Multi-blade razors
Discussion
I have been DE shaving for 6 months now and wouldnt go back to a cartridge razor, I got cheesed off at the crazy cost and problems on waste.
Some things to think about, before I started I was persuaded with the idea that I should buy the best razor, sharpest blades, best badger brush and best shaving creams, I spent £200 and most of this stuff doesnt get used.
Razor. There is a Wilkinson Classic razor which costs £5 and includes a pack of blades. This is a very mild razor meaning that you are unlikley to cut yourself but is only good long term if you have the lightest stubble. Wilkinson also made a better razor at £15 that works pretty well and is easy to fill with a new blade, its my everyday razor. i have more expensive razors but this one does the job.
Blades. I have only bought one bad blade and have tried maybe 15. the bad one was Gillette 7 o'clock Permasharp, in a green box. Shaving with this blade is just a really bad experience. If you are shopping on the high street then Sainsburys own brand blades are made in Japan and do a better than average job. If you want to try a sample pack, for example eight packs of different makes for £10 then Connaught Shaving have a good selection. Blades last 1-5 shaves.
Soaps and Creams. If you want to be practical there are two Palmolive products that do a great job and have been around for many years, the Shaving Stick costs 75p and you rub it onto your wet face and lather up with a brush. Palmolive also make a shaving cream, sold in a toothpast style tube, both work great. You can spend £50 up on something exotic, I suggest you start simple and then decide later if you want to spend money. One shaving cream to avoid is called Bulldog, also sold at Sainsburys and currently half price, put simply it is a crap product in my experience.
Brushes. Badger brushes come from China, there are some horrific pictures of badger farming in China, you decide for yourself if you want to support that trade. I use a synthetic brush which performs well There are some brushes on sale on ebay for less than £2, I havent used one but they should do the job.
Bowl. You will need a shaving bowl but you can use other things that don't have a glazed surface, such as a stubby earthenware coffee cup or soup bowl.
Creams. Always moisturise after a shave, you can use an £80 Clarins pot with 50ml or Cocoa Butter from Lidl at £1 for 500ml.
Pre shave. Thoroughly wash your face with a good soap, if you can find Argan OIl Soap use it.
People say that get a good shave from cold water, I don't, I use the hottest water that I can stand on my face.
Finally if you usually shave in a hurry, maybe DE shaving is not for you, its one of those jobs to take your time over and enjoy it. Also if you fly a lot I understand that there are issues on carrying DE razors as hand luggage, I keep a disposable razor or two for when I am flying.
Some things to think about, before I started I was persuaded with the idea that I should buy the best razor, sharpest blades, best badger brush and best shaving creams, I spent £200 and most of this stuff doesnt get used.
Razor. There is a Wilkinson Classic razor which costs £5 and includes a pack of blades. This is a very mild razor meaning that you are unlikley to cut yourself but is only good long term if you have the lightest stubble. Wilkinson also made a better razor at £15 that works pretty well and is easy to fill with a new blade, its my everyday razor. i have more expensive razors but this one does the job.
Blades. I have only bought one bad blade and have tried maybe 15. the bad one was Gillette 7 o'clock Permasharp, in a green box. Shaving with this blade is just a really bad experience. If you are shopping on the high street then Sainsburys own brand blades are made in Japan and do a better than average job. If you want to try a sample pack, for example eight packs of different makes for £10 then Connaught Shaving have a good selection. Blades last 1-5 shaves.
Soaps and Creams. If you want to be practical there are two Palmolive products that do a great job and have been around for many years, the Shaving Stick costs 75p and you rub it onto your wet face and lather up with a brush. Palmolive also make a shaving cream, sold in a toothpast style tube, both work great. You can spend £50 up on something exotic, I suggest you start simple and then decide later if you want to spend money. One shaving cream to avoid is called Bulldog, also sold at Sainsburys and currently half price, put simply it is a crap product in my experience.
Brushes. Badger brushes come from China, there are some horrific pictures of badger farming in China, you decide for yourself if you want to support that trade. I use a synthetic brush which performs well There are some brushes on sale on ebay for less than £2, I havent used one but they should do the job.
Bowl. You will need a shaving bowl but you can use other things that don't have a glazed surface, such as a stubby earthenware coffee cup or soup bowl.
Creams. Always moisturise after a shave, you can use an £80 Clarins pot with 50ml or Cocoa Butter from Lidl at £1 for 500ml.
Pre shave. Thoroughly wash your face with a good soap, if you can find Argan OIl Soap use it.
People say that get a good shave from cold water, I don't, I use the hottest water that I can stand on my face.
Finally if you usually shave in a hurry, maybe DE shaving is not for you, its one of those jobs to take your time over and enjoy it. Also if you fly a lot I understand that there are issues on carrying DE razors as hand luggage, I keep a disposable razor or two for when I am flying.
Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 28th February 10:00
With regards to soaps I can highly recommend these guys:
https://signaturesoaps.co.uk/product-category/shav...
Their goats milk soaps are excellent and really good vfm. Much better than most other stuff out there in terms of the actual shave and post-shave feel.
The shaving forums reviews are all very positive and my own experience with them has been the same.
https://signaturesoaps.co.uk/product-category/shav...
Their goats milk soaps are excellent and really good vfm. Much better than most other stuff out there in terms of the actual shave and post-shave feel.
The shaving forums reviews are all very positive and my own experience with them has been the same.
tobinen said:
Mr. Postman has just been. The handle is shorter than I expected but it has a pleasant weight to it. It came with a made in Japan feather blade. No brand name on it.
Today is shave day so I will take my time and hopefully not cut open any moles.
I think that is a DE87 razor and a very good looking razor it is too.Today is shave day so I will take my time and hopefully not cut open any moles.
As you probably know the Feather blade is thought to be the sharpest around, take care with this one, plenty of good quality shaving cream and hot water and the lightest of pressure,
Success! One minor nick, which is barely visible now. Mole one, no problem, took my time. Mole 2, slightly more raised, barely any pressure at all and it took most of the hair away. I decided to leave that as it was since it was 'good enough'. With some more practice I think I can improve.
Overall, yes I like it. A very close shave and nice-smelling cream. I used the pre-shave cream sampler which 'tingled' the skin.
Now I need more blades.
Overall, yes I like it. A very close shave and nice-smelling cream. I used the pre-shave cream sampler which 'tingled' the skin.
Now I need more blades.
tobinen said:
Success! One minor nick, which is barely visible now. Mole one, no problem, took my time. Mole 2, slightly more raised, barely any pressure at all and it took most of the hair away. I decided to leave that as it was since it was 'good enough'. With some more practice I think I can improve.
Overall, yes I like it. A very close shave and nice-smelling cream. I used the pre-shave cream sampler which 'tingled' the skin.
Now I need more blades.
Success!Overall, yes I like it. A very close shave and nice-smelling cream. I used the pre-shave cream sampler which 'tingled' the skin.
Now I need more blades.
I would suggest that you try a milder blade whilst you get used to DE shaving, something like a Wlikinson or the Sainsbury blade. Its worth persevering, you will get to the point where shaving becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
Now the edge is taken off the Feather will be fine for subsequent shaves.
Until you get the hang of it, be cautious with any new blade - fresh Feathers especially but also Personna and the like can also catch out the unwary - especially in a more aggressive razor such as R41 or braveheart.
Until you get the hang of it, be cautious with any new blade - fresh Feathers especially but also Personna and the like can also catch out the unwary - especially in a more aggressive razor such as R41 or braveheart.
Sway said:
Boy child is becoming man child...
Thinking of getting him a DE razor set for Christmas - might as well start him off proper.
I bought my heavy EJ years ago, and want something similar quality, but a bit smaller/lighter for 13 year old hands/face. He doesn't need anything in any way aggressive!
Any thoughts?
Is he 13 years old and needing to shave? I would put it off for as long as possible.Thinking of getting him a DE razor set for Christmas - might as well start him off proper.
I bought my heavy EJ years ago, and want something similar quality, but a bit smaller/lighter for 13 year old hands/face. He doesn't need anything in any way aggressive!
Any thoughts?
When I was in the Army aged 21,22,23 I only shaved once a week for bull parade.
The Mad Monk said:
Sway said:
Boy child is becoming man child...
Thinking of getting him a DE razor set for Christmas - might as well start him off proper.
I bought my heavy EJ years ago, and want something similar quality, but a bit smaller/lighter for 13 year old hands/face. He doesn't need anything in any way aggressive!
Any thoughts?
Is he 13 years old and needing to shave? I would put it off for as long as possible.Thinking of getting him a DE razor set for Christmas - might as well start him off proper.
I bought my heavy EJ years ago, and want something similar quality, but a bit smaller/lighter for 13 year old hands/face. He doesn't need anything in any way aggressive!
Any thoughts?
When I was in the Army aged 21,22,23 I only shaved once a week for bull parade.
He's going to be an adult gorilla with very dark hair, and has (had) noticeable wispy mustache coming through - to the point he was getting the piss taken out of him at school...
Got him a WS starter, and some personna blades. Cheap synthetic brush, and some soap.
He only shaves his lip, hadn't cut himself yet (impressed on him quite how sharp they are!) - and no longer has the mickey taken. Shaves probably once a month. Fortunately his hair is still in the 'fluff' stage, so quick and simple for him to do.
He does it when I'm doing my weekly beard edging using my cut throat. I can't be stuffed with full clean shaven anymore...
Well the second run this morning was not quite so good. I showered first but I've nicked myself twice on the chin, fortunately not the moles.
After much YouTubing yesterday it seems these Feathers are bit full-on, so I've ordered a multipack of 50 assorted blades (5 each from 10 manufacturers). The Feather will be sidelined for now
I will also buy the EJ block thing for nicks.
After much YouTubing yesterday it seems these Feathers are bit full-on, so I've ordered a multipack of 50 assorted blades (5 each from 10 manufacturers). The Feather will be sidelined for now
I will also buy the EJ block thing for nicks.
tobinen said:
Well the second run this morning was not quite so good. I showered first but I've nicked myself twice on the chin, fortunately not the moles.
After much YouTubing yesterday it seems these Feathers are bit full-on, so I've ordered a multipack of 50 assorted blades (5 each from 10 manufacturers). The Feather will be sidelined for now
I will also buy the EJ block thing for nicks.
The Feather is known to be really, really sharp, I have seen the vids where even experienced shavers say that they are nervous about using a Feather blade.After much YouTubing yesterday it seems these Feathers are bit full-on, so I've ordered a multipack of 50 assorted blades (5 each from 10 manufacturers). The Feather will be sidelined for now
I will also buy the EJ block thing for nicks.
Can I suggest that you get the Sainsburys own brand blade or the Wilkinson blade, preferably the latter. Its a much better blade IMHO for the new DE shaver.
I have also bought a sample pack, mine was 100 blades from ebay for about £8. I am working my way through them. In my pack I think the majority are Indian made and some are better than others. There is one pack of blades that if it comes to you I would just throw away. Gillette 7 o'clock Permasharp, in a green pack. The quality is consistently bad.
I will say immediately that everybody's face is slightly different... so there is, inevitably, some trial and error.
However, in my experience, the sharpest blades are less likely to nick you. I know this sounds a bit counterintuitive!
I have used Feather blades for years - and always chuck them after 3 shaves to be replaced with a new one. I shave most days and will nick myself maybe once a year.
Short strokes, no pressure, warm face.... etc etc.
However, in my experience, the sharpest blades are less likely to nick you. I know this sounds a bit counterintuitive!
I have used Feather blades for years - and always chuck them after 3 shaves to be replaced with a new one. I shave most days and will nick myself maybe once a year.
Short strokes, no pressure, warm face.... etc etc.
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