but never cut as cleanly and easily as the Oster. Watching my son get his hair cut, I noticed what looked like some very high-end trimmers from BaBylissPRO. I purchased a modest trimmer and so far they have been excellent. Currently selling for $40 less than I paid over the summer.

Me too. I call it the topiary cycle. Grow out like a boxwood hedge and then fire up the trimmer 4-6 times a year. Seasonal work.

[jmgorman]

Sharing a secret from my barber - Noxema for shave cream! I couldn't believe it, but I tried it for the first time this morning and I swear it was smoother and closer than ever before (new feather blade on my bronze merkur.) Tomorrow I'll try it with a brush, but this might be the best cream I've found yet. Mornings are probably still too cool for the full shave, but I'm trying to manifest spring.

[Mark Walberg]

I've used the Timeless aluminum slant razor for a few months now. I really like it.
I thought the aluminum might be too light, but it is great.
It is slightly less aggressive than the Merkur slant. This means that I don't shave off little pieces of skin nearly as often.
If you want to try a new razor, this is a good one to try. Good price, too.

[j44ke]

Sharing a secret from my barber - Noxema for shave cream! I couldn't believe it, but I tried it for the first time this morning and I swear it was smoother and closer than ever before (new feather blade on my bronze merkur.) Tomorrow I'll try it with a brush, but this might be the best cream I've found yet. Mornings are probably still too cool for the full shave, but I'm trying to manifest spring.

That was my grandpa's constitutional. Noxema shave plus a splash of Aqua Velva Blue after.

[VTMike]

I've used the Timeless aluminum slant razor for a few months now. I really like it.
I thought the aluminum might be too light, but it is great.
It is slightly less aggressive than the Merkur slant. This means that I don't shave off little pieces of skin nearly as often.
If you want to try a new razor, this is a good one to try. Good price, too.

This pushed me into a winter season rabbit hole where I read about the evolution of the Safety Razor (as of late) and ended up picking up a Timeless. I opted for one of their stainless options. I was impressed with my interactions pre-sale (a few emails to sort through my questions) and mine is a decadent option compared to my old Razorock (which certainly worked just fine).
I'd very-much put this in the same category as bespoke bikes (exceptional craftsmanship, small operation, "local" manufacturing, etc.)....I'd certainly endorse their products for anyone looking to spend a few bucks.

[kdawg]

Can’t remember if I said this before - and this gets a bit conspiracy theoryish but I don’t like most of the creams/gels/foams on the market.

I use a Gillette razor and have had good results - but I’ve found that they last much longer is I just use regular bar soap - the blade just doesn’t seem to get as dull and I get a close comfortable shave.

My theory is that they put something in those things that means it feels nice but you have to change the blade more often…