Double-Edged Safety Razor

[Actium]

So anyone who knows me is aware that I am odd, particular as regards my taste--I am very much late 19th/early 20th in outlook. So anyway, lately I have been getting really dissatisfied with the ridiculous cost of razor blades and their lack of efficacy (even with 5 blades...in fact, that seems to make it worse, as in between the blades keeps getting clogged up). So I starting looking around for something else.

I happened upon this website:

[url="http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html"]http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html[/url]

And ordered a DE safety razor set, the Merkur Futur with satin finish:

[url="http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522942/283748.htm"]http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522942/283748.htm[/url]

Yeah, I know it's pricey upfront, but it's a set built to last a lifetime, and it's very high quality. Plus, the blades are about 50 cents each, and last a week--so I'm going from $20 a month in blades to only $2.

It comes with shaving soap, and I picked up some really nice aftershave (the Taylor of Old Bond Street--Mr. Taylor scent). I'm excited about this for some reason--I've researched and know it will take some getting used to, but it seems to fit me well.

[sois]

That is a pretty manly website.

[Actium]

[quote name='sois' post='755477' date='Mar 12 2009, 12:17 PM']That is a pretty manly website.[/quote]



I've always been amazed at the fact that no matter how obscure or off-the-main-drag something is, there is a great website and a dedicated contingent of fans for it.

[sois]

Yeah that's crazy. This a pretty robust website for something as trivial as shaving in an old school manner. Very cool.

[Ben]

[img]http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k116/ben99s/Photo_030909_001.jpg[/img]

My bathroom

[Ben]

Get some a sample pack of blades actium. You can go really cheap(less than 0.10 a blade) or up to your .50 blades.

[url="http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2"]http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main...dex&cPath=2[/url]

Also... Did you get your self a brush to go with the shaving soap?

Some good info for ya:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59"]http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59[/url]
[url="http://www.shavemyface.com/"]http://www.shavemyface.com/[/url]
[url="http://badgerandblade.com/"]http://badgerandblade.com/[/url]

and if you ever decide to try straights.

[url="http://straightrazorplace.com/"]http://straightrazorplace.com/[/url]

AkiliMVP is a big DE shaver. he is the one that helped me get started.

[CincyInDC]

[quote name='Actium' post='755479' date='Mar 12 2009, 06:22 PM']

I've always been amazed at the fact that no matter how obscure or off-the-main-drag something is, there is a great website and a dedicated contingent of fans for it.[/quote]

Sounds like a variant of Rule 34.

[akiliMVP]

Once you try it you'll never go back. Unless of course you shred your face off the first time.

Seriously though I never knew my face could be so damn smooth without any pain or irratation.

[Actium]

[quote name='Ben' post='755492' date='Mar 12 2009, 01:31 PM']Get some a sample pack of blades actium. You can go really cheap(less than 0.10 a blade) or up to your .50 blades.

[url="http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2"]http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main...dex&cPath=2[/url]

Also... Did you get your self a brush to go with the shaving soap?

Some good info for ya:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59"]http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59[/url]
[url="http://www.shavemyface.com/"]http://www.shavemyface.com/[/url]
[url="http://badgerandblade.com/"]http://badgerandblade.com/[/url]

and if you ever decide to try straights.

[url="http://straightrazorplace.com/"]http://straightrazorplace.com/[/url]

AkiliMVP is a big DE shaver. he is the one that helped me get started.[/quote]

Awesome, thanks! It's cool that there are DE guys right here. As for the straight razor, maybe one day.

The set came with a silvertip badger brush. I hear that Derby blades are really good and are super cheap.

Thanks again for the info

[Actium]

Oh, and I watched all the Mantic videos last night. Quite entertaining and informative. I appreciate all the other vids too

[Ben]

[quote name='Actium' post='755611' date='Mar 12 2009, 07:46 PM']Awesome, thanks! It's cool that there are DE guys right here. As for the straight razor, maybe one day.

The set came with a silvertip badger brush. I hear that Derby blades are really good and are super cheap.

Thanks again for the info[/quote]

Sounds like you have a nice setup to start out.

If you decide you want to try cream.. Bath and Body works sells rebranded proraso as C.O. Bigelow. You can also buy Kiss My Face at most Health Food/Organic markets, or the organic section of some grocery stores.


But yeah, Prep is as important as the blade itself. If you have crappy lather you will have a bad shave. Either shave after a shower or use hot towels. here is the hot towel method
[url="http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9745"]http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9745[/url]

[Actium]

Thanks again for the links to Badger & Blade. There I found great reviews of some shaving soap called "Mama Bear's Soaps." I ordered the Dragon's Tears type--I'll let you know how it is.

[url="http://mamabearssoaps.com/"]http://mamabearssoaps.com/[/url]

Ben or Akili--have you guys ever tried this, or are there any other recommendations?

I also got some Taylor of Old Bond Street aftershave with my initial order.

[|Bunghole|]

I want one of those hot shaving cream dispensers that you see at the old timey barbershops where they still hit you with the straight razor.

I don't know if I could trust myself to shave that way, but there is [i]nothing[/i] better than having a skilled barber shave your neck, over your ears, etc with a straight razor after a haircut.

The ritual is cool, too. Pull out the leather strop, sharpen the blade, hot towel to face, hot shaving cream....ahhhh.

[Actium]

[quote name='Bunghole' post='756085' date='Mar 14 2009, 04:24 PM']I want one of those hot shaving cream dispensers that you see at the old timey barbershops where they still hit you with the straight razor.

I don't know if I could trust myself to shave that way, but there is [i]nothing[/i] better than having a skilled barber shave your neck, over your ears, etc with a straight razor after a haircut.

The ritual is cool, too. Pull out the leather strop, sharpen the blade, hot towel to face, hot shaving cream....ahhhh.[/quote]

A lot of barbers I used to go to wouldn't shave with a straight razor. Probably legal liability.

I don't think I asked my current barber. Grr, I just got a haircut yesterday. Next time, Gadget, next time

[Ben]

[quote name='Actium' post='756094' date='Mar 14 2009, 05:58 PM']A lot of barbers I used to go to wouldn't shave with a straight razor. Probably legal liability.

I don't think I asked my current barber. Grr, I just got a haircut yesterday. Next time, Gadget, next time[/quote]

I know the ones that still do use a disposable straight(the blades are detachable and used once). It is a sanitation thing.

I've been looking for someone around here that does them.

[Actium]

I received the package in the mail today. Everything is very well made and feels heavy--much more so than the old Fusion or Quattro, which I previously used. I can't wait to try it out. Funny, I never looked forward to shaving before. Hopefully I do an ok job and don't ruin the experience.

[Hooky]

Here's a thread that I started that questions the legalities of barbers using razors and my plight of just trying to get a close trim. This also serves as an introduction to a site you may be interested in, Actium and others.

[url="http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/general/31377-they-legal-barbers-use-ohio.html"]http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/g...s-use-ohio.html[/url]

There's also a thread or two with some sweet barber chairs, some for sale.

[Actium]

[quote name='Hooky' post='756352' date='Mar 16 2009, 01:07 PM']Here's a thread that I started that questions the legalities of barbers using razors and my plight of just trying to get a close trim. This also serves as an introduction to a site you may be interested in, Actium and others.

[url="http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/general/31377-they-legal-barbers-use-ohio.html"]http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/g...s-use-ohio.html[/url]

There's also a thread or two with some sweet barber chairs, some for sale.[/quote]

Cool, thanks

[Ben]

[quote name='Actium' post='756348' date='Mar 16 2009, 01:38 PM']I received the package in the mail today. Everything is very well made and feels heavy--much more so than the old Fusion or Quattro, which I previously used. I can't wait to try it out. Funny, I never looked forward to shaving before. Hopefully I do an ok job and don't ruin the experience.[/quote]

Just remember to let the weight of the blade do the work and make sure you prep well.

Did you buy blades with it? the sample blades that come with the razor usually are not in the best condition and can give you a bad shave.

[Actium]

[quote name='Ben' post='756365' date='Mar 16 2009, 02:11 PM']Just remember to let the weight of the blade do the work and make sure you prep well.

Did you buy blades with it? the sample blades that come with the razor usually are not in the best condition and can give you a bad shave.[/quote]

Yeah, I bought a 10 pack of merkur platinums. I'm going to buy a sampler as you suggest to try more

[Ben]

Just added this Simmons Barber's Pet to my Straight collection today:) cant wait to shave with it.

I suck at taking pictures, it looks better than this.

[img]http://images.needfulemporium.com/d/36-2/SimmonsBarbersPet_001.JPG[/img]

[Actium]

Okay, so I survived. At first I think I was treating the razor with too much respect and as a result wasn't getting a close pass at all. Later I actually let the weight rest on my face (hmmmm, sounds kinky ) like I was supposed to, and the results were stellar. I didn't want to push it too far (hmmmmm) my first go, so while I could have had a closer shave I am still very satisfied with the results.

The one downside is that I had to get up early to do all this. Which wasn't a problem for me, because I was looking forward to it. However, the wife is not too happy with the sound effects emanating from the bathroom, as she is a fan of the "sleep-as-late-as-possible" method which I also used to employ.

[Ben]

[quote name='Actium' post='756531' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:30 AM']Okay, so I survived. At first I think I was treating the razor with too much respect and as a result wasn't getting a close pass at all. Later I actually let the weight rest on my face (hmmmm, sounds kinky ) like I was supposed to, and the results were stellar. I didn't want to push it too far (hmmmmm) my first go, so while I could have had a closer shave I am still very satisfied with the results.

The one downside is that I had to get up early to do all this. Which wasn't a problem for me, because I was looking forward to it. However, the wife is not too happy with the sound effects emanating from the bathroom, as she is a fan of the "sleep-as-late-as-possible" method which I also used to employ.[/quote]

If I need to,(not counting shower or hot towels), i can do a 3 pass + touchup shave with a DE in 10 minutes. I would not reccommend trying this yet

With the straight.... i would kiill myself if i tried 10 minutes.

[MULLY]

1. Some of you guys have way too much shit dedicated to shaving. I have a Gillette Twin Blade that I've been using for years. Blades go dull, buy new ones. Shaving gel from a can. I don't think I need much more than that. Then again, my beard isn't all Grizzly Adams and shit. I can get away with shaving every other day or 2 without any problems.

2. You guys that go to barber's, Jesus, get with the times. This is 2009 and the hot women aren't in a barbershop.
MULLY
looks like a cool set you bought though, man. Hope it works out for you.

[Actium]

[quote name='Fulcher_33' post='758454' date='Mar 24 2009, 08:31 PM']1. Some of you guys have way too much shit dedicated to shaving. I have a Gillette Twin Blade that I've been using for years. Blades go dull, buy new ones. Shaving gel from a can. I don't think I need much more than that. Then again, my beard isn't all Grizzly Adams and shit. I can get away with shaving every other day or 2 without any problems.

2. You guys that go to barber's, Jesus, get with the times. This is 2009 and the hot women aren't in a barbershop.
MULLY
looks like a cool set you bought though, man. Hope it works out for you.[/quote]

Whatever works for you. Me, I love it and actually look forward to shaving now. Even if you like the regular razors, you might want to look into a brush and shaving soap/cream. It really adds a lot to the experience.

As for barbers, I would never go to a salon. I understand why someone would (the shampoo must feel nice), but I will always go to a barber.