The Shaving Thread

**Newfie** · 05-11-2007, 08:02 AM

I'll start this to keep any thread-jacking from happening (on this subject anyway) like happened to Dan's thread yesterday.

I posted yesterday that I'm on a couple of shaving boards, one mostly dedicated to straight razors (www.straightrazorplace.com), and one leaning more towards D/E safety razors (www.badgerandblade.com) but with a fine contingent of straight users as well.

Ever since I was old enough to shave, I basically hated the routine. It was something I did only because I had to, especially where I work now where a "No Beard Policy" is a condition of employment. I shaved in the shower, and it was only the quicker the better.

One day I saw how much the Bride paid for the Mach III blades I used. I said "Screw this, there has to be something better". At first, it was mostly an economic decision. I bought a Merkur Classic DE razor, a pack of 10 Merkur blades, a cheap Wilkinson Sword Boar bristle brust and a tub of cheap Wilkinson Sword shaving soap. The afore mentioned kit was all in, about $40, and replacement blades being less than $5 for 10, much better price if you bought bulk off E-Bay.

First thing I noticed was how good my face now felt after shaving. There was absolutely no comparison to what I felt before, and believe it or not, the shave was closer. I now CAN NOT shave every 24 hours, I can't. I don't have a quick growing heavy beard, so YMMV.

Skip ahead to today. I now own a Dovo straight razor and a 4 sided paddle strop (I love using this), I own 2 Merkur razors (the original I bought and a Futur, a very heavy razor that feels wonderful in my hands), and 2 old Gillettes from the 60s. I got another brush, a Vulvix Pure Badger (as opposed to Super, Silvertip, etc, all higher quality from different parts of the animal) and a small assortment of soaps, shaving creams, etc.

Now, it's become more than economics. Matter of fact, it basically isn't economical any more. It's about me, and spending time with me alone. Now, when I shave, it takes me 45 minutes to shower and shave, and it's a part of the day I look forward to and relish.

Example, last night at 10 PM, the Bride is watching something on television I wasn't interested in. So I went to shower and shave. I put "Dark Side of the Moon" on the music box in my bathroom, and spend close to the next hour alone, in my own little world, enjoying what I was doing and pampering myself.

Here's what I used last night:

Like I said, this has gone past the economical place where I started and has become doing something for me, something I now enjoy doing after more than 30 years of hating it.

Allow me to make a comparison:

We all enjoy smoking with friends, sharing cigars, shooting the breeze, sharing a couple of beverages of choice, etc. But there are times when sitting in your favourite place to smoke, alone, with one of your favourite cigars, just makes you feel good, right??

Well, that's how I now view shaving.

There are guys here who have an unbelieveable number of cigars collected and aging. Basically any "hobby" is subject to collecting.Wanna see a nice collection of "shaving gear"??

Look HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE

**stjohnroe** · 05-11-2007, 08:39 AM

OMFG, and there was me thinking that browsing a sausage making forum was a bit left field.

**Newfie** · 05-11-2007, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by stjohnroe

OMFG, and there was me thinking that browsing a sausage making forum was a bit left field.

I don't think so pal. If you enjoy sausage making, and there's info on the NET, that's what it's there for.

**guado** · 05-11-2007, 09:21 AM

I keep hearing about this shaving buzz. It has definitely intrigued me but Right now i do not have the time to spend on shaving right.

I never looked into and and thought everyone was using these kind of razors also(which scare the hell ouf of me...)

**slcraiders** · 05-11-2007, 09:24 AM

Now I have seen just about everything. Amazing!

**Newfie** · 05-11-2007, 09:25 AM

That's a nice razor Eddie. Dovo has a good name.

You don't need to fear them, just respect them.

Couple of basic rules though, never shave with one while you have the hiccups and you're handling a very sharp tool with wet hands, so you WILL drop it at some point. If you drop something, what's your first reaction??

Right!!

Don't do that!!!

**Newfie** · 05-11-2007, 09:42 AM

ROFLMFAO!!!!

**guado** · 05-11-2007, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Newfie

ROFLMFAO!!!!

Nothing like a nice smooth beaver....

**Kass** · 05-11-2007, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Newfie

ROFLMFAO!!!!

**mills** · 05-11-2007, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Newfie

a 4 sided paddle strop

That sounds...interesting...

**Kenyth** · 05-11-2007, 04:54 PM

Sorry man, I couldn't do that straight razor thing. When you've got little kids, you want to minimize the sharp and dangerous implements in the house. If I had a six inch razor lying around and not locked up, I'd have nightmarish visions every time I lost sight of the kid.

**Newfie** · 05-11-2007, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Kenyth

Sorry man, I couldn't do that straight razor thing. When you've got little kids, you want to minimize the sharp and dangerous implements in the house. If I had a six inch razor lying around and not locked up, I'd have nightmarish visions every time I lost sight of the kid.

I hear that!!

**WhiteWidow** · 05-12-2007, 08:47 AM

So can you use that straight razor to do all of your man-scaping as well?

**nhcigarfan** · 05-12-2007, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Kenyth

Sorry man, I couldn't do that straight razor thing. When you've got little kids, you want to minimize the sharp and dangerous implements in the house. If I had a six inch razor lying around and not locked up, I'd have nightmarish visions every time I lost sight of the kid.

With three boys, the oldest of which is 4 1/2 and the twins are 1 and walking, I thought that also.

That and I would look like a horror movie death scene if I tried to use it.

**nhcigarfan** · 05-12-2007, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by WhiteWidow

So can you use that straight razor to do all of your man-scaping as well?

If you try doing the porn star shave with one of those you are a brave MF.

**dpenix76** · 05-12-2007, 09:30 AM

That could get ugly real quick

**mills** · 05-12-2007, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Newfie

That's a nice razor Eddie. Dovo has a good name.

You don't need to fear them, just respect them.

Couple of basic rules though, never shave with one while you have the hiccups and you're handling a very sharp tool with wet hands, so you WILL drop it at some point. If you drop something, what's your first reaction??

Right!!

Don't do that!!!

Originally Posted by WhiteWidow

So can you use that straight razor to do all of your man-scaping as well?

I'm thinking that's a big negative on that one.

**Monk** · 05-21-2007, 10:28 PM

Newfie!

Damn cool thread man! It's 23:24 on the Victoria Day holiday monday and I just spend the past 1.5 hours chilling out in a steaming bath, face under a hot towel to soften my 3 days of slacker long weekend beard growth and then shaving afterwards using my 5 stage "system". I'll post pics of my shaving setup and will make another longer post with what I use tomorrow at work. I definately have some questions for you as well and we can talk technique and accessories! Regarding straight razors, I think I have a lot to learn to get a proper shave from mine (A Dovo Solingen). Solingen are a well known German knife manufacturer and I picked mine up when living in Munich. So many questions! Chat more soon bro!

-W.

**Newfie** · 05-22-2007, 07:52 AM

Hey Will, been a while Pal. Dovo is a great name in razors, or so I've been told, and they're the same company who make Merkur DE razors, which are probably the leaders in the industry now.

Here's what I used this morning!

**Monk** · 05-22-2007, 08:43 AM

Hey man,

yeah things have been pretty hectic and I'd say they were settling down, but I have travel for work coming up again so it would be premature to say so :). I'll post some pics later but basically after a hot shower or bath to soften my beard I go through the following steps:

1.) Wash my face with Clinique for Men Liquid Face Wash and a Sisal Wash Cloth to exfoliate. (http://www.clinique.com/templates/pr...D=CATEGORY3907) and (http://thebodyshop-ca.stores.yahoo.n...washcloth.html)

2.) Apply some "The Art of Shaving" Pre-Shave oil. I use unscented at home and have a small Lavender one for on the road. (http://www.theartofshaving.com/taos6...=10000&group=1)

3.) Lather up with my Badger Hair brush and Kent soap. (http://www.h-s.co.uk/shaving/shaving..._bowl_and_soap)

4). Shave with my "The Art of Shaving" Black and Nickel handle and Gillette Mach 3 blade (I get the blades at Costco... cheaper ;) )

5.) Soak and rinse my face with cold water.

6.) Apply "Clinique for Men" Scruffing Lotion (3.5 I think) to clean pores and further exfoliate

7.) Apply "Clinique for Men" M-Protect SPF-21 mousturiser

8.) Feel and look great and enjoy my day

I also have a cool travel Badger hair brush for shaving, as well as a travel bowl and soap. so I replicate my system when on the go.

-W.