THE SHAVING THREAD!!!!!!

[sir_mike]

On my last trip to Vegas I hit up the Antique shops and scored some pretty cool stuff, the brushes will get new knots and have plenty of life left in them.

The Lady Gillette, is in very good condition and complete with a nice advert.

The other one is a Super Speed from
1949, it is in mint condition and the blade packet still has the cellophane on it, I managed to get it for $10 which I a pretty good deal.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Do you think the Gillette  SuperSpeed Red tip is as aggressive as a Gillette "New" open comb? At the moment I have a merker 23c but am wanting a more aggressive heavier razor. Have you owned either, I've also read the Fat boy or Slim are also pretty aggressive. What do you think man?

I havent used a New open comb but have used the red tip and it is pretty aggressive.
 

[MadPlumbarian]

Here's my new pucks of soap to put in that soup mug I got earlier, also a new razor to give a try, heavy little razor too!
JR

[AimlessWanderer]

 

What flavours are they?

[MadPlumbarian]

What flavours are they?

um, bay rum, almond, Amber, and lime, not in that order. You would think rum would smell the best, but I think Amber and lime do, I just don't remember which gives the best shave, so I got the four pack, that should be good for another 2yrs, lol. Then maybe I'll try a diff brand.
JR

[JBW1]

Is the razor a Gibson? Ive not heard of that brand, it looks great! I recently found out that  Col. Conk is manufactured here in NM only about 20 min from me. Too bad they don't have a store front, but maybe they will have a warehouse sale... I will keep my ears on

[MadPlumbarian]

Is the razor a Gibson? Ive not heard of that brand, it looks great! I recently found out that  Col. Conk is manufactured here in NM only about 20 min from me. Too bad they don't have a store front, but maybe they will have a warehouse sale... I will keep my ears on

Yes a Gibson, nope never heard of it myself, but they had something to do with Amazon and they were only $13, on sale from $50, so I fig I'd try it. I did find their website, but something seems fishy, but hey $13? I must say it's got some weight to it!
JR

[JBW1]

How do you like your new razor?


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[MadPlumbarian]

How do you like your new razor?


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Idk, I haven't tried it yet, it kinda quickly got cold, and I'm really not one to shave in cold weather..
JR

[AimlessWanderer]

I tried trim something different yesterday, and used a bowl to whip a lather rather than just working it on my face.

I did the usual hot water prep on the beard, but used an enamel bowl for whipping the lather which I left floating in the hot water to keep the temperature up. The lather felt really nice, but the shave was probably not as good as when building the lather directly on the stubble. The lather just didn't seem to work into the stubble as well as usual.

I'll be going back to. The old way of applying it directly but slightly wet, and working till the lather reaches the right consistency. This seems to do a better job of lubricating the beard, on my face at least. Maybe it brush and soap has an influence on what works best, and I might get different results with other products, but this is what seems to works best for the gear i have right now.

[Boaz]

My set up from my last shave of 2015, the Razor is my Birth year and quartet and I love using it.

The Arko is very simple to use and gives plenty of thick Lemony Lather.

[MadPlumbarian]

One new(but old)thing that got tried was my electric razor, it's in near brand new condition and my son gave it a try, he said he liked it,, so idk if he's going to switch to the electric or stay with his 5blade? Guess we'll see..
JR

[JBW1]

I tried trim something different yesterday, and used a bowl to whip a lather rather than just working it on my face.

I did the usual hot water prep on the beard, but used an enamel bowl for whipping the lather which I left floating in the hot water to keep the temperature up. The lather felt really nice, but the shave was probably not as good as when building the lather directly on the stubble. The lather just didn't seem to work into the stubble as well as usual.

I'll be going back to. The old way of applying it directly but slightly wet, and working till the lather reaches the right consistency. This seems to do a better job of lubricating the beard, on my face at least. Maybe it brush and soap has an influence on what works best, and I might get different results with other products, but this is what seems to works best for the gear i have right now.

I face lather as well, but just because i haven't gotten a bowl yet, but i think id continue with face lathering and just use the bowl for soaking a brush anyway.


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[JBW1]

I found a shaving set at a trader joes for $10. The brush sheds like crazy, but the soap and aftershave seems pretty good.


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[AimlessWanderer]

I tried trim something different yesterday, and used a bowl to whip a lather rather than just working it on my face.

I did the usual hot water prep on the beard, but used an enamel bowl for whipping the lather which I left floating in the hot water to keep the temperature up. The lather felt really nice, but the shave was probably not as good as when building the lather directly on the stubble. The lather just didn't seem to work into the stubble as well as usual.

I'll be going back to. The old way of applying it directly but slightly wet, and working till the lather reaches the right consistency. This seems to do a better job of lubricating the beard, on my face at least. Maybe it brush and soap has an influence on what works best, and I might get different results with other products, but this is what seems to works best for the gear i have right now.

I face lather as well, but just because i haven't gotten a bowl yet, but i think id continue with face lathering and just use the bowl for soaking a brush anyway.


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For properly wetting a brush, here's what I've found works well....

Fill the sink or scuttle with hot water, dip and swill and return to the stand. Move onto hot flannel on the face while the brush is soaking up the residual water, but not sitting I water and getting too soft. After the hot flannel, dip the brush back in the hot water, and work it around the face as if you were working in a lather. Keep dipping the brush and working it into the face for a minute or so. This helps to prepare both the face and the brush.

Collect some soap on the brush, and start face lathering. If it's wet enough, the lather should be trying to run down the neck a bit (too wet for a bowl lather, but perfect for a face lather). Keep working and working it till the excess moisture disappears and a rich lather starts to form.

I find the working in of the water into the brush and face, and then starting with a lather that is too wet, really does help the prep and makes for a smoother shave. I know it goes against the recognised convention, but it works well for me, although it can extend prep time slightly

[sir_mike]

Yeah, just a heads up but I posted some straights (4 of them for $120) on a Facebook Wet Shaver Enabler's buy/sell/trade group if interested.  I also have a lather bowl with ridges inside from Shavework's ($20) but haven't posted it yet.

Thx.

@Boaz -  Arko rocks!  Great lathering soap!  I use it all the time in a twist up container! 

[Boaz]

@sir_mike well sad Sir!  Arko does indeed rock, probably like yourself I've got a fair selection of creams/soaps and Razors. Not got any Straights, DE is working pretty well for me. Good luck  with your sale n

[BASguy]

Thought I'd get in on this, it's an interesting thread.  I (for the most part) quit experimenting many years ago when I found a setup that works for me.
I use a scuttle for soaking the brush while I shower.  Face lather with either Proraso, Arko (stick or bowl), or Palmolive Stick.  Feather blades on DE.  Post shave is Alum block and then Clubman.
Brush is a boar hair Semouge 1800.  I don't like Badger as it's just to soft.
The razor is a Gillette Tech head mounted on an automatic center punch body.  Wanted a heavy handle so I just tapped that and made my own for about $3 instead of buying one for 10x that amount.


Sent from 9 miles from the face of the sun

[JBW1]

No nonsense set up there! I can't wait till I get through the experiment stage and find what works. The bathroom counter is starting to get a little cramped

[Boaz]

No nonsense set up there! I can't wait till I get through the experiment stage and find what works. The bathroom counter is starting to get a little cramped

It's great fun searching for something you like and gives good results. I've been using one pretty much all of last year as I found it worked really well. I was surprised it was a modern DE and not one if my vintage pieces. Good luck with the hunt.

[Boaz]

Thought I'd get in on this, it's an interesting thread.  I (for the most part) quit experimenting many years ago when I found a setup that works for me.
I use a scuttle for soaking the brush while I shower.  Face lather with either Proraso, Arko (stick or bowl), or Palmolive Stick.  Feather blades on DE.  Post shave is Alum block and then Clubman.
Brush is a boar hair Semouge 1800.  I don't like Badger as it's just to soft.
The razor is a Gillette Tech head mounted on an automatic center punch body.  Wanted a heavy handle so I just tapped that and made my own for about $3 instead of buying one for 10x that amount.(Image removed from quote.)


Sent from 9 miles from the face of the sun

Very nice set up, I've tried and enjoyed everything bar the Semouge, something I need to put on a list to try.

[BASguy]

Brush is a boar hair Semouge 1800.  I don't like Badger as it's just to soft.

Very nice set up, I've tried and enjoyed everything bar the Semouge, something I need to put on a list to try.

Mine is close to 10 years old now and looks almost new.  I had some periodic shedding for several years, now just the occasional hair.  Great purchase.  I don't think they're much more than $20 now


Sent from 9 miles from the face of the sun

[MadPlumbarian]

Well, no posts since January, I guess I'll change that! With this nice weather here I decided to clean up, shaved the dome and then the face,(just not the goatee, that stays) cause all winter I only use the buzzers to keep a little insulation.. But what can I say, I'm smoooooooth
JR

[WWW]

Does anybody have any advice for shaving with a straitgh razor? I'm right handed and I find that my hand gets in the way when doing the right side. I've tried using the left hand but I'm not particularly good at it.

[Alan K.]

Does anybody have any advice for shaving with a straitgh razor? I'm right handed and I find that my hand gets in the way when doing the right side. I've tried using the left hand but I'm not particularly good at it.

Don't cut your throat.

[Fortytwo]

Does anybody have any advice for shaving with a straitgh razor? I'm right handed and I find that my hand gets in the way when doing the right side. I've tried using the left hand but I'm not particularly good at it.

Don't cut your throat.

Sound advise for most occasions! 

[pfrsantos]

Does anybody have any advice for shaving with a straitgh razor? I'm right handed and I find that my hand gets in the way when doing the right side. I've tried using the left hand but I'm not particularly good at it.

Are you sure you're doing it right?! It's usually the other way around...

[WWW]

Oh dear, oh dear!!! Opposite hand?? I can barely use the non-opposite one?! And here I was thinking it can be more simple then this. I think I'll go back and just use lawn mowers. Thanks for the tips!!!

[MadPlumbarian]

Haaa, got me a nice shave, nice and soft, smooth, and cool.. But, didn't get to slick the top, all of a sudden now that feels totally hot!
JR

[pfrsantos]

Oh dear, oh dear!!! Opposite hand?? I can barely use the non-opposite one?! And here I was thinking it can be more simple then this. I think I'll go back and just use lawn mowers. Thanks for the tips!!!

Try this: get some lather on your face, like you're going to shave. Use the opposite side of the razor (the blunt one) and practice running it over your face. Don't look in the mirror while you do this. It will confuse you (it's an inverted image, after all). Get the feel of the blade.

NEVER move the blade sideways. Make as little pressure as you can. Don't push the blade! If it stops cutting, lift it and reposition it on your face again.

Start by doing just the cheeks and neck (large flat areas). When you feel confident with these, slowly go for the more "complicated" areas: chin, upper lip.

Don't give up, don't try to do it to fast.

You'll get there!

 

[MadPlumbarian]

Shaved in the hospital, well more like a trim, freaking hair was bothering me, kept curling into the lips, so I had to break out the sak and do a little trim work..
JR