A couple of weeks back i bought, almost on a whim, a merkur 34C and a big box of Astra blades from here. I've always been a wet shaver, but with the usual suspect Gillette / Wilkinson sword disposable cartridge types, and I'd been meaning to have a go at a proper safety razor which this gave me the chance to do.
Wow. Bar a couple of tiny nicks due to rushing, the blood loss has been insignificant and the closeness and comfort is extraordinary. No more razor rash, I get 4 shaves easily out of each blade and at 8p a blade that's basically free once the initial outlay for the razor and first 100 blades is taken into account.
Any recommendations for other blades to have a go with? nothing wrong with the ones i have but happy to listen to opinions. And what do you do with the used blades, at the mo they're sitting on top of the bathroom cabinet in an old tin but how do you safely dispose of them?
Feathers. I stray occasionally, repent and return to them.
at the mo they're sitting on top of the bathroom cabinet in an old tin but how do you safely dispose of them?
I wrap them in the wax paper from the fresh blade, then fold that in half a couple of times to prevent escape then wrap them in loo roll or one of the other half's discarded make up wipes and stick them in the bin, so far no dismemberment has resulted.
You're supposed to slip the old blades into the safety slot in the bottom of the plastic box you take your new blades out of. You can then safely throw them away when the box is empty / full.
Currently liking Feathers, Gillette Rubies and Polsilver Iridiums.
I'd really recommend 'honing' your technique and not changing too many things at once. As time has gone by I've come to the conclusion it's a lot more to do with technique rather than blade. And funnily enough the shaving cream / soap makes a big old difference as well.
I am really liking Trumps Limes shaving cream right now.
Styptic pencil sorts out the minor nicks nice and quickly.
We used to use a lot of razor blades at work and disposed of them by wrapping them in masking/duct tape before chucking them in the bin. As far as a I know no cleaners were ever maimed by this so it's what I still do.
Styptic pencil
I didn't know that existed. Every day is a school day.
You're supposed to slip the old blades into the safety slot in the bottom of the plastic box you take your new blades out of. You can then safely throw them away when the box is empty / full.
I used to do that but it turns out they can quite easily fall out, fortunately I found that out without cutting myself.
Also, lots of blades don't come in those boxes.
Prep, prep, a good soap or cream, decent brush, well rinsed blade and take your time.
I've tried quite a few different blades but keep going back to Feathers. Everything else just seems dull by comparison. Although Astra greens are fine if needed.
I didn't know that existed. Every day is a school day.
Yep you can get ride of those crappy bits of tissue paper trying to blot those weepers. Works really quickly no marks on the small nicks.
Gillette 7s, Feathers and Derbys. feathers and derbys both come in plastic boxes which hold old blades ready for binning once full
I use a cleaned out food tin as a blade bank. Not safe if you have young children and not pretty if you have nowhere to hide it but otherwise works well.
Use an Alum block for any cuts and yep using the same Merkur 34c and astra blades
Cant fault the combo. I bought a variety pack from one of the online stores to try out the blades. Found Gillette felt blunt and one of the others cut me too much. Stuck with Astra and bought like 100 blades for £8
Feathers and a tech ball end Gillette here. Like Stoner I repented and went to Astra Greens but now back on Feathers (75 Astra Greens anyone!).
Feathers FTW
Styptic pencil sorts out the minor nicks nice and quickly.
A few years ago, I was heading away on a 4 week adventure and was giving myself an all over trim with some clippers. I had the guard off and nicked my wrinkly bits and although the cut was barely visible there was quite a lot of blood (well, definitely more than you'd be happy seeing in that area anyway!).
Obviously no plaster would work on that region, so I (foolishly) grabbed my alu pencil.
One of life's lessons ensued briefly afterwards.
Rather than start a new "what razor" thread...
I'm inclined to remove my winter beard tomorrow, after a singlespeed ride an not before of course. I shall be refining wi a Mach 3 but have often considered a more professional tool.
So, what razor / kit for the uninitiated-beyond-gilette that'll keep be presentable on a customer facing basis, rather than blood soaked fiend? Not too expensive please...
A few years ago, I was heading away on a 4 week adventure and was giving myself an all over trim with some clippers
Why? What sort of adventure was it? 😯
Merkur adjustable and Astras for me.
Yaw is soooo 1990's..
Here's where da trend at..
dude.
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/haircuts-beards-and-oh-tats-too-eh ]Beardies..[/url]
A slightly hopped-up Merkur Progress and feather blades followed by an alum block does the trick for me.
Boar-hair brush and Mitchell's wool fat soap.
Used to slice myself to ribbons with a mach-3, quite like an open-comb and my old slant-bar but the progress is the go-to!
I alternate between a rolls razor and a 60s gilette safety. Both a pleasure.
Ontor, what's a "slightly hopped up" merkur progress? I have a progress and I'm sure it's as hopped as the day I got it.
For those of you with safety blades, what's the procedure when you're flying anywhere? Do you have a Mach 3 for trips, or just pack everything away in your checked baggage?
I have been trying to go the real shaving route - as I think Gillette are taking the piss.
But have have a selection of loads of blade , a nice Mekur razor, proper soap and brush.
And it cuts my face to ribbons every time, no matter what ... I want to like it but it takes chunks out of my neck. And the under nose bit end up looking like the first day of the Somme ...
stoner, there's an american site that sells reworked progress razors - so the dial indexes properly at zero etc (not sure if it goes up to 11 though)
I have a Merkur 23 C - which has a long handle
Could this be the issue?
And it cuts my face to ribbons every time, no matter what ... I want to like it but it takes chunks out of my neck. And the under nose bit end up looking like the first day of the Somme ...
Let your stubble grow for a few days until it is long enough to really see which direction your beard grows in- you'll probably be quite surprised in some places. Have a hot bath to really soften the hair and shave only in the direction of growth. Don't rush it! Double edge blades are ridiculously sharp, you barely need any pressure on the handle, let the weight of the razor do the work.
It took me a while to get the hang of it, but wouldn't go back to cartridges now.
Stoner- there're all sorts of mods you can do, the [url= http://www.shaving101.com/index.php/product-reviews/safety-razors/59-modified-merkur-progress-the-mergress.html ]mergress[/url] is one of the better known.
[url= https://sites.google.com/site/bobsrazorworks/razor-handles ]Bobs razor works[/url] are nice as is the [url= http://www.thegentlemansgroomroom.com/blog/posts/621 ]"Digress"[/url]
Mine is slightly re-balanced and has had a bit of a cleanup and tweak so as to change the range slightly and the shape of the handle etc. Nothing as extreme as this lot.
Nicko - either pack the blades in with check-in or buy some new blades at arrival.
For the guys with a Merkur Progress - any idea how it differs from the Merkur Futur which I have? The Futur makes doing under the nose a little tricky as it's quite big head compared to my '60's Gillettes.
Wouldn't mind something heavier than the Gillette but smaller/thinner head than the Futur.
Why? What sort of adventure was it?
Ha ha! not that kind unfortunately 🙂 sleeping under canvas without the ability to shower or change clothes very regularly (in 3rd world). i'm relatively hairy and it's easier to keep clean without so much of it! Plus it's cooler.
The futur has less range in adjustment, is heavier (slightly), has a slightly different balance so feels different in the hand and has a larger head.
There's not a lot in it but in my view a progress with an adjustment scale that lines up properly (there were a few issues I believe in a batch) is the best compromise around at the moment.
mrmofoo - it sounds like you're using too much pressure at too steep an angle. Start with an angle of about 30 degrees and barely press the razor to your skin, think "beard reduction" with each pass rather than trying to take it all at once.
To the OP, I have one of these for blade disposal. As the case is metal once its full all of it can go for recycling.
A few years ago, I was heading away on a 4 week adventure and was giving myself an all over trim with some clippers. I had the guard off and nicked my wrinkly bits and although the cut was barely visible there was quite a lot of blood (well, definitely more than you'd be happy seeing in that area anyway!).
You fool! 😯
cheers ontor.
I cant say that Im too bothered about the settings being accurate on my progress, I tweak it if it feels off. But yes the plastic knob is an aesthetic let down 🙁
Out of interest what do people wash their safety DEs in? Over time I get a build up of soap scum/limescale on my progress head (and my brush handle too). Id be worried that viakal might be a bit aggressive?
Stoner.
I give mine a quick wash with antibacterial hand wash soap, the pump top stuff like Carex, and an old toothbrush under hot water when I change the blade. Seems to work OK.
Interestingly on the rare occasions when I do wet shave the next morning's stubble is much sharper than after electric shaving, in fact I can even see tiny gleams of light reflecting off the sharply cut ends. Look a scanning electron microscope picture of beard hairs cut with a sharp blade and an electric razor and you'll see why - the electric razor leaves the hair shaft absolutely wrecked in the same way as a hedge that's been trimmed, whereas a sharp blade cuts it off in a neat chisel point.
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Most people with heavy stubble notice that their shirt collars wear-out much faster with good DE shaving, presumably for that reason globalti
Great thread! Have always wet shaved, but always use plastic disposable razors. Just wondering whether to go with the Merkur 34C (HD?) or the more expensive but adjustable Futur. Just wondered with travel, etc., if the ajustable means that the blade can be "covered" while in a sponge bag to prevent sliced fingers, which I presume the fixed 34C would remain "unprotected". DE expert comments/pros & cons, would be appreciated, before I hit the "buy" button on Amazon...
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This is a shavette. Not a very many name I agree.
It's an open razor but he "blade" is actually a grip which holds half a DE blade. Cost about a tenner from my local shave shop. Really close shave and particularly good with afew days growh - you just need to take your time on the fist few shaves (which I didn't).
badger
Adjustable doesn't hide the blade
[url= http://www.shaving-shack.com/razor-cases/ ]These might be what you're looking for[/url]
I recently bought a DE razor - can you take those blades on an aircraft?
As far as I can work out, no. Either pack them for check in, buy blades at your destination, or use a disposable if it's an overnight / hand luggage only.
And - further to all the above..... What a pleasure a [u]proper[/u] shave is.
Being wary of potential carnage since I started with my DE razor of course I've been taking my time more than with a disposable, with a coffee in the other hand and one eye on the clock and shouting at the kids to brush their teeth and......
But last night, I sat in the bath after riding and gardening all day with a hot flannel over my face for ages. Then had a proper, no rush shave with a new blade, a brush for the shaving cream, and time for 3 full applications of cream and razor with the grain, across the grain, and then again to really do the chin properly. And then some moisturizer to fight off the effects ofbeing out in the cold wind and sun all day. Wonderful, my face was so smooth I wanted to nuzzle up to it!!
I can see why ladies spend a fortune on getting facials - I think I'm in danger of becoming one of those new men metrosexuals. Does using a proper razor counterbalance the moisturiser, or is all hope gone?
Next step will be trying out different shaving soaps and moisturisers!
I can see why ladies spend a fortune on getting facials
😯
😉
Spotted