What do you shave with?

Thomas · Feb 17, 2009

Originally Posted by theincumbent

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.

ehhh, if you can sharpen a knife you've pretty well got the maintenance skills down. Now bringing the blade to your face - that will take a couple of tries before your hand stops shaking.

Pylon · Feb 17, 2009

+1 on checking out Badger & Brush forums. There's more info there than we could ever hope to record and impart here.

That having been said, I think half of the shave quality comes from the prep. I use a pre-shave oil (right now, Art of Shaving) and lather on shaving cream (Trufitt & Hill) with a silver-tip badger hair brush, after a hot shower. The run-of-the-mill Mach3 power shaves smoothly and close after that prep. The downsides are it takes lots of extra time in the morning, and the Trufitt & Hill cream seems to really go through the cartridges faster than some other creams I've used.

ysc · Feb 17, 2009

Ha, a lot of feedback. I don't think I am ready to learn to use a straight razor, when I shave I am often hung over/bleary eyed, I don't think it would be a good idea, I tried to shave with a very sharp knife a few times when hiking and yeah, scary as ****.

Yeah, I use a pre-shave oil and Limes shaving cream, found that was much better than shaving foam etc. I find if I don't have time for a shower holding a flannel soaked in hot water against my face is pretty much as good.
I guess I am going to order a brush and safety razor and see how it is.

Mr.Sly · Feb 17, 2009

phillips triple track!

javyn · Feb 17, 2009

I went a little nuts 3 years ago and bought up all the shaving gear I could get my hands on. After the novelty wore off, I pretty much only shave with either my Merkur Futur or fixed head Gillette Superspeed (40s era).

I'd recommend getting a Merkur HD, it will be the only razor you ever need. Shaves much better than the cartridge razors, and blades are incredibly cheap. Just remember to not apply pressure, the weight of the razor is pressure enough.

I'm sure you 'can' get a better shave with a straight razor, but that depends on the amount of skill you develop. There is considerable upkeep with straights too. I have two but never use them. Double edge is perfect for me. If I had it to do all over again I'd just have gotten the Merkur HD and stopped there rather than spending a small fortune on vintage razors.

Eventually I'd look at getting a decent Shavemac brush too.

pauliodotnet · Feb 17, 2009

nancy boy shaving creme + my mach 3.

about to get a badger brush to apply.

Threadbearer · Feb 18, 2009

Originally Posted by youngscientist

Honestly, after who knows how many thousands of years shaving you would think we would have it cracked by now.
Here's the tool you need:

nordicstyle · Feb 18, 2009

Originally Posted by pauliodotnet

nancy boy shaving creme + my mach 3.

about to get a badger brush to apply.

I have also been thinking about this, but as the "real" brushes are quite expensive, I was considering the Kent VS10 gel shaving brush just to try out how it works. Anyone have any experience with this or other brushes meant for regular shaving gel?

bullethead · Feb 19, 2009

you can get a real badger brush from C&E for about 35 bucks. Haven't used synthetic brushes as I haven't heard much positive feedback about them.

I have a shavemac silvertip as well and though it's somewhat expensive, it's really soft on the face. next brush will be boar for me.

Straight razors do require a learning curve, but it isn't that long. the trouble actually starts when you think you know what you're doing and get careless-that's when you get cut.

Love my straights, but the are collection prone

nordicstyle · Feb 19, 2009

Originally Posted by bullethead

you can get a real badger brush from C&E for about 35 bucks. Haven't used synthetic brushes as I haven't heard much positive feedback about them.

What's C&E, and will a regular badger brush work well with general store shaving gel/cream (i.e. Gillette)?

fredfred · Feb 19, 2009

If you dig around enough on the badger and blade site you'll find that the consensus is that a cartridge shave (atra, excel, et. al) is just as close/smooth as the double edge (DE) shaves. The choice is then made on cost (cartridge can cost more if you change often) or "pleasure" (many enjoy the merkur, etc.).

The key to a close shave is largely the preparation. I.e., hot towel, pre-shave oil/gunk/gel, etc.

bullethead · Feb 19, 2009

Originally Posted by nordicstyle

What's C&E, and will a regular badger brush work well with general store shaving gel/cream (i.e. Gillette)?

crabtree & evelyn. I believe one can order them online.

wouldn't really use the above creams with a brush. Taylor of Bond St. makes some nice creams and a large tub sells for about 14bucks (in the US, at least)

While in the shower, soak the brush in a mug of hot water. when you get out, shake the excess water off. dump the water from the mug, take the brush and give a decent swirl in the cream, then swirl the brush in the mug (or bowl) for about 20 or so laps, adding just a dab of hot water.

then your'e good to go

javyn · Feb 20, 2009

No, shaving foams in a can don't work with a brush. The point of the brush is to turn your soap or cream into a foam on your face. Doing it that way is far superior to the foam in a can you just slap on your face though.

gdl203 · Feb 20, 2009

Musgo Real pre-shave oil
Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba shaving cream, boar bristle brush
Gillette Fusion razor (

)
Musgo Real after-shave lotion or Santa Maria Novella Crema Pre Dopo Barba, depending on how dry I feel

nordicstyle · Feb 20, 2009

Originally Posted by javyn

No, shaving foams in a can don't work with a brush. The point of the brush is to turn your soap or cream into a foam on your face. Doing it that way is far superior to the foam in a can you just slap on your face though.

I don't use foam. I use gel, so I massage it onto the skin with my hands. It's this process I would like to use a brush for. I'm too lazy to mix up lather from cream. If I could just get a brush I could put a small amount of gel directly on and then massage it onto my face to make the foam, that would be perfect. I think that's what the Kent brush I posted is for.

What do you shave with?

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