I shaved with this WWI Marine Corps issue straight razor last night. Since I’ve started traditional or “wet” shaving (that is either a straight razor or a DE (double edge) safety razor, I’ve gotten vastly better shaves and found a relaxing hobby that helps me wind down every day. It really is stomp down amazing how much better a $34 DE safety razor, some soap whipped up into a lather with a badger hair brush, and a 20 cent razor blade is over your latest 5 blade plastic monstrosity and canned goo. The necessary additional concentration needed to use these razors makes one concentrate on the moment (like shooting!) and takes your mind off of all other things.
I like the idea. I have really coarse hair and every razor I have tried just pulls and studders instead of smooth shaving. I usually use an electric shaver because it is less painful. How does it do with coarse hair?
Yeah generally one. sometimes two. Ive never had good luck with gilette razors for some reason. I always break down and try the latest and greatest from them and end up regretting it. That first shave is always real nice but after that they just suck. Fucking pisses me off to have to pay that much for a replacement 8 pack or whatever they come in. I usually use a schick quatro disposable first and then go back over it with the fusion. How in the hell do you get that many shaves out of one? My face would be fucked if i used one 12 times before ditching it.
Yeah thats one of them I have. My hair is kinda fucked up as my neck area grows all different ways. I generally have to go over the same spot at least 2-3 times to get a close shave. I cant just swipe once “with the grain” and call it good. I have found that just using hot water works best for me, I have tried a few different kinds of shaving cream regular and gel and never really noticed a difference.
If that doesn’t work, Baby Oil + Gillette gel in a thick lather. 2x over one are MAX, unless you’ve grown it out for a good bit and its longer than 1/4 inch. Should work best for most people, you will still get stubble/5oclock, I do, but that is the nature of the beast.
Ive been wet shaving for a little over a year. I LOVE IT, but unfortunately with my job I cant carry my DE on the airplane with me so I have to use a Mach 5 when I am on the road, but I still use shaving soap and a smaller travel brush to lather up with.
I second the Merkur handles, I have a 38c, I like the longer handle vs. the 34c, seems to balance a little better for me. I am going to get a slant at some point in the near future. I use Simpson brushes. Maybe there are better, but I have 3 and REALLY like them. I like the puck soaps vs. cream or sticks. I have 3 of the DR Harris, Mitchels Wool Fat(awesome), Tabac, and one or two others I cant remember. Tabac is a “different” scent and isnt for everybody, but its manly, thats for shure.
Get a blade sampler and try them all. You WILL find ones you like and you WILL find ones that you detest, but give them all a fair shake. I found a blade on the first shave that was terrible, but for the next 3 was GREAT and then it was terrible for the 5th shave. Feathers are AWESOME, but DO NOT start with them, you will take the 1st layer of your skin off.
I spent a bunch of time on Badger and Blade forum to get info on wet shaving and what was best. Draw your own conclusions.
I bought all my stuff at westcoastshaving.com and feel I got a good price for everything I got.
Do yall do anything extra to help avoid ingrown whiskers?
I get on in the same fuckin place about every 2-4 shaves.
The shit is annoying as hell, just getting over now that’s been a booger for two weeks now. Any tricks? My whiskers are very stiff and course, btw.
Like I said, I use baby oil and gillette gel, steaming how water on the blade, 2 passes max and use the single blade edge to clean up spots I missed.
As soon as I am done I take some ice (yes ice from the freeze) and run it along my face and neck. You usually know to stop when your face is numb. Then I wash it with soap in cold water and apply alcohol free after shave. I wash my face at night and in the morning after a shower again (with soap/face soap stuff from gillette) and then apply after shave again the next day.
Been wet shaving for a month or so know using a Gillette Tech I picked up. Even using traditional cartridges, I get better shaves using lather compared to a can of goo.
I haven’t bought shaving cream in 20 years. I shave in the shower, the last thing I do so that the facial hair is nice and soft. I get a couple dozen shaves out of a Gillette Fusion blade set. Something about all that water and softer hair makes them last longer. If you need a mirror to shave you are weak :big_boss:
Big time wet shaver here. The ritual of traditional wet shaving clears the mind and relaxes you. It’s not really about speed. It’s good to get some chill time every other day or so. Your bed is pretty much guaranteed to get smaller, also…
That’s another good point; IF you can stick with one razor, cream/soap, and brush, you will actually save money wet shaving. The blades are pennies on the dollar and last 3-5 shaves.
