| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I have been using disposable razors for a very long time, but have been interested in wet shaving for a while. A few weeks ago I bought a badger brush and some soap, which I began using with my Mach 3. A few days ago I took the plunge and ordered a safety razor off the internet along with some blades. I tried it this morning for the first time and I have a lot to learn about technique. My face and neck went OK, but I now shave my head and I ended up with a few nicks. Nothing terrible, but certainly not what happens with my Mach 3. Hopefully I will learn quickly. Anybody here wet shave? What do you guys use? What about straight razors? Just curious. I will say that using shaving soap and a badger brush has actually made a task I didn't care for at all into almost a treat I look forward to. Hopefully my safety razor will eventually get that way. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I just use ivory soap and apply it to my face with my hands. Ever seen a "head blade"? it specifically for doing your head. | ||
| Dynasport |
I have a head blade. Didn't care for it that much. Hard to get close around my ears. | ||
| Xdigitalx |
If you shave every other day, your razor will last twice as long. (same with soap+showers) Just sayin...  | ||
| Whitetrashxb |
what exactly is the 'wet shave' referring to? i use shaving cream from the can, but have been toying w/ the idea of a brush in a cup after reading an article on it, along with how to restore old straight razors. Wish i could find my grandfather's old shaving kit and resurrect it. Had a barber shave me w/ one once, and i'd like to give it a shot. Technique would take lotsa practice though | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have a small mirror mounted in my shower and do the deed just before I get out. By the time I'm done washing, the hair is pretty soft from all the hot water so I never use any soap/shaving cream. | ||
| Notpurples2 |
Wet shave... almost makes me think that you were dry shaving before; as in no cream, soap, or anything just a a dry razor..... ouch. I shave in the shower with soap or shaving cream and either a mach 3 or fusion razor. I've had a straight razor before, which was nice to use every once and a while. I find that a warm shower or a hot towel on my face before I shave does wonders for skin irritation. Also, the best shaving cream I've ever used was some stuff from Bath and Body Works... it comes in an old fashion green metal tube (like a toothpaste tube) You only use a tiny bit of it so it last for a long time. | ||
| Pwnzor |
You can read all you like about the subject here | ||
| Dynasport |
Technically, I think wet shaving is shaving with any soap or cream as opposed to dry shaving with an electric razor. What I was really referring to, I guess is a subset of wet shaving. I was really referring to the use of a double edge (DE) safety razor or a straight razor instead of a cartridge or disposable razor that most men and women use today. I was also talking about the use of a different kind of lubricant than the shave cream that comes in an aerosol can. I am using shaving soap, but there is also shave cream that comes in tubs or tubes and can be worked into a lather and applied to the face with a brush. From Wikipedia [edit] Shaving methods Shaving can be done with a straight razor or safety razor (called 'manual shaving' or 'wet shaving') or an electric razor (called 'dry shaving'). For men, the removal of a full beard often requires the use of scissors or an electric (or beard) trimmer to reduce the mass of hair, simplifying the process. [edit] "Traditional" wet shaving Safety razor, shaving brush and shaving soap. The brush is used to make lather from the soap.There are two types of manual razors: straight razor and safety razors. Safety razors are further subdivided into double-edged razors, single edge, injector razors, cartridge razors and disposable razors. In the twentieth century, Gillette razors were the most prevalent. Double-edge razors are currently readily available and are manufactured by Merkur in Germany, Kiwishaver in New Zealand, Parker in India, Feather in Japan, Hart Steel in the United States and Weishi in China. Double-edge razors are named so because the blade that they use has two sharp edges on opposite sides of the blade. Current multi-bladed cartridge manufacturers attempt to differentiate themselves by having more or fewer blades than their competitors, each arguing that their product gives a greater shave quality at a more affordable price. Before wet shaving, a lathering or lubricating agent such as cream, soap, gel, foam or oil is normally applied. Lubricating and moisturizing the skin to be shaved helps to prevent a painful razor burn. Many razor cartridges include a lubricating strip, made of polyethylene glycol, to function instead of or in supplement to extrinsic agents. It also lifts and softens the hairs, causing them to swell. This enhances the cutting action and sometimes permits cutting the hairs slightly below the surface of the skin. Additionally, during shaving, the lather indicates areas that have not been addressed. When soap is used, it is generally applied with a shaving brush, which has long soft bristles. It is worked up into a usable lather by the brush, either against the face, in a shaving mug, bowl, scuttle, or palm of the hand. Since cuts are more likely when using safety razors and straight razors, wet shaving is generally done in more than one pass with the blade. The goal is to reduce the amount of hair with each pass, instead of trying to eliminate all of it in a single pass. This also reduces the risks of cuts, soreness, and ingrown hairs. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I use Wilkinson Sword Quattro, called Schick in your part of the world I believe. Either foam or gel from a can, but I'm very economic & only shave when I can be arsed to, or when madame moans that I'm too prickly. On average I suppose every 2-3 days. I used to shave electric with a philips floating head jobby that had the gel dispenser, but it was getting tough to find the gel cartridges & was costing a mint in replacement cutting heads. I don't shave my head, I give (what's left of) my hair a #1 with the clippers every month. | ||
| Bigblock |
I've been using a badger hair brush for 10 years now, they're the greatest! Getting a straight razor shave is the best, but I have never attempted this upon myself! Mach 3 or fusion for me, thanks. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Somebody, do tell what's so special about soap whipped up with a brush made from badgers hair? Bout the only thing f*****n badgers are good for I suppose, verminous critters & carriers of TB. | ||
| Britchri10 |
But...they look so cute when they are infecting your herd & making their milk unmarketable! | ||
| 86129squids |
Ooohh- how about the shave with Honey Badger hair??? Smooove! (I thought I had it good when I managed to track down a genuine Atra handle via Amazon, enabling me to finally use all the spare cartridges on hand...) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Gas the buggers! Mind you Phil Archer got in trouble for that didn't he? | ||
| Notpurples2 |
 | ||
| 86129squids |
Ooohh- looks like you might get a nick or two if you shaved with that... | ||
| Britchri10 |
We used to shoot them, block up their burrows & try to deny them food. (they'll eat anything) Never gassed them. too many townie folk in the Thames Valley to allow any of that! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I used to go out with the local gamekeeper & another mate in a stripped down landy round the local forest, I usually drove because I'm a crap shot, & they'd stand in the back banging away at all the vermin. A badger was always worth a double in the pub after. | ||
| Britchri10 |
We used to do rabbits the same way, except it was an old Ford Zephyr without a roof. The local game keeper would pay a bounty for badgers. We sold the rabbits to the local butcher. | ||
| Pwnzor |
banging away at all the vermin. Sounds like some of the parties I used to go to when I was younger. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Seems we've been living parallel lives Chris.  | ||
| Buelltoys |
I started using a straight razor in March this year. I love the feel of the shave with a straight razor. I use a scented bar soap in a cup with a badger brush. Just getting used to it the hardest part is getting the skin tight enough around the lip and chin area. It is relaxing to me to get home from a days work hop in the shower and then step out to do a quick shave. I normally do two passes. One pass down and then one pass up. Normally this gives me a clean look for 2 days before I have to do again. Just starting so not the best at it but I do enjoy. | ||
| Whitetrashxb |
buelltoys, where'd u find the straight razor? a nicely restored antique would be primo | ||
| Buelltoys |
I got mine from straightrazordesign.com. There are many people on straightrazorplace.com forum that sell used ones. But I bought mine as a new kit that included the mug, strop, brush and razor. The razor came shave ready and works well. I would like to find an antique store that has some and have heard many gun shows have some knife sellers that have some old restored ones. | ||
| Bbbob |
I've been wet shaving all my life, started with a Gillette safety razor & Schick injectors in the 70's, moved through all the multi-bladed "latest & greatest" as they came out. About 2 yrs ago my wife dragged me kicking & screaming to Walmart & I ended up in the shaving section looking for replacement cartridges. I was standing there in sticker shock when I realized the replacement cartridges are almost $5.00 a piece! With a little looking I found Walmart still sold double edge razor blades, 10 for $1.76. Hmmm, a $5.00 cartridge lasts me about a week & a $0.17 double edge blade lasts me a week...do the math. Plus, with the double edge I get no irritation, something that never happened with the multi-bladed wonders... | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Hart steel sure is proud of their wares!! Holy smokes!!! | ||
| Dynasport |
Hart Steel, about the only straight razors I know of made in the U.S. Basically hand made. Craftsmanship costs I suppose. | ||
| Buelltoys |
Yes, straight razors are expensive. I have a basic Dovo that is around $90.00. But as was stated before with the cost of Mach 3 replacements it is cheap. I used to go through 1 to 2 a week. Plus the shave soap last longer then the can stuff. So at approximately $20 a month I have my return on investment since I have not bought a pack of replacements since March. So yes up front it will cost more but most straight razors will last a lifetime. All my friends think I am crazy but I enjoy shaving with one. | ||
| Notpurples2 |
When you're talking about an open razor blade you're going to drag across your face it better be exceedingly well crafted. A razor that can't take or hold an edge is useless, you'll end up looking like your face was attacked by a pissed off house cat. |
