urbanknight

For all those talking about women's versus men's razors, a few years back I noticed that my wife's and mine were the exact same thing, except hers was pink and mine was black. We even started buying whichever refill was cheaper at the time. Taking notice of other models, most of them are the same way: the women's ones just have prettier colors and sometimes a different shaped holder.


(From the movie Breaking Away)
Mom: What's the matter?
Dad: He's shavin'.
Mom: Well... so what?
Dad: ...his legs.

banerjek

This is not what I've noticed using a wide variety of different razors designed for men and women.

In my experience, women's razors consistently have more clearance, presumably to prevent nicks. Since most of them are barely shaving more than fuzz, they can get away with this. However, the practical effect is you get a crappy shave even with the ridiculous triple and quad blades that have become the norm. My wife can't use my blades without cutting herself. I can use all of hers, but the shave is no good.

urbanknight

Interesting. Which ones have you noticed this on? Mine is the Schick Quattro and Gilette Mach 3. I do recall seeing one where the guard and aloe strip were quite different, but I can't remember which it was.

pgjackson

Grown men having an in-depth discussion about shaving their legs...WTF has the world come to?

banerjek

The differences (aside from styling) are not apparent to the eye in any of them. The differences only show if I feel the closeness of the shave or run the 'ol credit card test after shaving against the grain.

I don't believe there is any difference between the razors except a minuscule difference in clearance between the blades and the skin.

I know for certain I've tried the women's Quattro. While particularly easy to use and good for a larger number of shaves than some other razors, I couldn't get as close as I could with the twin blades I normally use. I'm trying to remember if I'd tried the men's Quattro. Seems to me that I had and found that it was different (beyond the color)

RacerOne

Reading through your posts and reply's I'd guess, you don't have that much body hair, or it's quite light in nature. If I tried to use only soap on my face when I shaved I'd be a bloody, red mess. As for shaving the arm hair? Yes, I do that too, only with a set of clippers with a 1/16 inch attachment. I've crashed now with both hairy, and non hairy legs. Cleaning up the non-hairy was much easier and more comfortable. Too each his own, but shaved legs work for me.

On a side note, my wife was weirded out at first, but now when she comes to bike races she points out all the weirdo's who don't shave and wear spandex. Nasty.

pgjackson

Fair enough, but try the soap thing. Just work up a decent lather. It works and saves money. I thought it was rediculous at first as well until I tried it. Haven't bought shaving cream in years.

urbanknight

Hmmm. Maybe I'm just not noticing the differences because I don't go for a very close shave. Because of the rosacea, I only shave with the growth. I used to go against the growth for special occasions, but I ended up looking like I had a sunburn.



Every Sunday from Spring through Summer, hundreds of men gather at one place to put themselves in extremely close proximity to each other while wearing spandex with their shaves legs. What do you expect?

urbanknight

It seems that most people don't know what a decent lather is. Also, which soap you use will make a difference. Some have made the blade literally stick, leading to tons of cuts.

*This is my experience from when I shaved legs. I have yet to try soap on my face.

RacerOne

Believe it or not, I did just that the other day hoping to save some cash. Didn't get from my chin to my ear on the first pass before the razor had caught and I was bleeding. Of course the cheap shave gel, which is good enough, is like $1 a can and lasts about a month or two.

banerjek

You won't notice it on a with the grain shave. Both razors deliver a result that looks good, but only the men's deliver a result that feels good as well.

The problem with shaving really close only occasionally is your skin will never get used to it and you'll burn every time. When I first got together with the woman who is now my wife, I had a beard. It took awhile before I could shave close without looking like I'd gone in for a chemical peel.

This varies radically among products. Aside from sticking, some are more prone to clogging the blades.

pgjackson

You went the wrong way. Shave WITH the direction of the hair. Go from ear to chin.

pgjackson

I use Lever.

banerjek

Shaving with the grain immediately before shaving against the grain (i.e. shave everything twice) makes a big difference. I'm not sure why it works, but it does for me.

pgjackson

This.

Another trick is to shave in the shower. Keeps the wiskers soft and easy to cut.

Megiddo

Here's another trick... strop your blades. Before and after use, run it backwards. I use my forearm for face shaving and before I start my leg. I then will use my leg (after it's been shaved). Of course use some shaving cream or soap to lubricate the blades.

This will knock any tiny nicks and rust from your blade.

urbanknight

That's what the instructions with my first razor said. I tried shaving against the growth for months at first, but the chemical peel look is part of my affliction and not just razor burn.


I always do this because my hair is very thick. I must have some Armenian in me somewhere.

rdubbz

I shave my gorilla legs in the shower with a cheap disposable razor against the grain. put lotion on after i get out, never have any issues. not sure what you all are doing wrong

kbro1986

Shaved for the first time today! Should I post pictures?

HokuLoa

I knew there must be a solution!

HokuLoa

BTW folks, if shaving is a pain and waxing is a REAL pain consider "sugaring." It is easy, cheap (just sugar, H20, lemon juice), and much less painful than waxing. The results last much longer than shaving and keeps you much smoother.

urbanknight

No

banerjek

I've never seen the idea of making lemonade out of a situation so literally applied.

Alternatively, remove leg hair with fire. Word is it's also a good way to get rid of dork discs.

HokuLoa

Ha, missed that as an alternative product (albeit w/ drastically changed ratios). Next weekend project, lemonade and hairless legs... I'll skip the fire though.

therhodeo

Speaking of mens vs. womens razors I've noticed something. My wife's razors don't rust like mine do. Anyone else found this?

Also I tried sugaring and couldn't get the stuff cooked up right without burning it or it being runny.