Bringing back the Art of Shaving

[Matty_Edge]

Bought a two new Taylor of old bond st creams today. I'm also thinking of stepping up to a straight razor, gotta start doing my research haha.

[BIG EYE]

Just ordered some RazoRock cream soap (I guess that just means it's a hard cream) and some Proraso after shave. I have never used either one, but the cream was only 6 bucks and they both have good reviews online...

[Neb]

Well I'm going to take the plunge here.

Ordering:

Merkur 34c
Dorco ST 301 blades
Feather blades
Precision (personna) blades
Cyril R Salter Fresh Mint Shaving Cream (has anyone used this?)

I already have the EJ badger brush and some pre and after shaves that are AOS brands.

Can't wait!

[ItsThatFast]

I am a huge fan of shaving. I think it's one of the most relaxing things to do (personally). I normally use Gillette 3 blade razor but lately I've been using disposable 2 blade razors.

Well, after reading through this thread I decided enough was enough and ordered my first safety razor!

Here's whats coming:

Merkur 34C
Tweezemans shaving brush (100% badger)
Proraso shaving soap with Eucalyptus Oil and Menthol

What else should I get as far aftershave products? Blades?

Can't wait. Thanks everyone!

[evosky]

get some aftershave balm that has witch hazel in it. also, i recommend getting a scrub that you can use to wash your face pre-shave.

[terribleein]

I think I'm done with the Art of Shaving cream. I noticed when I favored it during the week, I would break out slightly. When I use something by Truefitt & Hill or Queen Charlotte Soaps, my face is super clear. I am running low on my T&H Sandalwood, so I just placed an order for their 1805 and West Indies Limes (Some of the reviews said it smelled like Pez, om nom nom). My best lather so far comes from a mixture of cream from Truefitt & Hill combined with cream from Queen Charlotte Soaps. Happy shaving, guys!

[germanbycar]

I need to order some c.o. bigelow. Running low.

[Neb]

Well I'm going to take the plunge here.

Ordering:

Merkur 34c
Dorco ST 301 blades
Feather blades
Precision (personna) blades
Cyril R Salter Fresh Mint Shaving Cream (has anyone used this?)

I already have the EJ badger brush and some pre and after shaves that are AOS brands.

Can't wait!

So I've done 2 shaves so far using the feather blades. I notice that it doesn't give me a very close shave though. I'm hardly applying any pressure as I don't want to nick myself (so far so good on that front). Maybe I'll try a different blade?

[evosky]

So I've done 2 shaves so far using the feather blades. I notice that it doesn't give me a very close shave though. I'm hardly applying any pressure as I don't want to nick myself (so far so good on that front). Maybe I'll try a different blade?

what's your typical shave routine? maybe you need to do more passes? i usually do one down, one up, and one sideways (aka with the grain, against, and across)

[Neb]

Well being that my skin is pretty sensitive, I don't usually go against the grain too much. I've always experienced burning and/or razor burn.

So normally I would:

wash with good facewash
use some preshave oil
shaving cream put on with the badger brush
Multiple passes with the grain (using the mach3 razor before, now the Merkur)
Only certain areas I can go against the grain or would even need too because this routine would usually work really well and get a close shave. Maybe I just need to do more passes with the Merkur?

[SSj4G60]

I don't see the point in doing more than 2 passes in one directions, if not against the grain try going across the grain after going w/ the grain. Personally I usually only do 2 passes 1 WTG and one XTG, unless a special event or I want a baby butt smooth shave I'll do a 3rd pass ATG.

[Chacolla]

My girlfriend got me a small kit off Amazon for my birthday, and I have no idea what I'm doing. Would love a little advice here. I've always used the cheap disposable razors and occasionally an electric razor.

She got me the following:



After doing some research, the razor appears to be a Merkur 23c. She bought a variety pack (100ct) of different safety razors.

Are these good? I've never delved into old school razors before. How long does each razor last? I feel like 100 razors will last me the next 3 years...

Any tips/advice would be great.

[evosky]

you mean *blades*

it's awesome that she actually got you this stuff! all of what's there seems quality.

as for how long a blade will last, it all varies, but i'd say about 3-4 uses (+ or -), and it's a good time to switch out. you'll feel out how each blade dulls with each use against your face, so you'll find when it's right for you.

looks like you'll want to get a brush to lather up that Proraso cream you got. you'll most always want to shave with a cream or something. avoid dry or water shaving if you can - water's ok for the rare lazy occasion. i'd also recommend getting a face wash or scrub for preshave and some kind of aftershave balm for when you're finished to soothe and moisturize the skin after a shave.

tips to DE razor shaving:
- don't press into your face, you'll cut yourself
- be calm and steady with your passes, avoid running over the same spot over and over again
- enjoy it

[Chacolla]

Thanks man! Yeah I was pretty happy that she remembered me talking about this a few months back.

Yeah I'm gonna go buy a small kit with a brush, holster and some other creams and stuff. We have an Art of Shaving 'mega-kiosk' in our local mall.

[fullmetalrabbit]

AoS is a ripoff. There are much better alternatives out there (westcoastshaving comes to mind). I don't even know that you need an expensive brush, I used one of the cheapo drugstore wilkinson brushes for years before i ponied up and got a badger brush. Yeah the badger is nicer, but the cheap one got the job done with a pretty decent lather, too.

[Ialbert]

Thank you for sharing this! It's great.

[skineepuppy]

quick question what do you guys or gals use to clean your metal single blade razor. ive been using mine for two or three years now and its a pita to clean all the soap out of the corners of the thing wondering if anybody made a cleaner to keep them looking fresh

[Neb]

I just unscrew it, pull it apart and clean with my fingers right after I shave. So far it's been working.

[ItsThatFast]

I have to say that I love my Merkur 34C. I've used it 3-4 times thus far. How long do you guys wait to shave? I cannot shave more than once a week. I need my hair to grow out some before I shave otherwise I cut myself and/or get really irritated skin. So I'm just curios.

Since I'm new to this, I nick myself often (less often if I let my hair grow out a little longer). I also noticed that even if I go WTG , ATG or XTG I'm still not as baby smooth as I'd like to be. I'm guessing I need more practice to get a better technique.

Suggestions besides the obvious practice and patience?

[eurotekms]

Since I'm new to this, I nick myself often (less often if I let my hair grow out a little longer). I also noticed that even if I go WTG , ATG or XTG I'm still not as baby smooth as I'd like to be. I'm guessing I need more practice to get a better technique.

Suggestions besides the obvious practice and patience?

You're doing it wrong. I have a 2 o'clock shadow, and can get baby smooth with 2 passes ( WTG, ATG)

Practice, and patience. You'll "feel" it when you get it right.



Unrelated note. I groomed my girls snizz with a DE last nite. Smooth.

[skydive_007]

Im in the market, looks like I'll be reading through these pages and I'll see how it goes !!!

[skydive_007]

so after a ton of reading I bought a Dovo strait razor



and an 'esential oils' shaving soap ...I got a decent brush as well ...



The first shave didn't work at all ... I took a nice hot shower, soaked the brush for a few minutes in hot water and started up my lather. I took my time with this, maybe 4 or 5 minutes till it felt real good. Lathered up my face and kicked it off... would not cut hairs at any angle on any part of my face...I watched a number of videos to make sure I was using correct form... did my razor not come sharp enough ? I thought they honed/stropped it before shipping ??? guess I'll take it to the strop and try again ...???

anyone have any other thoughts ??

**also, I will read every post in this thread to see if the answer is already there...

[BIG EYE]

Bringing this back from the dead because I got a new razor to show off

Merkur Progress. Used it for the first time this morning, and love it!

[weenerdog3443]

nice.. just broke out my kit the other day and finished restoring two older brushes that I had ill get soem pics up here soon

[Twistedsix]

so after a ton of reading I bought a Dovo strait razor



and an 'esential oils' shaving soap ...I got a decent brush as well ...



The first shave didn't work at all ... I took a nice hot shower, soaked the brush for a few minutes in hot water and started up my lather. I took my time with this, maybe 4 or 5 minutes till it felt real good. Lathered up my face and kicked it off... would not cut hairs at any angle on any part of my face...I watched a number of videos to make sure I was using correct form... did my razor not come sharp enough ? I thought they honed/stropped it before shipping ??? guess I'll take it to the strop and try again ...???

anyone have any other thoughts ??

**also, I will read every post in this thread to see if the answer is already there...

From what I know, some come sharp and ready to go. And some you have to sharpen yourself. Good luck though, keep us posted

[Nolig23]

From what I know, some come sharp and ready to go. And some you have to sharpen yourself. Good luck though, keep us posted

anything from straightrazor designs comes honed and ready to use. the guy who hones their razors (Lynne) puts an amazing edge on their stuff. if anyone ever needs a straight razor sharpened and isn't up to the task of doing it themselves, check out Holli4pirating on straightrazorplace.com He's honed razors for me and i've bought a few from him.

[SSj4G60]

Just ordered a Muhle R101 for myself from WCS, and a giftset from my Brother from Queen Charlotte.

Also I recently picket up a Gillette Guard for travel and shaving my head, it's a cheap cartridge style single bladed razor that so far works well.

[SSj4G60]

The R101 (same head as the R41, just a black handle) is a beast, 2 passes 1 WTG and 1 XTG with a Red Personna and it's damn near BBS. The QCS Sandalwood and Briar creams both smell ridiculously good.

The Gillette Guard worked great for shaving my head, had been using a headblade with sensor excel cartridges but this gave even less irritation on the back of my neck. That and I finally also picked up an Alum bar to use post shave.

[Village Idiot™]

My inlaws got me an Art Of Shaving "kit" that was all wrong. It had a power Gillette Fusion, and some unscented cream, oil and aftershave. Me being a DE user, you can understand my frustration.

I have an Art Of Shaving store locally, so I am hoping I can exchange it for a new adjustable DE and scented creams etc...

I know this post is nearly a year old, but looking yesterday I saw that Macys has some kind of thing where they sell Art of Shaving kits and misc razors/supplies. The problem is, all their kits include and the only razors they sell on their website are the chrome handled version of a regular cartridge razor and the handle alone sells for something like $90-$110. I mean who would pay $90 for a fusion razor?

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/t...%26slotId%3D15

[BIG EYE]

I know this post is nearly a year old, but looking yesterday I saw that Macys has some kind of thing where they sell Art of Shaving kits and misc razors/supplies. The problem is, all their kits include and the only razors they sell on their website are the chrome handled version of a regular cartridge razor and the handle alone sells for something like $90-$110. I mean who would pay $90 for a fusion razor?

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/t...%26slotId%3D15

It seems ridiculous to me that someone would spend that kind of money for a "nice" handle for a cartridge style blade.... Outside of how it looks sitting on the counter top I can't imagine that it enhances the shaving experience any....

[toast88]

Any body heard of or tried Harry's http://www.harrys.com/
I just happened to come across it the other day, the price isn't too bad, $15 for one of their kits

[Neb]

Just ordered some new cream today.. (along with some more Feather blades)

[mjpd1]

Any body heard of or tried Harry's http://www.harrys.com/
I just happened to come across it the other day, the price isn't too bad, $15 for one of their kits

Switched to Harry's about a month ago and love it. I went with the Truman kit for $25 shipped. Handle, three blades, bottle of cream included. Threw my Gillette out the next day. Customer service is outstanding, and you can schedule shipments of cream or blades as often as you like. Highly recommend giving them a try if you're still into disposables.

By the way, they have a referral program where if you refer someone who in turn makes a purchase, you get a code for a free 4pk of blades. https://www.harrys.com/?ref=87d787eafe

[BeetleGpx]

Apparently she does listen to me.



Bought some samplers of soaps....one's called "Gunpowder Spice" This should be interesting.

[Tiedran]

Has anyone tried Wilkinson Sword blades? Saw them at Wal-Mart the other day and decided to try them out (I usually use Feathers) and I am really enjoying shaving with these blades. They glide surprisingly smooth and I've had 3 shaves with the first blade so far without noticing a degradation in performance. Normally the Feathers are noticeably duller after about the 3rd shave.