For anyone considering old timey shaving...

Usual advice is to buy a sample pack of blades to find the best one for you. Ignore it. Learn to use the safety razor prior to experimenting with blades. I would suggest purchasing some 20 or 25 Astra blades. Use those. If you have an itch to try different blades then you can do so knowing you have mastered your technique first.

Razors....most razors have short handles. Advertising claims the short handles gives one better control of the razor. This is pure bovine excrement. A long handle gives better control.

Soaps...I have used Edwin Jaggar, Col. Conk, and Walmart Van der Hagen. They all perform about the same. I have come to prefer Omega hard shaving cream. IMHO it beats soaps by a large margin.

Blades...Astra, Gillette 7 o'clock green Russian, and Wilkinson Sword Classic German are all good performers. Wilkinson are about double the price of the Russian Astra and Gillette. Astra and Gillette are both made in the same Russian factory. Performance is so close they may be the same blade.

I nick and cut myself less with the safety razor than I did with multi blade cartridges. Plus it's cheaper.

One last thing...if you go to the razor forums you will find guys who use more potions, oils, and creams than a trollop getting ready for a nights employment. I'll say none of it is necessary, but if you think it is, go for it.

ETA: I purchased a medium expensive badger brush when I started out since it was universally recommended. I would just purchase a quality synthetic brush if I had it to do over.

YMMV

This message has been edited. Last edited by: clayflingythingy,

I use a safety razor with a short handle. It works better for me.
I use shaving soap only no pre oil and nothing after I am done.
I am semiretired so I do not have to shave every day and starting in November I let my beard grow.
The soap I use was a gift It is Lime Musk Shaving Soap.
The brush is made by Bass and is 100% pure Badger.
The blades I use Gillette Platinum and love them.The give me a smooth clean shave.
The handle I use was from The Art of Shaving. The handle is German made by Merkur.
So far I am happy.

A good friend who forges straight razors got me into using a safety razor several years ago. I too am not much on all the fluff! Edwin Jaggar long handle, Feathers blades and Arko soap. Other then using a bar of soap, Arko soap is about as cheap as it gets.

My straight razor buddy travels around to straight razor meets. He tells me it's all about sharpening/honing and much talk about the fluffy stuff. They pass around/give away soaps, cremes, pre-shaves, after shaves..... some use a different combo for different days.

Since this is just random musings, I guess mine would be: "I don't get it"

There must have been a reason that shaving tools evolved from rocks to straightedge to safety razor and on to multiple blades and electrics. I'd assume those were considered "improvements" at the time.

As one with heavy facial hair growth, I've had to shave daily since my teens. I don't recall it ever being more than a chore.

I use short handles on all my DE razors. For better control. And a pre-shave. With every pass. And Feather blades. They're better. And B&M soap. It's better. Everyone should use what I use. Or not.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Since this is just random musings, I guess mine would be: "I don't get it"

There must have been a reason that shaving tools evolved from rocks to straightedge to safety razor and on to multiple blades and electrics. I'd assume those were considered "improvements" at the time.

As one with heavy facial hair growth, I've had to shave daily since my teens. I don't recall it ever being more than a chore.

Two schools of thought in response, sometimes they go together.

First school of thought is, I want to make shaving a pleasurable, relaxing experience. Not just something that I have to do every day. So I like to get all of my nice tools out and enjoy myself. I absolutely get this attitude, but that's not why I personally use a DE razor.

Second school of thought, and why I do it, is because I feel that it gives me a better shave with less irritation. Also, I can buy a years supply of blades for less than $10. (I use Derby blades, which some don't like but are great for me).

The Merkur razor that I have will last a lifetime, and I am not one who feels the need to have multiple razor handles.

I use Mike's Natural Soaps, which are the best shaving soaps I have ever found. I have the same badger brush that I bought almost 20 years ago (not an exaggeration).

Sure, you could pick up one razor, one brand of blades, one soap/cream, and one brush and you will be shaved at the end. That's basically how I started out.
It was variety that helped me find what worked best. Quite often it's different than what others use. It's different than what I preferred a few yrs. back. It may differ a few yrs. from now.
-Edwin Jagger 87 gets use mostly over my 1930 Gillette New long comb, Superspeeds, and Parker Variant.
-D.R. Harris/Tabac/Palm Olive shave sticks are my favorites. Several Mama Bear and RazoRock are nice puck soaps. My Ogallalas are ok and sometimes surprise me. I can't remember the last time I've used Col. Conk's, William's classic or new, or Vander Hagen, among others.
I have a few creams but I'm just not a shave cream guy I guess.
-Gillette Silver Blue blades are my recent favorite. I still like IP Reds, Israeli Crystal, Astra, 7 O'clocks, Sharks, Polsilver.
I'm not a fan of Derby, Voskhod, Dorco 300(301?).

These work best for me, so far, but maybe not for you.
I'll keep an eye out for Omega hard shaving cream as I like to try something new now and then.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Since this is just random musings, I guess mine would be: "I don't get it"

There must have been a reason that shaving tools evolved from rocks to straightedge to safety razor and on to multiple blades and electrics. I'd assume those were considered "improvements" at the time.

As one with heavy facial hair growth, I've had to shave daily since my teens. I don't recall it ever being more than a chore.

Well, I get just as good a shave, with rarely any nick's, and DE blades are cheap. What's not to like?

I will admit, I like wool clothing, revolvers, bolt action rifles, and pump shotguns, so maybe I'm just old fashioned.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Since this is just random musings, I guess mine would be: "I don't get it"

There must have been a reason that shaving tools evolved from rocks to straightedge to safety razor and on to multiple blades and electrics. I'd assume those were considered "improvements" at the time.

As one with heavy facial hair growth, I've had to shave daily since my teens. I don't recall it ever being more than a chore.

The idea interests me, but I don't think I would adapt well to it. I have to shave daily. I don't enjoy it, I just have to do it. With Edge Gel and the regular Gillette Sensor handle and blade I can get it done in less than 2 minutes without a nick.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

...There must have been a reason that shaving tools evolved from rocks to straightedge to safety razor and on to multiple blades and electrics. I'd assume those were considered "improvements" at the time...

They evolved until they devolved.

Some of the "improvements" were done for company shareholders rather than adult males, those who used them. Lately, those disposable multi-blade razors so many of us used lost their edge (hence, the origin of the phrase) and just couldn't give a close shave (another phrase popular because of its origin). Personally, I can't tolerate a shave that leaves stubble. Might as well use an electric razor, something I did for many years, but had to supplement with a real razor so I didn't look slovenly.

Today's the day for me, clayflingythingy. I ordered a Shafer 99R which was delivered yesterday. My 30 Astra Platinum Premium blades got here a few days ago, and because of the thread I did on disposables a month or two ago, I found Harry's Shave Gel which out-performs the Edge brand I've used for over 50 years. It's a lazy Saturday, but I'll be trying out my new toys this afternoon!

quote:

Originally posted by clayflingythingy:

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Since this is just random musings, I guess mine would be: "I don't get it"

There must have been a reason that shaving tools evolved from rocks to straightedge to safety razor and on to multiple blades and electrics. I'd assume those were considered "improvements" at the time.

As one with heavy facial hair growth, I've had to shave daily since my teens. I don't recall it ever being more than a chore.

Well, I get just as good a shave, with rarely any nick's, and DE blades are cheap. What's not to like?

I will admit, I like wool clothing, revolvers, bolt action rifles, and pump shotguns, so maybe I'm just old fashioned.

Safe full of 1911s and SAAs. And more than a passing familiarity with a naked blade in my hand more than 18" long....

I used to think the way Palm does, and I used a DE razor by Merkur, a Vulfix badger brush, and used a bunch of soaps. Then, I suffered a series of strokes. And, so, nowadays, I use a Braun electric razor, and I use a Gillette Mach 3 razor with Col Conks shave soap or Mikes shave soap( the one recommended by Palm, Mike is located a few miles from my place) to clean up the few errant beard hairs that the Braun misses. So, nowadays, all I do is pick up and look at my Merkur razor from time to time.

quote:

Originally posted by sidss1:
So, nowadays, all I do is pick up and look at my Merkur razor from time to time.

So the real question is, do you still keep a blade in it?

Well, Peter, I have a supply of Wilkinson blades, but, I dont have my Merkur razor "loaded" and ready to go!!!!