The #1 Factor for a Good Shave

These are all parts of a good shave, but which would you pick as THE most important? NOTE: assume the razor and blade of your choice are of nominal quality and not junk.

 

I would put good prep and lather before everything else.

If you don't get a nice lather, you won't have a good shave.

 

Preparation! Preparation! Preparation!

Did I write Preparation? YES I DID!

 

You both beat me to it -- answered before I had the poll up! But I agree with you: prep is #1. I can - and have! - used "bad" blades in "bad" razors, but as long as the prep was there, it came out OK. And if you've learned to have good prep, you're prolly going to have good technique, too, which means mostly (to me) PATIENCE.

 

Definately agree with all of the above posts on prep. All I do is wash my face but without great lather, a shave is ruined.

 

ive hurried a few times before i shaved...i can say there is a diffrence when you dont prep properly

 

Well, as long as nobody else wants to mention it, I guess that leaves it to me...

PREP

 

For me, "prep" means soaking the beard good and long rather than whipping up a heavy lather every single time. I do that, but I also used can goo, conditioner and, in a pinch, whatever of the wife's lotions that is on hand...they all worked fine as long as it was prepped and I took my time (that's part of Technique, the 2nd most important factor).

But as always, that's just my mileage.

 

Oh, I agree totally. That's why for me I get my best, most comfortable shaves right after a good hot shower. I've tried shaving before a shower. I've tried shaving in the morning, after taking a shower the night before. Just doesn't work for me.

 

With my wirey & coarse beard growth prep makes the difference between a great shave & hamburger neck.

 

Technique, technique, technique.

 

Wow, prep gets lots of credit. But the best prep in the world and creamy lather will not protect your mug from poor technique. Bad angle and too much pressure makes prep and lather irrelevant.. Good technique with poor prep and poor lather will give better results. IMHO A dry face using canned goo, can produce a decent shave with good technique.

Technique is by far the most important. Because you can't get a decent shave with out it.

 

:sihns011

Lather and technique, the only prep I really believe in is a splash of hot water

 

True. But then you can say that without a decent blade you won't get a decent shave.

Bottom line, the prep, the lather, the blade, the razor, the brush, the soap/cream, the post shave - it all has to come together if it's going to be a great shave. Sure, you can get good shaves, but I've had GREAT shaves, so I know they're out there and achievable. That's why I make sure I do a good prep, pay attention to whipping up a good lather, use quality razors and blades, focus on my technique, and follow up with a post shave routine that is going to minimize the trauma of the literal scraping the soft skin of my face just went through.

As I said, it all has to come together. That's why most of us are here. We were tired with mediocre shaves and wanted better. (No - don't even tell me you're here to save money, because you haven't! :happy102)

 

A lot of this depends on definitions. I was tempted to roll Prep in under the header of Technique because I consider Prep to be part of your overall Technique (i.e., not just how well you wield a razor). But knowing most if not all of you consider Technique to be separate, I left the poll as it is. Had I rolled them together, I was pretty sure the responses would be 100% for Technique, making for a pretty boring poll.

 

All are important, but it begins with prep more than some may realize. Achieving any sense of quality in the other steps probably depends on getting good prep a-happening first. Otherwise there is shaving misery on all fronts with little hope of "breaking through." With good prep, most blades and razors are OK while some are great; technique improvements come quickly; learning and improvement accelerate; shaving enjoyment emerges and takes over. That is why so many of us do not waste much time with bad soaps.

 

I agree it's a combination of everything that goes into a good shave. With out a good technique a good shave is impossible to achieve. AS too, a poor blade will ruin your day even with the Best technique. So it is a combination of all things shave related.

As for Prep, it is a YMMV subject. I'm a minimalist when it comes to prep most days. Does just a splash of cold water count as a prep ? I find that's all that I need. Of coarse I enjoy doing the nice long ritualistic preps, but in the end it doesn't give me a better result, but YMMV. It though does enhance the experience, which I enjoy.

So, I conclude that knowledge is by far the most important factor in achieving a good shave. As a very intelligent man once said "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way." Knowledge is the key. Of coarse YMMV

 

technique

I can (and have many times) gotten a good shave with a bar of soap, a washcloth an any reasonably good razor. That's it!

 

It's all about Technique! First few shaves had a great prep and lather but ouch, the razor burn killed!!!!!!!!!!:mad: However now that technique is good combined with the great soaps, smells and feel, LIFE IS GOOD!

 

I'd place the factors of a good shave in the following order of importance:

Prep/Lather
Technique
Blade
Razor