Multi-blade razors

[Mr Happy]

My TOBS badger brush works well when face lathering with Arko.

For me, the trick is to put enough soap on the face to see it, dip the brush in warm water, lather the soap for about a minute on the face with the brush, dip it in the water again then go over the lather for a few passes again.

Never fails to work up a full bodied lather!

[Mr Happy]

So... Anyone fancy shaving with a LASER!!???!!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skarp/the-ska...

(although the demo videos look a bit... well, crap - really!)

Edited by Mr Happy on Tuesday 6th October 20:05

[cirian75]

Mr Happy said:

So... Anyone fancy shaving with a LASER!!???!!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skarp/the-ska...

(although the demo videos look a bit... well, crap - really!)

Edited by Mr Happy on Tuesday 6th October 20:05

[jingars]

Mr Happy said:

So... Anyone fancy shaving with a LASER!!???!!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skarp/the-ska...

(although the demo videos look a bit... well, crap - really!)

Love how in the promo video all of the people featured either had "designer" stubble or full beards

[Kinky]

Is there a starters kit for numpties?

I do already have a Kent badger brush and a Trumpers sandalwood shaving soap and bowl. So would be looking at a shaver and blades.

I could read through the 5.5k posts here, but that would take me up to Christmas But any pointers gratefully received

[Bonefish Blues]

EJ 89 and Personnas. That's it, really.

[Mr Happy]

Mr Happy said:

So... Anyone fancy shaving with a LASER!!???!!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skarp/the-ska...

(although the demo videos look a bit... well, crap - really!)

Edited by Mr Happy on Tuesday 6th October 20:05

Quoting myself, how uncouth! Anyway - seems like it was a bit crap, and a bit iffy if not fake!

http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/13/9518163/laser-r...

https://www.reddit.com/r/kickstarter/comments/3n59...

[AMG01]

Kinky said:

Is there a starters kit for numpties?

I do already have a Kent badger brush and a Trumpers sandalwood shaving soap and bowl. So would be looking at a shaver and blades.

I could read through the 5.5k posts here, but that would take me up to Christmas But any pointers gratefully received

Same position I was in a month ago, bought this http://www.edwinjagger.co.uk/edwin-jagger-de-start... which includes all you need and used http://sharpologist.com/shaving-videos as instructions on how to do it. You can of course but all the bits individually and try out different brands as you get used to it. Technique is different to a normal shave but 3 - 4 weeks in, I am getting better at shaving with a DE and its giving me overall a better shave and I haven't had any ingrowing hairs which was the main reason for changing.

[Bonefish Blues]

An EJ 89 (in various frocks ) and Feather blades instead of Personnas.

I'd still advise Personnas as the best compromise blade to start, with a (notably unforgiving) Feathers trial once technique has been established.

[Davie_GLA]

Kinky said:

Is there a starters kit for numpties?

I do already have a Kent badger brush and a Trumpers sandalwood shaving soap and bowl. So would be looking at a shaver and blades.

I could read through the 5.5k posts here, but that would take me up to Christmas But any pointers gratefully received

If i was dong it again i'd go Muhle R41, TOBS (Pick your flavour) and feather blades. I've never used anything other than feathers and they are brilliant.

I do like to use some preshave cream then an alumblock if i've gone a bit too close. Finished off with some nivea post shave balm to cool it all down.

Shaving is no longer a chore but now takes a it of planning.

[RMCA]

Davie_GLA said:

If i was dong it again i'd go Muhle R41, TOBS (Pick your flavour) and feather blades. I've never used anything other than feathers and they are brilliant.

I do like to use some preshave cream then an alumblock if i've gone a bit too close. Finished off with some nivea post shave balm to cool it all down.

Shaving is no longer a chore but now takes a it of planning.

Been lurking here for ~1 year now using the plastic Wilkinson with feathers and feel it's time to upgrade. What's the advantage with the Muhle over the ej89?

Is it worth going adjustable?

Appreciate the input Gents

[LordGrover]

I'm not so sure the R41 is a great beginners razor. It's quite aggressive (in my hands).
I'd recommend the EJ DE89, Muhle R89 or Merkur 34C - easier to get to grips with and less likely to have a mishap.
Blades, schmades - pick one and see how you get on - feather, gillette 7 o'clock sharp edge, personna, derby, etc.
I've never found the need for an adjustable but most who shell out the extra justify it. Not needed but if one takes your fancy, why not?

[zygalski]

I agree... an R41 as a beginners razor is bonkers. A fair chance it will put you off DE shaving for life. Experienced wet shavers have tried them & found them way too aggressive.
Stick with a DE89 to begin with & if you think you need something with a bit more bite then I'd suggest a vintage adjustable like a Gillette Slim.

[Davie_GLA]

Yeah, sorry i should have qualified that as i started with a DE89.

Sometimes when i'm shaving with the R41 i ask myself if i actually do know my blood type but all good.

[Davey S2]

Just had to order another 100 Personnas.

About £10 for another 2 years worth of shaving.

Makes you feel sorry for the mugs who are paying more than that for 3 or 4 Wilkinson Fusion Mach 20 Turbo Hydro unobtanium coated twin laser edged cartridges with integral Hydro Moisturising System.

[cirian75]

Davey S2 said:

Just had to order another 100 Personnas.

About £10 for another 2 years worth of shaving.

Makes you feel sorry for the mugs who are paying more than that for 3 or 4 Wilkinson Fusion Mach 20 Turbo Hydro unobtanium coated twin laser edged cartridges with integral Hydro Moisturising System.

I pay about £12 for a 100 pack of Astra Stainless (not the platinum), lasts me about 6 months.

[Davey S2]

cirian75 said:

I pay about £12 for a 100 pack of Astra Stainless (not the platinum), lasts me about 6 months.

How often do you shave?

One blade will last me 3 or 4 shaves and I probably only shave 2-3 times a week. My beard grows fairly quickly but I don't mind a bit of stubble.

[cirian75]

Davey S2 said:

cirian75 said:

I pay about £12 for a 100 pack of Astra Stainless (not the platinum), lasts me about 6 months.

How often do you shave?

One blade will last me 3 or 4 shaves and I probably only shave 2-3 times a week. My beard grows fairly quickly but I don't mind a bit of stubble.

every work day, my stubble ruins a blade at about 1.5 shaves, so I just stick a new blade in every time, and £12 for 100 its an easy compromise.

[RenesisEvo]

I've been following this thread for what feels like a lifetime (when the page count was barely at a dozen, at least). Finally, I took the plunge recently, having become utterly disillusioned with the mainstream options, with Wilko withdrawing my preferred 'system' to boot. DE89 long starter kit has been rolled out over the last few weeks. Telling myself I was saving money on blades seems like proper man maths when I've spent about £100 so far... I couldn't get on with the shaving cream so a shaving bowl has been acquired (not tested the soap yet mind, still finishing off the cream), along with a big bottle of Geo F Trumper skin food and alum block.

Started with simply using the products and weaning myself off my old Wilko Hydro 3. Noticed immediately an improvement in my skin just with proper care. Then came the DE89 and its feather blades... I was working from home so decided to dive in. I needn't have been so worried! Second attempt I was left very raw all morning despite liberal post shave care, but with a few shaves under my belt its improving all the time. It's not fair to compare a dozen attempts to something I've done thousands of times, but I'm going to persevere.

I'd compare it to stepping from an Audi S3 into a Caterham - now you have ultimate say rather than just directing, there's much more effort required but much more to be gained in return if you enjoy the process and act of driving [shaving], rather than just getting to a reasonable end result quickly. The alum block really is the judge of how well or otherwise you've done. Surprised at how much less aggressive a DE blade is than the cartridge, and yet I get just as good, if not better results.

Why didn't I do this years ago?!? Consider me a convert. If for no other reason than how good sandalwood smells...

[NDA]

RenesisEvo said:

(not tested the soap yet mind, still finishing off the cream), along with a big bottle of Geo F Trumper skin food and alum block.

..

Everyone is different - we know that - but I'm a big fan of soap rather than cream. Get the brush very wet with hot water and keep swirling around on the soap until you see the consistency you want.

Also finding a razor that is set 'just right' is never easy. I used vintage adjustable slims for a while - but then found vintage Gillette 'tech' razors to have the perfect gap for me.

Shaving now takes very little time after doing it for so long and I could never go back.