OT: Wet Shaving

TheBoggart

@Xander

It's the mature crumbled. I must say that I'm not a big one for the SP type snuffs, but this is very nice indeed! I like the coarseness and richness of it.

bob

tried the feather blades. Great things. Just have to be carefull. Wanted to add that I just got an order of new shaving things. Got a mentholated soap Proraso love the stuff. Lucky tiger aftershave/face tonic. The aftershave is amazingly awesome and has a citrus scent I'am sure snuffs would love, and that ladies certainly find appealing. Also firehouse mustache wax is great by the way.

howdydave

Howdy Bart!

If you are still on the lookout for moustache wax, I can recommend:

Clubman and
Firehouse.
see: http://www.firehousemoustachewax.com/
While you are there, take a look at their photo gallery (yup... I'm in there.)

Both can be found on Amazon if you do a search for "moustache wax"

All Pinaud Clubman waxes dry very stiff, which is the way I like it due to the fact that full handlebars look ridiculous if one side starts to droop in the middle of the day.

There are others such as Colonel Ichabod Conk which do not set as firmly, if they even set at all.

Which kind of moustache wax you use depends on what kind of moustache you have.

Above all, you want to get one that is WATER SOLUBLE and will come off in the shower with shampoo and a bit of work. (I consider "a bit" of work to be 3 applications of shampoo or less.)

When I wet shave I use a mug and brush and my old Gillette Atra. Although I regularly buy shaving soap (my pharmacy usually has Old Spice) shaving mugs are also a very good way to dispose of soap slivers.

For fine tuning around my moustache, I use a disposable bikini line razor (the blade is only about 1" long.)

theratroom

@bob yes feather blades ate amazing I use them a lord. BB shave every time I also use palmolive soap great stuff and cheap in the UK at 49p a stick.

Bart

Thanks, Dave..Yes, Firehouse wax was going to be my next buy. I've used Clubman before.

bob

I don't like clubman compared to firehouse. The firehouse is trickier to use but works much better and doesn't give me the droops holds up to water better. Smells a little nicer. It's definatly a diffrent beast it's more like a block of hard wax. Which you have to melt before getting it in the stache.

cstokes4

Wish I could grow a moustache, just too darn irritating.

transistor

I don't. I don't care much for moustaches lol

AllanH

I had moustache back in '80's and early '90's. They were more popular then and I also wanted to look older. Heh, now I'm clean shaven because all hair an my head an face is grey! Even my cheast hair is grey and pubes too, I've been told. Must get Brazilian.

howdydave

Howdy cstokes4!

Talk about irritating...

Try standing at a bus stop in January and having 3" icicles growing on your face!

Moisture from your breath condenses and freezes on handlebars don'cha know...

bob

This is true. Though if you want a non-irratating mustache go for one like mine the reverse hitler. You shave out the middle. Of course I've got handle bar buds right now (not quite there but soon.)

cstokes4

Thanks for the insight Allan.

@howdydave:

For some reason I can grow a mean goatee but not a moustache, itches my face. Maybe one day I'll give it another shot.

minux

I used to do this for years. In fact, I started with a straight.

I quickly realized why so many men had beards back in the day.... ;)

Bart

...Because with a beard comes supernatural inner AND outer strength.

n9inchnails

I recently got a Parker 89R DE razor, a Parker badger hair brush and some Col. Conk almond shave soap to give wet shaving a try and I must say I am very impressed with the results, my face is smoother than a babies ass.  Whats more suprising is that I actually enjoy shaving now that I started wet shaving and this is coming from a guy who utterly hated shaving.  So if your someone who despises having to shave I highly recommend you start wet shaving, it will change the way you see shaving forever.

Bart

9Inch,

It's a nice feeling when you find something that works well for you, isn't it?!

The only thing I would add is, invest in quality supplies. My brush is less than a year old and losing hair..it was a very cheap one.

furious

Have been using my Dad's 1941 Gillette Ranger Tech since I could shave. Recently bought a Bostonian and it has taken over the no. 1 spot in my rotation. Great heft and the open comb really helps give a close shave with minimal effort. Use whatever soap/cream that I can find on sale. Try Shark blades--either chromed or stainless. Sharp and forgiving.

mustangii

Dug out my 70's era Gillette razor, and my Shick injector. Couldn't find any injector blades. Bought some Wilkinson Sword blades. Threw out the disposables. Still haven't bought a brush and soap yet. Still have to finish the can of edge. Where can I get a Merker for a good price?

edm

Timm468

I use a murker razor with durby extra blades and colenole conk shaving soap

bigmick

@mustangii, I get all my shaving supplies from West Coast Shaving. You can shop around and save a few pennies, but WCS has a pretty complete selection and great service.

cstokes4

@mustangii: I use www.razorbladesandmore.com you can't beat their selection of blades and shipping prices.  

Also, you might want to check out any barber supply/beauty supply shops in your area.  I buy my Personna Blue's locally, best blade around IMHO.  The barber supply that I frequent also sells Merkers and injectors. Just look around, you are bound to find something.  

Kepler

Twice a week I wet shave, with a Wilkinson Sword.

bob

love wet shaving. It's actualy fun. Feather is my blade of choice. It's nice and sharp. As far as cutting yourself. A nice sharp blade will teach you good hurt less when you do cut your self and give you an even smoother shave.

Bloodnativ

I had only used electrics or disposables until about 10 years ago and stumbled on straights on the internet. I bought one and all the required (or not) accessories and never looked back. WOW what a difference. Gave my electric to my oldest son and my wife confiscated my disposables. I need to get my straights sharpened again. Most of the time now I use an old Gillette DE that belonged to my G-Grandfather. Soap is usually Williams unless I just want to treat myself (and impress the wife) and then it's ToOBS Sandalwood (that stuff is AMAZING). I'll never use another else but straights and DEs now. Now the only question is "Do I order more shaving supplies?" or "Do I order more snuff?".

Mr. O

Started out with one of them Gillette metal-handled adjustable DE's in the '80s, now using my second Merkur DE with the full length handle and whatever blades I can find locally- but I guess I like Wilkinson's. Have a couple straights in storage somewhere. I do the 2-plus phase method, down/with grain, then up/against where needed. I just can't get that close with just shaving down.  I don't think I'll get the RAD, but unless I find my old straights soon, I might just buy a new one. So guys, can someone reccommend a good straight or line of such, I don't need fancy- just solid functional quality, and not too expensive. I think when I bought my last one it was about $100-125, and I don't know if I can push the envelope any further than that these days. Any input would be appreciated!

snuff-belgium

Just have a look at badger and blade forum in the B/S/T forum, lots of good used straights can be found there, If you looking to spend around $125 for a new one you won't get much I'm afraid. Two weeks ago I've send 5 good straights to the US for just over that amount (don't have any more). happy hunting

Mr. O

Thank's for your input! Geez I really should try to find my old ones then! Got so much else to spend on!

Mr. O

OK I'm looking at some straights, DOVO's, or something in that price range. Don't need anything fancy, just quality and performance. No need for damascus steel or buffalo horn handles, just something that will hold up for a long time. Any more suggestions?

SnuffSniffer

Hell Yeah, I have been wet shaving for about 2 years, it can be just as addictive as snuff :-)

Harlequin

huh, I've been meaning to start wet shaving, but I can never seem to get the brushes/soaps and a razor at the same time. I can get brushes and soaps at walmart, even blades, but can't get the actual safety razor.

Mr. O

For a safety razor (DE), I offer my novice/amatuer opinion, the Merkur's are quite nice. I'm on my second one only because my first dissappeared. They're not cheapos nor super expensive. I've never bothered with a brush as I can get good results with some shaving lotions, one of which a peppermint formula from "Kiss My Face" I believe. But I'm just getting nostalgic for straight razors atm.

Harlequin

There's one that sells for around $10 on Amazon that has great reviews for a starter blade. It's "LORD" brand I think. I'm not too comfortable dropping over 30 bucks into anything that I might not like. Comes from a $250 e-cig issue I had. Yeah, that hurt and my wife has never let me live it down.

Mr. O

Wow $250- ouch! Thank's for the info!  I was looking at some of the cheaper ones there and wondered if they were shaveworthy, or just a novelty pocket knife etc. I had (or have if I can find it) a decent one and a couple of questionable quality. So crossing the fingers here to see if they can be found.

Also wondering how a stainless steel blade compares to carbon steel as far as performance; edge retention, ease of honing etc.

And what's the deal with the blue DE blades? Do they have any advantages? 

Harlequin

Oh, what about those new straights that use a DE razor in them? They seem pretty nifty and are pretty cheap.

Mr. O

Worth considering...

SnuffSniffer

If you guys really wanna talk wet shaving you should check out Badger & blade, it's a great wet shaving forum that I am a member of and all your questions will be answered, they also have buy/sell/trade section and you can get some great deals.

cstokes4

If you are going to use a shavette (disposable straight), be sure to get a good one (Feather).  They will run you the same as a good straight, but no upkeep. The Dovo's are used with mixed results.  I have a Parker and Magic, they are ok but very touchy. 

SnuffSniffer

I have the Feather SS no-sharpen straight and it is great, does take some practice though.

Harlequin

wow...just used a brush and puck soap for the first time. Picked up a set last night. Even for a cheap set and an unexperienced wet shaver it works MUCH better than canned spray gel or cream. A much closer shave.

Mr. O

I'll probably go for a traditional straight, I really liked the one I was using- wish I could remember the brand!

snuff-belgium

Another Feather user here, got a folding and non folding DX mostly used for head shaves but I love my straights above all.