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With shaving, technique is key

My beard has been a point of contention throughout my time in the Army because I often look as though I need to shave even after struggling every morning to tame the beast. My frustration mounts and I attack my beard with a vengeance, only to come out of the battle looking like I tried to shave with my Gerber.

Shaving is like running, and we do a lot of both in the Army. Every body and every beard is different, and it’s up to the individual to find out what products and techniques work best for him.

The Gillette Fusion Power is one of the greatest inventions of all time. More cuts per stroke equals more pounds of torque, in my mind. I don’t know if the vibrations are helpful or just a gimmick, but I like to imagine that my whiskers are being cut off at the root by a microscopic chain saw.

Tom’s of Maine’s all-natural shaving cream contains vegetable soaps for a rich lather, along with olive oil, coconut oil and glycerin for conditioning the skin. I like the natural ingredients, which alleviate the worry of putting something on my face that I can’t pronounce. Tom’s has a nice texture, and you need only a pea-sized amount per shave (using less equals buying less). It comes in an aluminum tube, so packing for the field is a little bit easier.

Razors are expensive, and no one likes dishing out a bunch of loot when you get only four heads for a handsome ransom. Nor does anyone like a dull razor on his last shave. Most razors are made of surgical steel, which has the finest edge possible (measured in microns, or something like that). What causes the blade to lose its edge is all the corrosion that builds up from leftover shaving cream and water. I have found that drying my blades after each use significantly prolongs their life.

Like swimming, your stroke is important. Apply light pressure and slow, steady movements. Everyone probably knows that you always shave with the grain, but for a tough beard like mine, I have to apply the “cardinal direction shave” — I shave in all directions: north, south, east and west.

How do you avoid ingrown hairs or bumps? Always finish your shave by going against the grain to exfoliate your pores. This method will help those who struggle with the bristly gift of testosterone.

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The writer is stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and is originally from Antwerp, N.Y.