The Shaving Thread

[Paddy]

Bumping this old relic of a post with a video I posted on Youtube this week... I've been shaving with a straight edge since about the last time someone posted in this thread, three years now... And it is the best way, and only way everyone should shave:)

The crazy thing is, I only started to shave with a straight edge because of this thread!

Here's a short video of my shaving routine.




I'm thinking of adding some more videos soon about how to strop the blade and make a nice shaving cream foam

Roham,
What brand of shave cream do you use?
For the last 6 months I've been using Taylor of Bond Lemon & lime, just emptied
I cracked open a new jar of Cyril R. Salter French Vetiver. Wonderful quality cream.
The scent is exactly the same a Guerlain Vetiver, A cologne I use on a regular basis.
I have not tried a straight razor yet, I use my fathers 50yr old Star brass saftey razor with wilkinson blades.
Paddy

[Roham]

Roham,
What brand of shave cream do you use?
For the last 6 months I've been using Taylor of Bond Lemon & lime, just emptied
I cracked open a new jar of Cyril R. Salter French Vetiver. Wonderful quality cream.
The scent is exactly the same a Guerlain Vetiver, A cologne I use on a regular basis.
I have not tried a straight razor yet, I use my fathers 50yr old Star brass saftey razor with wilkinson blades.
Paddy

Hey Paddy,

I mix the Nivea Shaving cream and the Williams Mug soap to get my foam. The Nivea shaving cream was actually a different german named brand I had never heard of until I guess Nivea bought them out at some point in the past couple years.... Still is the same cream though I think. The straight edge is great way to get back to our roots and try something new but in no way is it necessary. I found a gold plated safety razor from 1930 at a garage sale! $20 bucks hehe

Those shaving creams look great, I think I'm gonna order me on and try it out! Which should I try first?

[Mizicke5273]

I just recently bought some Williams pucks. Actually used it today for the second time to get a good close shave for a wedding. It's cheap, easy to come by, and provides a great shave. Though today's shave wasn't as good as the first time I used it, as I accidently dropped the loaded brush in the sink the first time. Based on that, I used a lot more water than normal, but seems it still wasn't enough. I'm thinking I just plain don't use enough water ever. Guess I really need to try starting from scratch.

[Corvin]

Based on that, I used a lot more water than normal, but seems it still wasn't enough. I'm thinking I just plain don't use enough water ever. Guess I really need to try starting from scratch.

I'd bet the opposite, too much water. I find that if I soak my brush while I shower then squeeze the excess water out it's fine.

As far as soaps I love Mama bears soaps. I have the unscented and the dragon's blood.

[Paddy]

I just recently bought some Williams pucks. Actually used it today for the second time to get a good close shave for a wedding. It's cheap, easy to come by, and provides a great shave. Though today's shave wasn't as good as the first time I used it, as I accidently dropped the loaded brush in the sink the first time. Based on that, I used a lot more water than normal, but seems it still wasn't enough. I'm thinking I just plain don't use enough water ever. Guess I really need to try starting from scratch.

Are you using a seperate bowl to work the lather in?

[Mizicke5273]

Are you using a seperate bowl to work the lather in?

Nah, I face lather with soaps.

Been using Mama Bears for quite some time as well. Dragon's Blood and Spellbound Woods are my favorites. Have them in cologne as well.

[Paddy]

I just recently bought some Williams pucks. Actually used it today for the second time to get a good close shave for a wedding. It's cheap, easy to come by, and provides a great shave. Though today's shave wasn't as good as the first time I used it, as I accidently dropped the loaded brush in the sink the first time. Based on that, I used a lot more water than normal, but seems it still wasn't enough. I'm thinking I just plain don't use enough water ever. Guess I really need to try starting from scratch.

I use these when I travel. They are a nice cross between a soap puck and a cream jar. If used correctly they should last 6-8 months.

http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Eucalypt...2477336&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shavin...2477554&sr=1-2

They are inexpensive and do a fine job. I've found some of the OTC soap puck just don't lather well. Once you have tried a GOOD Itailian or British cream you will never go back.Also always have a secong lather bowl to work the cream in ( same with soap puck). Any small bowl out of the cuboard will work. I just happen to use this.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Hand...een_p_804.html

[b.read]

It took me awhile to find what worked best for me...started using a generic puck my wife bought me at the grocery store (I do not recommend this ) to Proraso, to C.O. Bigelow, was then given some Cremo Cream for Christmas last year as well as a kit from Art of Shaving. Tried both and liked both, but ended up sticking with the AOS cream. It's a bit pricey in the store, but it can be found cheaper online. I've found that a tub will last about 6 months or so.

That said, I found that having a decent brush made the most difference- my wife also bought me a generic (synthetic) brush from the same grocery a few years back. Upgrading to a better brush was night and day.

[Paddy]

It took me awhile to find what worked best for me...started using a generic puck my wife bought me at the grocery store (I do not recommend this ) to Proraso, to C.O. Bigelow, was then given some Cremo Cream for Christmas last year as well as a kit from Art of Shaving. Tried both and liked both, but ended up sticking with the AOS cream. It's a bit pricey in the store, but it can be found cheaper online. I've found that a tub will last about 6 months or so.

That said, I found that having a decent brush made the most difference- my wife also bought me a generic (synthetic) brush from the same grocery a few years back. Upgrading to a better brush was night and day.

I tried the AOS, but it was a bit to Loose for me. I like a firmer cream.
As far as brushes I use
http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_00182__17.html

The Cremo Cream is wonderfull , but pricey ~!

[b.read]

Yeah...even though my current brush is a huge improvement over the first one I had, I wouldn't mind upgrading again in the next few months or so. I had previously looked around at westcoastshaving.com as that's where I go for my blades but I like the selection on the site you posted there better. Thanks for the heads up.

I'm betting the super badger brush is really nice, is there really any point to step up to "silver"? I've never used one...

[Paddy]

It took me awhile to find what worked best for me...started using a generic puck my wife bought me at the grocery store (I do not recommend this ) to Proraso, to C.O. Bigelow, was then given some Cremo Cream for Christmas last year as well as a kit from Art of Shaving. Tried both and liked both, but ended up sticking with the AOS cream. It's a bit pricey in the store, but it can be found cheaper online. I've found that a tub will last about 6 months or so.

That said, I found that having a decent brush made the most difference- my wife also bought me a generic (synthetic) brush from the same grocery a few years back. Upgrading to a better brush was night and day.

I was mistaken, I have not tried the Cremo...This is what I tried
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Cell...00g_p_359.html

[b.read]

I was mistaken, I have not tried the Cremo...This is what I tried
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Cell...00g_p_359.html

Ah! Haven't tried that...I was given this:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Crem...eam_p_114.html


Not bad, but I preferred the AOS.

[Paddy]

Hey Paddy,

I mix the Nivea Shaving cream and the Williams Mug soap to get my foam. The Nivea shaving cream was actually a different german named brand I had never heard of until I guess Nivea bought them out at some point in the past couple years.... Still is the same cream though I think. The straight edge is great way to get back to our roots and try something new but in no way is it necessary. I found a gold plated safety razor from 1930 at a garage sale! $20 bucks hehe

Those shaving creams look great, I think I'm gonna order me on and try it out! Which should I try first?

I love both of them, Every bit as good as the ones costing twice as much. The Taylor of Bond can be had off Amazon for around $15.00.