Multi-blade razors
Discussion
Been enjoying DE shaving since about this time last year after reading through the thread.
Started off with the 4 quid Wilkinson sword razor and a brush for about the same. Tried several of the cheaper, readily available soaps. Currently got a tube of Boots own cream lather stuff and the blue Wilkinson soap bowl on the go along with a Merkur razor the OH got me for christmas.
Barely had any irritation over the year, and when it has happened, I can usually attribute it to a rushed or massively over aggressive attempt on my part.
But the reason for my post. Took a bit of a shaving holiday, leaving it to grow out for about a week. Possible intentions of trying a full beard for the first time.
Anyway, about a week and a half in, started with the itch during dinner time. Couldn't hack it, left the family to finish their dinner while I went for a quick scythe.
Normally only shave after a shower to ensure full wetness of whiskers. No time for this, as the itch was debilitating. Thorough splash all over with warm water, smother with blue bowl soap and have at it.
The resulting shave was easily the closest/smoothest shave I've had.
Is there a case for not using too much moisture? Does the growth get too soft to stand up to the blade properly?
Or was I just imagining how good it was after having a carpet face for a few days?
Started off with the 4 quid Wilkinson sword razor and a brush for about the same. Tried several of the cheaper, readily available soaps. Currently got a tube of Boots own cream lather stuff and the blue Wilkinson soap bowl on the go along with a Merkur razor the OH got me for christmas.
Barely had any irritation over the year, and when it has happened, I can usually attribute it to a rushed or massively over aggressive attempt on my part.
But the reason for my post. Took a bit of a shaving holiday, leaving it to grow out for about a week. Possible intentions of trying a full beard for the first time.
Anyway, about a week and a half in, started with the itch during dinner time. Couldn't hack it, left the family to finish their dinner while I went for a quick scythe.
Normally only shave after a shower to ensure full wetness of whiskers. No time for this, as the itch was debilitating. Thorough splash all over with warm water, smother with blue bowl soap and have at it.
The resulting shave was easily the closest/smoothest shave I've had.
Is there a case for not using too much moisture? Does the growth get too soft to stand up to the blade properly?
Or was I just imagining how good it was after having a carpet face for a few days?
Hi guys, not much to add here. i am a convert and much happier.
i see some people are mentioning mug prices etc.... would something like this not suffice??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMPSONS-GIANT-HOT-CHOCO...
I use my soap straight from the wooden tub but it was just a thought.
i see some people are mentioning mug prices etc.... would something like this not suffice??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMPSONS-GIANT-HOT-CHOCO...
I use my soap straight from the wooden tub but it was just a thought.
I have not shaved for over a month and am now rocking a full beard as dicussed on teh other page with quite accurate picture.
I have noticed something though.
What I am doing is tidying up the edges so to speak near teh adams apple/cheek etc etc.
Now I can't be arsed to get some cream going to to this so I am going in dry with the Merkur slant.
So far I have tried a feather,persona red and Rapira russian blades that I rate as highly as the feathers with no irritation whatsoever.
In the last week or so I tried a bic platinum which i previously thought was a good blade with cream and that left my neck bright red, I have also tried a gillete and a Derby with the same results. The derby also left my cheek with a warm feeling when I used it to tidy up there.
Seems a good test for me. If a blade can be used dry and not cause irritation then it must be good.
I have noticed something though.
What I am doing is tidying up the edges so to speak near teh adams apple/cheek etc etc.
Now I can't be arsed to get some cream going to to this so I am going in dry with the Merkur slant.
So far I have tried a feather,persona red and Rapira russian blades that I rate as highly as the feathers with no irritation whatsoever.
In the last week or so I tried a bic platinum which i previously thought was a good blade with cream and that left my neck bright red, I have also tried a gillete and a Derby with the same results. The derby also left my cheek with a warm feeling when I used it to tidy up there.
Seems a good test for me. If a blade can be used dry and not cause irritation then it must be good.
Powerrr said:
Hi guys, not much to add here. i am a convert and much happier.
i see some people are mentioning mug prices etc.... would something like this not suffice??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMPSONS-GIANT-HOT-CHOCO...
I use my soap straight from the wooden tub but it was just a thought.
You can use anything you like, as long as you can get a brush in the top and have room to build your lather.i see some people are mentioning mug prices etc.... would something like this not suffice??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMPSONS-GIANT-HOT-CHOCO...
I use my soap straight from the wooden tub but it was just a thought.
I use soap from the bowl, that's what it's designed for, but that would work fine for cream. Christ, I used a small cereal bowl to start with!!
Yep I use a cappuccino mug and find I get excellent results using cream, I never got on with the soap maybe I should try again in a year or three when I’m out of creams.
(Another cost saving when you consider a can of compressed Gillette goo would last at most 2 months I reckon a tub of cream lasts about 12months).
(Another cost saving when you consider a can of compressed Gillette goo would last at most 2 months I reckon a tub of cream lasts about 12months).
Right, thanks to you guys I bought this on lunch 
http://www.johnlewis.com/230446454/Product.aspx
Going to have a go tonight using the wooden bowl rather than a separate one to build lather.
http://www.johnlewis.com/230446454/Product.aspx
Going to have a go tonight using the wooden bowl rather than a separate one to build lather.
bicycleshorts said:
Right, thanks to you guys I bought this on lunch
http://www.johnlewis.com/230446454/Product.aspx
Going to have a go tonight using the wooden bowl rather than a separate one to build lather.
Excellent!http://www.johnlewis.com/230446454/Product.aspx
Going to have a go tonight using the wooden bowl rather than a separate one to build lather.
Welcome to the slippery slope of The Soap Tester!
There's a bit of judgement required with soap, and it depends to some extent on the quality of your brush. As I mentioned earlier, you need to squeeze maybe 70% of the hot water from your brush.... And then twirl away on the soap. Really doesn't take long. Too wet and the lather will be thin, too dry and it's sticky. Within a couple of shaves you'll find the perfect consistency.
When done, just run your bowl under the tap to remove the lather.
I invested in an 'Extra Silvertip' brush a while back, which was quite expensive, but the best quality. It's like a disco in Ibiza after only about 3 quick swirls!
NDA said:
bicycleshorts said:
Right, thanks to you guys I bought this on lunch
http://www.johnlewis.com/230446454/Product.aspx
Going to have a go tonight using the wooden bowl rather than a separate one to build lather.
Excellent!http://www.johnlewis.com/230446454/Product.aspx
Going to have a go tonight using the wooden bowl rather than a separate one to build lather.
Welcome to the slippery slope of The Soap Tester!
There's a bit of judgement required with soap, and it depends to some extent on the quality of your brush. As I mentioned earlier, you need to squeeze maybe 70% of the hot water from your brush.... And then twirl away on the soap. Really doesn't take long. Too wet and the lather will be thin, too dry and it's sticky. Within a couple of shaves you'll find the perfect consistency.
When done, just run your bowl under the tap to remove the lather.
I invested in an 'Extra Silvertip' brush a while back, which was quite expensive, but the best quality. It's like a disco in Ibiza after only about 3 quick swirls!
Tbh, think I prefer building lather in a separate bowl... easier to gauge consistency!
Any tips?
bicycleshorts said:
Had a go tonight. Basic procedure was warm water on brush and splash on soap while showering. About 20 seconds of brush on soap then tried to build later on face. Couldn't get a big foam going, more a light, but thick, layer. Tried adding a bit more water which helped.
Tbh, think I prefer building lather in a separate bowl... easier to gauge consistency!
Any tips?
Hmmm..... Well you must persevere! I'm a massive convert to soap.Tbh, think I prefer building lather in a separate bowl... easier to gauge consistency!
Any tips?
Is it a decent brush? It really does make a difference.
Use less water. No need to put water on the soap. Wet face with hot water, run brush under tap.....give it a hard squeeze (matron) and then try. Whizzle around, keep going and you should have it.
I'm getting a great lather in ten seconds I should think.
I don't know the Kent soap, but it should be good, Kent's a good name.
NDA said:
Hmmm..... Well you must persevere! I'm a massive convert to soap.
Is it a decent brush? It really does make a difference.
Use less water. No need to put water on the soap. Wet face with hot water, run brush under tap.....give it a hard squeeze (matron) and then try. Whizzle around, keep going and you should have it.
I'm getting a great lather in ten seconds I should think.
I don't know the Kent soap, but it should be good, Kent's a good name.
Have only used soap so far. This is the soap I'm using atm, keeping the kent one wrapped up: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001XPHA0E And the brush: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003WR3QSGIs it a decent brush? It really does make a difference.
Use less water. No need to put water on the soap. Wet face with hot water, run brush under tap.....give it a hard squeeze (matron) and then try. Whizzle around, keep going and you should have it.
I'm getting a great lather in ten seconds I should think.
I don't know the Kent soap, but it should be good, Kent's a good name.
Just finding it easier to build a thicker lather in the bowl... Back to YouTube me thinks!
With that said, the shave was pretty close and no iteration. Wonder if it was over lathered in the bowl as it did sort of explode
bicycleshorts said:
Have only used soap so far. This is the soap I'm using atm, keeping the kent one wrapped up: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001XPHA0E And the brush: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003WR3QSG
Just finding it easier to build a thicker lather in the bowl... Back to YouTube me thinks!
With that said, the shave was pretty close and no iteration. Wonder if it was over lathered in the bowl as it did sort of explode
Hmmm.... I have some of the Edwin Jagger soap, exactly the same. I can't say I got on with it. I found the lather was rather thin and 'died' on one side of my face whilst shaving the other. You might have more success with the Kent. Brush looks OK, but not Best Badger or Silvertip.Just finding it easier to build a thicker lather in the bowl... Back to YouTube me thinks!
With that said, the shave was pretty close and no iteration. Wonder if it was over lathered in the bowl as it did sort of explode
I think hard soap is so much easier as you don't have separate bowls and whatnot. It feels more traditional somehow too.
Unwrap your new soap. Be brave!
bicycleshorts said:
Have only used soap so far. This is the soap I'm using atm, keeping the kent one wrapped up: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001XPHA0E And the brush: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003WR3QSG
Just finding it easier to build a thicker lather in the bowl... Back to YouTube me thinks!
With that said, the shave was pretty close and no iteration. Wonder if it was over lathered in the bowl as it did sort of explode
Don't feel as though you must use the soap in its dish, I never do, I always transfer to a fat hot mug to finish my lather building. I also soak my brush while showering, I find the more things are hot the more they stay nice and toasty for further passes! I'm still stroking last nights shave a full 13 hours later, still can't feel stubble! Just finding it easier to build a thicker lather in the bowl... Back to YouTube me thinks!
With that said, the shave was pretty close and no iteration. Wonder if it was over lathered in the bowl as it did sort of explode
I tend to shave in the bath as i'm a dirty b
d.
But my process for getting a perfect lather, start bath running, throw brush in bath, once water is a little bit deeper float bowl of soap in bath.
Get in bath, wash face with extra hot flannel.
Squueze brush until no more water running from it, mix lather in soap bowl, slap all over face.
(Don't worry I rinse the razor in the sink / another cup - I don't sit in my own shaving filth)
d. But my process for getting a perfect lather, start bath running, throw brush in bath, once water is a little bit deeper float bowl of soap in bath.
Get in bath, wash face with extra hot flannel.
Squueze brush until no more water running from it, mix lather in soap bowl, slap all over face.
(Don't worry I rinse the razor in the sink / another cup - I don't sit in my own shaving filth)
NDA said:
I don't know the Kent soap, but it should be good, Kent's a good name.
Its actually Mitchels Woolfat!They produce it for Kent and I believe they also now rebrand it as Bluebeards revenge soap as well. All the same stuff.
I have the same soap in the same bowl and find it really easy to build a great lather though I gather its quite sensitive to the hardness of your water.
Google 'face lathering' on youtube and see how they do it.
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