The ritual of shaving and its implements...

[El Gringo]

So, now I've moved to the shaving soap in a mug along with a boars hair brush... will obtain a nice badger hair ( silver tip ) when money allows. Tonight however I put in an order for a German made safety razor, you know, the old timey all stainless steel gizmo that take them blades that were always reported to be in trick or treat apples.

So far I really can tell a difference with the mix yer own lather with the soap in a mug as compared to the foam in a can... a big difference.

I'm hoping the new ( old ) safety razor lives up to all the reviews I've read. Currently I've been using a Schick cartridge 4 bladed job; but I know what will happen as it always does... they discontinue that model and come out with a new one... then you cant find blades; so youre forced to buy the new model.

Anyway, I'm going old school. The safety razor I've ordered costs about $ 35 and blades are something like 50 cents a piece.

My Dad was a electric shaver guy... product of the nuclear age. I did think of going full blown straight razor, but there's too many arteries under my skin to warrent that kind of self confidence.

What do you shavers use??

[droid]

El Gringo, I'm glad you started this thread!

I have been shaving for quite some time and have experimented with quite a few methods over the years.

I also use a Schick Quattro and find the shave satisfactory.

I have never and I repeat, NEVER, found an electric that didn't leave my skin feeling sliced and burned. Yes, I did go through the 3 week period to get my skin used to it. So far I've used half a dozen or more electrics and gave up on all of them.

I tried shaving with a straight razor once when I was 16. Only had 3 years experience shaving at that point and after the first swipe with that blade I knew I was in over my head. Never had the nerve to try it again!

I read about the Merkur safety razor some time ago and would love to hear your review once you give it a spin.

What type of soap are you using and do you use hot or cold water?

[Clydetz]

Currently I'm not shaving much. Yesterday the GF gave my beard a trim with the sideburn trimmer on my Braun electric shaver. Seemed to work well. The places on my face that I still shave are done with a Gillette Sensor and hot water rinse... no shaving cream. Thinking back... the only time I sliced a hunk of skin off my face was with a safety razor like the one you're going with, El Gringo. Never did understand why it was called a 'safety razor'. Good luck with the new shaving system.

[TacoMan5000]

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/s...ty_Razor/55118

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/s..._Brushes/55171

I use the soap they sell too. I'm pretty satisfied with them. The only issue I have is with the soap; it can be a pain in the ass to get off of my skin sometimes.

[the dude]

if you can find the gillette double edged blades
buy those (kinda expensive $12 for 10)
lately i've been buying the cheapo walgreens ones
if you get the walgreens ones dry 'em off when done, the edges rust up
i got 5 strait razors i use too, but my fave lately has been a $35 7/8ths i got online
it works ok,& is powdercoated so i havent been oiling it, i just strop & go mostly
have you been to a "the art of shaving"store? check one out

[the dude]

p.s.
those double edged razors take any skin blemish off while shaving
never have to squeeze a ingrown hair again

[the dude]

sorry didn't see the rest of the post
bar soap & cold water
thats how i was raised
but i'm kinda a savage

[LX_Emergency]

Have fun with the Double edged blades. They don't do much better on my face than those 3, 4 or 5 (!!!) bladed monstrosities.

Straight razor all the way. Been doing that for about 7 years now and will never look back.

Why anyone who's into knives will buy a set of blades that they won't sharpen but throw away instead still baffles me.

I've got a razor, a hone and I'm set for life. No more buying blades for it EVER!

[ffemtNY]

Not mentioned but plenty of good used razors on e-bay and shaving forums. Fat boy and slim by Gillette being probably the best of the breed but can be pricey , super speeds are cheaper and great to start with. Get a variety and find which one you like best. Easy to sanitize also, just boil it for a bit , or dip in alcohol, or both.

[Mpsecare]

[El Gringo]

Droid its Van Der Hagen shave soap from walmart...dont let that sway ya, its really good. In fact I'll tell anyone even just to try it with your currant razor. I dont think I'll ever go back to foam in a can.


I talked to my brother on Sunday. He's done a lot of auctions... says got a bunch of antique mugs, brushes, and razors. Hell, I never knew. Gonna go up Saturday morning and have some pickins... will let ya know if any good finds.

[cornnutt]

My grandmother resently had to move into a nursinghome, my anunts have been packing stuff up, so I asked for my grandfathers safety razors. If or when I get 'em gonna try 'em, if there in good shape.
Awesome thread. Thanks for startin', but

[Big John aka Mod 12]

shavenation.com - geofatboy has a lot of youtubes on proper shaving teechnique.

http://shavenation.com/index.php?mai...ndex&cPath=169

I shave with a Merkur, boar hair brush, art of shaving soap, and found some Personna blades that are just fine.

[El Gringo]

Brother gave me a Gillette clamshell adjustable; from 1960's and got my Merkur in also. I've shaved with both... both excellent... no blood drawn!
He gave me a brush that was our grandpaps, but it basically fell apart with warm water added.

So far very satisfied with the old fashoned razors... now to order a couple hundred blades and I'm set for life.

[Guillermo]

I hate to shave and have not for over 15 years. I was just thinking about my fathers old Gillette and if I still had it. The blades got dull fairly fast but it was a nice shave.