Learn to Shave like a Grownup

My name is Tom Przybylak - and I use a safety razor. 


NOW... before you determine that anything with the word "safety" in it should somehow denigrate my manhood... you need to understand what we're talking about here. 


What is a safety razor? Well let me assure you, it is not the massively pussified five bladed comfort strip vibrating orange, pink, and green monstrosity scam that costs you five bucks every time you want to change your blade.


No, a "Safety Razor" is the heavy chrome handled piece of history that takes real razors made out of real metal - the one your dad or grampa used to use... the one that would gash holes into your face if didn't pay attention. In fact, the only reason it is called a "Safety Razor" is because it was a welcome replacement for its predecessor - the Straight Razor, which is now normally used to slice open FedEx Boxes or the throats of traitors. 

I first discovered the joys of real shaving while staying at the Palazzo in Las Vegas a few years ago, when I treated myself to an old school straight razor shave at the barber shop. It was an awesome experience. Hot towels, layers of lotions, powders and creams... and the most insanely close shave of my life. He did my face first, and then my head, scraping a bone handled straight razor over my skin skillfully. It was an hour of relaxing and terrifying comfort that I will never forget, But it was the best shave I'd ever had. A straight piece of steel on my face... not five blades but one. No comfort strip. Just really good products. And a lot of patience, time, concentration, and skill. 

I resolved after this experience to learn to shave... I mean really shave... and I asked the Barber for some help. I have a whole head to deal with as well as my face and a beard. It comes down to a combination of equipment, product, and technique and I've come to actually enjoy shaving. Its a part of my day that now requires my entire attention and concentration, and an awesome ritual to start my morning. 


Anyway... I realized that I had to reflect on this awesome experience and share my massive blade wisdom... so here it is. 


For technique, I will direct you to a website that does a much better job explaining than I can. Check out Shaveblog for a great discussion on how to shave, and why "A disposable or cartridge razor dragged across a layer of foam or gel on your dry cheek is a step backward from the past, not an improvement. " Other great articles on shaving can be found at the Badger and Blade shave wiki. I also like this article on a blog I frequent called "The Art of Manliness." - Which is a kick-ass regular poster of stellar material.  

Once you make the initial investment in the right equipment and products, you will never go back to those grocery store plastic scam blades and garbage petroleum shaving products. You'll also save a ton of money in the long run - and your shave will be tight and scream excellence. 

I have been experimenting with shaving with real blades and equipment for a few years, and here is what I use:

Equipment

Safety Razor $30+

 Well, you need to buy a razor. A REAL razor. If you can find your dad's or grampa's - you're golden, because they age rather well. If not, try to pick up something decent online or at a shave shop. You can get a good Merkur long handled razor for about $30 - or the price of SIX Gillette ProFusion blades that  will last you six weeks if you're lucky. A safety razor is a mechanical piece of metal. It will likely outlast you. 

Razor Blades: $0.05 and up

That is right. You can get real razor blades for a nickel.  Most decent blades cost around 25 cents, with the BEST blades running about fifty cents. Double-edged razor blades last about a week if you shave every day... though they are so cheap most of us just toss the blade out when it shows even the slightest signs of dullness. At this point you're looking at a cost of reduction of 90% if you go from a $5/blade system to the best safety razor blade... saving about $20/month. Now you can take that savings and blow it on good products to shave with and take care of your goods... Here is a link to a shitton of razors on sale at Amazon.

Shaving Brush: $10-$150

I didn't really get the point of a shaving brush until I started using one. The best ones are made of badger or boar hair - and if you can afford it, spend the money up front and get one of these instead of a synthetic. A badger hair one comes in the Art of Shaving kit below, and can be found on their own for about $35 and up. If you get one, find a stand so it can hang upside down and dry properly. If you do this, it will last for a decade. 

Products

Kits: $100-$200

When I first got into this,  I picked up a kit from "The Art of Shaving" that had an oil, shaving cream, brush, and lotion. All of their products are great - and you can't go wrong with picking it up. Its a solid investment and would make a great gift. Check out the kits here. I like Lavender - but all of them are excellent. And if you don't think Lavender is a manly smell, then I invite you go hang out at the squat rack. All the cool guys are rockin in. 

eShave Pre-shave oil $20

The first thing I learned was the importance of using an oil before shaving. It protects your skin, softens your beard, and moisturizes. I like the eShave product because they smell awesome and aren't greasy. Orange Sandalwood and Verbena Lime both do it righteously. 

Art of Shaving - Lavender Essential Oil Shaving Cream $22

This product is absolutely superior to anything out there. $22 may seem expensive for shaving cream, but one container lasts me about 1/2 year. It is meant to be used in conjunction with a shaving brush, and you only need about a blueberry sized dollop to do your entire face. It makes for a really close shave, and the lavender is really soothing. 

Baxter of California - After Shave Balm $18

I found this stuff after getting a shave at a local barber, and I can't shave without it. It is a balm instead of a cream, and it has a lime scent - its really soothing and cooling on my face and a tube lasts forever because, once again, you don't need to use a lot. 

Baxter of California - Supershape SPF 15

If you're not putting something with SPF on your face every day, you're insane. If you shave your head and don't put some sort of sun protection on, you should be ashamed of yourself. I like this lotion because it moisturizes, protects my head and face, absorbs fast, and isn't greasy. 

And there you have it. Some of this equipment and product would make an awesome fathers day or birthday gift for someone who isn't afraid to man up - and if you're a guy... well you can just buy it for yourself. 


Tom

Protein Powder Causes Malaria, Typhoid, and The Plague

A couple of years ago, Consumer Reports published THIS scathing analysis of popular protein supplements, sending the fitness world into a catabolic frenzy.  "Enjoy your post workout shake - and all of that arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadium that goes along with it!" I remember people freaking out - myself included. I was putting down 2-3 of these shakes a day at the time. The analysis looks like this... and it is frightening to say the least:

Well, I'm back to eating a massive amount of protein and wanted to follow up on this article to see just what sort of research has happened since, and what I should be avoiding. While poking around a bit, I came across this write-up response from Optimum Nutrition - one of the many supplement companies I use for (you guessed it) protein powder. The information laid out by them gives perspective that Consumer Reports seems to have neglected in their research.

*All comparisons assume the store bought GMO manufacttured farm foods that 90% of America eats - not Organic or locally farmed. 

For example, while BSN Syntha 6 contains 4.2 Micrograms of Arsenic...

• Pan Fried Haddock contains 626 mcg of Arsenic
• Boild Shrimp contains 115 mcg of Arsenic
• And coming in just under my dangerously chemical ladened Syntha Six? a bowl of Rice Crispies at 3.9 mcg of Arsenic. 

Care to talk about Lead and Lead Poisoning? Optimum Nutrition has 1 mcg. of nasty, dangerous Lead. But how about...

• Our Friend Boiled Shrimp at 3.2 mcg
• A glass of white wine at 3 mcg
• A sweet potato at 1.6 mcg.
  
  
  
  

And let me also note that the Consumer Reports research assumed you were eating THREE shakes per day. Most people have one... maybe 2. Once you divide their numbers by servings - the risk is minimal. 

My point in this is that research has to be put into perspective. Without having some level playing field to compare, the research is pointless and causes unnecessary paranoia. In the case of lean protein powder as a supplement to workouts, I think the positives far outweigh the negatives, and that this is just a case of sensationalism in journalism. Someone training hard at the gym and feeding his or her body with good lean proteins shouldn't be bullied into thinking they are doing something wrong, while being told to eat low fat fish and low GI sweet potatoes because they are "Good for you." This ranks right up there with the 350 lb woman that told me I shouldn't run because I could hurt my ankles.

Stick to Lawnmowers and Laptops Consumer Reports.