[Closed] Shaving and proper razors

I went from a multi-blade to one of these:

http://www.shaving-shack.com/merkur-38c.html

Very happy with it. Still working my way through the [url= http://www.shaving-shack.com/10-feather-10-derby-extra-10-israeli-made-double-edged-razor-blades.html ]assortment[/url] of blades I purchased at the same time, so can't say if one brand is better than another. At seven quid for 30 blades, you can bin any you don't like though.

Had a few blood baths to start with but getting on nicely these days.

If you order from SS, don't forget to go via Topcashback for some extra discount.

Bloodbaths!

😯

I use a black Gillete one that cost me 4 quid or so it's fine and available everywhere.

The best shaves always need heat and water everything else is bunk really, shave after a bath or shower, use a brush and shaving soap to lift the stubble and keep rinsing the blade in very hot water.

http://www.trumpers.com/shaving_tips.cfm

I went straight in with a Merkur Futur but I've since gone and bought an old Gillette Tech (which is a '3 piece' razor) and a 1954 Gillette Super Speed (which is a 'twist to open' or TTO razor) both on eBay.
The Tech was about £3.00 and is brilliant as a starter razor as it's not too aggressive so the chances of cutting yourself are slimmer. If using a Tech you're can use a proper sharp blade such as a Feather - amazing results.
The Super Speed look s compleely brilliant and is very worth the £12.00 I paid - it's probably the razor I'll use every day while breaking out the Merkur for 'special' shaves.
I tend not to use the Tech so much and mainly use the Super Speed with a Derby or Feather blade or the (much more aggressive) Merkur with a Derby blade.
Changing from multi-blade razors has changed shaving into an enjoyable experince and I now shave pretty much every day instead of about twice a week.
Brushes and creams/soaps are a whole subject in themselves but I can highly recommend the Castle Forbes Lavender Cream - expensive but lasts a very long time and smells amazing (in a non-jay way obviously).

I would probably start with a cheap Gillette Tech on eBay and then progress to something else as and when you feel the need. It seems you can't get away with just having one razor 🙂

There was a thread on this a few months ago (I'LL try and find it again and link) and I went and bought one off Ebay for £20 including a pack of feather razors.

Very good, cheaper, better shave and no bloodbath. Only difference I find is that you have to lather up and shave twice but that is offset by the fact I only have to shave every other day when at work. Plenty of demos on youtube but as joolsburger says, you don't really need to go through most of the ridiculous ritual (and take up to 1/2 hour) that they advocate there. Couple of minutes max is all it takes, just let the blade do the work with light pressure only.

With the benefit of hindsight I should have gone to Boots and bought their £4 one which looks as though it will do exactly the same job.

Edit - Boots one [url= http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Razor-Double-Edge-Razor-with-5-Blades_12442/ ]HERE[/url] Old thread [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/starting-with-safety-razor-and-feather-blades-am-i-going-to-die ]HERE[/url]

This is a joke right? Starter razors? what? Packet of cheapo bics, job done.

With the benefit of hindsight I should have gone to Boots and bought their £4 one which looks as though it will do exactly the same job.

Yeah, but there's something cool about using a great bit of engineering that's older than you are.

This is a joke right? Starter razors? what? Packet of cheapo bics, job done.

Errr....... no. Did your bike come from Halfords if not, why not? Then apply the same reasoning to many other everyday objects.

Yeah, but there's something cool about using a great bit of engineering that's older than you are.

"Errr....... no. Did your bike come from Halfords if not, why not? "

What's wrong with my Carrera and my cheap bic razors? I get to ride a bike and shave my face. Bingo.

The cost is low if you know where or what to look for.

[u][b]3 piece safety razor[/b] [/u]

1) Edwin Jagger 89L (mild to slight aggressive) £20-£21.50.
2) Muhle R89 (Mild to slight aggressie) £24.99
3) Merkur 34HD (mild to slight aggressive) £30.
4) or search old Gillette safety razor ... Safety Razor UK got some but price has gone up since. Adjustable ones are better to play with.

Anyone of the above should be a good start. Actually the head might be manufactured by the same company.

[u][b]Badger brush [/b][/u] (I did not kill any badger so don't blame me)

Spend around £15 - £25 for a badger brush.

[url= http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=216&idcategory=4 ]This one[/url]

[url= http://www.traditionalshaving.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/traditionalshaving/_343900/1/Black-Badger ]Any of these[/url]

Or just get some from departmental store ... Kent B4 is around £20 - £26

[u][b]Shaving soap/stick (anything more than £5 is very very expensive)
[/b][/u]

No need to spend a fortune as the highly recommended one cost 44p to £3 that will last you a long time especially the shaving soap stick.

1) Palmolive shaving soap stick (highly recommended 49p - Made in Germany - from Superdrug at 69p or Wilkinson at 48p).
2) Erasmic Shave soap stick (very good 89p ... but I prefer Palmolive ... not sure somewhere now since my local stores stopped stocking them)
3) Akro shaving soap stick (very good £2.42 ... just because they are from Turkey still prefer Palmolive - get it from Shaving.ie)
4) Palmolive shaving soap tube £1.68 (very good)
5) Ingram shaving soap tube £1.68(very good)
6) Erasmic shaving soap tube (very good but not sure the price but less than £3)

[u][b]Double edge or safety razor blade[/b][/u]

The following brands are good so you might want to buy a sample pack of different brands before settling down on the one(s) you like.

1) Feather (sharp as sumurai sword ... Japan Made )
2) Iridium Super Blades (Russian made)
3) Gillette 7 O Clock Sharp Edge DE Blades (Russian made same factory as Iridium)
4) Personna Platinum
5) Any of the Gillette blades should be fine.

In fact most blades are okay .. apart from ...

[u][b]Avoid[/b][/u] the following blades as they got mixed reviews.

Merkur, sharp, Dorco, Supermax, Blue bird (some said ok), Laser ...

Check out here for sample blades.

[url= http://www.shaving.ie/categories/Razor-Blades/Double-Edge-Blades/ ]Shaving.ie[/url]

[url= http://connaughtshaving.com/razorblades.html ]Connaught Shaving[/url]

Oh ...[u][b] a bowl or a coffee cup[/b][/u] for soap and brush to stir in.

You can get most of the stuff from these online shops.

[url= http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/Double_Edge_Safety_Razors.html ]The gentlemans-shop[/url]

[url= http://www.shaving.ie/ ]From Ireland[/url]

[url= http://www.shaving-shack.com/ ]Shaving-shack[/url]

[url= http://connaughtshaving.com/safetyrazors.html ]Connaught Shaving[/url]

[url= http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/home.asp ]Safety Razor UK[/url]

[url= http://www.traditionalshaving.co.uk/ ]Traditional shaving[/url]

So there you go and I guess £45 - £50 should set you up nicely to last for a while.

🙂

So there you go and I guess £45 - £50 should set you up nicely to last for a while.

I'd still go for an old Gillette Tech on eBay (one just finishing now for about £4.00). Then you can have a cheap try before spending more money - you may even find that the Tech ticks all the boxes and it will teach you a better technique without removing half your face.
Those soap sticks are proper cheap but I've not used one yet (I'm going to pick one up sometine though) as I'm still using creams - no mug required with a cream as you can create the lather on your face.
Another thing you can try is the sample pack from Trumpers - loads of very very nice different creams and aftershave all for £10.00

bows down to Chewkws shaving research. respect!

I'm feeling a bit insecure now about my shaving skilz.

I have a futur razor that I bought from here in January

I used it about 3 times (enough to know I'm not patient enough / have the skin of a fairy princess) and put away. Keep meaning to get rid

Cost me £27 posted; someone's for £25 (couple of unused blades I think - sorry chewy, no idea what brand 😉 )

(edit: 1st refusal to spooky, since it's his thread)

sharkbait - Member

I'd still go for an old Gillette Tech on eBay (one just finishing now for about £4.00). Then you can have a cheap try before spending more money - you may even find that the Tech ticks all the boxes and it will teach you a better technique without removing half your face.

Absolutely. Agreed. Yes, if you can get a Gillette Tech go for it as £4 is a steal! Buy two!

Those are the best soap sticks available. Lather up very well and in fact may be better then some of the premium brands. You can't beat the value and performance. I like the soapy scent but some said they want more perfume scent in them but hey it's 50p to £2.50 so the traditional soapy scent is fine with me. All you need to do is wet your face with warm water, rub the soap stick over your face and use the shaving brush to lather on your face. Simple. You can easily have 3 shaves for that i.e. 3 shaves not 3 passes.

£10 shaving cream? That is way too expensive for me. I want them cheap, cheerful and good. You will be surprised how good those shave sticks are. Yes, their soapy scent might not be everyone cup of tea but you will not be disappointed for lathering up.

🙂

^ Merkur Futur gives an amazing shave but to start with turn it right down to 0 and don't apply any pressure. Maybe not best used with Feather blades 😯
It makes a great noise when it's cutting bristle and you can use this sound to judge when you've got the angle right.

scaredypants -
Cost me £27 posted; someone's for £25 (couple of unused blades I think - sorry chewy, no idea what brand )

That should be Merkur Future. Made in Germany. Adjustable too!

Send me a pic for condition as I am interested in trying that.

🙂

p/s: shave slowly as there is no need to rush for the first few months until you are fully "trained". I have Gillette Red Tip ... one wrong move and part of your face will be gone.

This is something I reseached quite thoroughly about 2 years ago and I now shave daily with a safety razor where I get no irritation and actually enjoy the experience. Previously my face used to burn from my 6am shave to about lunch time.

Unfortunately I'd say that getting a really good shave requires a bit of trial and error and a lot of practice and patience. There really aren't any short cuts. Razors, blades, soaps/creams, brushes make a lot of difference.

Good luck.

have a look at the badgerandblade forums...

OP - go for it mate!

I made the switch 9 months ago and I am not going to switch back to cartridges.

chewkw's post gives some great ideas to start off with, if I were to be pedantic I could argue with some of them, but life's too short.

Before shaving for the first time I would recommend watching Mantic's videos on YouTube to get some pointers and to understand the method.

Happy shaving 🙂

chewkw 😀

(I'll do photos if spooky passes)

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

Does a grand job for me.

(plus 1 for connaught shaving too)

Ho hum - Member

chewkw's post gives some great ideas to start off with, if I were to be pedantic I could argue with some of them, but life's too short.

LOL! Razor? Shaving soap? Razor blade?

Go on. Which one?

Ho hum - Member

OP - go for it mate!

Before shaving for the first time I would recommend watching Mantic's videos on YouTube to get some pointers and to understand the method.

Happy shaving

Yes, Mantic on YouTube is good. He the man. A must watch.

scaredypants - Member

more like in my case guv

(I'll do photos if spooky passes)

Spooky. Go for this one but dial down to the lowest then progress up slowly to the right aggressiveness for your liking. I think 3 to 4 should be good enough in terms of aggressiveness but since I have not tried this particular one I do not know.

Merkur blades? Not for me, used one once and never again. Derbys are good for me as well as Feathers but only in certain razors. Picked up some Gillette baldes for 50p/pack the other day and they're pretty good too.
I think Tesco blades are Personas, as are Asda.

Blades are a personal choice and whats good for one person may well not be good for someone else - trial and error.... but that's part of the fun.

My only issue with the Merkur Futur is that the head is quite big but the cut and sounds more than make up for that.

chewkw - Member

LOL! Razor? Shaving soap? Razor blade?

Go on. Which one?

I actually like the Merkur blades, but I would agree that the 7 o'clock Gillettes are great.

Plus, I think that the more expensive soaps do give a better shave. I am using a D R Harris soap at the moment and I love it.

My razor is a Muhle R89, as you have recommended and I reckon it is just right for me.

😉

I changed to a Merkur Heavy Duty Double Edge Safety Razor (34c) using Derby blades. Not much of a bloodbath just need to get the angles and pressure correct and you won't get a better shave. Apparently you need to hold it like a dart.

sharkbait - Member

Picked up some Gillette baldes for 50p/pack the other day and they're pretty good too.

50p/pack! Where from?

Yes, blade selection is trial and error but generally the good ones are easier to match with even if it means matching different safety razor brands.

Ho hum - Member

I actually like the Merkur blades, but I would agree that the 7 o'clock Gillettes are great.

Merkur blades get mixed review and they are expensive.

Plus, I think that the more expensive soaps do give a better shave. I am using a D R Harris soap at the moment and I love it.

Yes, they are nice but expensive too.

My razor is a Muhle R89, as you have recommended and I reckon it is just right for me.

Yes, that's a good razor and quality is not so bad too.

🙂

I decided to tinker with 'proper' shaving.

13p for 5 sainsburys basics single blades (BIC type), plus a brush and a bowl of wilkinsons soap to start me.

That was 5 months ago, half of soap still left. Razors do me fine, but want a merkur for xmas. Getting a good brush is something I would recommend. Changed from a very basic wilkinsons one (could even be man made) to a nice badger hair one, felt so much nicer!

At the moment I've got the most economic way of shaving, 3p blade per shave, (although double edged safety razor blades can be as cheap) and cheap soap and moderate brush (£20?)). Suits me fine at the moment, although going to treat myself to nicer soap next time, and as said before hopefully merkur for xmas, and then after that a bigger brush perhaps.

motivforz - Member

At the moment I've got the most economic way of shaving, 3p blade per shave, (although double edged safety razor blades can be as cheap) and cheap soap and moderate brush (£20?)). Suits me fine at the moment, although going to treat myself to nicer soap next time, and as said before hopefully merkur for xmas, and then after that a bigger brush perhaps.

Merkur progress (adjustable) is better than Merkur Futur (adjustable). IMO, as the former is more traditional in design while the latter perhaps is too modern with a big head that many do not like. Merkur 34HD is a recommended classic that many favour but I like adjustable. My Gillette (adjutable) Fatboy (1959) and Red Tip (1958) are my favourite at the moment.

My badger brush is Kent H8 (£48!) which is nice but expensive, I only bought it because the cheaper ones were all sold out but I have no regret as it is very nice.

To get cheap blades simply buy bulk to get the cost down.

Still trying to find a good soap/cream. What do you guys recommend? Could do with a new brush as well as I've been using my cheap one for nearly a year.

burnsybhoy - Member

Still trying to find a good soap/cream. What do you guys recommend? Could do with a new brush as well as I've been using my cheap one for nearly a year.

Try the ones I suggested above as all of them are good and don't underestimate them because they are cheap. They are highly recommended and all you got to do is spend at least 50p (Palmolive shave stick cheapest) to test it out.

I have tried cream but I still prefer soap and good soap will not dry up your face. The above shave soap/stick will not dry your face but you just have to try it out after all it's 50p to start with.

Shave brush go for pure badger large as they are "cheaper" and I prefer them not to be too soft.

Body Shop Shaving Cream.
About £8 a pot, but I get 9-10 months shaving every day.
They do an aftershave repair cream thats superb, but its £10 a tube.
Being a total pikey I've been using the Aldi multiblade cos the blades are 25p each.

If you want a stiffer brush that is good for face-lathering try a boar brush instead.

Something like a Semogue Oner's Club from vintagescent.

A couple of other points for after you have finished shaving:

1. Buy an alum block or styptic pen to help calm the skin and stop any little nicks bleeding;
2. Don't use an alcohol-based aftershave as it will dry the skin.

Merkur 38C

Blades: Mix of derby, feather and Israeli

Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat

Cream's: Bronnley (superb), Bluebeard's Revenge (even better) , also have Omega, Prorazo and Musgo Real in a tube for travelling.

Brush: Kent BLK2 (amazing)

Cut stopper: Alum stick and a pen for travelling

All in all its almost as good as a singlespeed !!

Hot damn! Is there nothing you people won't niche out on?

😛

Shaving is as niche as it gets.........

montylikesbeer - Member
Merkur 38C

Blades: Mix of derby, feather and Israeli

Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat

Cream's: Bronnley (superb), Bluebeard's Revenge (even better) , also have Omega, Prorazo and Musgo Real in a tube for travelling.

Brush: Kent BLK2 (amazing)

Cut stopper: Alum stick and a pen for travelling

All in all its almost as good as a singlespeed !!

I rememeber someone likening DE shaving to singlespeed before!

It does take longer than cartridge shaving and is more unforgiving. However, when you get it right it is just so sweet...

Wow big response...thanks to everyone especially chewk.

Scaredypants, sounds like a little research is in order but will let you know by this evening if I want the razor. Thanks for the offer, appreciated 🙂

Does anyone use a straight razor?

Clearly the consequences of getting it wrong could be pretty severe 😯

Considering trying one, thoughts appreciated.

Cheers, Rich

Grow a beard?

**** me if you believe a brush will affect your shaving you really have been conned.

Have you actually tried it Al or are you talking from a position of blissful ignorance?

turboferret - Member

Does anyone use a straight razor?

Clearly the consequences of getting it wrong could be pretty severe

Considering trying one, thoughts appreciated.

Cheers, Rich

If you have a steady hand and plenty of time i.e. more than 15 mins, go for it otherwise there is a reason why safety razor is called safety razor.

Not for me I am afraid ... shaky hand etc ...

😯

Nothing beats a shave done by a professional with a straight blade. Mainly practised on the continent these days.

ScottChegg - Member

Nothing beats a shave done by a professional with a straight blade. Mainly practised on the continent these days.

Yes, that's the best but it's not common nowadays.

Check out Youtube as there are two to three clips on shave done by professionals. I think one in casino somewhere in the state and the other I think is in Ireland or London. One of them also explained his technique.

🙂

woody yes I have and I don't buy into brushes.

a proper razor

If ever there was a sign of mindless snobbery, it's people saying "PROPER" next to something just because it's old our outdated somehow.

Really gets on my tits.

A Gillette Fusion is a "proper" razor. It works very well, shaves your beard nicely, does exactly what it's meant to - what's not PROPER about it?

I once came over all nostalgic when I was a student and bought a shaving brush, old skool soap and an old fashioned safety razor. My god, it was agony - seriously. Extremely painful all day.

Nothing beats a shave done by a professional with a straight blade

Yes it does. Having a couple of mm of stubble maintained with a Babyliss iTrim. Skin is unaffected so zero irritation, hairs are soft and silky and grow much more slowly, you only have to do it every few days max and when you do it only takes a couple of minutes 🙂

Al

I've ordered a budget badger brush today [url= https://www.secure-sales.org.uk/shavingshack/shaving-shack-buccaneer_pure-badger-shaving-brush.html ]THIS ONE[/url] so will report if I notice any difference from the current Wilkinson nylon jobbie I currently use and don't like one bit.

I hope you're wrong 😉

woody, a mate of mine got one, its a cracker for the money.

Make sure you don't leave it in any hot water, the resin on then will go soft and it will shed hair like Bobby Charlton.

book yourself in here for a proper, erm sorry 'old fashioned' shave...

http://www.trumpers.com/shaving.cfm

not quick though....

I guess I should probably try it before dismissing the whole thing (but I'm not going to...) but I really can't see the appeal. Is it about cost or closeness of shave? Although I was happy enough with 4 blades the 5-blade Fusion still gives me a close shave, anything closer and don't you risk in-grown hairs? Fusion blades are a total rip-off but for me the convenience of not having to concentrate as though my my life depends on it when using one far out-weighs what may be cheaper running costs with a traditional razor.

think hot towels work well..

did try this stuff (it was on offer) for a tube..
[img] [/img]

seemed to work well as a diy hot towel ish thing

http://www.realshaving.com/products/pre-shave/self-heating-hot-towel-mask/

but I really can't see the appeal

It's just.. better.. more real, you know? You feel in touch with your ancestors, somehow.. like a mystical link back across time and space to a simpler time when people shaved differently. Everything was better and more honest back then, you know?

If you have to ask, then you just don't get it and never will...

first of al its cheaper.

then the shave is better

its a bit self indulgent (nowt wrong with a bit of that)

and its niche

ticks all the boxes for me

Woody - Member
Al

I've ordered a budget badger brush today THIS ONE so will report if I notice any difference from the current Wilkinson nylon jobbie I currently use and don't like one bit.

I hope you're wrong

I bought one of those back in November of last year and it worked really well for 6 months. The it started shedding...

montylikesbeer - Member
woody, a mate of mine got one, its a cracker for the money.

Make sure you don't leave it in any hot water, the resin on then will go soft and it will shed hair like Bobby Charlton.

I can understand that may be a reason why it is shedding, but I always used the same routine and the water was warm to hot.

I have written to Shaving Shack about my brush shedding and it will be sent back soon.

How did you resolve your shedding brush?

sent mine back to shaving shack, got a credit and got my replacement BLK2 from then

There is no need to drop the brush in any kind of warm water, just dip the brush tip in and off you go.

I now rinse the brush in cold water and it has not lost one bristle in 6 months

You're supposed to hang them upside-down after use to drip dry too.

Cougar you are right, mine sits in a drip stand as well

Daro O Briain sums it up in his stand up. Modern shaving is a marketing mans wet dream. Gillette Fusion Power Stealth - FFS

Other than he word Gillette what does this have to do with shaving?

A straight foward razor soap and a bruish does just as well if not better than a five bladed techno razor and a five pound bottle of super gel utra slick gubbins that last about a month.

I'm a simple man I don't like complex stuff unless it has a genuine benefit over what went before, that's why I cook on gas not in a microwave, listen to records (still, - I know what a luddite) and shave with a saftey razor with one blade.

If a think it's genuinely better I'm all for it but a Gillette Fusion Power stealth is just a way of turning shaving into a DDI for the Gillette company.

then the shave is better

I am highly sceptical.

montylikesbeer - Member
ticks all the boxes for me

Shouldn't 'convenience' and 'speed' be massive boxes that need ticking for something that generally just needs to be done so you can get on with life. It's not like shaving is a hobby, is it?

Cougar - Member
You're supposed to hang them upside-down after use to drip dry too.

Someone posted a thread about this on Badger and Blade and most people agreed that capillary action is stronger than gravity within a brush so you are better standing them bristles up to get them to dry.

The stands that are available are really just for show!

I just would not go back to cartridge systems again.

Two quick passes with a DE is as good as it gets or needs to be

FuzzyWuzzy - Member

montylikesbeer - Member
ticks all the boxes for me

Shouldn't 'convenience' and 'speed' be massive boxes that need ticking for something that generally just needs to be done so you can get on with life. It's not like shaving is a hobby, is it?

It can become quite addictive once you get into it 😳

most people agreed that capillary action is stronger than gravity within a brush so you are better standing them bristles up to get them to dry.

Right. I'm happy to accept that perhaps hanging upside down has little effect if capillary action is stronger than gravity, but even if that's true I'm not seeing why standing upright would be better? It's not like it's either / or is it?

It has to be a lot more environmentally friendly too. An occassional blade with none of that plastic surround, not to mention the enormous amount of plastic packaging that multi-blades come in. The only thing that concerns me a little is where they find all the badger hair for the brushes....roadkill ? 😯

Cougar,

I am not sure why it is better. I think that it just boiled down to not having to fork out for a stand for each of your brushes.

I will see if I can find the thread on B&B when I get home from work.

To be honest though, you should really shake your brush enough to get rid of all of drips before stwoing it away.

Sorry, that sounds awful ****y doesn't it? But, that is what I read somewhere.

If you wanna be eco friendly, don't shave at all!

Woody, spend your money where you like, one brush against another (or none) doesn't give you a better shave.

I'm not anti-old fashioned razor, in fact I may give it a go as I despise the designed obsolescence of modern shaving, but the nonsense around it sometimes goes a bit too far.

But as I say, spend your money where you like.

My Kent H8 brush only managed to shed around 20 hairs then it stopped shedding, yes I counted LOL! Because I bought it for £49! I tried both way of drying the brush by upside down or simply let it stand. Not notice any different really. Also before using it I tend to submerge it in the bowl of hot water for 2 minutes or so but now I will try not to submerge it for that long. Dipping the brush should be sufficient.

I actually started using shaving brush after a long period of using shaving cream as cream tend to be a bit messy and difficult to rinse. There is also a possibility of clogging your sink as I noticed a while back hence ditching the cream but it could just be me.

My reasons for using safety razor:

1) Cheap. Initial investment might be a bit "high" but after that cheap.
2) Comfort. I don't get nick as often as my double blade Gillette Sensor.
3) Durability. The razor head & handle are made of metal(brass). I am getting stainless steel version soon.
4) Feel. Well, it's kind of "therapeutic" shaving the old ways.
5) Old Skool. Like I said I only managed to progress to double blade Sensor and even that I get nick often as I refused to keep changing blade due to cost.

cynic-al - Member
Woody, spend your money where you like, one brush against another (or none) doesn't give you a better shave.

I'm not anti-old fashioned razor, in fact I may give it a go as I despise the designed obsolescence of modern shaving, but the nonsense around it sometimes goes a bit too far.

But as I say, spend your money where you like.

I am not going to argue with you Al.

However, in my opinion you are wrong 😆

scaredypants, just sent you an email 🙂

Razor sorted (hopefully), now all the associated paraphernalia that goes with it 🙂

If you're unsure of whether the claims that DE shaving can be better it's well worth having a look at:
www.badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Loads of good advice. I started using a safety razor about 3 months ago and will not go back. After the initial expence of buying hard/software it's very very cheap and quite fun.
I love the idea of shaving with a 50 year old razor - it's a great way to stick two fingers up to the marketing people 🙂

Personally, I couldn't give a toss if I'm using someone's grandad's old razor that he used in the trenches, y'know. I do kinda understand where the whole ritualistic "I AM MAN, RAWR!" thing comes from when it comes to shaving, but usually I just want less hair on my face.

Left to its own devices my face seems to cultiviate hair like dark wire wool, proper(*) Desperate Dan material, coupled with fairly sensitive skin. Shaving is a pain, occasionally literally. To offset this, I shave every few days and usually sport a goatee.

I've tried various products, with varying degrees of success. Disposable razors are the work of the devil, first thing I tried when I started shaving. For ages I thought that either I was simply crap at doing it, or it was normal to bleed like a stuck pig afterwards.

I got a Gillette Sensor, and coming from the Bic it was a revelation. I've tried the different Sensor blades and there doesn't seem to be a lot between them. The Sensor 3 seems ephemerally 'better' but that could just be my imagination.

I've tried the ubiquitous Mach 3, and don't get on with it. I don't like the lack of control that the flappy-abouty head gives you, and I don't like the lack of precision from the big daft blade. I've also tried a couple of the Wilkinson Sword outings, but the 'Protector' idea just seems gormless to me - it lifts the blades away from your face, so you're left still feeling like you need a shave. Ideal if you're going for a George Michael I suppose. (Designer stubble, I mean, not a crafty J Arthur in the local conveniences).

I was going to talk about soap / foam, but I think this is getting a bit wordy now so I'll make a second edit for that.

Where I'm going with this is, I'm keen to improve my shaving experience. Anything that gives me a better (closer / cleaner / less hemorrhaging) shave is a win for me. If I can use quality toys then that's great, but TBH making it 'fun' or getting in touch with my inner pensioner is less of a priority.

I've considered trying the traditional 'safety' razor but never quite been sure about it. I think after reading everything here, I might give it a go.

(* - sorry, Molgrips)

It really all boils down to heat and moisture. Always shave after a shower or a bath and keep rising the blade in very hot water.

In terms of creams etc,

I've used various high-profile named aerosol foams, creams (sorry, cremes) and gels, as well as various shop-own brands. The bottom line is, smell aside there's not much to separate them. I prefer the regular foam to gel; I think the gel's just a gimmick, it's fiddly to use and has a tendancy to messily dribble out of the can after you've put it away.

King of Shaves' oils looked like they could be a winner, but they clog up a multi-blade razor horrificially badly so that was a failed experiment for me. I'll probably give them another punt if I get a single-blade razor, if nothing else the little bottles will be ideal in a travel kit.

The winner here though, by a country mile, is the old brush'n'soap. I chanced an el cheapo Wilkinson Sword shaving brush and soap from Tesco, came to less than ten quid for the pair IIRC. Immediately, exponentially better than anything else I've ever used. Replaced the brush after a couple of years with a good quality one and it's a joy to use, the soap was still going strong into the next year when I got a nice dish of the stuff as a present and semi-retired the old one. For the money, I can't recommend either of them highly enough, shockingly good.

I've considered trying the traditional 'safety' razor but never quite been sure about it. I think after reading everything here, I might give it a go.

To start with maybe try one of Boots' plastic DE razors - it will give you an idea of what it's like to shave with a safety razor.
The razor may not feel that good (weighty or solid) and the blades you get may not be that brilliant but it's a starting point for jsut a few quid.
After that I would strongly recommend trying some other blades such as Derby or [ninja] Feather. The latter in particular will remove your Desparate Dan fuzz without a second thought. You will probably need to get the blades online/eBay.
If you're still with the program you 'may' want to look into getting a different razor (a couple of suggestions are Merkur 34c which is highly recommended for a 'new' non-adjustable or the Merkur Futur for an adjustable - other makes are available). Or maybe an old Gillette (Tech, Fat Boy, Super Speed, Rocket, etc.)

Start small and see where it takes you.

Yeah, thanks for the info. I saw someone mention a 'sampler' pack of blades, that's very tempting.

Presumably "adjustable" razors refer to blade depth? Is that hugely desireable, or just something else to get wrong? (-:

Cougar - I have always found shaving very uncomfortable, especially when coupled with biking and wearing a helmet.

My solution was to just wear stubble and keep it (mostly) tidy. One major source of pain and discomfort totally gone from life. Can't recommend it enough.

The winner here though, by a country mile, is the old brush'n'soap.

For me, this was the absolute opposite. I might as well have used jam for all the good it did my face.

When I did wet shave, I went high tech - as many blades as Gillette would make, and either KoS oil (rinse often) or gel, or both for the ultimate.

A colleague recommended Clinique for men shaving stuff. Didn't work that well for me tho.

But it's all in the past now 🙂