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[MikeOfTheLivingDead]

What about one of these?

Do it. I shave with a straight razor. It's no big deal.

Learn how to properly hold the razor, either one or two fingers on the tang.

Follow this instruction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPXIFczXL2c

If you go with a disposable you never have to worry about stropping. If you strop properly you never have to worry about honing. If you want a nice restored heirloom razor, go here...

http://razoremporium.com/

 

[G-Pink]

Yeah, that's why I added "if your skin can take it". I've shaven against the grain my whole life and I've never gotten any ingrown hairs. I guess I'll make it clearer, gimme a minute.

Gotcha, and yeah, some people have no issues with ingrown hairs, no matter how they shave. Some people do have a predisposition to them though. Thanks for making a clarification.

 

[Heel]

either one or two fingers on the tang.

Words to live by.

 

[MikeOfTheLivingDead]

Words to live by.

Yeah, that goes for any tang you might get your fingers on

 

[adamsappel]

I'm in. Just ordered:

Merkur 43C aka 178
Tweezerman badger brush (was only $12.95, I'm expecting it to fall apart, LOL)
Proraso soap

I have the Tweezerman, and yes it does fall apart.

I use a Tweezerman and it's an excellent brush for the low cost. Never fallen apart, didn't shed much nor smell in the beginning. Soft, yet stiff enough to work a lather. I don't shave every day, so that might be a factor. Still, it's a great starter brush.

 

[lacinius]

Still looking into making the switch, but I'm not understanding the concept of an open-comb razor, as it seems like a counterintuitive design. I get the rake effect idea, but that seems like you could cut yourself more easily as opposed to the regular (normal) flat bar??


Also... soaps or cremes. Is the soap just that so it's more "drying" on the skin, or is a more apt comparison between shave foam or gel from a can?? I use gel now because it makes for an easier "glide" than foam ever has been for me. Given that generalisation, the natural progression would be toward some brand of (soap or creme)??

 

[Detox]

So my stuff arrived and I know I asked this before but just to make sure should I use a teaspoon to get some of the soap into a mug and then use that to lather like a bowl? Or should I just directly drop a few drops of water into the soap pick it up with brush and face lather? With the face lather I relather from the soap right?

The soap looks like this:

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I just use the soap directly from the container. I suppose I'm not sure if that's right either, though. But I'm pretty sure with that soap, it is ok.

 

[Applesauce]

So my stuff arrived and I know I asked this before but just to make sure should I use a teaspoon to get some of the soap into a mug and then use that to lather like a bowl? Or should I just directly drop a few drops of water into the soap pick it up with brush and face lather? With the face lather I relather from the soap right?

The soap looks like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVaScfYHd0U

Load the brush first and then work the lather in another container. This guy uses the palm of his hand ... which is what I do, but you can use a bowl or mug or whatever.

 

[PoweredBySoy]

Whenever I see commercials where guys shave up from their neck to the tip of their chin, I cringe. If you don't find a first pass to be as close as you'd like going with the grain, it's often better to re-lather, and go over your face again, then risk sub-dermal hairs.

But going up the neck towards the chin is going with the grain - at least for the majority of my neck. Maybe I'm a freak. Maybe everybody is different?

 

[Confused101]

I've been shaving against the grain for close to 15 years now and I've never had trouble with ingrown hairs. It's just a matter of everyone being different. However, I do make sure that when I'm done, I take another pass with the grain to "reset" the follicles in the correct direction. I'm actually not sure if it helps or not but I remember reading that tip somewhere and I never get ingrown hairs so I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing.

 

[mitheor]

Ok, giving this a go.

I´ve ordered:

Merkur 38C Barberpole

And:

Feather Hi-Stainless Double Edged Razor Blades
Truefitt & Hill 1805 Shaving Cream Bowl (165g)
Shaving Shack "Buccaneer" Pure Badger Shaving Brush

Now let´s wait for it to get home :3

 

[Detox]

I've been shaving against the grain for close to 15 years now and I've never had trouble with ingrown hairs. It's just a matter of everyone being different. However, I do make sure that when I'm done, I take another pass with the grain to "reset" the follicles in the correct direction. I'm actually not sure if it helps or not but I remember reading that tip somewhere and I never get ingrown hairs so I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing.

I'm no expert but that doesn't make sense to me. If you have shaved against the grain and have got it so smooth that you can't feel any hair, when you go with the grain wouldn't you just be shaving your skin? You might as well just rub an alum block or balm with the grain for the same result.

Anyway I just did my first wet shave first pass there was a 5 o'clock shadow because I was scared to actually push down. After about 5 passes I got my face smooth as baby's butt and the experience was much better than shaving with a Mach Fusion.

 

[zero_suit]

Anyway I just did my first wet shave first pass there was a 5 o'clock shadow because I was scared to actually push down. After about 5 passes I got my face smooth as baby's butt and the experience was much better than shaving with a Mach Fusion.

Welcome to the club!

 

[devildog820]

I use Geo Trumper shaving cream and have been buying from qedusa.com for a couple of years now. Maybe add them to the list in the OP? They have pretty good prices.

 

[Esch]

Anyway I just did my first wet shave first pass there was a 5 o'clock shadow because I was scared to actually push down. After about 5 passes I got my face smooth as baby's butt and the experience was much better than shaving with a Mach Fusion.

Lock that wrist and use your arm and the weight of the razor to reduce beard with passes. I usually get it done with 3 for a perfect shave.

 

[ShaneB]

Also remember, there isn't that need to "push down" with a safety razor, get your angles right and the blade does the work.

 

[devildog820]

Alright gents, it's upgrade time for me. Need some recommendations on some new gear.

I have a the base Vulfix badger brush (not super or anything). Thinking of upgrading to Silvertip and need a good brush and the cheapest place to buy it.

I have a Merkur DE, also the base model (think it was $40). Is that good to go, or would I benefit, even if only slightly, from something a little nicer? I almost want to upgrade for a longer handle. Again, models and price would be nice.

Moving from Personna to Feather blades. My face is somewhat sensitive, if that makes a difference with the Feathers. Good place to buy?

I need a shaving mug. I use Geo F. Trumper shaving cream (violet, sandalwood, whatever I feel like) and I am done lathering on my face. Do I just get one that I like the way it looks?

Ok, that should cover it. Let me know. You can even PM me affiliate links if you want, I'm not greedy. :lawl

 

[Esch]

Alright gents, it's upgrade time for me. Need some recommendations on some new gear.

I have a the base Vulfix badger brush (not super or anything). Thinking of upgrading to Silvertip and need a good brush and the cheapest place to buy it.

I have a Merkur DE, also the base model (think it was $40). Is that good to go, or would I benefit, even if only slightly, from something a little nicer? I almost want to upgrade for a longer handle. Again, models and price would be nice.

Moving from Personna to Feather blades. My face is somewhat sensitive, if that makes a difference with the Feathers. Good place to buy?

I need a shaving mug. I use Geo F. Trumper shaving cream (violet, sandalwood, whatever I feel like) and I am done lathering on my face. Do I just get one that I like the way it looks?

Ok, that should cover it. Let me know. You can even PM me affiliate links if you want, I'm not greedy. :lawl

I hear the merkur progress is pretty sweet. It'll probably be my next razor of choice. it's an adjustable so you can make the blade as aggressive or mild as you want.

 

[Dariee]

I've always been using disposable blades and hadn't even heard or seen a 'safety razor' before opening this topic, besides always having done wet shaving. So now I've got some questions; hoping to find answers here. Although being disposable, the better razors are always highly expensive cause the blades need to be replaced pretty often - name your brand; all of them are like that.

So what are the pro's (and con's) of using safety razors then? Do they need to have their blades replaced every once in a while as well? And if so, how much does that cost?

To make it better understandable of what I understand is the difference:

Safety razor.

Disposable razor (although I usualy take one with more blades).

 

[h3ro]

Damn it GAF, you bought all the Edwin Jagger DE89's on Amazon. :/

 

[Esch]

I

So what are the pro's (and con's) of using safety razors then? Do they need to have their blades replaced every once in a while as well? And if so, how much does that cost?

To make it better understandable of what I understand is the difference:

You've been wetshaving with a bowl, brush, and shaving soap but with a Mach 3? Interesting.

Blades need to be replaced every 3-5 shaves depending on the blade, your beard, and other factors. The cost of these blades is actually quite cheaper than the cartridge razors, especially when you order them in bulk.

Safety razor+brush/bowl/proraso, for me, gives closer shaves, less razorburn/bumps, and an overall more satisfying shave. The only con is that doing a wetshave with a safety razor requires a little practice and a bit more time. But anything worth doing is worth doing right.

 

[Woody Invincible]

Ok, after reading over the thread, I got my supplies on Amazon this morning too. I'll have my stuff in Saturday. Can't wait to be a right proper bloke.

 

[ShaneB]

I should contact Merkur and look for a cut of all these new sales their making due to these threads

 

[clav]

I should contact Merkur and look for a cut of all these new sales their making due to these threads

What would be comparable to the Edwin Jagger DE89(L) mentioned earlier?

Is it the Merkur 180?

----------

Anyone know anything about this razor?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VCE8EU/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Seems like a nice beginner's razor package.

 

[Giard]

Anyone know anything about this razor?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VCE8EU/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Seems like a nice beginner's razor package.

I had a Weishi as my first razor, and I would not recommend them. The mirror inside the little box wasn't glued properly, the box snapped and the razor rusted shut after about two months or so.

Maybe others have had better experiences?

 

[clav]

I had a Weishi as my first razor, and I would not recommend them. The mirror inside the little box wasn't glued properly, the box snapped and the razor rusted shut after about two months or so.

Maybe others have had better experiences?

:lol

Cheap razor it is then.

 

[ShaneB]

What would be comparable to the Edwin Jagger DE89(L) mentioned earlier?

Is it the Merkur 180?

----------

Anyone know anything about this razor?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VCE8EU/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Seems like a nice beginner's razor package.

Eep! My comment was more just relating to the thread I started, which in turn prompted this threads creation. Just how many new people have bought kits and are starting this journey to a great shave as well

 

[squidhands]

I have the Tweezerman, and yes it does fall apart.

I heard about this brand of products called Men-U through a Men's Health article from 2009, and have come to really enjoy their products. I got a synthetic brush for super cheap; it works great and hasn't fallen apart on me in the slightest since I've owned it.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Damn it GAF, you bought all the Edwin Jagger DE89's on Amazon. :/

Just buy a Muhle R89 instead. I've had both and they have the same weighty feel to them, the only discernible difference between them is the handle design.

 

[Giard]

Should I add Mühle to the recommended brands of razors? Lots of people seem to like them.

Added some details for the online stores, should help people out.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Should I add Mühle to the recommended brands of razors? Lots of people seem to like them.

Added some details for the online stores, should help people out.

They're very well made and the R89 in particular is perfectly balanced, so yes, I think it would be helpful for newcomers to DE shaving.

 

[clav]

I heard about this brand of products called Men-U through a Men's Health article from 2009, and have come to really enjoy their products. I got a synthetic brush for super cheap; it works great and hasn't fallen apart on me in the slightest since I've owned it.

My brush loses a hair or two every time I work up a lather.

Annoying since I have to pick out the hair to avoid clogging the sink.

I'd rather spend a little bit more for a brush that doesn't lose hair that often.

 

[h3ro]

Just buy a Muhle R89 instead. I've had both and they have the same weighty feel to them, the only discernible difference between them is the handle design.

West Coast Shaving has the new EJ 89 Barley for $46. I might go with that, it's gotten fantastic reviews on BnB. The Muhle is around $60 and I'm gonna use the difference to put into getting a better brush.

Thanks for the recommendation. Still wish Amazon had the EJ89 in stock so I could put my Prime to use. Paying for shipping? How primitive.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

Eep! My comment was more just relating to the thread I started, which in turn prompted this threads creation. Just how many new people have bought kits and are starting this journey to a great shave as well

Who knows how many people your thread influenced? Even Mantic59 picked up on your other thread. So when do we find out that you're secretly heir to the Merkur fortune? heheh

 

[Heel]

Anyone looking at getting an Edwin Jagger 89 might want to check out their new "barley chrome" model. Same head with a different finish on the handle and very slightly heavier.


Edwin Jagger 89BA11

Comparison with their lined handle:

Just buy a Muhle R89 instead. I've had both and they have the same weighty feel to them, the only discernible difference between them is the handle design.

Flip flopping between getting a Muhle R89, Muhle R89 Grande and the Edwin jagger 89BA11. Do you think the R89 handle is heavy and long enough? Edwin Jagger handle is almost twice as heavy as the Muhle, but the Grande is longer and closer in weight.

 

[Neffarias_Bredd]

You've been wetshaving with a bowl, brush, and shaving soap but with a Mach 3? Interesting.

this is what I do, it's quicker and I've never had any problems

 

[h3ro]

Anyone looking at getting an Edwin Jagger 89 might want to check out their new "barley chrome" model. Same head with a different finish on the handle and very slightly heavier.

Two posts above yours Ordering one later today.

 

[Giard]

Added Mühle to the list, thanks Edmond.

My brush loses a hair or two every time I work up a lather.

Annoying since I have to pick out the hair to avoid clogging the sink.

I'd rather spend a little bit more for a brush that doesn't lose hair that often.

I spent 18$ on my Semogue 620 and it has only lost one hair since. I've used it about 15 times.

My Fendrihan Best Badger brush loses about 4 hairs every time I use it, by comparison.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

West Coast Shaving has the new EJ 89 Barley for $46. I might go with that, it's gotten fantastic reviews on BnB. The Muhle is around $60 and I'm gonna use the difference to put into getting a better brush.

Thanks for the recommendation. Still wish Amazon had the EJ89 in stock so I could put my Prime to use. Paying for shipping? How primitive.

The Barley version has a lovely handle, I'm almost tempted to get one myself, but alas, I migrated to cut-throat razors a while ago.

 

[ShaneB]

Who knows how many people your thread influenced? Even Mantic59 picked up on your other thread. So when do we find out that you're secretly heir to the Merkur fortune? heheh

Yeah, I wanted to send a messaged to Mantic59 for noticing my thread and thanking him for all the videos, a great resource.

As for my connections to the Merkur fortune.... shhhhh. That's a tale for another day.

 

[Heel]

Two posts above yours Ordering one later today.

Whoops! Yeah I guess the experts like the Barley Chrome more than the other models. Might end up going with that. Looks nice!

 

[Confused101]

I'm no expert but that doesn't make sense to me. If you have shaved against the grain and have got it so smooth that you can't feel any hair, when you go with the grain wouldn't you just be shaving your skin? You might as well just rub an alum block or balm with the grain for the same result.

Hm, good idea. I think I'll start doing this.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Flip flopping between getting a Muhle R89, Muhle R89 Grande and the Edwin jagger 89BA11. Do you think the R89 handle is heavy and long enough? Edwin Jagger handle is almost twice as heavy as the Muhle, but the Grande is longer and closer in weight.

I'd go for the Grande if you're looking for more weight and an effortless shave, but the standard R89 allows for more manoeuvrability. The Jagger is a good compromise between the two, in the end it comes down to weight and manoeuvrability. Whatever you prefer.

 

[squidhands]

My brush loses a hair or two every time I work up a lather.

Annoying since I have to pick out the hair to avoid clogging the sink.

I'd rather spend a little bit more for a brush that doesn't lose hair that often.

The synthetic works great for me, its maybe dropped a half-dozen hairs since I bought it years ago. I also shave in the shower since there's virtually no cleanup. A little bit of extra shaving soap on the mirror keeps it from fogging up.

 

[eznark]

no classicshaving.com in the OP? For shame.

 

[Giard]

no classicshaving.com in the OP? For shame.

Added it.

 

[h3ro]

Need a suggestion for a $30-50 badger brush. Not interested in the entry level ones or boar bristles.

Go!

 

[Jasup]

West Coast Shaving has the new EJ 89 Barley for $46. I might go with that, it's gotten fantastic reviews on BnB. The Muhle is around $60 and I'm gonna use the difference to put into getting a better brush.

This is something that I find a bit unjust. Mühle razors for us Euros cost only 32€ - I initially got interested in the R89 because it seemed like a cheap alternative to Merkur HD which I was about to purchase at first.

The pricing difference can be seen at Mühle's own web shop ( http://www.muehle-shaving.com/shop/ ). If you switch the country from USA + Canada to Germany/All other countries, you get around $20 drop in price for the safety razors.

 

[eznark]

Added it.

Cool thread by the way!