The Shaving Thread

[TampaSupremo]

For Christmas I received a Merkur Futur D/E adjustable safety razor (polished) along with the matching stand, badger brush and soap dish. It even came with classicshaving.com's Bay Rum shave soap. I used up the old razors I had first then started using the Merkur. I have to admit that at first the shave was not as smooth as I hoped it was going to be. However, it seems to be improving with practice. I also looked at badgerandblade.com and though I was only on there a short time, liked what I saw.

Two reasons I left cartridge blades behind:
1) Waste and cost of the cartridges themselves. All that plastic and crap, plus they want 15 bucks for a small pack? Funk dat! For the same price I get 20 weeks of shaves plus less waste.
2) A return to a more gentlemanly version of the morning (or evening, in my case, as I often shave at night since I have to be at work at six) ritual. There is a part of me that wishes I lived in turn of the (19th) century England. This helps.

Newfie (and any others who are into the "shave ritual") what is your aftershave of choice? I am currently using Herban Cowboy's Organic Aftershave Balm. I plan on doing some checking around on badgerandblade.com as well, but any immediate recommendations would be appreciated.

Later, gents. Happy shaving!

TampaSupremo

[SmokinDVM]

This is all very interesting, and has me rethinking spending so much on those damn machIII blades.

On another note, the last thing I would see as feminine is shaving your face with a straight razor. Well, except for the bearded lady at a carnival.

[scoutmaster022]

I have been collecting shaving mugs for years and really enjoy soap shaving.. But my eyes are to bad to use a straight razor, ole spice are my favorite mugs sofar . Thanks for links and this tread

[Monk]

My hands would have been far too shaky this morning for a straight razor!

-W.

[Monk]

2) A return to a more gentlemanly version of the morning (or evening, in my case, as I often shave at night since I have to be at work at six) ritual. There is a part of me that wishes I lived in turn of the (19th) century England. This helps.

Newfie (and any others who are into the "shave ritual") what is your aftershave of choice? I am currently using Herban Cowboy's Organic Aftershave Balm. I plan on doing some checking around on badgerandblade.com as well, but any immediate recommendations would be appreciated.

Later, gents. Happy shaving!

TampaSupremo

Missed answering this last night (on purpose! :) ) but I hear ya on #2 TampaSupremo!

As for my aftershave, I just use my M-Protect SPF21 moisturiser, if I am going out somewhere special then I'll usually wait a bit and spray on a bit of Dolce & Gabanna Eau du Toilette.

[spiffykyle]

So shaving my face has always been a pain in the for me. My neck is just screaming in pain whenever I shave. So much so that I switched to an electric just to avoid the irritation from the Mach 3.

Do you think that the single/straight old-fashioned razor could help in this case?

My barber where I used to live (Albany, NY) ran an old-fashioned type shop and a shave was something he offered. I never got one but he always did your neck and sideburns with a straight razor.

Definitely puts out an air of sophistication.

spiffy

[Newfie]

Spiffy, I can only say yes it would. But while a DE razor can be very gentle, some can be very agressive. Like a Merkur HD Slant with a Feather Blade can take off layers of skin if you aren't careful.

If you want some suggestions from guys who are wayyyyyyyyyy more qualified than I, check out www.badgerandblade.com. Many guys there have forgotten more than I will ever know on the subject.

[HersheyWalker]

I can't believe this thread has past the four page mark.

[Kenyth]

So shaving my face has always been a pain in the for me. My neck is just screaming in pain whenever I shave. So much so that I switched to an electric just to avoid the irritation from the Mach 3.

Do you think that the single/straight old-fashioned razor could help in this case?

My barber where I used to live (Albany, NY) ran an old-fashioned type shop and a shave was something he offered. I never got one but he always did your neck and sideburns with a straight razor.

Definitely puts out an air of sophistication.

spiffy

The neck is a sensitive area and needs to be treated gently. Shave in the shower, or right after the shower. Use plenty of shaving lubricant and luke warm water. Do not press the blade down in this area. Use more strokes. If you feel any whisker pulling at all, it's time for a new blade. Use an alcohol free, lotion type after shave. Many high quality hypo-allergenic lotions actually work much better than actual after-shave lotion. You also don't want to shave the crease of your neck too close or you will get ingrown hairs.

[Monk]

The neck is a sensitive area and needs to be treated gently. Shave in the shower, or right after the shower. Use plenty of shaving lubricant and luke warm water. Do not press the blade down in this area. Use more strokes. If you feel any whisker pulling at all, it's time for a new blade. Use an alcohol free, lotion type after shave. Many high quality hypo-allergenic lotions actually work much better than actual after-shave lotion. You also don't want to shave the crease of your neck too close or you will get ingrown hairs.

Personally I wouldn't recommend shaving IN the shower although many do it. You are more likely to miss an area, or cut yourself. Afterwards definately, the key is to really soak your whiskers, hot water will help the hairs absorb water.

I agree with Kenyth on all other points however, and one KEY point he touches on is to not press too hard when shaving. It should be the downward motion of the razor that does the cutting, not the fact the blade is pressed hard against the skin. Ideally when doing a proper shave you would do this once in the direction of the growth (down usually) and then re-lather and then shave the opposite direction.

-W.

[prophetic_joe]

Ok so I read an article on MSNBC about this and they were talking about how this is so much better for your skin and all of that. I go out Saturday to some garage sales and find a bunch of old DE razors, all made by Gillette. I pick up a pack he has for $2 it's got a blue handled job and one that is all Silver looking that allows you to udjust the blade angle and all that. So now I need to find a Badger brush, some creams and other stuff. Where can I go?

This is what I got did I do ok?

[Kenyth]

Ok so I read an article on MSNBC about this and they were talking about how this is so much better for your skin and all of that. I go out Saturday to some garage sales and find a bunch of old DE razors, all made by Gillette. I pick up a pack he has for $2 it's got a blue handled job and one that is all Silver looking that allows you to udjust the blade angle and all that. So now I need to find a Badger brush, some creams and other stuff. Where can I go?

This is what I got did I do ok?

Most drug stores sell specialty shaving items, including brushes and soap.

[Newfie]

Ok so I read an article on MSNBC about this and they were talking about how this is so much better for your skin and all of that. I go out Saturday to some garage sales and find a bunch of old DE razors, all made by Gillette. I pick up a pack he has for $2 it's got a blue handled job and one that is all Silver looking that allows you to udjust the blade angle and all that. So now I need to find a Badger brush, some creams and other stuff. Where can I go?

This is what I got did I do ok?

Joe, the razor with the blue handle, I believe is a Lady Gillette. Actually quite good razors and good for beginners as they're considered somewhat gentle for the "fairer sex'" softer parts & nether regions!!! (LOL< imagine shaving with that and dreaming where it's been before!!!!)

The one on the left is a Gillette Fat Boy, and I've seen those go for anywhere from $10 to $150+ on FleaBay depending on the year and more importantly, the condition. That one looks in pretty good shape and if you look close, you'll see an "E" stamped close to the handle under the "Made In USA" and "Gillette". That E signifies it's a 1959, and on the other side of the handle, there'll be a number (1 through 4) that tells you what quarter it was made in. So if it's an E3 as example, it was made in the 3rd quarter of '59.

I'll trade ya an Opus and a Padron '26 for it!!!

And yes, almost any drugstore sells decent shaving supplies. Nuttin wrong with a puck of Williams soap, or the blue tub of Wilkinson Sword soap and a Boar Hair brush. Careful of the blades you buy though. A bad blade can make it a horrible experience and you'll be begging me to take that Fat Boy off your hands for a Swisher in trade!!!

[TampaSupremo]

So now I need to find a Badger brush, some creams and other stuff. Where can I go?

classicshaving.com

Also, follow newfie's lead and join up at badgerandblade.com. Knowledgable folks and good shaving info.

TampaSupremo

[prophetic_joe]

Ok so I read an article on MSNBC about this and they were talking about how this is so much better for your skin and all of that. I go out Saturday to some garage sales and find a bunch of old DE razors, all made by Gillette. I pick up a pack he has for $2 it's got a blue handled job and one that is all Silver looking that allows you to udjust the blade angle and all that. So now I need to find a Badger brush, some creams and other stuff. Where can I go?

This is what I got did I do ok?

Hey Newf I did some checking and the Razor with the blue handle is a Gillette Knack, number is N1 I'm going to look up the number and see what the date is I am also curious to learn more about this razor.

Found it, Knack razor from the first quarter of 1968. Sweet deal.