[Closed] Shaving and proper razors

shaving's an up to you thing. some places say first pass with, second against, third across, others say second across, third against. i do with then against and that's it. i think as long as the first pass is done properly you should be free from ingrown hairs. i've only ever had razor burn from being too enthusiastic about the settings on an adjustable razor and setting too aggresively for my skin.
the important thing is get comfortable with handling the razor and making sure you don't erupt (blood/spots/rash) then, when you know what works for you, start taking other people's advice. when that turns out to be crap, because it will, it's your skin, you'll know how to revert to something that works for you.
😳 <shiny red face>

EDIT - and as pointed out above [b]VERY LIGHTLY[/b] is the way to go

below the jaw line, the growth is in different directions - odd

left side below the jaw = left to right, right side = back to front
I thought it was just me

I await my new/old Tech to arrive and have a feather ready to go when it does!

That's a great combo. The Tech is a very mild razor and works well with a very sharp blade.
I'm currently using the Aristocrat Junior I got a few weeks ago with a Feather blade and it's really good but will also try with a Derby blade as I seem to get on very well with them.
can't decide whether to sell either the AJ or the SuperSpeed - I like them both but they are very similar.
The Tech is nice to keep as I only paid about £4.00 for it and the Merkur Futur is just a beast for when I need an extrea special shave - just love the noise as well!
Glad you guys are enjoying the experience - isn't it great to have a real choice of what to shave with? 🙂

freddyg: the Tech is a great starter razor but I can guarantee you'll love something a little more agressive in a couple of weeks.

Cougar, are you still with us? hello? cougar? anyone know his blood type?

"Red".

Still here, aye. Not had a go with the new razor yet, for various reasons. Might have a punt at the weekend.

In related news, I was looking at these 'sampler' packs of blades the other day. Fifty quid looks like it'll keep me in blades until my kids die, and I don't have kids.

[i]the important thing is get comfortable with handling the razor[/i]
+1. first few shaves resulted in pink water until I realised got the balance right.

merkur hd
derby blades
virgilio valobra soap
muhle alum block

i do need a new brush though. any recommendations?

sharkbait -
Member
freddyg: the Tech is a great starter razor but I can guarantee you'll love something a little more agressive in a couple of weeks.

I've seen the term 'aggressive' used a few times but, as a newbie, I'm not sure of its exact meaning; can you enlighten me?

freddyg - Member
sharkbait -
Member
freddyg: the Tech is a great starter razor but I can guarantee you'll love something a little more agressive in a couple of weeks.
I've seen the term 'aggressive' used a few times but, as a newbie, I'm not sure of its exact meaning; can you enlighten me?

It's to do with how much of the blade is showing.

A very aggressive razor shows lots of blade and you need to be very careful with it or it will bite you. However, with a very good technique you will obtain a very close shave.

A mild razor does not show so much blade and is more forgiving. However, you will never get a really close shave.

It's swings and roundabouts as with everything in life.

Which Merkurs are aggressive then? Liked the look of the long handled 34C maybe a progress or futur as I have the tech on it's way. Take it the 34 and the tech are similarly mild?

futur's adjustable.

a more aggressive setup is more likely to give a bit of burn, so if you're going to use an adjustable, start mild (1) and work up.

The progress is adjustable as well.

I am seriously considering ordering one tonight as I am beginning to suffer from the DE shaver's disease Rapid Acquisition Disorder.

Hmmm, just one more razor can't hurt and it will be adjustable as well so I can tweak it to suit me and there's room in my bathroom cabinet and...

razor bling?

i like the futur because it has a touch of "the day the earth stood still" about it, so it will always look a bit special no matter how many superspeeds, techmatics, calvacade of sports you find competing with your bike bling for your attention
it has to be the matt model, not the chrome one - too gangsta bling

Been trying to bid for some safety razor on the bloody ebay only to be out bid every time ... damn!

Oh the above 3 bottles of aftershave are brilliant! I love them all but the Amber Floid might come out top for me.

😛

Should I buy the Progress and a few other things?

It's Friday night and I am pished and they will do wonders for my shaving ability...

1) Merkur Progress to start with as it's a good razor.
2) Blades like Iridium, Gillette Yellow Sharp Edge, Astra or Personna to start with as any of them will be good. 78p to £1.60 per pack of 5 blades. (get one pack of each to start)
3) Cheap alum stick from Superdrug for £1.75 (5g).
4) Semogue 620 Boar less than £15.
5) One Palmolive shave stick 48p to 69p.
6) One small bowl to lather up.
7) Aftershave ... any of the above but perhaps 100ml to start with.
8 ) Boot's witch hazel ... 200ml for £2.59. (does not smell good by the way but very effective as aftershave. You apply it immediately after finishing your shave and wash it out with cold water after 1 or 2 minutes time before apply proper aftershave like those above).

So apart from the initial set up cost you will be good for a long time.

😛

oh ya ... Do Not apply pressure when you shave as you will get razor burn after that. Only apply very light pressure so that the razor head can do all the work for you. Do 3 passes ... with the grain, across the grain then against the grain for final shave. Do not shave the same spot over and over again because that will give you razor burn as well.

chewy - [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Gillette-Razor-Box-/260659267583?pt=UK_Collectables_Barber_Shop_Collectables_LE&hash=item3cb080c7ff ]buy it now[/url]

LycraLout - Member

chewy - buy it now

Do you know what model it is? If it is a Big Fellow / Big Fellow Deluxe I would go for it.

It's in France ... hmmm ... a bit far?

😉

no idea, did a quick look for bin's. picked up a late model superspeed for £15 posted that way. i'd go with £25 for an old gilette can't be bad

I don't have to get any more but somehow I just want to keep buying ... LOL! I want to try something more heavy like Fatboy.

if you want heavy, try and get your hands on a futur - seriously weighty, but looks not to everyone's taste

ooooooohhhh
[img] [/img]

I prefer the traditional looking ones like Progress or HD so not that keen on Futur so the only way is to go stainless steel which I am saving up for one at the moment. In the meantime I do like the look of Gillette Big Fellow but it's one that is so damn hard to get.

Ohhhh ... 😯

Those cut throat razors look rather dangerous there.

😆

that's a '57 superspeed that is, and an '82 on the right

Yes, I have a rather similar looking superspeed which I think is 60's superspeed and also a rather worn out black handle superspeed given to me by my father. Think I will get that re-plated when I have some £££. The 82 looks very similar to my slim adjustable which I have two ... 😛

It's a **** razor AAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Kevevs - Member

It's a **** razor AAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

LOL! Yes, it is and it's double edge so have you tried it yet? Give it a go and you might change your mind.

😆

Kevevs - Member
It's a **** razor AAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

<non-cyclist>
It's a **** bike AAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
</non-cyclist>

See what I did there ? 😉

I tried it for the first time yesterday and I'm impressed.

Well I didnt get started for two weeks as I was working away, now three shaves in with no blood baths 🙂 Started on setting 1 on the futur and now on 2. Using normal Wilkinson hlades, definitely want to try something sharper. Irritated spotty neck clearing up already, first time since starting shaving apart from the odd random occasion 🙂

[i]It's a **** razor AAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! [/i]
silly rabbit. these are much better razors. 😉

Well, I lived.

Had my first go with the Boots Wilkisword DE today. Nice hot shower, twice as much lather as I needed, and very shaky hands.

It went... ok. No major cuts, my neck was a bit tender afterwards so I did the sensible thing and wrapped it up with a helmet strap. Ow.

Can't say I'm 'converted' yet, but it was a lot easier than I expected. Better blades might help, and I'll be a bit more confident next time too.

What is the expected lifespan of a double edged blade?

I had my third go last night with the original 7 o'clock blade that came with the razor and found it started pulling halfway through. It's shot after 2.5 shaves; I know that the blade could be 40 years old though (and yes it was sealed and unused).

I will normally get 3 shaves out of a blade. Yesterday I pushed it out to 4 on a gillette yellow and I ended up with some irritation around my jaw line.

Your blade could be shot after 2.5 shaves if you have really thick stubble.

This isn't bad when the blades will only cost 10p to 20p and still works out cheaper than a cartridge.

I have a rather similar looking superspeed which I think is 60's superspeed and also a rather worn out black handle superspeed given to me by my father

3-4 shaves from a blade, but apparently you can extend the life of the blade by stropping it on your arm [url= http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10716 ]according to this[/url], but it strikes me as a bit of a pain to preserve the life of a 10-20p blade so I've never bothered.

Maybe it's me, but I find that rinsing the blade in cold water seems to prolong the life of the blade, so I get a week out of each one.

(Obviously I use hot water to prepare my face and lather-up, just rise the blade after each stroke under cold running water)

Ben

I think my black handle superspeed is late 60s or early 70s model (haven't checked it properly yet).

Anyway, blade for me will last around 5 shaves as I do not have heavy beard and nowadays I hardly get razor burn or nick as I am beginning to get my technique spot on. The most important technique is to not to apply pressure and get the angle right. I get BBS almost all the time now.

🙂

BBSB - Interesting link but adding stropping + 4 passes to everything else seems like total overkill on blades costing pennies per shave.

I get the distinct impression that some of these guys will do anything to prolong their time spent in the bog !

I came on looking for peoples thoughts on electric razors [as Fusion blades are extorionate!] as I thought there were a few and found this. Already shave with a brush etc but never knew how highly rated these were, explains why my Dad has used his for the last 20 years. WIll try a cheap one from Boots first I think

chewy - [url= http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9070 ]i think black superspeeds are 70's - 80's[/url]

woody - yup, tried that stropping thing once and thought what tf am i doing? about £3.30 for 30-50 shaves, life's too short. 1 pass or 2 if going out and ending the night with some cheek to cheek contact

BBSB,

Unless safety razor blades are going extinct I see no need to extend or to prolong the life of a blade. Better buy in bulk as they are rather cheap.

Woody,

15 mins max to get BBS for me as I do not have wired face hairs. 😆

Taff,

There are some good blades available at reasonable price if you buy bulk but if you are not sure which blades are suitable for you should buy some sample blades to try out before committing to bulk buy. Plenty available on the net.

LycraLout,

Yes, I think my black SuperSpeeds is from 1974. It needs re-plating as I can see brass on the guard. £15 for re-plating from the guy I bought my safety razor from.

Nowadays stropping is for cut throat razor only but in those very early days of safety razor where the blade is rather thick and made of carbon steel, especially single edge razor, then stropping is necessary.

I just bought 200 Gillette blades today ... made in Russia.

Will last me years I hope but I have the feeling that I will still keep buying ... 😳

I've bought a sample pack of blades from [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230514912691&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT ]here - eBay[/url]. So far, the most impressive blades have been the Feathers.... I still think I could get closer though - do I need to replace my Tech already????? Bollocks, I can see this shaving lark turning into the bottomless pit that is bike ownership!

freddyg - Member

I've bought a sample pack of blades from here - eBay. So far, the most impressive blades have been the Feathers.... I still think I could get closer though - do I need to replace my Tech already????? Bollocks, I can see this shaving lark turning into the bottomless pit that is bike ownership!

10 x Dorco 301 Platinum
10 x Derby Extra
10 x Feather New Hi-Stainless
10 x Iridium Super Extra Stainless
10 x Treet Durasharp Carbon
10 x Trig Silver Edge
10 x Treet Platinum
10 x Super-Max Stainless
5 x Astra Superior Platinum
5 x Gillette 7 o'clock Sharp Edge

Looking at the ebay link on the items you bought they seem fine except Dorco and Super-Max Stainless which I am not sure of. From the list from your ebay link I feel the best for me are Iridium & Gillette Sharp Edge. Derby is fine too for me but gets mixed review by other users. As for the sharpest of the sharp that Feather (yellow pack) I simply cannot not be asked to try because they are expensive.

Just keep to the razor(s) that gives you the best shave and stick to that unless you want a stainless steel version. It all depends on the combination of razor and the aggressiveness of your razor so your Tech should be fine with the sharpest blade.

[b]apparently[/b] you can extend the life of the blade

Thanks Chewkw for the advise. Will try a sample pack similar to those found by Freddyg. Been looking on ebay at razors and have seen a Parker 90R which appears to have a decent length handle as opposed to some of the others whihc appear quite short