A Proper Shave: The Essentials of Being a Man! - Page 3

Casebrius · 10-12-08, 09:54

I splash my face w/ 90% IPA after shaving (ouch) then use Clinique M lotion. This makes all the difference in the world for not breaking out after

CumminsCrazed · 10-22-08, 10:05

i hate shaving and personally refuse to do it uless i have a good reason to

xfire · 10-23-08, 11:46

Anyone have razor burn solutions for a fellow autopian? I've read tons of info from shavemyface.com but am looking for more unique solutions. My PFB vanish isn't working as well as it used to. Also, where can I find a quality, but inexpensive brush to apply my shaving creme? I'm sick and tired of using my hand and getting it overly soggy from holding the shaving cream solution for way too long.

jfelbab · 10-24-08, 06:28

How to get that perfect shave - Today, Weekend Edition - MSNBC.com

bert31 · 10-24-08, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfire

Anyone have razor burn solutions for a fellow autopian? I've read tons of info from shavemyface.com but am looking for more unique solutions. My PFB vanish isn't working as well as it used to. Also, where can I find a quality, but inexpensive brush to apply my shaving creme? I'm sick and tired of using my hand and getting it overly soggy from holding the shaving cream solution for way too long.

A really good brand of brushes is Colonel Conk. I have a Colonel Conk shaving brush, shaving mug, and I use the shaving soaps rather than shaving creme. If you google Colonel Conk you should find where you can buy online or local retailers like I have near me in Louisville, KY.

Manic · 10-24-08, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfire

Anyone have razor burn solutions for a fellow autopian? I've read tons of info from shavemyface.com but am looking for more unique solutions. My PFB vanish isn't working as well as it used to. Also, where can I find a quality, but inexpensive brush to apply my shaving creme? I'm sick and tired of using my hand and getting it overly soggy from holding the shaving cream solution for way too long.

Try some of the Anthony Logistics after shave balms. They work really well. I have really sensitive skin and this stuff has saved me.

It also helps if you use the right products before and during your shave.

I use:
Anthony Logistics Facial Scrub - Lifts and softens hairs
Proraso shaving cream (applied with a Shavemac Silvertip brush) - The best stuff I've ever used
Merkur HD razor (loaded with feather blades) - Feathers are probably the sharpest blades around. Less passes means less chance for burn.
Anthony Logistics After Shave Balm - Cooling effect. Very nice
Anthony Logistics Razor Burn Repair (sometimes) - Cools and works well against burn and ingrown hairs.

For brushes, all I can say is you get what you pay for. Cheaper brushes are often very firm, and lend themselves more to applying shaving soaps. If you want to use creams, you may want to spend a few dollars more and get a higher quality brush. You don't have to go overboard though (my shavemac is custom made and very spendy). $40 on ebay will get you a decent starter brush.

Also, pick up some glycerine from your local drug store. A few drops added to your shaving cream while you're whipping it with the brush will add a lot of lubrication.

xfire · 10-24-08, 09:38

Thanks for the replies!

I've always wanted to take the plunge and get the DE razor, but I've always wondered why it is better than modern razors. Is it the design or just the better quality blades that create a better shave. My skin is very prone to razor burn and bumps.

Looking at badger hair brushes, it looks like what drives the cost of these tools is simply the base (right????)...cheapo wood bases cost less than these gold-plated luxury items.

Lastly, thanks for bringing up Proraso shaving creme...I could never find this stuff in the US until I stumbled across CO Bigelow. It turns out that Proraso has been marketed by CO Bigelow under their green colored shaving creme. Check it out...the tub of green CO Bigelow shaving creme says that it is manufactured exclusively by Proraso. I bought it in combination with CO Bigelow's sensitive skin shave gel, and frankly, the sensitive skin formula (in a grey bottle) worked better for my skin. There was much more lubrication between skin and blade, and I didn't get as many cuts. Maybe with a shaving brush-lather the Proraso stuff could be better.

I definitely have to try the Anthony Logistics stuff as well. I just need to save up alot of $$!!

Manic · 10-24-08, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfire

Thanks for the replies!

I've always wanted to take the plunge and get the DE razor, but I've always wondered why it is better than modern razors. Is it the design or just the better quality blades that create a better shave. My skin is very prone to razor burn and bumps.

Looking at badger hair brushes, it looks like what drives the cost of these tools is simply the base (right????)...cheapo wood bases cost less than these gold-plated luxury items.

Lastly, thanks for bringing up Proraso shaving creme...I could never find this stuff in the US until I stumbled across CO Bigelow. It turns out that Proraso has been marketed by CO Bigelow under their green colored shaving creme.

The way it was explained to me was, DE razors have one sharp blade, while all those crazy "Gillette Super Fusion Ultra Samurai Vibratronic Slice-o-Matic" razors have 4 or 5 blades. If you do two proper passes with each, you'll get a blade dragging twice on your skin from a DE, but 8 or 10 from the latter. More contact means a greater chance of razor burn.

I'm sure it's much more scientific than that, but that was good enough for me to switch.

There are three types of badger hair. Pure badger, is basically just whatever hair they take from the badger (yes... even from around the bum), Super Badger (some call it best badger) is slightly higher quality and softer, while Silvertip is the softest stuff (taken from the head I believe) and much less of it can be had from each badger. The handles do drive up the price a little but the most influence comes from the quality of hair, and how the brush is constructed. I've even seen wooden handled brushes that cost over $1000 dollars.

Yeah the whole C.O. Bigelow/Proraso thing catches everyone at first. They are 100% the same, just rebranded. Often if you find both in the same place, Proraso will be cheaper.

If you want to try the DE thing, jump on Ebay and grab a Parker brand razor. There's a guy named Howard (I think) that sells them. He's good to deal with, and packs sample blades from Derby with every purchase. Derby blades are good to learn on. Not too sharp, but sharp enough to do the job.

Look for the heaviest razor you can find, and stay away from adjustable ones until you have mastered a regular DE.

wytstang · 10-24-08, 12:24

Quote:

I've always wanted to take the plunge and get the DE razor, but I've always wondered why it is better than modern razors.

A modern razor is designed to lift and hack off the hair in one stroke (or as much as it can in one stroke) which makes them fairly aggressive. DE reduces the hair with each shave, normally you shave 2 too 3 times back to back. Each shave is in a different direction-With the grain, Across the grain, and Against the grain (if your face can take it or you just don't need it).
That's what makes it better, heck just switching from a quality shaving cream or soap and mixing up your lather rather then shaving goop in a can will improve your shave.

wytstang · 10-24-08, 12:27

on youtube Mantic59 has a great series on DE shaving (how too's, products) this should start you off YouTube - Introduction to Traditional Wetshaving, Part 1: Concepts

xfire · 10-25-08, 11:01

Yeah, Mantic59 did a great job with the vids! I've heard great things about the Feather blades but I am worried about hacking-up my face. Are the feathers a good blade for a newbie to DE shaving? If not I'd love some suggestions. I think I'll be going for the Weishi razor to get into it all:

WEISHI SAFETY RAZOR GOLD PLATED BONUS 10 FEATHER BLADES - eBay (item 180294686400 end time Oct-28-08 17:22:44 PDT)

wytstang · 10-25-08, 07:09

No, Feathers should be reserved for the seasoned wet shaver as they are not forgiving at all. What I did is I grabbed a sample pack of razor blades from WestCoastShaving.com (this one DE Blade Sampler Pack, Standard [DE Blade Sampler Pack, Standard] - $18.00 : West Coast Shaving, Double Edge Blade Sampler Packs) and tried all of them minus the Feathers to see which blade worked with my face and my razor (Murker HD). For me the Gillette Platinum and Crystal's (also sold as Israeli Persona [blue box]), the other blades were to aggressive for me. I use and strongly recommend Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving cream. Plenty of cushion/protection, they smell great, and most importantly they are very affordable. Weishi razor have gotten solid reviews it should work just fine for you. I was lucky enough that my mother in-law purchased my Murkur and I haven't looked back sense.
Reputable internet sellers for shaving gear:
Westcoastshaving.com-for razor blade sample
Emsplace.com-General wet shaving supplies
leesrazors.com-" "
classicshaving.com" "
superlather.com-Specializes in hard to get old school European, Italian, and Spanish after shave and hard to find shaving creams.
razorandbrush.com-Wide variety of wet shaving products including those hard to find American classics like Old Spice and Gillette shave lather. Ordering is a bit awkward for some, but nothing but positive experience from others have been reported.
vintagebladesllc.com-Best prices on certain shaving creams and general wet shaving products.
*90+% of my shaving gear has come from vintagebladesllc.com best prices for stuff I'm interested in*
That should keep you busy hunting down products.