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What do you shave with?

ysc

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I just finished shaving myself with the a massive Wilkinson sword device with four blades on one end and an electrical shaver on the other end, like something from a self-harmers wet dream.
It was terrible, I remembered the Wilkinson quatro as being decent, but having just re-tried it I clearly remebered wrong. Usually I use a Gillette mach three and shave as infrequently as possible, if not for the fact I quickly grow a peadotach I would probably just grow a beard and be done with it.

So are old school safety razors all they are cracked up to be?
If not what "regular" razor do people find is best?
I try to have a hot shower/hot flannel first, and use proper shaving cream, I find this all helps any top tips?
Honestly, after who knows how many thousands of years shaving you would think we would have it cracked by now.
 

fredfred

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find the badger and blade website and you'll receive all the answers you want.
 

huy

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I currently shave with a safety razor and it has been about 6 months since I started it. The novelty of safety razors wore off after about 3 months but I haven't switched back mostly due to the high cost of cartridges. Give it a try though, it is cheap to get started and if you don't like it you can sell it back close to your cost.

The most important thing with shaving is good prep and good shaving cream/soap. Some good quality cream will last a very long time and give you a great shave no matter what shaver you use.
 

mikej77

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A bowie knife, just like crocodile dundee.
 

dcg

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Been using a Merkur HD for a few months. Still experimenting with blades.
 

imhotep

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Originally Posted by youngscientist
Honestly, after who knows how many thousands of years shaving you would think we would have it cracked by now.

I believe it has been figured out

1 - straight blade
2 - safety razor
3 - cartridge razor
4 - disposable razor


in decreasing shave quality, and increasing convenience
 

tiecollector

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I'm looking to buy a Merkur safety razor but when I went to buy they were sold out all over the net. I wouldn't recommend doing a straight razor yourself.
 

JoshC

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I've been happy using a Merkur Futur for the last 3 years.
 

hamish5178

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Originally Posted by tiecollector
I'm looking to buy a Merkur safety razor but when I went to buy they were sold out all over the net. I wouldn't recommend doing a straight razor yourself.

Amazon always has many models in stock.

I got a merkur for christmas and switched from my schick fusion thingy.

No more in-grown hairs! My hair is really curly so this used to be a real problem for me.
 

appolyon

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Disagree with straight blades giving you the best shave.

I've been using a Gillette 'Fat Boy' from 1961 that I picked up on ebay, together with Derby blades (bought the blade sampler from, I think, West Coast Shaving).

Have been using soaps and creams from C&E and Taylors that work extremely well.

Novelty has worn off as someone else has mentioned so I mostly use creams now cause you can whip up a lather in no time at all.

Have even been trying to train myself to do my head with the safety razor so that I can ditch the cartridges once and for all.
 

Thomas

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I switched to a straight from a Merkur HD just because I wanted to be completely self-sufficient. The learning curve takes longer since there are more variables you control, but in two years I've never wanted to go back to shaving with anything else.
 

theincumbent

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Merkur DE Classic "C", Merkur Blades, Mama Bear's Shaving Soaps and Aftershave.

I'm enticed by Thomas's mention of being self- sufficient, but the learning curve still scares me off.

Next year.
 

Johnny_5

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I use a Badger hair brush, cream, a merkur HD and derby blades. It was cool at the beginning but the routine can be rather cumbersome, but enjoyable at times. It's cool and all but I can shave with a disposable and a can of cream in about 1/20th of the time compared to my DE and get a shave that is just as good if not better.

I would like to try a straight though...
 

tiecollector

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I have a moderate to light beard and have been looking at Merkur, which one should I get?
 

Johnny_5

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The HD will suit you just fine. No need to splurge on a crazy razor. technique > razor. There will be much to get used to when you first get started like :

Making a good lather with the brush
Blade angle
Blade stroke
and more

A good quality lather can be the difference between and a great shave and a bloody face.
 

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