Cut-throat shaving

graeme_s-2

I'm really not all that hirsute and have fairly slow growing facial hair. I have also have sensitive skin and a job where I don't need to look all that smart. As a result I've been getting by with using a beard trimmer to get me down to designer stubble at the weekend and letting it grow through the week. I used to just have a wet shave on a Saturday morning, but grew a beard (or attempted to - don't ask) last winter when I was doing a 20 mile each way commute to try and keep my face warm. Bought the beard trimmer then, and have found it's sufficient for most of my shaving needs.

Tempted by some of the nice looking double edged razors though I must say...

craprider

took the plunge and finally ordered a straight. will let you know how i get on.
if it's Sh1t look out in bike parts in about a month....

davis

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

asprilla

davis wrote:

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

I just use a basic 'pure badger hair' brush. Does the job.

davis

Asprilla wrote:

davis wrote:

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

I just use a basic 'pure badger hair' brush. Does the job.

Obliged, squire. When I run out of the bulk-bought Gillette blades I think I'll give it a go.

kiwimatt

This is probably the moment to own up to the collection of vintage Gillette DE's that graces my bathroom - just the 10 at last count :oops: Blokes need hobbies...

Greg T

kiwimatt wrote:

This is probably the moment to own up to the collection of vintage Gillette DE's that graces my bathroom - just the 10 at last count :oops: Blokes need hobbies...

N+1 in this space is replaced by R+1

craprider

kiwimatt wrote:

This is probably the moment to own up to the collection of vintage Gillette DE's that graces my bathroom - just the 10 at last count :oops: Blokes need hobbies...

Do you section off your face so you use them all each time?

walkingbootweather

Asprilla wrote:

davis wrote:

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

I just use a basic 'pure badger hair' brush. Does the job.

Of course if you are really tough you should use a honey badger brush, but it is important that you shave said honey badger with cut throat razor to collect the bristle first. Think of it as some sort of initiation into manhood

SimonAH

walkingbootweather wrote:

Of course if you are really tough you should use a honey badger brush, but it is important that you shave said honey badger with cut throat razor to collect the bristle first. Think of it as some sort of initiation into manhood

Brilliant As our American cousins would say "I'd rather sandpaper a bobcat's butt in a phonebooth"

Kieran_Burns

walkingbootweather wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

davis wrote:

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

I just use a basic 'pure badger hair' brush. Does the job.

Of course if you are really tough you should use a honey badger brush, but it is important that you shave said honey badger with cut throat razor to collect the bristle first. Think of it as some sort of initiation into manhood

Instructions on how to shave a badger are here: http://youtu.be/8BUHf3tY9JI you'll need sound.

craprider

Kieran_Burns wrote:

walkingbootweather wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

davis wrote:

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

I just use a basic 'pure badger hair' brush. Does the job.

Of course if you are really tough you should use a honey badger brush, but it is important that you shave said honey badger with cut throat razor to collect the bristle first. Think of it as some sort of initiation into manhood

Instructions on how to shave a badger are here: http://youtu.be/8BUHf3tY9JI you'll need sound.

and here is someone catching a badger to make a brush http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA8pxzawUGM&feature=related

Underscore

davis wrote:

Ok, I'm sort of sold on the DE razor, but which brush should I get?

yes, yes, I know that the badger super-tip is the absolute shizzle, but what's a decent compromise for price vs. performance? I'd guess I'm looking at the "Tiagra" end of the scale. Is boar hair ok?

Boar is fine, though there's no doubt in my mind that badger is better. Personally, I would say that the best bang-for-buck brush that I've ever had was the Vulfix 404.

_

alfablue

This thread has prompted me to take the plunge with DE. Fed up with expensive rubbish cartridge razors.

I bought this Parker 99R Heavy Duty Barberpole with Butterfly Opening.



It has good reviews, it has a longer handle than some and more weight, and I like the butterfly opening (easier, safer). I'll see how I get on.

I also bought these Feather DE Blades that seem to be well liked.

Underscore

Greg T wrote:

kiwimatt wrote:

This is probably the moment to own up to the collection of vintage Gillette DE's that graces my bathroom - just the 10 at last count :oops: Blokes need hobbies...

N+1 in this space is replaced by R+1

Oh yeah. Currently I have more bikes (4) than razors (3) and I'm trying to resist both N+1 and R+1... but it's an uphill battle!

And, having said that DE shaving isn't snobby, I should probably acknowledge that one of the 3 is a replated 1930s Gillette head on a custom handle. In my defence, I didn't actually commission it myself...

_

kiwimatt

craprider wrote:

kiwimatt wrote:

This is probably the moment to own up to the collection of vintage Gillette DE's that graces my bathroom - just the 10 at last count :oops: Blokes need hobbies...

Do you section off your face so you use them all each time?

Chortle...the correct term is they are 'in my rotation' - one or two a week as the mood takes. You will recognise the pattern - I shall start cycling to work to save a few quid and have a more pleasant time/be fit etc etc. Just one modest commuting steed and a pair of shorts will do. Fast foward and your man cave is full of spare wheelsets,truing stands, chain whips, light rigs and assorted pieces of carbon fibre and you take it one day at a time battling your N+1 disorder.

DE shaving is much the same - I will escape the tyranny of multi-blade and acheive a better cheaper result that channels a direct line to that way my grandad did things. Before you know it you are a borderline collector and spend your mornings faceturbating...

UndercoverElephant

alfablue wrote:

This thread has prompted me to take the plunge with DE. Fed up with expensive rubbish cartridge razors.

I bought this Parker 99R Heavy Duty Barberpole with Butterfly Opening.



It has good reviews, it has a longer handle than some and more weight, and I like the butterfly opening (easier, safer). I'll see how I get on.

I also bought these Feather DE Blades that seem to be well liked.

Good work. One word of warning, though, the Feather blades were too sharp for me - every shave I would have at least a couple of nicks. I started with a selection pack of blades from Connaught Shaving, and some blades just seem to suit my face better than others. They weren't the worst, by far - the Gillette 7 O'Clock ones left me cut to shreds. Derby blades I had not cuts at all.

CiB

Excellent. From a casual enquiry about shaving habits we now have lifestyle changing decisions going on, and a whole new outlet for spending that even beats bikes in terms of necessity, and justification judging by the number of OH's who don't fancy us as beardies.

Think I might look further into the DE aspect of it all. The CT is ok but is a bit of a faff if all that's needed is a quick once-over that doesn't end up like a murder scene unless time & care is in abundant supply, and it often isn't round our way.

craprider

nicks are usually you using too much pressure (the selecter anyone?) with sharp blades press less and you won't nick as much.

alfablue

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Good work. One word of warning, though, the Feather blades were too sharp for me - every shave I would have at least a couple of nicks. I started with a selection pack of blades from Connaught Shaving, and some blades just seem to suit my face better than others. They weren't the worst, by far - the Gillette 7 O'Clock ones left me cut to shreds. Derby blades I had not cuts at all.

Thanks, yes I think it will be wise to get a sample pack to find the best fit for me.

kiwimatt

alfablue wrote:

get a sample pack to find the best fit for me.

+1
And spend a few minutes watching the starter vids by this chap before you get going - will save much blood and gore as you unlearn years of cartridge technique
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59
Don't be put off it's not difficult just takes a bit of getting used to

alfablue

cheers Kiwimatt

Dalton

pangolin wrote:

I got my Dad one of the starter kits from here for a present last year. I don't know how much he's used it but he certainly seemed happy. He always used to use a safety razor when I was growing up.

http://www.traditionalshaving.co.uk/en/

I tried a really cheap safety razor (basic wilkinson sword plastic one, but takes proper razor blades) recently and it was okay enough that I'm tempted to get a proper one, or a cut throat one.

Been thinking about one of these for a while, so following this link, took the plunge and ordered a starter kit.

Razor is awesome and shave was great. However, I went for the shaving soap and struggling a bit with that so far. Can't seem to get a decent lather. Trial and error I guess.

Definitely going to stick with it though, much closer shave than I am used to and no irritation.

pastryboy

I started with the cheap wilkinson sword and switched to an Edwin Jagger when I thought I'd got the hang of it. I decided to go all in with Edwin Jagger stuff because it's made in England.

The wilkinson sword was like cycling over cobbles on slick tyres. The Edwin Jagger is like going over the same cobbles on huge MTB tyres. I was stunned how much better it is, literally night and day - weighty and smooth and gives a great shave.

Highly recommend all the Edwin Jagger gear. I though the lotion was expensive but I'm still on the bottle I bought at the end of last year.

Astra blades for me - they were the sharpest of the ones I tried.

Agent57

I bought a Scimitar double-edged razor from Blue Beard's Revenge recently (http://www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk/sho ... Razor.html) along with some Derby blades, a badger hair brush and some shaving cream. I'm not that proficient yet, so while I can get a decent close shave, it takes significantly longer than either a quick once-over with an electric shaver, or a multi-blade cartridge razor. A really good shave, frankly, takes me ages (20+ minutes).

Also, I've found that if I shave with only light regrowth, I'm prone to cutting myself. If I leave it a week, everything seems much better. It's all just technique, I'm sure, but I'm not entirely convinced it's better on any front other than cost.

I steadfastly stick to the cartridge razor for my "porn star" shaving.

There are some helpful YouTube channels with tips about shaving with a DE safety razor; e.g. http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

itboffin

Clearly you all need to watch this again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9fgI9FHs60

Agent57

itboffin wrote:

Clearly you all need to watch this again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9fgI9FHs60

Also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmFnarFSj_U

domgears

To all,

The best place I have found for information and education is the link below, lots of useful info and reviews on everything from the razor, the blades, the brushes, techniques, care etc.

I have an Edwin Jagger DE razor, Badger Brush and soap, I am just about to try Feather blades as the razor came with Derby's which are not sharp enough for me.

http://www.shaving101.com/

Read and learn folks.

Kieran_Burns

Does anyone not simply shave in a hot bath?

I used to take a blade in with me when having a sauna, you would not believe how close a shave you get then.

walkingbootweather

WARNING. If you shave you may forget everything you know about bikes



Not sure I'm prepared to take the risk