No relation to Wallace & Grommet, but thanks to them for the title of this thread.

I have pretty much always used an electric shaver. My latest find, and that was perhaps ten years ago, is the foil shaver, made by folks like Remington. They are great in that they provide a very close shave, sort of like a blade, but they are difficult to shave a four-day stubble with after an adventure. All this to say my current shaver is dieing a slow death. Therefore, I need a new shaver. I'm looking for the closest, most comfortable shave I can find. And it'd be nice to be able to shave off more than a days-worth of growth, something my current one doesn't like doing. So, what would you recommend and why?

Does your current one also have a 'hair trimmer'? You know, that pops out and you use it on your sideburns and such? If so, your current razor may be fine. I use the hair trimmer on my Norelco to 'shave down' a weekend growth, then use the razor as normal for the 'close shave.' Works great for me.

I had forgotten that. And this from a true gear geek (no harm/no foul). I knew it'd be the guys who were into (consumed!) by gear that'd have good ideas like this. Birds of a feather.... Thanks Doug.

I still need a new one though. It's many, many years old and the batteries are dieing as well as the blades. I figure I have a few months to a year tops before it is totally done.

edited for clarity.

Edited by WarrenGreer on 10/31/2011 18:58:16 MDT.

"It is more than a quarter century-century since I used one of these barbarous instruments..."

- Colin Fletcher



----------------

FAMOUS BEARDS

Jesus
Burl Ives
Mitch Miller
Orson Wells
Sigmund Freud
Moses
Col. Sanders
Sebastian Cabot
Leonardo Davinci
Charles Darwin
Charlemagne
Abraham Lincoln
Robert E Lee
WEB Du Bois
Ernest Hemingway
George Bernard Shaw
Victor French
Theodore Bikel
George Lucas
Confucius
Ulysses S. Grant
Bob Marley
Socrates
Vikings
Vincent Van Gogh
OBi-Wan Kanobe
Gandalf
Jerry Garcia
Surgeon General C. Everett Koop
King Henry VIII
John Muir
Walt Whitman
Louis Pastar

----------------

BENEFITS Of BEARDS (from Wonderfulinfo.com)



A beard protects the face from harmful chemicals, and pollution in the air, which will cause cell damage, and increase wrinkling and bad skin. So keeping a beard protects your skin from the elements, reduces wrinkles, ageing, and bad skin.

The beard covers the skin, which protects the sebaceous glands from being infected by acne vulgaris bacteria, thus preventing acne/spots/pimples!

Keeping your face warmer and protects your chin from dangers.

It prevents disease of throat and gums.

Most of the respiratory problems are prevented by keeping beard.

It is the identity for a man with respect to woman.

Research says the longer and thicker the beard the wiser the person is supposed to be.

What is the total time spent in shaving by a man in his whole lifetime? Dr. Herbert Mescon from Boston University did research to give an answer to this question. Dr. Mescon calculated that if a teenager begin shaving at the age of 15, then in his 55 or so years of shaving, he is likely to spend about 3350 hours (which are equivalent to about 139 full days) at this task in his lifetime. That is an incredible amount of time which literally goes down the drain. You can add to it thousands of dollars one spends during his lifetime on products for shaving (razors, shaving gels, after-shave lotions etc).

====================

How we use our tax dollars :)

In a 1973 issue of psychology , Robert J. Pelligrini, a psychologist from California State University published the results of an experiment on the perception as a function of different state of beardedness or beardlessness. To carry out the experiment, Pelligrini hired eight full-bearded young men from the ages of 22-25 years, who were willing to have their beards completely shaved off. All men were professionally photographed in each of the following states:
1.Full beard
2.Goateed
3.Mustached
4.Clean shaven

Upon completion of the photographic sessions, there were a total of thirty two photographs i.e. four photos of each of the eight men. In the experiment, those photos were randomly distributed to subjects who were asked to rate their first impression based on a number of personality traits. The subjects who evaluated the photos compromised 64 male and 64 female psychology students. Hence, each photo was judged by two males and two females.

The result of this study by Pelligrini indicated a generally positive correlation between the amount of hair on the person's face and his being perceived as masculine, good looking, dominant, mature, courageous, liberal, non-confirming, older healthy and attractive.

================

You should always respect the knowledge and experience of greybeards

Sorry Nick.
Just shaved mine yesterday. It was messing with my aerodynamics.
You might want to think about that next time you're feeling slow.

I hate shaving machines: if you must, use a blade.

Edited by xnomanx on 10/30/2011 22:08:00 MDT.

Too much of a PITA to keep trimmed and shaped for me when not in long hiking mode.

(And a touch of vanity, now, too. My very black beard now has a large portion of very noticeable gray hair in it! :) )

+1 for Norelco. Use the beard trimmer to hack through more than a few days growth. I've had two of them over the past 6 years or so, replacing the first one for a model upgrade even though it still worked fine. Both of mine were made in Holland and I believe you can still find models made there.

Never used an electric razor much. Reluctantly gave up my Safety razor when I could not find blades anymore. Using Gillette disposables now. What about a straightedge? Making a comeback. Sustainable. Also saw a guy shave with petroleum jelly and a single edge razor blade. His skin looked fantastic for his advanced age.

My stepfather said that if you can give yourself a great shave you have made a virtue out of necessity. Beards and facial hair take too much upkeep to look good. Most guys are lazy and their beards look like crap the majority of the time.

"Most guys are lazy and their beards look like crap the majority of the time."

That would be me.

Shave...wait two weeks...repeat.

Ken, My little brother is still using a safety razor. I think he mail orders blades. I know they are really hard to find in most towns.

http://www.theartofshaving.com/shop/razors/blades/67010

You should give wet shaving with a double edge safety razor a try. I hated shaving until a buddy got me interested in it. Check out Corey Greenburg's Shaveblog and there is great information at Straight Razor Place forums and Badger and Blade forums.

Ken, West Coast Shaving has razor blade sample packs. I found the Feather DE blade works best for me.

Edited to fix links.

Edited by blendedfrog on 10/30/2011 23:04:35 MDT.

Thanks Matthew. A good shave is in my future!

Craig,

Lasse Viren won Olympic gold medals for the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters twice! in 1972 and 1976. He is the only person to win two 5K golds. and the only 5K-10K double-double. Also in 1972 his 10,000 meter run broke the world record even though falling in the 12th lap when he got tangled up with another runner.









Tommy Smith & John Carlos 1968 Olympics





Steve Prefontaine and Nike founder Bill Bowerman


Other aerodynamic beards that come to mind....



Ryan Martin (UCSB) Big West Conference Track Athlete of the Year.




US Marathoner, Ryan Hall






Bob Kennedy once held the American record in the 3000 meters (7:30.84), 2 miles (8:11.59) and the 5000 metres (12:58.21).





Bernard Lagat an eleven time medalist in World Championships and Olympics including four gold medals.


:)

Nick, you are having too much fun. Thread drift is expected here in Chaff though!

Really, I just need an electric shaver that provides a good close shave. I've had many Norelco's and a few Remingtons. I prefer the closer-shaving Remingtons. They are a little less comfortable, but for the baby-butt closeness they provide, I'm OK with that. And I just dislike blades. Don't really want to retrain myself.

Basically three brands make foil shavers; Remington, Panasonic, and Braun. For those of you with experience with any of them, LMK what you think. And I'll contemplate growing a beard while I wait for your responses! And I'm also counting on you (fellow) gear geeks to know.

Once upon a time when I shaved everyday an electric razor never shaved close enough. The best was a Norelco triple head. If I were to go backward into a barbaric state I would go with a disposable... Do they still make safety razors?

You can go here http://www.theartofshaving.com/shop/razors/safety to find some safety razors. They are retro and made out of cool materials and can cost up to $200 big one. And they use German-made blades. German precision is good. But I think I'll pass for the convience of a cordless electric shaver.

Give up the blade...after all it is no shave November

Think Billy Duke in "Commando" - get a blue bic and dry shave.

Use a Shick and hot water.

Think Billy Duke in "Commando" - get a blue bic and dry shave.


That was in Predator

I suggest the Bowie knife from Crocodile Dundee.

Men with trimmed beards look nice. Props to guys with silver. I see so many clean shaven men who would look...er....more manly if you will, if they just grew a beard!

But no scraggly hippie beards though.....

Sarah,

Some men, myself included, don't possess dense enough facial hair to grow a decent beard. After a month I simply look scruffy and homeless and that is the longest I can stand it. Shaving is the lesser of two evils.

I am blessed/cursed with a heavy beard.

I am technically clean shaven. But my 5 o'clock shadow may be considered a light beard by many people. ;)

(OK...an exaggeration, but not by much! :D)

I always shave closely prior to a backpack trip. For one thing, I think of how many grams that must save me for the start. But then I let it grow out during the trip, and that saves me from needing sunscreen on my face.

--B.G.--

" I think of how many grams that must save me for the start"

I am scared to find out how many grams of hair I carry on every trip.....

During a talk with Coup from Golite, he said he shaved everywhere for the weight savings before his Colorado Trail hike. >3oz.

@ Kat How about weight when wet?

Edited by kthompson on 11/01/2011 19:19:18 MDT.

I like to start a hike with a clean shave because it is much easier to put on sunblock. The more stubble you get, the harder it is to get it. Same thing surfing, I always shave before just so I can get a good coat of that wonderful sunblock.

My beards too multi-colored anyways.

BTW Matthew and Doug, thanks. Your's are the only replies that have given any advice on the topic. -Let the chaff continue.

edited for: credit where credit is due!

Edited by WarrenGreer on 11/02/2011 18:33:59 MDT.

@ Kat How about weight when wet?

Pounds!

Kat's hair when wet: This came up on the last trip. We really need to have her wear a PFD for winter creek crossings just to be on the safe side.

At my wife's request, I stopped shaving when we got married. That was nearly 38 years ago.






But I generally keep it trimmed....

"But I generally keep it trimmed...."

I would expect nothing else from a Barber.

Really though the wet shave is the most enjoyable, best quality shave.

I hope the OP will give it a go.

Tried it before (a few times) and don't dig it. Thanks for the encouragement though.

I recently purchased a 1962 Gillette Slim Double edge adjustable safety razor off Ebay for $30.
The thing is built to last, is made of solid brass and is nickel plated. I get a 10 pack of double edged safety razors for $1.39.
The shave is unbelievable and extremely close. I will never go back to the disposable Mach 3, type blades ever again.
I thoroughly recomend wet shaving for anyone that is thinking of "converting."

"I would expect nothing else from a Barber."

Groan! I should have expected that!!! ;)

Warren,

I found the Norelco's do the best job. But that was years ago. Not sure if they build a quality product anymore.

Take a look at professional atheletes who normally are clean shaven. They have a stubble when they play. A clean shave causes irritation when you sweat a lot.

But why do we shave? It isn't natural... it is just a ploy by Madison Avenue to purchase shaving gear, accessories, and fu fu smelling chemicals. So... Occupy Madison Avenue!

... it is just a ploy by Madison Avenue to purchase shaving gear, accessories, and fu fu smelling chemicals. So... Occupy Madison Avenue!

all in fun, huh? I love me 'dem stereotypes, like "down with business!"







--------------

and, in the spirit of the thread... nick is right, athletes prefer stubble. Full-on beards suck more than clean shaven skin... except legs

The next frontier in ultralight backpacking is depilating unless one is substituting body hair for a bag or quilt I believe we should loose every hair off our bodies at the start of a trip.
In this vein I'm offering the Pye's 1000 Self Waxing Kit.
Come on you bunch of hairbags, time to come clean.

These all feel like they are pulling weeds rather than mowing the grass. Ouch!

The best/closest shave i ever had was in Turkey. (I paid for visiting Turkey the next time i visited the US) The barbers son swapped an old T-Shirt for food.
The works. Hot towel. Open razor shave. Cup of apple tea. Hot towel again, followed by another shave. A few cents.

The stupid mistake was to dive into the ocean 5 minutes after the shave. I've never felt stinging like that in my life! :)

During the BPL web server outage, I was pondering the R-Value of my beard at a length of 1 inch.

Also as the invasion of the white hairs are winning the rebellion to overthrow the current regime of the brown hairs, I am also pondering how this color change will affect my SPF (Sun Protection Factor) level.

"Also as the invasion of the white hairs are winning the rebellion to overthrow the current regime of the brown hairs"

If so, then Nick Gatel has lost the battle.

--B.G.--

Bob,

I'm a bit sour, my dad has a great silver army.
I'm half my dad's age but I got pale whites without the silver shine.

Commenting in support of Nick, and beards.

Glad my monthly excursion into chaff was this thread.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=62294

good advice in above thread.

Nick,


You clean up very nicely from BPL into 007

Edited by RogerDodger on 02/05/2013 15:02:00 MST.

What Nick is hiding is that the black jacket is made of silnylon, and the white shirt is made of Tyvek. That is actually his backpacking clothing.

--B.G.--

"But I generally keep it trimmed...."

I keep it trimmed too. Women love that.

But I shave my face.....