NGC-razors

[LowRyter]

I have to agree with you Lannis, can't remember the last time that's happened.   

[oldbike54]

I have to agree with you Lannis, can't remember the last time that's happened.

 We're slowly turning into a couple of old hipsters Bud 

  Dusty

[K250]

Guys, suppossedly a lot of those internet mail order razor companies blades are made by dorco.  Worth a check on what dorco sells them for,  maybe save a few bucks.

[LowRyter]

We're slowly turning into a couple of old hipsters Bud 

  Dusty

I've had a goatees on and off since the '80s.  This one for about 7 years.  Makes the shave in morning about 5 minutes quicker and not to sound like a pig, it just seemed to help me when I was a supervisor of an office that had a reputation of some disagreeable women.  I generally did well there......

[Lannis]

I have to agree with you Lannis, can't remember the last time that's happened.

I agree with you all the time, I just don't say anything about it.   No one would understand ....   

Lannis

[oldbike54]

I've had a goatees on and off since the '80s.  This one for about 7 years.  Makes the shave in morning about 5 minutes quicker and not to sound like a pig, it just seemed to help me when I was a supervisor of an office that had a reputation of some disagreeable women.  I generally did well there......

 Yeah , the only real whiskers are on my chin , the rest take about 30 seconds to deal with .

  Dusty

[Texas Turnip]

Anyone remember the slot in the bathroom wall that you put the old blades in?

I've used a brush for 30 or 40 years. No fancy soap. I like it and that is all that matters .

Do your kids watch you shave? My girls always liked to watch me. Of course, the had to use the brush and lather their face.  When my whiskers were dark I'd wait for a few days to shave, then slowly drain the water out of the basin. Then take the black whiskers and make them a mustache.

If you have never had a shave by a barber, treat yourself.

Tex

[AJ Huff]

Nobody using the old straight razor anymore?

I have one that uses inserts. Not a big fan. It does fine on the face but I don't like it on my head. The old fashion straights are neat but I don't want to get into the upkeep of sharpening and honing.

The SE is sometimes referred to as a straight on a stick, and that's pretty true. I like my SE better than my DE. I think it shaves better which I think has to do with the different shape and geometry of the head. I find the DE does better on the face and the SE does better on the head. Also, the DE blades are thinner and sharper but dull faster than the more robust SE blades.

-AJ

[Lannis]

Anyone remember the slot in the bathroom wall that you put the old blades in?

Tex

OH yes.   My home place had one.   I often wondered how many thousands of razor blades were down in between the studs .....

Lannis

[Lannis]

I have to agree with you Lannis, can't remember the last time that's happened.

Well, while we're on a roll .... I ordered the "Harry's" kit.   Shaver, blades, gel, etc.

Been using it for a month now, and it's the best shave I've ever had.   You can't even tell that a blade is going over you, and no stubble left.  A blade lasts me for 3 weeks and costs $1.88.    When you want some more blades or shaving lotion, a couple of keystrokes on their site has it to you in a couple days, free shipping.

I ordered one for my wife too.   

Lannis

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Well, while we're on a roll .... I ordered the "Harry's" kit.   Shaver, blades, gel, etc.

Been using it for a month now, and it's the best shave I've ever had.   You can't even tell that a blade is going over you, and no stubble left.  A blade lasts me for 3 weeks and costs $1.88.    When you want some more blades or shaving lotion, a couple of keystrokes on their site has it to you in a couple days, free shipping.

I ordered one for my wife too.   

Lannis

I had exactly the opposite experience. Worst shave ever, even the "obsolete" Shick twin-blade does better and it doesn't cut the heck out of my face. There's one spot on my lower lip that is still healing from the chunk the Harry's razor took out.  Guess I'm growing a beard until that heals.

The gel has something in it that reacts with my skin and left me looking like I was sun burnt.

The good news is Harry's refunded my money and I don't even have to send the stuff back. So, if anyone wants the rest of the gel, a handle and two unused blades, you can have it for free.

Never had any problems with any shaver or shave gel/cream before. <shrug>

[Lannis]

I had exactly the opposite experience. Worst shave ever, even the "obsolete" Shick twin-blade does better and it doesn't cut the heck out of my face. There's one spot on my lower lip that is still healing from the chunk the Harry's razor took out.  Guess I'm growing a beard until that heals.

The gel has something in it that reacts with my skin and left me looking like I was sun burnt.

The good news is Harry's refunded my money and I don't even have to send the stuff back. So, if anyone wants the rest of the gel, a handle and two unused blades, you can have it for free.

Never had any problems with any shaver or shave gel/cream before. <shrug>

I know what's going on here .... If it had a been a four-speed 1969 model with the blade-changer on the wrong side, you'd have been singing its praises ... but it's new technology .... of COURSE it's no good ....           

In actuality, items as personal as motorcycle seats, shaving kits, or sunglasses are going to be horrible for some folks and wonderful for others ....

Lannis

[pebra]

Good to have this topic back, because:
Inspired by some of the replies here, I bought a little bar of "shaving soap" some weeks ago. To bring with me when I only have carry-on luggage.
What's special with shaving soap, distinguishing it from other soaps?
How do I apply it for a good shave?

[bad Chad]

I buy mine at Aldi,  comes in I think a 5pack for $4.  They seem to work and last close if not as long as the name brand expensive one.  The only problem is they are completely disposable, which bothers me, but I get over it for the price.

[Lannis]

Good to have this topic back, because:
Inspired by some of the replies here, I bought a little bar of "shaving soap" some weeks ago. To bring with me when I only have carry-on luggage.
What's special with shaving soap, distinguishing it from other soaps?
How do I apply it for a good shave?

I put the shaving soap in the bottom of a shaving "mug".   I take a good shaving brush (badger bristle, I think?), wet it good, and swash it around and up and down on the soap to work up a lather.    I then apply it to my face with a motion that will cause the brush to clean out the pores good and really get the skin and beard soft and worked up.

I really think that the brush cleans your face much "deeper" than a washcloth or just your hands.  Of course, I'm no nacreous Rubens oil painting myself, so your expectations may be different .....

Lannis

[pebra]

Thanks Lannis, I'll look for a badger in the spring!
Could I use just about any soap for the shave, or are the shaving soaps supposed to be particularily good?

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

Buy once, cry once:
-Silver badger shaving brush (make sure its silver badger, set you back about $100, last a lifetime if maintained)
-1 tube of italian proraso eucalyptus shaving cream (about $10, last 3 to 6 monhs)
- One german futura adjustable razor (last a lifetime)
-Japanese feather razor blades or german razor blades

Take you a while to get dialed in, but then its awesome.
It's what I do.

 

[pebra]

Buy once, cry once:
-Silver badger shaving brush (make sure its silver badger, set you back about $100, last a lifetime if maintained)
-1 tube of italian proraso eucalyptus shaving cream (about $10, last 3 to 6 monhs)
- One german futura adjustable razor (last a lifetime)
-Japanese feather razor blades or german razor blades

Take you a while to get dialed in, but then its awesome.
It's what I do.

 

Sounds awesome!
Will you give me a hug so I can feel how close your shave is?
😏

[Fuzzy]

I use Harry's blades and handle and, although it took a few shaves, have decided that they are the best for me. My face is smooooth after a shave, but I am only shaving a couple of times a week since I retired.
I use a brush and soap. I tried going cheap on a brush and didn't get it. So I tried a badger bristle brush and finally understood. Badgers make the best brushes by far...
I've used a bunch of different soaps, but really like one from England, kinda minty, that you can rub in with your hands after a shower, or use a soap dish and a brush to really soften up the beard.

[Perazzimx14]

I put the shaving soap in the bottom of a shaving "mug".   I take a good shaving brush (badger bristle, I think?), wet it good, and swash it around and up and down on the soap to work up a lather.    I then apply it to my face with a motion that will cause the brush to clean out the pores good and really get the skin and beard soft and worked up.

I really think that the brush cleans your face much "deeper" than a washcloth or just your hands.  Of course, I'm no nacreous Rubens oil painting myself, so your expectations may be different .....

Lannis

For a good Badger hair bush only circular motion to load the brush with soap. No up/down or "pumping" the brush to load it with soap. It will break the bristles.

This guy has some good instructional videos on wet shaving:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSIP6uQ3EI

[stevet]

I've used Derby, Dorco, and a few other double edge safety blades (held in a long handle Merkur safety razor) and have found none of them to be as sharp and clean cutting as Feather double edge blades.  Freaky sharp!  $22 for 100 at Amazon.  More expensive than Derby, but still dirt cheap compared to drug/grocery store razor brands.  And I've use red and green tube Proraso, various soaps from Mama Bear, Mike's, and several others and have found that $1.50/can Barbasol (yellow can, "Skin Conditioner", is my favorite), combined with the Feather blade, gives me the cleanest, smoothest, and gentlest shave of all the combinations I've tried.  A light coat of the Barbasol and a down stroke shave, then re-lather lightly in the trouble spots and shave those areas horizontally, and I have the cheeks of a new born once again.  The best part is not having an in-grown hair in years since going to these blades.

Don't let that freaky sharp edge scare you away.  The sharpest edge works the best.  A sub-par edge leads to more mishaps.

Steve.

[JayDee24ca]

I've been alternating between a couple of old Gillette safety razors every morning for the past thirty five or so years.  No shaving soap or cream, just wash my face in warm water and shave while still wet. I bought a hundred blades on ebay from Israel about 6 years ago, and there are likely 50 or so left in the box. They seem to last a long time, although because of my sideburns and beard I only shave my cheeks and neck. Still, the blade in each razor gets changed every few months or so. 'Course by that time things are a bit rough on the skin....
JD

[Perazzimx14]

I've used Derby, Dorco, and a few other double edge safety blades (held in a long handle Merkur safety razor) and have found none of them to be as sharp and clean cutting as Feather double edge blades.  Freaky sharp!  $22 for 100 at Amazon.  More expensive than Derby, but still dirt cheap compared to drug/grocery store razor brands.  And I've use red and green tube Proraso, various soaps from Mama Bear, Mike's, and several others and have found that $1.50/can Barbasol (yellow can, "Skin Conditioner", is my favorite), combined with the Feather blade, gives me the cleanest, smoothest, and gentlest shave of all the combinations I've tried.  A light coat of the Barbasol and a down stroke shave, then re-lather lightly in the trouble spots and shave those areas horizontally, and I have the cheeks of a new born once again.  The best part is not having an in-grown hair in years since going to these blades.

Don't let that freaky sharp edge scare you away.  The sharpest edge works the best.  A sub-par edge leads to more mishaps.

Steve.

Finding a razor blade coupled with a razor that works is key. I prefer Derby's in a Gillette super speed to all the others I've tried. Feathers are insanely sharp and coupled with my Merkur HD or Parker after shaving it looks like the aftermath of Big Jim Walker tangling with Slim

[stevet]

I'll admit, if there was something in the way of the Feather as it crossed your flesh, it was removed, no questions asked.  But removed with surgical precision!  After a few shaves and learning the nuiances, especially not to press the razor against your skin, let the razor's weight be the only pressure, nicks and cuts are very rare now.  Usually only little stuff, like an unseen blemish or the wrong twist of a wrist.  But once I got the hang of using Feathers, there was no going back.

But what works for one won't work for all.  There are good blades and bad, and I've used some of each.  But I've got a very good combo going now so my brush and bowl are in the closet.

I'm quite impressed with Barbasol.  Made in the USA since 1919.  Found at finer corner grocery or drug stores everywhere.

Steve.

[Perazzimx14]

I'll admit, if there was something in the way of the Feather as it crossed your flesh, it was removed, no questions asked.  But removed with surgical precision!  After a few shaves and learning the nuiances, especially not to press the razor against your skin, let the razor's weight be the only pressure, nicks and cuts are very rare now.  Usually only little stuff, like an unseen blemish or the wrong twist of a wrist.  But once I got the hang of using Feathers, there was no going back.

But what works for one won't work for all.  There are good blades and bad, and I've used some of each.  But I've got a very good combo going now so my brush and bowl are in the closet.

I'm quite impressed with Barbasol.  Made in the USA since 1919.  Found at finer corner grocery or drug stores everywhere.

Steve.

Also if you are finding the 1st or 2nd shave with a new blade is harsh but the latter shaves are good you can "cork" a new blade. Basically you are dulling it down a bit by simply cutting into an old wine cork a stroke or two per edge prior to loading the blade into the razor.

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

Buy once, cry once:
-Silver badger shaving brush (make sure its silver badger, set you back about $100, last a lifetime if maintained)
-1 tube of italian proraso eucalyptus shaving cream (about $10, last 3 to 6 monhs)
- One german futura adjustable razor (last a lifetime)
-Japanese feather razor blades or german razor blades

Take you a while to get dialed in, but then its awesome.
It's what I do.

 

The new Walmart Chinese blades are pretty awesome too. Better than the feather IMHO.

[Farmer Dan]

Reading this reminds me of why I quite shaving when I retired from the service.  I've never had a good shave in my life.  Tried every combination you can think of and three barbers.  I just trim my beard to length once a week with a $20 electric trimmer and spend the money I saved on more beer.

[56Pan]

I had exactly the opposite experience. Worst shave ever, even the "obsolete" Shick twin-blade does better and it doesn't cut the heck out of my face. There's one spot on my lower lip that is still healing from the chunk the Harry's razor took out.  Guess I'm growing a beard until that heals.

The gel has something in it that reacts with my skin and left me looking like I was sun burnt.

The good news is Harry's refunded my money and I don't even have to send the stuff back. So, if anyone wants the rest of the gel, a handle and two unused blades, you can have it for free.

Never had any problems with any shaver or shave gel/cream before. <shrug>

Don't understand this Charlie.  I agree with Lannis on this one.  The kit I got from Harry's gives the best shave I've ever had.  Did you leave the shaving cream on for the full 2-3 minutes before shaving?  Burns bad if you get it in your eye, so maybe there is some chemical in it that doesn't agree with your skin.  I'm sold on Harry's now and their blades last much longer than anything else I've ever used.

[guzziknight]

Good to have this topic back, because:
Inspired by some of the replies here, I bought a little bar of "shaving soap" some weeks ago. To bring with me when I only have carry-on luggage.
What's special with shaving soap, distinguishing it from other soaps?
How do I apply it for a good shave?

Plenty of excellent brushes out there, boar/badger/mix/synthetic, for very little money. I currently have 7 brushes, 5 of which cost less than $20. The most expensive was $40. My favorites are my Semogue boar brushes, all costing less than $18!

Also, lots of good videos on Youtube. Badger and Blade, www.badgerandblade. com, is an excellent forum. I'm on there as well, same user name. they're very helpful and welcoming of new wet shavers there.

[sknapp351]

https://www.dollarbeardclub.com for me! I prefer never to see my chin again. I still do shave below my beard, but I buy a 3 pack or two Mach whatever blades per year.

Sam