My favorite is Taylor of Old Bond Street (Avocado).

Badgers? Badgers? We don't need no stinking Badgers!

But actually we do. I'm thinking of spending some money on a new brush. This appears to be one of those items on which one can spend as much as one wants. I don't really care what I spend, but I'd like this to be my brush for a long, long time.

I like the cut of the Rooney brushes' collective jibs, I think.

Is there really that much of a difference between a $100 and $400 brush?

Once you get over $100, the difference in quality gets negligible. I'd spring for a Rooney myself, but I have a pretty good brush now.

Sign of the Apocalypse: Procter and Gamble bought Art of Shaving.

There goes that brand.

I really prefer very small brushes to large ones. There's a lot more tactile feedback and you can get some lather by your ear without flooding your ear canal with shaving cream.

I'd go for a tiny, high quality brush. Also, consider synthetic too, they're quite good now.

Sorry to bump this, but I want to ask a couple questions and im pretty clueless.

My facial hair is starting to fill in more, and get more grown in. I have tried to use disposible razors like the Bic ones, and I cut my self, or it just doesnt go right. maybe cuz im using soap in the shower, and not like shaving cream, i just dont know.

I have a braun electric razor, which works good, it just isnt getting close anymore, since my hairs are getting more "adult".

Should I use a different electric razor, or what?

What do you all recommend.

I always wet shave. Mach 3 is my favourite razor because the hair rinses away more easily than other razors i've tried. I currently the gilette range at the moment for other shaving products.

Had no intention of buying a razor today, but read this thread and had to order a Merkur 38C and some Derby blades. Hope it's an improvement on my Quattro

You will need a good setup:

Razor

Blades

Brush

Cream

This is all from West Coast Shaving (in which I have no affiliate interest, but is a highly regarded merchant), will run about 50 bucks plus shipping. You could go for a higher-end brush or cream and get free shipping for an 80 dollar order.

If you've read the thread you will see reference to Badger and Blade wet shaving forum. Read the stickies in the various rooms for how-to info, or post in the Newbie room and the guys will be happy to give you tips.

Your shaving experience will improve, and so will your skin. Wet shaving helped clear my skin, and I'm in my 40's

Good luck.

Got my Merkur 38C and Derby blades a few days ago in the mail, and bought some Proraso pre and shaving cream to go with it. Took a few rounds to start getting the hang of it but what a difference from using a Quattro and regular shaving cream. Looking into getting a decent brush now, maybe the Vulfix 662S Super. And who knows maybe a Dovo straight is in the cards one of these days

I did end up buying a new brush after all, boar bristle.

Boar is definitely a different experience from badger. I'm finally getting it broken in and working up good lather.

Boar is great for soap and I use soap 80% of the time (when I'm not enjoying Proraso [C O Bigelow at Bath and Body Works] cream because it's so ****ing hot out).

Excellent article on boar brushes


My new brush

There seems to be a lot a love for merkur razors in this thread. I really suggest trying vintage gillette razors.

I shaved with a merkur 33c for a couple month and have been getting better shaves than with my fusion but my neck was still irritated.

I got a gilette slim adjustable off the bay after a recommendation buy a friend and my shaves have improved tremendously. It might be that my technique is improving: I should re-try my merkur but I think vintage gillette are very good razors that you should give a try.

slim adjustable go for around 20-30
Fatboys are popular too

My Merkur Vision broke recently. The website I bought it from has this warning.

The following are the Manufacturer's Recommendations concerning the Vision Razor:

"In order to prolong the lifespan of the razor it is mandatory to clean the moveable parts with EVERY blade exchange thoroughly, for example, with a nail brush. Only the meticulous removal of all soap residues ensures the long term function of the adjustment mechanics. In contact with hard, calciferous water, all parts of the razor should be decalcified approximately every 3 months, or as necessary. The parts should be placed in a diluted and lukewarm vinegar solution (max. 70-100F) and moved occasionally. Extended contact with vinegar or other lime solvents will destroy the surface and corrode the metal."

Periodic application of Sterol Oil (available on the Maintenance and Restoration Page) will keep the moving parts of the Vision Razor lubricated and free of rust.

Please note that ClassicShaving.com recommends this model of adjustable safety razor for the Gentleman who tinkers and is willing to put time and effort into the care of his Razor.


Needless to say I didn't do much in the way of maintainace and tbh had I known what was involved would never have purchase that razor (I'm guessing a lot of people's razor broke because this warning was not there when I was doing research). It lasted less than two years.

So if you're considering buying a Merkur Vision, be aware that it needs considerably more care than other razors.

The guy at my local Art of Shaving franchise said to apply a little dollop of shaving cream straight onto the brush and then lather it up directly on my face. Anything wrong with this? Will this work with other creams?
(just ran out of the cream that came with their sample pack)


He also said to dab the water off my face before applying preshave oil since oil and water don't mix. Is this right?

I use a Moss Scuttle to make my lather. Easier to do multiple passes this way.

And I oil up with my face wet. Yes, oil and water don't mix, but I'm keeping my face and whiskers as wet as possible.

Wetshaver here, started in May this year and I'm a member at the Badger & Blade forums. Haven't been through this thread but I'm sure B&B has been mentioned, really good place to talk and learn about wetshaving. Good to see there are wetshavers at 2+2.


You can do face lathering like he suggested or make your lather in a bowl. I like making my lather in a bowl better. Nothing wrong with either way, some people prefer one over the other.

Give me an electric shaver any day. Shaving cream always feels so icky & its time consuming. I wouldn't switch to a wet shave ever.

You are missing out. Wetshaving is very relaxing, gives you a better shave, and is better for your skin that using an electric shaver. You probably have only used the canned goo shaving cream. If you have used Art of Shaving, Trumper's, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Castle Forbes, Truefitt & Hill, and other quality creams I doubt you would say they feel "icky".

i bought one of those heavy metal Merkur safety razors a couple years ago. honestly, the old man razor LOOKS cool, but it doesn't give you a great shave. im currently using a razor i bought at Whole Foods and it works great, better than Merkur

the good shaving creams feel great. wet shaving is so relaxing and i feel rejuvenated and clean afterwards. something luxurious about the whole thing.

though, admittedly, i tend to shave less than i used to because i've noticed girls like scruff (girls in the subway/on the street/etc will check me out more when i'm scruffy). so i'll go like 3 or 4 days between shaving.

Now that I'm older, scruffy makes me look like a hobo.

edge shaving cream is pretty nice

nivea after shave is really good stuff

Thank you for using the cheap crap, and leaving the better stuff for the rest of us.

I love wet shaving! it is like pampering myself.

What are the brushes for. Opinions on electric razors? I dont even know how to shave right with a real razor, maybe its because its a throw away. When I go down on my face it doesnt shave it, I have to work up, which I think is bad.