The Shaving Thread

[Monk]

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]

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]

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.

[Bucnak]

I've often spoke to a few of my friends regarding shaving, and it never has been like this.
I'm 44 and since I was old enough to see my Grandfather shave (he is deceased) he always had a wooden bowl a badger brush and one sharp razor, I always would sit by him and watch this routine each morning during the summer, as he whisked up the cream with the brush and applied it to his wet face.
It wasn't until about 20 years ago, I was in a pharmacy where I saw a bowl and soap for shaving which brought back some pleasant memories. I purchased the kit and went home and shaved immediately, what a blast!
Since that day I have been using this system each morning with much pleasure, I did three years ago go onto a site and purchase a Merkur razor and the solingen blades, which are great.
I've purchased some good soaps as well and really enjoy the Almond fragrance.
The only problem I have seen is that after I apply the lather, it is quickly to dry and I did find that I have to do one side of my face than the next.
It is a great way to begin the morning and I look forward each day to my 15 minutes of alone time.

[Monk]

I've often spoke to a few of my friends regarding shaving, and it never has been like this.
I'm 44 and since I was old enough to see my Grandfather shave (he is deceased) he always had a wooden bowl a badger brush and one sharp razor, I always would sit by him and watch this routine each morning during the summer, as he whisked up the cream with the brush and applied it to his wet face.
It wasn't until about 20 years ago, I was in a pharmacy where I saw a bowl and soap for shaving which brought back some pleasant memories. I purchased the kit and went home and shaved immediately, what a blast!
Since that day I have been using this system each morning with much pleasure, I did three years ago go onto a site and purchase a Merkur razor and the solingen blades, which are great.
I've purchased some good soaps as well and really enjoy the Almond fragrance.
The only problem I have seen is that after I apply the lather, it is quickly to dry and I did find that I have to do one side of my face than the next.
It is a great way to begin the morning and I look forward each day to my 15 minutes of alone time.

Hey Bucnak,

It does definately become a ritual, I find it enjoyable and relaxing. I can't always do it the way I did last night... especially on those hangover morning (though I tend just to skip chaving on them ).

About the lather. The Kent soap, as well as a really good one from Germany I use as my travel soap, never seems to have this problem. I have the Clinique and Art of Shaving cremes, but the first time I tried them I didn't realize you needed to mix them with water in a bowl and lather it up . Whoops. You might just need to find a different soap for that. I really like the "Art of Shaving" products which I discovered by accident one day while working in New York and walking down the street. Saw an old school style barber shop which turned out the be their store.

-W.

[Newfie]

From what I've read, 99.9% of the time when your lather is "dry", you just need to add a little water.

Normally, a decent badger brush will hold enough water to whip up the lather, and a good one will hold too much so you need to shake or squeeze a bit out before making the lather.

[Monk]

Hey Newf,

So, I can never seem to get a proper shave with my straight razor. It always seems like I'm pulling the hairs out one at a time. Now, I know the angle you are supposedly supposed to go at. How do you do it? What have your experiences been? (I'm wondering if the damnt thing has just never been properly sharp? No clue.)

-W.

[dustinpollock]

all i have to say is has anyone read "american physco"



dustin

[heftysmokes]

all i have to say is has anyone read "american physco"



dustin

Nope, you'll have to fill me in.

[WOXOF]

all i have to say is has anyone read "american physco"



dustin

Nope, I haven't read american physco or American Psycho either. Is the movie a good representation of the book?