EDF Wet Shaving Thread

[Skleice]

I think I pretty much have my 'hardware' dialed in and don't really see a point to buying/trying anything else. I will swap out my 'software' from time to time for variety. FWIW, I don't understand why people need to own 10 razors/brushes.

[icepick]

10 kinds of cream and aftershave on the other hand....totally acceptable.

[ChipWrecked]

I have DE's of different designs and ages. At least one of each style Gillette made, plus a Merkur Slant and a couple of old single-edge razors. I bought and sold a lot of razors before my collection settled in to where it is.

Straights, I see the same thing happening. Only now it's different manufacturers from different countries (I'm going with vintage Ebay finds). American steel, German, British, Swedish, French, Spanish, and more recent Chinese. Different blade widths and grinds. I will go through a lot of these before I learn my tastes and my collection stabilizes.

I have a **** ton of creams and soaps also. It's part of what makes the shaving experience fun.

Only two brushes though, a badger and a boar. Why people need a bunch of brushes I've never figured out.

[Malice's Attorney]

Does anyone just use standard aloe vera gel for their last moisturizing step? I've tried it the last couple of times and have found it gives the best results, better moisturizing/tone/less irritation.

Is there any specific aloe that should be used for the face or is it all basically the same stuff?

[MidniteToker]

I guess it's all in what you find enjoyable. Some people look for that perfect brush, others the razor, blades, creams, what have you.

For what it's worth I went through 4 razors before deciding on which one I liked, and I'm tempted to try another one. I've gone through Merkur 33C (nice but short, gave to my brother), a Merkur slant bar (too aggressive for me or my technique isn't good enough with it), a classic Gillette Super Speed (looks great but the shaves weren't good enough), and finally my mainstay so far, a Merkur 38C (the barber pole).

I got a bunch of blades, always recommend getting a sampler. I liked the Astra SP the best so got a 100 of those. Later on I tried Feather again and my technique was up to par, now I have a 100 of those on the way. I'll be good for a long time with that.

Creams and soaps, I tried a lot of samples as well. I could list them all, but so far the best I've used is the D.R. Harris Arlington cream. Now that I'm running out, I've got some Caste Forbes Limes cream on the way, hopefully that works just as good.

Brushes, I didn't need to try many. I had a basic Crabtree & Evelyn brush (rebranded Edwin Jagger brush), decided to replace it by a nice one. I got a custom-made Rudy Vey Silvertip Badger brush for a good price, and I don't expect I'll ever change it. I may use the older one for travel since it's smaller.

Once you start getting regular fine shaves with no nicks, the urge to buy more seems to abate, at least it did for me. The only reason I'm trying different creams is for variety's sake. I can get a baby-butt-smooth shave whenever I decide to apply myself, and that's more than good enough for me.

[PlinyTheElder]

Grunching a little bit.

I have the Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Razor and bought the Merkur Double Edge Razor Blades as replacemente blades.

My problem is that once I use them once, it seems one side of my razor has the blade fully accessible but the other side of the razor doesn't shave when I run it across my face, it just takes the cream off. Any cause to this? I don't think I'm loading the blade wrong, it seems pretty simple. If this has already been asked can you link the post? I'm only through page 2

[Pinocchi0]

my set up

[MikeSki]

complete noob regarding wet shaving, where do i start...is it worth reading this whole thread, thanks

[Skleice]

It's def worth a glance....lots of good info. This thread got me into wet shaving, and I'll never go back. The hardest thing about it is that you don't really have local access to razors and other products to try out. So you pretty much have to read up and decide what you think you'll like. There are places you can sell items if you don't like them too. For example, I started on a merkur 34c razor (which taught me that I needed a longer handle) so I sold it and put the money towards a larger razor.

[CBorders]

Originally Posted by PlinyTheElder

Grunching a little bit.

I have the Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Razor and bought the Merkur Double Edge Razor Blades as replacemente blades.

My problem is that once I use them once, it seems one side of my razor has the blade fully accessible but the other side of the razor doesn't shave when I run it across my face, it just takes the cream off. Any cause to this? I don't think I'm loading the blade wrong, it seems pretty simple. If this has already been asked can you link the post? I'm only through page 2

I've had this happen once, after traveling with my shaving supplies. One side flat-out would not cut hairs (tried it on my arm) while the other side worked great. I just cleaned everything really well and put on a new blade and it was back to normal.

Originally Posted by MikeSki

complete noob regarding wet shaving, where do i start...is it worth reading this whole thread, thanks

Search Mantic59 on Youtube, browse this thread, browse Badger & Blade and you should be off to a good start.

[ChipWrecked]

I have been getting pretty adept at straight shaving and am now a solid convert. Haven't used a DE in weeks.

Important to this is being able to hone razors myself - that's a barrier to entry with straight shaving imo. Honing on stones is tricky, often has been outsourced by n00bs and keeps one from trying a range of razors like a DE user can.

Now, guys have figured out how to hone razors using fiber optic polishing films. This takes a lot of the 'art' out of honing - if you can follow directions you can get a good edge on a razor. That allows you to check out a variety of vintage straights early on.

This generates a lot of hate in the 'honemeister' community but **** 'em, I sez. If I can check out a dozen ebay razors by being able to hone myself, let the haters hate.

Flipping a razor by listing it "shave ready" adds value as well.

Lapping film honing thread

[Skleice]

I like the notion of the straight, but it still is too much work for me...glad you're enjoying it though. I've been pretty set on my gear, but I will admit that I am curious about the Muhle R41 that is all the rage. I think I'd lean towards the 'grande' size because of my large hands....or upgrading to an alternate handle altogether.

[JessterCPA]

Was re-arranging my stuff...took a quick shot of all my gear.

[txdome]

So, do you people like to keep your own score at the bowling alley and wind your watch everyday?

[MikeSki]

^

on that note, does wet shaving if done properly guarantee a cleaner/closer shave than an electric or straight razor?i have a very thick beard and need to shave everyday and sometimes twice a day if i'm going out in the evening.