Having recently discovered the joys of DE Wet Shaving, does anyone else shave using this gear or better yet a straight razor?
I'm talking double edge razor blades into a safety razor, a brush - badger, boar or synthetic and shaving cream / soap.
I'm already getting better shaves than I did with Gillette cartridges - Mach 3, Fusion.. i've used them all...
You can get into this rather cheaply, or expensively, just depends what sort of gear you buy and how into it you get.
My 'starter' kit set me back 120 dollars which included a Merkur Progress, a very decent badger brush, some shaving cream, alum block and some blades.
Some amazing smelling creams and soaps out there that also perform fantastically lather wise too. Some really good brands to look out for are Taylors of Old Bond St, Geo F Trumper and Proraso.
Anyway, after that initial outlay, with the blades I'm now using, it boils down to 38 cents a blade which last me 3-4 shaves. A tub of shaving cream will last you months and a brush practically forever if you look after it.
I'm primarily shopping at Fine Shaving Products for a Smoother Closer Shave - Shaving.ie - Chris is a really helpful guy and orders are processed within a day or so. Takes about a week to hit canberra from ireland. He's one of the cheapest suppliers on the net.
An aussie based one is Men's Biz - Men's Skin Care and Shaving Products. they have some great stuff and send samples with every order, but they are expensive. I was a little pissed to see that I could get some shaving cream - Taylors of Old Bond St - Jermyn St Collection to be exact, for about 4 dollars cheaper from a brick and mortar store in a westfield shopping centre.
If anyone is keen on this, I suggest you buy a starter kit, or a second hand razor and have a go. Taylors do a sample pack of all their creams so you can get to try all of them fairly cheaply.
Yup styptic pencils are great. Word of warning, if you mess your face up one shave, dont rub alum all over it, you may as well put petrol on it and set your face on fire.
An aussie forum - http://www.paste-and-cut.com.au/ can be used for a source of more info and possibly some freebies if people have some gear spare.
Shaving.ie in Ireland is great, I bought most of my startup gear from them. MensBiz is good but as Minorci said a little expensive, but if you join paste and cut forum you get a discount. Connaught Shaving is good - also UK based and they have an ebay shop too Those are the three I have used. I priced up my starter pack from a shop in Perth and it was around $450 but from Shaving.ie for the same gear it was around $220,so definitely some savings to be had.
I have stacks of blades and creams etc so if anyone wants some advice or info just let me know.
Thanks for the tips guys. It's something that I've been keen to look into never really knew where to go for the gear beyond retail junk. I've been annoyed at the standard supermarket razers for years. I'll probably grab some stuff over the next few weeks.
And rofl @ covering your face with alum. Would pay for someone to record a video of themselves doing that.
I used to use those burshes / razors. I inherited them from my grand-dad, so they were vintage and really fucking good quality. The razor had an ivory handle.
Unfortunately, after moving to SA, my Dad couldn't find it among all the boxes. So it's gone forever. Not sure why I didn't continue with the style of razor though; as they rock.
Wealth of knowledge in this thread at OACU Overclockers Australia Forums. This first got me interested however didn't make the time to do so back in Darwin.
I actually have a cut throat/straight razor, yet to use it, based on fear of slitting my own throat. bought it about 12 months ago with full intention to start using it. its a little Dull, finding a good cheapish strop is annoying, i tried to find a fine wet/dry stone for it, but nothing i could find locally was fine enough. any hints on using it to make sure i minimize the damage?
Quote from Minorci;398707: Shaving.ie has some veryhigh quality Japanese whet stones and strops. A dull straight razor is a bit dangerous imo
one of the main reasons i havent used it yet, will have a look at the site try get myself a strop anyone know if the Strop or stone is a better option? have found many mixed reviews online
I been shaving with a straight razor for the past year. The brand that I use is Dovo Solingen from Germany. The cream is Maca Root shaving cream.
Overall you shouldn't have to sharpen your new straight razor on a japense water stone. Though you should only be considering a 8000 grit stone, 800 to 1000 grit stone will take too much metal away.
What you will require is. 1) Razor strop infused with (Chromium(III) oxide) 2) News paper 3) Razor 4) Shaving cream 5) Depending on where you live mineral oil or as its called in Australia baby oil
You do not want to get just a leather strop without it being infused with some type of abrasive compound. This is mostly because it will not remove any metal to hone that razor sharp edge of the razor. After honing your razor on the leather strop infused with chromium oxide (cheap)(green) you hone your razor on single sheet of news paper on the bench. The reason for using news paper is because the particles that they use to print news paper is smaller than chromium oxide, about 1/10th the size and mostly consistent. This acts as the last abrasive you use before you shave with the razor.
So, here is normally my steps with a straight razor. 1) Strop the razor 1-2 times on the leather infused with chromium oxide (havent replaced it yet after 1 year) 2) Strop the razor on news paper on the bench 3) Put shaving cream on 4) Shave 5) Wash off 6) Shave against to finish up 7) Wash razor off and cover the razor lightly with mineral oil to prevent rust
Most (cheap) razors are made with stainless steel though the only problem is they contain much less iron and thus are much harder to remove the metal, and thus require more honning to get a sharp edge.
For a comparision I purchsed a cheap E-bay $60 razor and the dovo, I threw out the cheap ebay razor because it was simply made out of stainless steel and I could never get a sharp edge like the Dovo.
Though one of the problem with having a razor up here in the NT, and the high hudmiity plus using it in the bathroom and storing it in the bathroom is the problem with the top quality razors to oxides much faster than stainless steal. The solution to this is to get a Jam Jar, and fill it up with baby oil and place the razor into the baby oil after use not let the nasty oxygen get to the metal.
Now for cuts. You're going to cut yourself You're going to cut yourself And You're going to cut yourself
Though the cut's are not that bad. Normally it heals up in 10 minutes anyway.
For preparing, jump into the shower with some soap and do a wash of your beard. Hope out of the shower and then prepare the shaving cream, slap it on. Do your shave, repeat, then jump into the shower and have a wash and you're done.
When you first do it for the first 5 times you will freak out, after the 10th-20th you will think whats the big deal.
If you want I can make you up a simple strop that you can come around and pick it up, loaded with chrome oxide that you can give it a shot. Think i got some old leather lying around in the garage.
If you want I can make you up a simple strop that you can come around and pick it up, loaded with chrome oxide that you can give it a shot. Think i got some old leather lying around in the garage.
that would be excellent mate. let me know what ya drink and i'll shout ya a 6 pack or something for your troubles.
My razor is just a cheap $60 ebay jobby as well, didn't want to go the whole hog initially until i was sure the shave was worth it.
Quote from Jay;398729: Any tips for selecting some beginner gear?
Merkur Safety Razors Progress Futur 34c HD
Supposedly the HD is a good place to start.
I'm incredibly happy with my progress. Gives a very nice shave and I can adjust it to my taste. Check out the luxury starter kit.
The only downside to the kit is you pick a cream you may not like. Ask chris to swap the cream out for Taylors Jermyn St collection. Ive not seen anyone say they dislike it. Then just order a sample kit or two :)
Just come and pick it up when you're ready. Just threw it together in a couple of minutes. Give it a try and let us know what you think. Don't need to buy me anything.
Quote from chad;398781: In my experience Badger hair is only useful if you're using solid soap's. If you're using a cream then a synthetic brush is better than badger hair.
Quote from Jay;398745: Based on reading through forums, thinking of getting: - Merkur 34c HD
- Muhle Pure Badger Black Shave Brush
Comments, and would appareciate any suggestions on which blades and shaving cream to pick.
In the end I might just go screwit and get the starter kit. :p
If you want a recommendation for cream and blades:
Get a blade sampler - try a variety of blades because every single combo of blade/cream/brush/skin type is different and will have a different result. Otherwise, good starter blades are Gillette 7 O'clock Black Super Plats, Timor, Derby,Astra Platinums. Get some Proraso cream, the menthol and eucalyptus is a great combo. Anything from the Taylors of Old Bond Street selection is pure win.
Quote from JugV2;398785: If you want a recommendation for cream and blades:
Get a blade sampler - try a variety of blades because every single combo of blade/cream/brush/skin type is different and will have a different result. Otherwise, good starter blades are Gillette 7 O'clock Black Super Plats, Timor, Derby,Astra Platinums. Get some Proraso cream, the menthol and eucalyptus is a great combo. Anything from the Taylors of Old Bond Street selection is pure win.
Right. Fuckit. Luxury Starter kit with LH Progress it is.
Quote from Jay;398858: Forgot to mention, took about 3 hours from order placed to status being shipped.
Yeah they're on the ball with shipping over there. My last order was placed around 11PM 22nd July, it was shipped the next day and should be here on Monday.
When you're ready to try some different blades give me a shout. I'll put together a sampler for you of some other blades you should try.
Quote from morge;398924: Real men use an angle grinder.
So true.
I'm not a real man, so on Friday last week I ordered a heap of stuff from shaving.ie:
Merkur Futur 50 Blade Premium Selection Sampler Alum Block Jumbo Styptic Pencil Muhle Best Badger Shaving Brush Proraso Shaving Cream Taylors of Old Bond Street Lavender
All up about "70 with postage. Posted same day but I'm not sure when to expect delivery. Will have to knock up some kind of stand so the brush drains and dries properly but that shouldn't be too hard (one of those little hooks on a suction cup stuck to the mirror probably). Anyway, excited!
Yeah I haven't even gotten my first order and already I want to place a second for some more creams, pre-shave lotions and aftershaves. Futur is a solid looking bit of kit, went for the satin finish over the chrome or gold.
Futur is definitely shiny and it'll probably be my second or third razor to try out once I get bored of the Progress. However it seems it has some issues with the blade mounting system and aggressiveness for beginners.
Sorry mate, the mum threw it out. Was sitting outside for a week.
All good mate, i ended up getting stuck doin family shit after work for the last 4-5 days, thanks heaps anyways, just guna order a kit online, think the razor i had was a bit cheap and nasty anyways.
Quote from Jay;398930: Futur is definitely shiny and it'll probably be my second or third razor to try out once I get bored of the Progress. However it seems it has some issues with the blade mounting system and aggressiveness for beginners.
That's why I didn't get it. I think my next razor will be some vintage ones. Gillette superspeeds and fatboys etc.
Rage. Package arrived today but nobody was home so I have to go pick it up from the post office tomorrow morning. So that's order placed Friday night in Ireland, arrived in Melbourne between 7am-10am today. Wtf. That's quick.
Don't bother with the whole brush stand thing. There is no evidence at all to support that a brush stand makes any difference whatsoever. I have a truefitt and hill badger and a semogue 830 boar and neither get hung upside down or get any special treatment. Spend money on a brush stand if you want, makes no difference to the life span of the brush. Just a bit of wank.
Had first shave yesterday. Still took J turns and ATG to the typical stubborn areas where the stubble sits right against the skin in odd directions. Any suspect spots I normally get bleeders at, bled. Only one real sort of bleeder though that needed the styptic. Quite possibly a mole was lost.
The brush I got with the kit was Semogue 740 Badger Hair Shaving Brush.
you should be taking after shots. each time you shave, get a shot from the same angle, same room, same pose, same lighting. Then we can run them all together in Premiere and watch you turn into Jigsaw! :D
think ive decided on the : This Shaving Kit Contains the Essentials Needed for a Better Shave with the MUHLE R89 razor.
was looking at a sampler for blades (work out what suits me), and either the Muhle Soothing Aloe Vera Shaving Soap in a Wood Shaving Soap Dish or Taylor of Old Bond St Shaving Soap in a Wooden Bowl in Sandalwood and Lavender soaps.
Any suggestions for "tougher" facial hair blade or soap wise?
Quote from Ratty;399006: think ive decided on the : This Shaving Kit Contains the Essentials Needed for a Better Shave with the MUHLE R89 razor.
was looking at a sampler for blades (work out what suits me), and either the Muhle Soothing Aloe Vera Shaving Soap in a Wood Shaving Soap Dish or Taylor of Old Bond St Shaving Soap in a Wooden Bowl in Sandalwood and Lavender soaps.
Any suggestions for "tougher" facial hair blade or soap wise?
Don't limit yourself to soaps. Look at creams as well. Proraso is fantastic and a staple cream. Has a nice menthol cooling effect. I think it comes in your kit.
O mehlor is nice along with any tobs and geo f Trumper creams.
Quote from Jay;399001: Had first shave yesterday. Still took J turns and ATG to the typical stubborn areas where the stubble sits right against the skin in odd directions. Any suspect spots I normally get bleeders at, bled. Only one real sort of bleeder though that needed the styptic. Quite possibly a mole was lost.
The brush I got with the kit was Semogue 740 Badger Hair Shaving Brush.
You're probably using too much pressure if you are getting cut. Let the weight of the progress and blade do the cutting. Also pre shave prep is paramount. Best to shave after a hot shower.
Quote from Minorci;399008: Don't limit yourself to soaps. Look at creams as well. Proraso is fantastic and a staple cream. Has a nice menthol cooling effect. I think it comes in your kit.
O mehlor is nice along with any tobs and geo f Trumper creams.
Blades just try and see.
yeah since the proraso cream comes with the kit i was looking at a soap as well to try the difference, get the full feel of both.
man i grow wire out of my face, so useing the normal razors just dont cut it, to get a smooth shave i have to go over my face 3 times. But hoping with all this info and new gear thiis will be a thing of the past.
Stuff arrived this morning, had to have a shave with it straight away. Used the Proraso cream, liked it apart from the way it numbed my face so much I couldn't feel the blade to tell if I had the right angle or not. Badger brush is good, though I would probably actually prefer a softer brush, especially when relathering for a second pass when the skin is a bit sensitive. Tried an Astra platinum blade, nothing to compare it too but it seemed OK. Thought I was doing alright until I got to the neck and chin area, this proved to be pretty hard and I eventually gave up before I took too much skin off. Went back this evening after work and touched it up a little bit (used TOBS Lavender so I could actually feel something), came up pretty well. Will leave it at least a few days now until the skin settles down before having another scrape.
anyone know What postal company is used by shaving.ie? the page doesn't mention Australian shipping and the tracking number i have doesn't work for the usual suspects (auspost, AAE).
Quote from Ratty;399161: anyone know What postal company is used by shaving.ie? the page doesn't mention Australian shipping and the tracking number i have doesn't work for the usual suspects (auspost, AAE).
No point trying to track it. It doesn't show past leaving Dublin. It's anpost.ie btw
Quote from Minorci;399163: No point trying to track it. It doesn't show past leaving Dublin. It's anpost.ie btw cheers mate, hoping the kit arrives today, was shipped last friday and my beard is reaching the point of too much hair, starting to itch.
Quote from Minorci;399320: That's surprising, they are a mid range blade. Maybe your technique is improving?
Could be but it felt like such an easy shave, didn't even get any razor burn. Might keep using the Derby blades for the rest of the week to stay consistent and then try the feathers again.
my kit arrived just over 2 weeks after i ordered it (fuck Darwin postage lag), so i had to wait a few days to use it due to having shaved the DAY before, was starting to look like a yeti.
I'm fully not keen on shaving on the best of days, my missus hates when i let it go, but i was excited to test my new toy, woke up at 9am Sunday morning (super early for me) purley to have a shave.
Using the standard kit, with the Mühle R89, the proraso cream, and the Voskod blades and just a standard synthetic brush i must say, best shave i have ever had!!!
Looking at the razor it was small, and felt small in my hands however once i started to shave it just felt right.
Hands down smoothest shave, easiest razor to use once i got used to the angle of the blade, dont get me wrong i nicked myself a little bit, But NO razor burn, no scraped skin, and very little to no irritation.
not to mention to clean the thing between strokes, holy shit... had the sink filled with warm water, flicked it around once or twice and bam ready to go again, non of this running water over the 4-5 blades trying to make my wire-like hair be forcibly removed from between the blades.
the Styptic stick hurts like nothing else when applied, but I've never had a shaving cut stop bleeding that fast, loved it.
I also grabbed a Alum stone to try the difference in post shave care, after applying and drying my face, smooth as silk... 100% better than my alcohol based after shaves, few minutes after i applied some Nivea for men Aloe post shave moisturizer, amazing.
Pay day today, so will be ordering more gear this afternoon, Soaps, after shave care and bulk blades. gotta say big thanks to Minorci for starting the thread and to all the boys who threw in there 2 cents worth.
I still haven't bothered with an album block. I use proraso gel for any nicks but its been ages since I cut myself. I picked up a nice Merkur Progress yesterday so I'm keen to try some of the dud blades in it just to see if there is any hope for a Derby blade or if I should chuck them.
Ratty it sounds like you have a good technique going there. Razor burn is easily avoidable anyway, people get it from doing three passes with a crappy technique.
Its common to get carried away and order loads of stuff. Minorci is a good example of that, as am I.
My count so far is 3 razors, 3 brushes, 7 creams, 4 soaps and around 200 blades.
Ordered me the Luxury Starter Kit with the Merkur Progress and Taylor's Rose shaving cream.
I buggered up my order with the wrong details which also ended up doubling my order but they had awesomely quick responses to my email and refunded my first order straight away, bloody impressed with their service at Shaving.ie :D
JugV2 * yeah the razor burn was definitely from having to go over the same places multiple times with the mach 3's or the fusions, but to get a shave even close to as smooth as the new DE razor it had to be done.
Ordered myself some extras this morning
Geo F Trumper Sandalwood Skin Food Taylor of Old Bond St Shaving Soap in a Wooden Bowl in Sandalwood and Lavender and another blade sampler kit.
going to stick with the Razor i have for a while at least, very much like the feel of it.
Quote from CyphiX;399736: Ordered me the Luxury Starter Kit with the Merkur Progress and Taylor's Rose shaving cream.
I buggered up my order with the wrong details which also ended up doubling my order but they had awesomely quick responses to my email and refunded my first order straight away, bloody impressed with their service at Shaving.ie :D
Yeah Chris at shaving.ie is good. Really good to deal with and quick with replies.
I restored a crappy brush yesterday. Had a semogue 830 boar that lost it's backbone. Basically drilled out the old knot and replaced with a high quality silvertip badger knot. Turned out alright.
Quote from snake coward;403016: Noticed a shaver shop in cas.. when did that open? bout 3 weeks ago, he's over priced by a fairly large margin for DE razors and brushes.
My TOBS avocado and Jermyn St is almost finished. Might want to try out some different creams. Also I've gotten used to Feathers and Voskhods set on #5.
Quote from Jay;403318: shaving.ie still the place to go to?
My TOBS avocado and Jermyn St is almost finished. Might want to try out some different creams. Also I've gotten used to Feathers and Voskhods set on #5.
Give the DR Harris Arlington soap a go and the O Mehlor shave cream.
Arlington is good. Voskhods are probably one of the best blades going atm. Just started working through some Eton College and a TOBS Sandalwood. Soaps I am using Marlborough, Nathan at Mensbiz chucked me a whole puck to try out.
Hmm I'm going to have to do an order soon too. Have been shaving with Feathers and Voskhods set on #6 (Merkur Futur) but my sample packs of both are about to run out so might order 100 or so of each. Proraso shaving cream has been treating me well too, grab another tube of that and maybe a sample pack of TOBS for variety.
Lol no, still got more than half the tube left but if I'm going to buy enough blades to last me a year, maybe two, I'll definitely need more so I might as well get it at the same time and save making more orders later.