Two huge philosophical questions about this forum

[uberim]

1. When can you leave the newbie subforum and ask questions in the general shaving discussion and other forums?

2. How would you rank order the following in order of importance to a good safe close shave?
technique
razor
razor blade
pre shave
shaving cream, soap
brush
post shave care


I guess from my limited experience and reading the fora I would think for me that
technique (light touch) is the most important.
then blades,
then razor
then shaving soap
then brush
and then finally post shave treatment.

I have sensitive skin especially under my nose and above my lip. I find that keeping my touch light and the angle of shaving as the most important aspects to my shave.
My razor blade seems to make the most difference followed by the razor (though I have only an n or 2 razors).
The soap doesn't seem to matter as much as the technique in which it is applied. My sensitive skin at the end of a shave requires a cream or lotion. no after shave for this face.

I am wondering how others rank order of importance the various components of a shave.

Hopefully this doesn't need to be moved to the newbie section

 

[Rockminer]

1. You're free to roam and post to existing threads, or start them yourself, from the beginning.

2.
Technique
Razor
brush
blade
Shaving cream/soap
pre/post shave products

This is a YMMV ( your mileage may vary ) for everyone, but that,s how I would rank them.

 

[Starkicker]

I'm the opposite, I don't notice a difference between blades, the things that I find effect my shave the most are technique and soap/cream. My lather tends to dry out and my skin feels sticky.

 

[Foyle]

You're not restricted to the newbie forum at all. You can roam, post, and ask questions in any forum you'd like.

Technique is the most important part of your shave. For me the second is the razor followed by the soap or cream.

 

[Delawareguy]

For me good lather equals a good shave. That seems to be the foundation for me and all others are just preference which changes almost daily. Of course that's after you develop good technique.

 

[Brokenshadow]

Well, I may be corrected on this, but imo, it's more about post content than any length of time. The general forum I see questions about gear, opinions about products, maybe help choosing a product, etc. Example: Asking about which soap/cream people find creates a good lather the easiest, I would probably ask in General. Asking for help with a problem getting good lather, I would ask in the newbie subforum. Question number 2, imo, you picked the right forum posting in General.

IMO, I would think you have the "priority list" mostly correct, except I would place razor as 2nd, then blades, since the razor itself ultimately determines the aggressiveness of the blade angle. But ultimately, it's YMMV. Another example: There are probably some people on here who swear by vintage Superspeed razors. I myself have never been able to get a good shave out of my '40's SS, the way I do from my Futur, even using the same blade brand.

 

[derjoachim]

I'd replace soap/cream with lather. Not only is it more generic, even with a great soap or cream, you can ruin a good shave by a poor lather.

1. technique
2. razor blade
3. lather
4. pre shave prep
5. razor
6. post shave care

As for the newbie forum: I find that it is more a forum in which people introduce themselves. Any questions either end up in the general forum or the topical forums. It seems more logical as well.

 

[intotheforge]

1.Razor/technique/lather (couldn't decide out to rank these)
2.the rest

and welcome!

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

I'm in the school of lather of as the cornerstone to a good shave, but realize my own hypocrisy, as I think it is an iterative process. One element missing or off, will affect the outcome.

When I first joined up, I focused on lather, then looked at razors, but I don't think you should be limited to any one area at a time.

 

[vreddy2000]

1)pre shave prep..(lots of soaking with water)
2) technique
.
.
.
.
.
zillion) everything else.

 

[The Dean]

1)pre shave prep..(lots of soaking with water)
2) technique
.
.
.
.
.
zillion) everything else.

+1

If you prep properly and have good technique, you will get a good shave with most any razor and blade (assuming at least basic quality and sharpness). YMMV

 

[Haggises]

technique/lather/blade are 3 equal corners. if one off you're not going to get a good shave.
Get a razor you like the look/feel of. Get some Astras or even a sampler.
Get some VDH soap and a half decent brush (B&B boar, Omega boar, TGN finest with generic handle) and practice practice practice making lather.
Work on technique slowly. Pressure or lack of it is king, followed by angle and stroke.

Good luck.

 

[Shave_Rat]

1)pre shave prep..(lots of soaking with water)
2) technique
.
.
.
.
.
zillion) everything else.

This, with Lather being third, then everything else. Great technique is still a rough shave if you have bad lather.

If you have the technique solid, blade and razor both make a fairly minor difference at that point, and for some, make almost no difference at all.

 

[maxman]

No worries about posting in other forums.
Go for it.

Technique always trumps gear.

 

[ateace]

Welcom, Uberim -

You've already learned that you can post and comment anywhere you'd like.
It now occurs to me that I never visited the newbie forum. I always gravitated to
the General Shaving Discussion area, unless it was to talk about razors, blades, etc. specifically.

Prep and technique are most important.

Also, if you haven't figured it out by now...when you ask a question here, you will get every conceivable answer in reply.

Also...kudos on your correct use of the word "fora".

Have fun and post often!

 

[Mick]

Pre-shave preparation is the most important as no matter what else you do your shave will be miserable if you have not hydrated your beard enough to be cut. So ALWAYS shave right after you shower. Use your hair shampoo on your beard as well as your body soap/wash and keep your face wet while you continue your shower. You may even want to NOT dry your face when you towel off.

If you can't shave directly after a shower, wash your face TWICE with a glycerine based soap. the fist wash will remove oils and dirt the second is only to let more glycerine sit on your beard. You do not need to rinse off your last glycerine soap wash or if you do, don't be too through and leave a little on. You need to make your beard soak up as much water as it can and glycerine helps hair soak water.

The second most important is shaving technique. Again it does not matter what you use, if you use it badly or improperly you will have an awful shave no matter what you use. Learn which direction your beard grows so you know how to shave it. Learn how to maintain the proper angle for the razor you are using. Learn how much and where to stretch your skin.

After that you can use any product you wish and should be able to get perfect shaves from anything you pick up

 

[aihpcfl]

My opinions:

1. When you are not asking a noob question. Judgement will vary.

2. When you are starting out, prep and technique are of equally great importance. It is all that matters. Everything else will be noise until you start getting the hang of it. Once you develop your skills you will start noticing things and some of what was noise will start to become signal, and it will depend on you. The product you are using for your lather, and your lather, may be the most important factor that makes or breaks the shave. It may be something else. Take your time, pay attention, and you'll find your perfect shave.

 

[talibeard]

It is hard to give an order of importance to the several aspects of a shave as it is about it all coming together; your shave will be as good as your weakest link.

From another point of view you can say the blade is most important as it is the only part you can't leave out and still call it a shave; every other part is to let the blade work better and more comfortable. In that respect the brush is the least important, though it has to do very much with how pleasant the shave will be, as you can generate lather with even a paint- or nailbrush (heck, you can make it with your hands if you must) and still have a great shave.

 

[Marco]

Sir, the Newbie forum has been created to introduce novices to the Art of Wet Shaving and let them discover our beautiful community. I think this is the ideal place where to ask basic questions on how to start and proceed having no or very little knowledge. Of course you are absolutely free to ask the same questions in other forums. As about how I'd rank the elements that lead to a great wet shave, I'd say that a good prep combined with a great lather and a sharp edge in experienced hands is all that really counts. IMHO.

 

[djh]

No worries about posting in other forums.
Go for it.

Technique always trumps gear.

This