For almost all of my adult life, I have shaved my face by standing before a sink, with hot water, soap and a Gillette (usually) or Bic blade razor. I don’t have a particularly heavy beard. I have maintained my mustache for ~45 years, Wilford Brimley style these days.

I have been satisfied with this approach, but it is becoming harder and harder as my lung disease gets worse. I can still stand, but not long, and can still walk, but not far. Pretty soon, routine hygiene routines will be changing.

For the last few months, I shave every 4-5 days. As I rarely go out, this is OK.

The obvious choice is some electric razor, but I have no idea about what works, doesn’t work. My granddad had an electric, a Remington IIRC. He was into mechanical things, very patient and happily spent time to clean and oil and maintain it. I’m not. That was 50 years ago and more. Surely the industry has advanced since his day.

What are the choices to avoid standing at the sink, or in the shower, by water? Any suggestions?

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
For almost all of my adult life, I have shaved my face by standing before a sink, with hot water, soap and a Gillette (usually) or Bic blade razor. I don’t have a particularly heavy beard. I have maintained my mustache for ~45 years, Wilford Brimley style these days.

I have been satisfied with this approach, but it is becoming harder and harder as my lung disease gets worse. I can still stand, but not long, and can still walk, but not far. Pretty soon, routine hygiene routines will be changing.

For the last few months, I shave every 4-5 days. As I rarely go out, this is OK.

The obvious choice is some electric razor, but I have no idea about what works, doesn’t work. My granddad had an electric, a Remington IIRC. He was into mechanical things, very patient and happily spent time to clean and oil and maintain it. I’m not. That was 50 years ago and more. Surely the industry has advanced since his day.

What are the choices to avoid standing at the sink, or in the shower, by water? Any suggestions?

What about a barber and a straight blade 3 times a week?

I don’t grow hair super fast and can get by in my LE career only shaving every other day if I shave with a fresh double edge razor. I imagine a barber with a good blade would do even better. Plus you might find it an enjoyable experience.

Either Norelco or Remington make a decent electric. Most models are rechargeable these days. You can sit and watch TV or play on the Forum and shave at the same time, we won't mind. Chris

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
For almost all of my adult life, I have shaved my face by standing before a sink, with hot water, soap and a Gillette (usually) or Bic blade razor. I don’t have a particularly heavy beard. I have maintained my mustache for ~45 years, Wilford Brimley style these days.

I have been satisfied with this approach, but it is becoming harder and harder as my lung disease gets worse. I can still stand, but not long, and can still walk, but not far. Pretty soon, routine hygiene routines will be changing.

For the last few months, I shave every 4-5 days. As I rarely go out, this is OK.

The obvious choice is some electric razor, but I have no idea about what works, doesn’t work. My granddad had an electric, a Remington IIRC. He was into mechanical things, very patient and happily spent time to clean and oil and maintain it. I’m not. That was 50 years ago and more. Surely the industry has advanced since his day.

What are the choices to avoid standing at the sink, or in the shower, by water? Any suggestions?

What about a barber and a straight blade 3 times a week?

I don’t grow hair super fast and can get by in my LE career only shaving every other day if I shave with a fresh double edge razor. I imagine a barber with a good blade would do even better. Plus you might find it an enjoyable experience.

I seldom leave the house, once in August, with mobility scooter, extra o2 bottles, a real PITA to go anywhere and it wears me out.

I would hope to figure something out here at home.

My wife has started doing haircuts, real exciting!

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Anchor:
Either Norelco or Remington make a decent electric. Most models are rechargeable these days. You can sit and watch TV or play on the Forum and shave at the same time, we won't mind. Chris

Any particular models to prefer or avoid?

Sorry to read about you health issues JALLEN. I had pictured you in good health. Good thoughts & prayers to you.

When the yearly Christmas commercials kick in, you'll see ol' Santa ridin' down snow covered hills inside a Norelco. I've had years of use on mine with little or no upkeep, just empty the stubble. Wasn't very expensive either. Reliablity, clean shave & reasonable price.

Jim,

When deployed bought a Braun and really liked it (until my puppy liked it even mod than i).

Have you the ability to place a stool next to the bathroom sink? (If anyone asks about it just retort with "where you leave your stool is your business but in this house, we leave it in the bathroom" )

Depending on your beard, you might prefer a foil type razor such as a Braun over the rotary Norelco type. I find the rotary type tend to yank on my beard hairs instead of cutting them.

My grandfather always used Williams Lectric Shave to prep his beard-I don’t know if that product is still available.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
My grandfather always used Williams Lectric Shave to prep his beard-I don’t know if that product is still available.

It is and I use it weekly. I think the comment about a foil razor might be a good one for you. I bought a Panasonic razor I really like. Its not terribly expensive and the foil/blade replacements are both inexpensive and easy to install. With a little Letric Shave beforehand, it does a very nice job.

JALLEN, over 40 years I have tried Norelco, Remington, Panasonic and Braun.

Based on my personal experience, Braun is the best by far. Panasonic is second and the others just don't cut it (rim shot).

The maintenance is low.



.

Get a Braun with the cleaning stand. You put it in the stand every once in a while when it says it’s due, and it shoots a solution that’s very similar to the blue liquid barbers use to sanitize combs and stuff. Easy leash and does a good job

I've been using inexpensive rotary shavers for more years than I can remember. Currently using a Norelco 3000 series. You can get from Amazon or Wal-Mart or many other retailers for around $50.

Maintenance is a breeze. After shaving, flip open the top part and rinse under running water. That's it. I usually only rinse it every second or third time depending if I'm in a rush or not. It's cordless, so find a place where you can leave it plugged in, then you can shave anywhere you please. You can buy replacement rotor blades, but I've found they last about 2+ years with my somewhat light beard and then I just buy a new one if it stops cutting properly. Like most rotaries, it has a flip up trimmer to even out your side burns and mustache, and can also fit in your ear to keep those pesky hairs controlled.

Also with electrics it helps if you use a splash pre-electric shave like Williams Lectric Shave. Makes the shave smoother. About $6 at Wal-Mart and others and a bottle will last 5 or 6 months

You can buy more expensive models from Norelco and others but I've always resisted since the cheap onea seems to work fine and I don't have to worry about it going tits up.

Braun with the cleaning station...Simple and easy.

It is self cleaning. All you have to do is change the cleaning solution cartridge when the red light comes on.

You first have to make a choice between rotary and foil. Pluses and minuses to both.

Foil is an easier transition for a blade shaver. Shaving motion is same. The screen itself is the weakness. It will eventually tear and need replacement. I would use one except they don't hold up to my aggresive shaving style.

Rotary may have a slightly longer learning curve, getting use to the circular technique. Edges and sideburns are tricky. But they're very rugged, only needing replacement when they get dull. Some do pull, and are designed to do so, pulling out the hair slightly before cutting it. I actually like it.

I switched permanently from electric to wet shaving about 15 years ago, so my info has to be somewhat general.

My face is lean and sharp-jawed, and for me the foil-type (specifically Remington) worked well, Norelco rotary-style did not. My father had a rounded face, he preferred the Norelco.

Replacement blades and head were readily available for Remingtons back then, but I don't know about these days.

Whatever you get, buy one of the rechargeable models, since you can sit wherever you please to do the job. I understand your discomfort, and think it probably is worse if you have to be stuck in the same spot for any length of time.

I had to chuckle when you named the brands of blades you went through, since I did the same. Gillette twin-blade and some sort of Schick that had a ribbon-type blade rather than individual replacements. Various cartridge razors and whatever innovation was on the shelves for a bunch of years while I did most of the work with the Remingtons.

When I made the permanent switch, Gillette disposables were my choice, and I used them for more than 10 years. The day they switched production to Mexico, I could tell the drop in quality and switched, first to an upgrade Gillette, then Schick, then back to Gillette, now with some $2-each Bic disposables.

Best of luck finding a solution, Jim.

Braun’s higher end electrics (the ones made in Germany) are all I have ever used. I have a somewhat large goatee and hate shaving, fwiw.

First off, I'm sorry. That sucks. It is an unimaginable thing to not be able to take care of one's own hygiene.

Witht hat said, I've used an electric for a while, at least for the high spots.

THe best was a Phillips/Norelco 3 curcular blade thing. It takes way longer, but once you get used to it, you don't have to stand there except for the finishing which you do with an actual razor.

You let it charge, then run it over hte high spots... over and over, and over...

Then you can stand in the mirror and hit the high spots in about 2 minutes with an actual razor.

Sadly, it IS more effecient.


Good luck.

I wet shave with a a Norelco using a VERY small amount of Cremo shaving cream. Works as well as any blade. The only down side is I cannot get that sharp edge on the sideburns that I want. When I'm done my face is as smooth as a babies ass.

Sorry to hear about the decline JALLEN, I love reading your posts. I’ve only tried the rotary, as others have said, it takes awhile, but it works. Also as said, and the reason I stopped, is the pulling. I didn’t like it, but you may! I’m thinking of trying the foil myself. Happy shaving buddy!

I don't like the rotary shavers. Braun is the manufacturer that works for me. I've tried Norelco and Remington, but I always come back to Braun for a clean, close shave.