Forum menu
im a little confused as to when youd do this. some sites said when the blade is new to remove imperfections, some inferred itd prolong the life of a blade
Who cares... the blades cost pennies.
any advice on this now?
Yes. Stop thinking about the [stupid] extras that you'll [probably] never use and get on with the basics.
Don't forget to clean the blade after the shave by wiping it length-wise on each side from a grip at each end on your towel before using it again (ie: four times, two each side)
or just rinse it under a running tap
Buy at least 1 pack of blades that come in a plastic box (derbys and feathers do iirc. The plastic box is an ideal receptacle for dead blades rather than just binning them (they're still razor sharp)
or just rinse it under a running tap
Doesn't hack it with a cream - can get sticky when mixed with the bristles and leaves a thin deposit which will then dry onto the blade if left. Will need a wipe.
Doesn't hack it with a cream - can get sticky when mixed with the bristles and leaves a thin deposit which will then dry onto the blade if left. Will need a wipe.
ok, im using a cream so will wipe.
Don't forget to clean the blade after the shave by wiping it length-wise on each side from a grip at each end on your towel before using it again (ie: four times, two each side)...
cant picture how you mean. got a pic or vid to link to?
ta
Doesn't hack it with a cream - can get sticky when mixed with the bristles and leaves a thin deposit which will then dry onto the blade if left. Will need a wipe.
ahh right, never used cream. soap rules.
[url= http://www.carterandbond.com/detail.phtml?pID=PZ1000 ]This [/url] is nice pre-shave stuff and makes the perfect receptacle for old blades once it is empty
Never pass up an excuse to show off my 1930s engineered marvel. It really is an involved toy, all the auto-honing is achieved with fluid ease in an elegant case. Original strop and hone pastes too!
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Do you use it MR or just look at it?
Do you use it MR or just look at it?
8) Think this is the first outing from the drawer for 12 months, last time it got cleaned and checked. There is a miniscule nick in the blade that needs to be worked out before is allowed access to necks. It's one on a hundred to do lists.
Doesn't hack it with a cream - can get sticky when mixed with the bristles and leaves a thin deposit which will then dry onto the blade if left. Will need a wipe.
What cream is this then? I've used Trumpers cream and there's no residue at all.
Not had to wipe a blade clean after use in 5 years so interested to see what goo you're using so I can keep well clear of it.
Malvern Rider I have an old Rolls Razor set which is just like yours. I tried it once and it was a pretty uncomfortable shave. Proper blades are in a different league.
Means you can use both edges of the blade, one each side of the head. You don't flip the blade in the head and reuse it.
Not sure about this. I definitely flip it over and get more use out of the blade. Some blades are actually numbered on each edge 1 to 4 like the Derby stainless I had in a multi-pack.
Pffft I have a gold plated rolls from 1927. Its battered to hell.
I have it with an edge just as good as a DE. You need a stropping compound on the leather mind!
Not sure about this. I definitely flip it over and get more use out of the blade. Some blades are actually numbered on each edge 1 to 4 like the Derby stainless I had in a multi-pack.
im sure i came across this question in my never ending quest for shaving knowledge a few days ago so did some digging. seems the numbers are just for manufacturers use only in the QC process, and you dont flip the blade. have a look [url= http://www.shaving-shack.com/blog/ask-aaron-qa-numbers-on-double-edge-razor-blades/ ]here[/url] and [url= http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/26124-Derby-Factoids?p=469354#post469354 ]here[/url].
As the link said, i couldn't see how flipping the blade gives any sharpness back to the edge. And at 10p per week, if it was true and I'm wasting £2.60 a year on bad shaving habits - I can live with that.
Question for Drac... (or other trumper users)
I am a complete convert to Astra blades after your suggestion for trying them! (took me away from feathers as nearly as good but last twice as long and much smoother than black 7 o'clocks)
HOWEVER, I am struggling with you Trumper choice...
Do you find it 3 times better than something like proraso as suggested by the price?
I've tried a couple of soaps and the best lather I've had has come from Arko - this includes Trumpers Cream which is not as good as the price tag suggests but smells lovely (coconut) which is why I'm getting another small tube.
Malvern Rider I have an old Rolls Razor set which is just like yours.
No it isn't. Different league. Mine is The Darwin De-Luxe Hollow Ground Safety Razor. Harumph!
cant picture how you mean. got a pic or vid to link to?
Grip blade at one end. Wipe lengthwise.
Grip blade at opposite end. Wipe lengthwise.
Turn blade over.
Repeat.
No no no.....
Grip blade at one end. Wipe lengthwise. Turn blade over. Repeat.
Grip blade at opposite end. Wipe lengthwise. Turn blade over. Repeat.
Less handling.
Damn, you're good. 😯
Surely if you've bothered to take the blade out then the tap would now do the trick???
I've run a couple of LEAN workshops in my time, I'll admit.....
sadex, if you're thinking about a post-shave balm, I've just had a go at:
[img] 
[/img]
from a free sample from Shaving Shack.
Really good. Seems expensive at £10 per 100ml, but you only need a small dab so it should last...
does it smell nice mate? ive never looked into all this malarkey before, and considered all the usual smells from yer usual suspects as the way to go. £40 on a bottle of john paul gaultier etc etc thatll do me nicely thank you. never really considered that they contain alcohol and may not be the best thing for my lovely delicate little chops 🙂
its only now ive looked into DE shaving that im reading about balms, subtle shades of sandalwood, citrus notes blah de blah. must be getting old 😀
i like the thought of 'growing out of' the commercial alcohol-based aftershaves, and getting into more subtle smells and balms. trouble is, ive got nowhere to try these smells, all the shops round here sell the usual aftershaves, so im just gonna have to buy to try.
so....back to my original question, what does it smell like? does the smell on these balms last all day? is sandalwood actually a nice smell? or are you sposed to use a balm [i]and then[/i] an aftershave?
thanks for sticking with me, and excuse my ignorance 🙂
Good question! Just bought some geo trumper lime shaving cream for exactly the same reason. Will report back, but expect it'll be sort of citrusey, limey....
Sandalwood is actually a really nice, earthy, woody (no shit Sherlock), manly smell. It is, essentially, sweet aromatic wood. You could do worse than smell like a carpenter's bench.
do balms retain their smell on your face all day? and er.....while we're talking balms and lotions, are there 'body lotions' in the same smell too? im now thinking alternatives to sprays such as lynx.
sadexpunk - Member
does it smell nice mate?
The Bluebeard's balm has a refreshing, slightly astringent smell. It's difficult to describe as I can't think of anything to compare it to but it's really refreshing, especially following the cold water rinse. It also feels instantly calming on the skin and moisturises well.
The smell only lasts for the length of the application.
Sandalwood is subtle, but gorgeous.
all the shops round here sell the usual aftershaves, so im just gonna have to buy to try.
I recommend http://www.shaving-shack.com/
Spend £9.99 or more and you get free samples, which is where I discovered the Bluebeard's balm...
PS: Regarding the hard water/lather problem, I changed to a cream in a tube, instead of the ready-bowled "soap/cream" and this has improved things a bit, but not by much.
I'm using a boar bristle brush and this may be compounding the problem.
I've ordered a badger bristle brush (sorry, badger but hey). I'll report back on the results.
sadexpunk - Memberdo balms retain their smell on your face all day? and er.....while we're talking balms and lotions, are there 'body lotions' in the same smell too? im now thinking alternatives to sprays such as lynx.
Balms should not retain their smell all day and should fade fairly quickly.
In terms of longevity the scale is:
balms / aftershave
eau de toilette
eau de cologne
eau du parfum
However, fragrances are such a personal thing that the above can only be taken as a guide as an EDT on one person may last longer than an EDC on the same person.
As you go up that scale you will also notice a general increase in price as you things like moisturiser and alcohol are replaced with more of the proper smelly stuff.
The smell only lasts for the length of the application.
looks like ill have to use the usual aftershave type stuff after the balm then yep?
Sandalwood is subtle, but gorgeous.
any recommendations for sandalwood stuff thatll last all day?
I recommend http://www.shaving-shack.com/
thats where ive ordered most of my stuff from, thanks 🙂
In terms of longevity the scale is:balms / aftershave
eau de toilette
eau de cologne
eau du parfum
sandalwood eau du parfum for the win?
thanks
R U in today, sad?
No brush delivery yet. In the meantime, I've tried rinses with clean water and it does feel better than using the stuff in the sink. Just put enough in to swirl the razor about between passes so you can run the hot tap for a clean water swipe.
Also, don't dry your face and hands after the final cold rinse. Apply the balm. Feels much better...
yep, im about mate
ie got all my gear through in the post, but its christmas pressies, so all wrapped up and i cant touch it or see it grrrr.... 🙂
wifes said i can have it all now if i want and got to admit its tempting, but thats getting away from the christmas spirit a little....
i may give in before long tho 😀
looks like ill have to use the usual aftershave type stuff after the balm then yep?
[url=
I use a Mach3 razor, but have been using a brush and shaving soap/cream stuff for a few yrs.
I just got myself a cheap BodyShop brush which works OK and some of their shaving soap - Maca root or something?
When that was running out, my Wife got my some Taylor's of Old Bond St Sandalwood soap in a pot. It's great. Not lasting as long as the Body Shop stuff, but smells great and works nicely.
Should really try a fancy razor, but reckon I will slice myself to bits...not sure I can be bothered.
In the meantime, I've tried rinses with clean water and it does feel better than using the stuff in the sink. Just put enough in to swirl the razor about between passes so you can run the hot tap for a clean water swipe.Also, don't dry your face and hands after the final cold rinse. Apply the balm. Feels much better...
thanks, ill give that a go.
I use a Mach3 razor, but have been using a brush and shaving soap/cream stuff for a few yrs.I just got myself a cheap BodyShop brush which works OK and some of their shaving soap - Maca root or something?
When that was running out, my Wife got my some Taylor's of Old Bond St Sandalwood soap in a pot. It's great. Not lasting as long as the Body Shop stuff, but smells great and works nicely.Should really try a fancy razor, but reckon I will slice myself to bits...not sure I can be bothered.
as alluded to earlier, its probably only a minimal improvement to use a DE over cartridge, and more about 'the overall pampering experience'. taking your time to mix the lather, using that perfectly weighted sculpted razor, hearing it scrape as it cuts the stubble away, applying the balms, splashes, lotions etc etc etc. sort of the male equivalent to a womans bathtime pampering routine. (hark at me and i havent even tried it yet! :-D)
tbh, i never spent that much on cartridges really, its not a financial decision. itd probably take a long time to claw back the money spent on the initial set up before you started 'saving' money on razor blades. and again, i think i could see me personally maybe spending more overall anyway as i try different smells, creams, brushes, maybe even extra razors, its probably more of a 'mini-hobby'.
if you dont get (or are interested in) that, then its obviously fine to stick with cartridges/disposables. while im waiting for santa, im actually using some 'gillette 2' disposables over my mach 3 turbo. i forgot the turbo when i went away a few weeks ago and had to buy these as an emergency. once id got over the shock of them not cutting my face to shreds i actually found them really good and preferred the fixed head and 'scraping sound' of the shave, so theyre my razor of choice til i unwrap that badboy xmas goodybag.
Not sure about that sadex, I think there are a lot more advantages.
I find I can tune my shave, where I used to get a rash from multi blade doesn't happen now because I can do couple of light passes with the single blade in that area. I've not had a single ingrowing hair since switching, I don't feel like I ever need to use a dull blade because the mach12's are £XX a pop and I need to get my money's worth out of them, etc.
I think they are a lot more controllable than a multiblade, the only thing I miss about the gillete things is the single blade trimmer thing on the back which was awesome for getting up under your nose which is more tricky with a DE
yep, i accept i probably simplified it a little there, i was just basing it on my own thoughts after shaving with a disposable. i used bog standard foam, did 3 passes in a DE stylee and thought 'well, you cant really get much better than that surely!'
ill report back when i try it for the first time.
Clobber - Member
Not sure about that sadex, I think there are a lot more advantages.I find I can tune my shave, where I used to get a rash from multi blade doesn't happen now because I can do couple of light passes with the single blade in that area. I've not had a single ingrowing hair since switching,
Is that down to the razor or the rest of the stuff?
I found that using a scrubby face wash before shaving, using a brush and a decent shaving soap seems to have stopped all my ingrown hairs and cured a lot of the rash that I used to get at the base of my neck.
I think this is the reason that I haven't tried a different razor yet.
Perhaps I should just bite the bullet, spend £25 or so on a razor and some blades and give it a go. Perhaps I should put it on my Xmas list.
Do it stumpy, doesn't take long to get the hang of it, get good blades though, like Astra's there are some nasty ones out there, I hate Derby's for instance.
You'll save the £25 in blades in no time.
PSA : Use code USVAT2014 for 20% off at shaving shack.
thanks dave, wish id known that a week or so ago as thats where we bought all my clobber from, but ill mebbes be buying some after-shave stuff soon too.
Sorry sadexpunk, only bought myself this week after reading this thread and dabbling with cheapo DE razor for a month now.
Had my first shave last night and didn't need one this morning... And that's from someone who needs to shave twice a day if going out at night too !
Got feather blades as I have a mega tough growth, well impressed with them.