[Hayduke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone here use a straight razor and can recommend a good place to get one? I've been thinking about getting one just for the experience of it. I enjoy the ritual of shaving, even if mine is not so elaborate as some here. I use a Gillette Sensor, but it feels a little light to me. Hard to get a razor these days with a good solid feel to it. Those vintage razors in the first two posts look like they would be really nice to use

General Straight Razor Talk - Badger & Blade

A whole forum just for straights.

 

[thoughtcriminal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayduke /img/forum/go_quote.gif General Straight Razor Talk - Badger & Blade A whole forum just for straights.

ooo thanks. Useful site right there

 

[Gatto]

Wow this thread is getting long. One thing that I'm impressed with with the wetshaving community is their generosity. A few times I've said I was interested in trying a soap/cream whatever and a few minutes later I usually have a PM of someone who wants to send me a sample or even a whole container. I can't wait until I have enough stuff to start PIFing my noobie gear away.

 

[Hayduke]

I agree, they are a great community. I have posted a little on shavemyface also, but I think I prefer B&B. Although that's mostly because they use the same forum engine as head-fi, and this is, by far, the best forum software I've every used.

So what are your favorites so far Gatto?

I'm using a Merkur 38c razor, a mix of some Old Spice lime cream and Mama Bear's hydrogen soap, and witch hazel then Nivea Extreme Comfort as my after shave. For blades, I still haven't settled on one yet. I know I HATE the Merkur Platinum blades. I'm trying out the Derby Extras right now, and they are definitely better then the Merkurs for me, but I have a whole sampler pack to try out still

My process for blade evaluation is to swap between two at a time, and the winner moves on to the next round.

 

[Baines93]

Yeah, very generous. I signed up on two site and posted on a free razor on one, and before they guy replied I had a PM from another guy saying he was glad I was interested in learning to shave properly at a younger age, and was happy to share some stuff with me. Then on another forum in the same day I posted on a starter package and got that too, shipping paid on both ($30 and $40!)

Still using the stuff regularly now

Pics from page 2.

Very grateful

Matt

 

[Gatto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayduke /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree, they are a great community. I have posted a little on shavemyface also, but I think I prefer B&B. Although that's mostly because they use the same forum engine as head-fi, and this is, by far, the best forum software I've every used. So what are your favorites so far Gatto? I'm using a Merkur 38c razor, a mix of some Old Spice lime cream and Mama Bear's hydrogen soap, and witch hazel then Nivea Extreme Comfort as my after shave. For blades, I still haven't settled on one yet. I know I HATE the Merkur Platinum blades. I'm trying out the Derby Extras right now, and they are definitely better then the Merkurs for me, but I have a whole sampler pack to try out still My process for blade evaluation is to swap between two at a time, and the winner moves on to the next round.

Right now I'm using soap from a place called chelsea's soap garden, they are clay based soaps with great scents! a few people are sending me things, right now I'm waiting on a tabac puck and a jar of HBS lilac! I like Col Conk soaps too but they don't seem to do a good job for guys. I use that same weishi razor, I bought a lady gillette but it is going on ebay right back from where it came, I like crystal blades and dorcos. I also definitely prefer shaving soap over creams, creams get too wet and take too long to prep. With soap I just get my brush all soapy and use it, no bowl/palm lathering required.

 

[krmathis]

Yeah, members on these wet shaving forums are very generous indeed!
Guess its a trick to get you hooked!

 

[Hayduke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatto /img/forum/go_quote.gif Right now I'm using soap from a place called chelsea's soap garden, they are clay based soaps with great scents! a few people are sending me things, right now I'm waiting on a tabac puck and a jar of HBS lilac! I like Col Conk soaps too but they don't seem to do a good job for guys. I use that same weishi razor, I bought a lady gillette but it is going on ebay right back from where it came, I like crystal blades and dorcos. I also definitely prefer shaving soap over creams, creams get too wet and take too long to prep. With soap I just get my brush all soapy and use it, no bowl/palm lathering required.

I use a big mug to make my lather. I have no interest in trying it on my palm. Since I usually do at least 2 passes, I would have to rebuild the lather in my palm each time. The same would be true for lathering directly on my face.

I actually think my badger brush is too soft. I'm gonna pick up one of the brushes Wal-Mart sells. They are boar hair I believe and should be a little stiffer. They're also cheap, so I won't have to spend a lot on the experiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, members on these wet shaving forums are very generous indeed! Guess its a trick to get you hooked!

I think it's because of how economical/efficient these products are. A soap or cream will last for many months. A pack of 5 blades will last for a month on average. So if you have a soap, cream, or blade you don't use or like, you might as well pass it along to someone that will use it. Since they are pretty cheap to begin with, it's not worth trying to sell them.

I'm not trying to diminish the generosity though. The folks on B&B are indeed very generous. I just think the nature of the hobby makes it easier. We don't get a lot of folks here giving away headphones or amps

 

[BradJudy]

I'm about to enter the world of wet shaving and have been browsing the shaving forums for tips on getting started - there's a lot of good info out there.

I still need to pick up my supplies (except for the razor itself). I have my grandfather's 1930's Gillette DE razor, which I just cleaned up. (Yes, I stripped the gold finish on the copper parts in cleaning, but the finish was already ruined)

My motivation for getting into it was a recent gift from a friend of a straight razor:

I figured I would get used to the wet shaving concept and get good at the process with a DE before trying the straight.

 

[cotdt]

Nothing beats the straight razor IMHO but you usually have to sharpen them as they are never sharp fresh out of the factory. I had to use a 12,000 grit water stone to get it super sharp, then strop it on leather.

Straight razors don't seem hard to use as people say. It's no different from how I use my Mach3. I think the main issue is that some people cut lengthwise, which leaves a bloody gash.

 

[Hayduke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradJudy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I figured I would get used to the wet shaving concept and get good at the process with a DE before trying the straight.

I have no interest in using a straight, but that's the feeling I get. Going straight to a straight

sounds like it might be frustrating and probably bloody

Since switching to a DE razor, I have learned how my beard actually grows. My shaves get better and better as I learn which directions my whiskers grow on different parts of my face. With the old cartridges, I just pressed hard against my face and made a dozen passes. I can get an equal or better shave now with 2 or 3 passes, and the 3rd pass is usually only to touch up couple areas. Lately I've been able to get a better shave then the cartidge razors provided with only 2 passes.

Then of course there is the enjoyment of the ritual itself. I actually look forward to shaving these days

 

[Gatto]

I am definitely going to try a straight this summer when I have the time. I just got a bar of Tabac today, good stuff!

 

[thoughtcriminal]

just bought myself a few vintage straights.
I'm so excited to get started at learning the art of straight shaving. Of course, this brings about the old upgraditus. My canned shaving cream isn't looking so good anymore...

 

[elliot42]

Guess what I got for Christmas!

A Chrome Weishi DE razor, Wilkin Sword blades, Windsor badger hair brush, Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad shave soap, and some moisturiser from L'Occitane.

I had a shave yesterday and enjoyed lathering with the brush and soap. I found it hard to get a close shave without going against the grain and without applying pressure to the razor. Cheeks were fine, but I still had trouble with under my chin.

I'll have to practice a bit I guess. I think my facial hair is fine, or at least not that thick and I find I get a better shave after 2 days growth so that there's more length for a razor to grab a hold of, otherwise I think it just pushes the hairs over without cutting enough unless I go against the grain.

Anyway, I'll try again tomorrow, see how I go and hope the wet shaving think works out for me.

The straight approach seems possible dangerous, but looks pretty awesome and manly

 

[Buggs]

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In the shower