Wet Shaving

[Eleazar]

Do we have any afficionados of traditional wet shaving here on the planet? I have taken up this art recently.

If you're a n00b, I'm talking about this:

http://time.com/money/2792995/spend-...a-close-shave/

Spend Less on a Close Shave
April 29, 2010

The strategy

Buy a safety razor — yes, the kind Grandpa used. While the razor costs about five times more than the typical multiblade cartridge kind, its blades will run about $30 a year, vs. $50 and up for cartridge refills. Plus, a safety razor lasts a lifetime and looks a heck of a lot better on your bathroom shelf than a plastic one. Will you get a good shave? Absolutely — and you’ll be less likely to develop ingrown hairs, says grooming expert Nick Burns, co-author of The Bearded Gentleman.

What to look for

A razor that weighs 2½ ounces or more, such as the classic Merkur (pictured) or the Edwin Jagger 89L ($35). Heavier models are less likely to nick because you won’t be tempted to press into your skin to get a close shave. Go for a handle that’s at least three inches long — it’ll be easier to grip.

Shave smarter

Not all safety blades are the same. Feather blades, for example, are sharper than Derbys. So try a few options to find the best fit, says Mark Herro, who writes the shaving blog Sharpologist.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by RollChiefsRoll

I like the Shark Super Chrome blades. They are samurai sharp.

Oh, cool. I bought this sampler from Amazon that has 5 Shark blades, but I haven't used them yet.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

I use the mug and soap, but haven't gone back to a safety razor. Mach 5 and an old patch of denim.

whats the denim for ? to sharpen it or some shit? longer life?

teach me

god damn blades are expensive

[otherstar]

I'm definitely an enthusiast! I've been wet shaving since the early 1990's. I started using a DE eight years ago, and a straight razor about 4 years ago. I've got a nice little collections of DE and straight razors (new and vintage), a few brushes, a bunch of soaps and creams,and a bunch of aftershaves. I also have about 100 blades left...I bought about 300 blades once I decided I liked Derby's, Sharks, Astra SPs (the Astra and Shark blades are my favorite).

[FlaChief58]

Nope, tried it when I was a young pup at the advice of my dad and grandpa. Made my face look like a sloppy joe

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Oh, cool. I bought this sampler from Amazon that has 5 Shark blades, but I haven't used them yet.

www.westcoastshaving.com

www.maggardrazors.com

www.shavenation.com


There are several others out there as well. And a bunch of artisan soap and after shave makers if you really catch the "disease".

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

whats the denim for ? to sharpen it or some shit? longer life?

teach me

god damn blades are expensive

[JD10367]

Jeez. 21 posts into a thread titled "wet shaving" and no one has mentioned beaver once? This place is slipping.

[RollChiefsRoll]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

whats the denim for ? to sharpen it or some shit? longer life?

teach me

god damn blades are expensive

Bro, that's why you gotta get a double-edged safety razor. It is an expensive initial outlay ($50 for a chrome Merkur, $15 for a badger hair brush), but the razor blades can be bought in a pack of 100 for like $10, and each blade lasts 3-4 shaves. So in my case (shaving three times per week), that $10 pack of blades will last me about two years.

And DEs don't give you razor burn like a Mach 3 hack job.

[Chiefshrink]

Yep. I am doing it and don't mind a bit. Yes, the single blade doesn't quite get as close as the multimillion dollar 5 blades but the single blade stays sharper for a longer time IF you dry your blade and razor after every use. Now of course there are variables like the density of whiskers a man has I get that but I refuse to buy the 5 blades that last only about a week for medium whiskers.

[MTG#10]

No need, I look good with a constant light beard/5 o'clock shadow. I only shave my neck and use an electric Braun for that.

[brorth]

I've been using the Merkur 39C for a while. The slant bar is where it's at if you have thick/coarse hair. I started with West Coast's choice sampler. Feathers have to be the sharpest blade made by man, but I like them. My go to blade is the Derby Extra. It's a durable edge and a little forgiving in case you get a little hurried. I use them three times on face and head.

[srvy]

No love for Harry's I know guys who switched from Dollar shave to Harry's and like the quality better. Also got a tip that works great from them. Cheap hair conditioner as a shaving gel. Any will do the cheaper the better I go with suave coconut as it doesn't smell to girly. Smooth shave work great and worth a try although all whiskers are different.

As for safety razors there is a reason men started bolting from in the 60's when Gillette introduced SS blade and Bic released the first true disposable. Then the 70,s and Gillette released the the twin blades and safety razor all but dissipated from mens shave kits. My dad packed his away but luckly went up in attic where me and my brother picked through after he died. Keep as keepsake rarely use for good reason IMO.

[Amnorix]

I have a weird, hybrid system. I use an electric razor Tue-Friday mornings. Basically lay in bed and shave. It does a perfectly reasonable job. I typically skip shaving on Sat/Sun, and then on Monday I shave with a Sensor (the 2 blade one). None of that ridiculous five razor crap for me -- seriously why does anyone spend the money on that?? The 2 blades do a good job, and I've learned that using a blade at least once a week reduces ingrowns.

Works very well, and costs very little since I use a disposable blade once a week.

[ping2000]

Originally Posted by Cochise

There seems to be a lot of difference in blades. I had some Personna blades that worked fine and were only like 15 cents each (and made in the USA if you want to know). I am pretty settled on Feather blades for now. They are among the most expensive but when the difference is only 10 or 20 cents a week, why not.

Blade reviews are worthless. What works for one person or razor sucks for another. Try as many blades as you can. Try to limit other variables so they get a fair test. There are some good sampler packs available.

[ping2000]

Originally Posted by brorth

I've been using the Merkur 39C for a while. The slant bar is where it's at if you have thick/coarse hair. I started with West Coast's choice sampler. Feathers have to be the sharpest blade made by man, but I like them. My go to blade is the Derby Extra. It's a durable edge and a little forgiving in case you get a little hurried. I use them three times on face and head.

I use a 39c for my first pass and follow up with an HD and then a 1940's super speed for the second and third passes. I used to use Feathers but have switched to Voskhod in the slant and Astras in the HD and Superspeed. Shaving soap has always been Mitchell's Wool Fat.