EDF Wet Shaving Thread - EDF Forum

LFS · 10-09-2007, 01:34 PM

I started wet shaving around 6 months ago as a result of my general unhappiness with my shaving routine and an OOT thread. I'm really enjoying everything about it - the quality of the shave, the lack of ingrown hairs, the morning routine, etc. I'm also one of those guys who enjoys skin products, etc, so having a whole new category of stuff to shop for and buy is right up my alley.

Things I have:

Art of Shaving shaving brush

$50 from the Art of Shaving

Merkur Long Classic Safety Razor

$29.99 from Classic Shaving

Ceramic Razor and Brush Stand

$39.99 from Classic Shaving

Brush, razor, stand. All pretty standard. The fun part, of course, are the products.

I was able to get a package of stuff from Art of Shaving for super-cheap from Costco. This is it:

It comes with a brush, shaving cream, pre-shave oil, and an after-shave balm. All of the products are excellent imo. Art of Shaving charges $100 for it, though, I doubt I'd use it much if I wasn't able to get it for $40 from Costco.

I haven't branched out all that far from that stuff, but two things I've tried and liked are:

Truefitt & Hill Pre-Shave Oil

$28 from Truefitt & Hill

and

Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Shaving Cream

$28 from Truefitt & Hill

Finally, I recently bought some products from the American men's grooming maker Jack Black. I'm not posting all that crap because I don't like it very much, especially the shaving cream. It's not as good as Art of Shaving and can't even touch Truefitt & Hill, which is the best I've used.

So there you have my wet shaving treatise. I'd like to know what other products people like and use, especially in the after-shave balm and moisturizer categories. I have very sensitive skin so I can't deal with stuff with too much alcohol in it. Finding good moisturizer is hard.

BretWeir · 10-09-2007, 01:46 PM

I've been wanting to stock up on some stuff like this, so thanks for the recommendations.

Have you ever tried a straight razor? Every now and then, I start thinking it would be cool to get one, but I'm not sure if it would end up being more trouble than it's worth.

kurosh · 10-09-2007, 01:56 PM

I want something that is fast and won't cut or give me ingrown hairs. Is that too much to ask?? I don't care if it's particularly close.

LFS · 10-09-2007, 01:59 PM

BretWeir,

I haven't tried the full-on straight razor because I don't have the steadiest of hands and don't want to die.

kurosh,

If speed is a priority, wet shaving isn't for you. Part of the appeal for me is the ritual aspect of filling up the sink with hot water, soaking the brush, applying the lather, etc etc etc. I'm always in a rush, and taking 10 minutes to pamper myself and have an excellent shave is a great break.

El Diablo · 10-09-2007, 02:13 PM

LFS,

What were you shaving with before and how do your current routine and results compare?

LFS · 10-09-2007, 02:24 PM

Prior to this I was using the Gillette Sensor. The Mach 3 game me crazy irritation and ingrown hairs, and a wet/dry Panasonic electric razor I used took forever to give me a close shave without tearing my face apart.

Everything about this experience is better. My face is super-smooth. It takes longer than a disposable razor and obviously requires more equipment, though. Cost-wise I bet it evens out after a year or so, since replacement blades are cheap.

One thing I've noticed is that the occasional nick I get with a super-sharp safety razor seems to close up MUCH quicker than the times I cut myself with a disposable.

Results-wise, there's really no comparison. The quality of the shave I get with this setup is WAY better.

adsman · 10-09-2007, 02:33 PM

LFS,

Great thread. That Truefitt & Hill site is gold. My next trip to London I'm stopping by there and buying a whole bunch of stuff. That is, after I get the full gentlemans shave, hair cut and shoe polish treatment. Brilliant.

AZK · 10-09-2007, 03:55 PM

How long does it take you to shave with this setup vs. regular shaving cream/razor? What about if you are someone who doesn't shave everyday? I pretty much just shave in the shower now, maybe 2-3x week because I am lazy. It's pretty quick, I find that I get less burn/irritation then shaving standard with shaving cream... I use this stuff and I'm pretty happy...I also go by feel, which isn't such a big deal but everytime I tell people that I shave in the shower with no mirror they freak. I use the art of shaving after shave, but I'd love to hear alternatives...I've also used the art of shaving preshave oil but it's to thick and clogs the mach3/5 that I use...
shower shave

edit: I should add that that shower shave is hands down the best shaving product I have ever bought. a million times better than shaving creams (i've tried several)

By-Tor · 10-09-2007, 04:25 PM

i've been in the mach3 boat for a few years now and love it, but i am just too lazy to shave everyday or even every other day.

so over the weekend, the wife bought me the new top-of-the-line braun and i absolutely love this thing!!!

AZK · 10-09-2007, 04:34 PM

I find I get more razor burn with an electric and never have as close a shave...am i doing something wrong?

stabn · 10-09-2007, 04:41 PM

I've had a couple of top of the line brauns and the quality of the shave is never as good as a razor. But nothing beats being able to shave while driving.

miajag · 10-09-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

I find I get more razor burn with an electric and never have as close a shave...am i doing something wrong?

Nope, I think this is pretty standard. I used electrics for years and got razor burn on my neck pretty often (though I rarely used aftershave or any of those electric shave lotions). I've been using a Gilette Fusion for the past couple years now and haven't gotten razor burn once, and it's a much closer shave. Obviously takes longer than the electric, but well worth it imo.

ChicagoTroy · 10-09-2007, 04:46 PM

I've had similar success with wet shaving. I was using a Mach 3 turbo before, with pre-shave oil and various off-the-shelf foams and gels.

I bought a higher-end badger silver-tip brush, Taylor of Old Bond St. lavender cream, and that made a huge difference (especially with the pre-shave oil). Doing a second pass against the grain is no problem, even though I used to get ingrown hairs very easily.

I briefly experiemented with a straight razor, and this place:
http://www.straightrazorplace.com/

has everything you need to know about straight razor shaving and wet shaving in general. I personally found it to be a pain in the ass to learn given my penchant for sleeping late and that it takes longer to shave with straight, so I stuck with the Mach 3 Turbo.

I have a dark, thick beard that grows fast, and usually have to shave twice a day if I go out in the evening. This combo pretty much prevents it. You also get "You look younger" comments if your perma-shadow is removed. I don't always go to the effort, but it certainly looks better.

JackCase · 10-09-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

I find I get more razor burn with an electric and never have as close a shave...am i doing something wrong?

Part of it is just finding what works for you. For example, I use a disposable and find that I get a much bet shave with a single blade Bic than with any fancy multiblade. I have also never gotten a good shave with any electric, with or without preshaves or whatever.

Here's a hint for a good shave with regular shaving cream, especially if you have skipped a day. Wash your face with regular soap and water, as hot as you can stand. Rinse, and wash again with soap and hot water, but leave the soap on your face. Apply shaving cream over the soap. This keeps your beard wetter and results in a smoother shave.

4_2_it · 10-09-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

I find I get more razor burn with an electric and never have as close a shave...am i doing something wrong?

It usually takes your face 2-4 weeks to get used to a new electric razor. If you get razor burn after that then you either have a sensitive face or are just not using it properly (my guess is the former).

I switch off between an electric (Braun) and the Sensor right now. I'd love to wet shave,but never have time in the morning.