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[Heel]

This is something that I find a bit unjust. Mühle razors for us Euros cost only 32€ - I initially got interested in the R89 because it seemed like a cheap alternative to Merkur HD which I was about to purchase at first.

The pricing difference can be seen at Mühle's own web shop ( http://www.muehle-shaving.com/shop/ ). If you switch the country from USA + Canada to Germany/All other countries, you get around $20 drop in price for the safety razors.

http://connaughtshaving.com/muehleclassic.html

Best prices I can find on Muhle for Americans if you don't mind waiting on shipping from the UK. Haven't purchased from them but the shaving world seems to trust this site.

R89 = ~$37 shipped
R89 Grande = ~$50 shipped

Sounds like a deal to me! Just as cheap as the Edwin Jaggers.

 

[h3ro]

Need a suggestion for a $30-50 badger brush. Not interested in the entry level ones or boar bristles.

I'd appreciate any help on this one, fellas!

 

[Edmond Dantès]

I'd appreciate any help on this one, fellas!

Edwin Jagger's very own badger brushes are excellent.

This Super Badger brush in particular;

Or this cheaper model.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ABX210/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[DasRaven]

I had a Weishi as my first razor, and I would not recommend them. The mirror inside the little box wasn't glued properly, the box snapped and the razor rusted shut after about two months or so.

Maybe others have had better experiences?

Nope, same basic experience (I had the nickel/gunmetal one), but rather than rusting shut, the TTO mechanism refused to stay closed after about 2 months.
Moved on from there to a Feather Popular, and now a Feather AS-D1 forever after.

 

[Dariee]

You've been wetshaving with a bowl, brush, and shaving soap but with a Mach 3? Interesting.

Blades need to be replaced every 3-5 shaves depending on the blade, your beard, and other factors. The cost of these blades is actually quite cheaper than the cartridge razors, especially when you order them in bulk.

Safety razor+brush/bowl/proraso, for me, gives closer shaves, less razorburn/bumps, and an overall more satisfying shave. The only con is that doing a wetshave with a safety razor requires a little practice and a bit more time. But anything worth doing is worth doing right.

That's the common thing to happen in The Netherlands (although mostly it's the usage of cream instead of soap+brush, but still, disposable razor is the norm instead of dry electric).

Thanks for the answer, though. Might consider going for a 'safety razor' instead of disposable cartridges then.

 

[Kosmo]

Everything just arrived! I will report back in morning how it goes. Going to try and clean some of the badger stink out of the brush tonight before I use it in the morning.

 

[clav]

Everything just arrived! I will report back in morning how it goes. Going to try and clean some of the badger stink out of the brush tonight before I use it in the morning.

Remember the process is not about speed. It's about careful and gentle scraping of your face.

Take your time.

 

[Kosmo]

Well, everything was there when I got home and gave it a try - success. Still need to get some things down, like how much soap to use to make the foam (first go I didn't use enough) and the Tweezerman brush was shedding like a Golden Retriever in August. I kind of wish I had gone with a longer handle like the Merkur 180 (I bought the 178 / 34C) but probably just a matter of getting used to it.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

Well, everything was there when I got home and gave it a try - success. Still need to get some things down, like how much soap to use to make the foam (first go I didn't use enough) and the Tweezerman brush was shedding like a Golden Retriever in August. I kind of wish I had gone with a longer handle like the Merkur 180 (I bought the 178 / 34C) but probably just a matter of getting used to it.

The smaller handles on safety razors do take some getting used to but, on the bright side, I found the smaller handle makes it easier to avoid my Mach3 deathgrip. There's definitely a period of adjustment.

Hopefully that shedding is just initial shedding and, if so, it may continue for a couple of more days at what I would assume to be to a lesser degree. If it continues shedding at that rate for many more days, I'd probably be contacting Amazon were I in your shoes.

If you think you're using an appropriate amount of soap, you might make sure you are using enough water. If there's too little water, you won't see much in the way of lather. I'm just throwing that out there.

Otherwise, I'm glad you had some success today.

 

[RoryDropkick]

I just got my Merkur and blade sample pack in.. tried it tonight and didn't do so hot, but really it's my first time with this type of safety razor. Looking forward to really trying to get things down pat.

 

[ShaneB]

I just got my Merkur and blade sample pack in.. tried it tonight and didn't do so hot, but really it's my first time with this type of safety razor. Looking forward to really trying to get things down pat.

Take it slow!! I'm still learning and it's been a month.

You're learning to shave all over again... or in my case, for the first time, since most of my previous shaving was done with an electric razor.

I need to watch more tutorial vids, working my chin area is a disaster

 

[zero_suit]

I need to watch more tutorial vids, working my chin area is a disaster

Yup, the chin is the most difficult part since it's hard to maintain the perfect angle.

 

[sefskillz]

first shave here in a few minutes, if i dont survive, its all your fault gaf

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Im loving shaving like this. Adds a nice little ritual to the start of a day. Getting some Aesop post shave cream to finish off with, now. Good stuff, thanks GAF!

Oh, quick question. When lathering, do you squash the brush into the bowl, splaying out the bristles, or keep it light? I'm not doing any circular motions, just forward, back, left and right.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

Oh, quick question. When lathering, do you squash the brush into the bowl, splaying out the bristles, or keep it light? I'm not doing any circular motions, just forward, back, left and right.

Maybe a little, initially, to disperse the cream, or possibly soap, a bit. Even then, I wouldn't mash very hard for fear that I would damage the knot or break bristles.

 

[sefskillz]

that was awesome.

 

[zero_suit]

that was awesome.

What safety razor did you use and which blade?

 

[XenoRaven]

I have to shave every day for my job and it's awful. The only time I get nice feeling, smooth skin is after the weekend when I don't have to shave for 2 days. I've looked up tutorials on how to get a more soothing shave and have tried a myriad of products. After trial after trial I've finally settled on the Schick Hydro 5, Nivea sensitive skin shaving gel, and Nivea post-shave lotion. My skin still gets really messed up by the end of the week. I've been hoping for an alternative for so long, but kind of gave up.

I am ordering this stuff the second I get home from work. I'm tired of paying for expensive cartridge replacements and still getting bumps and irritated skin. Thanks OP.

 

[entremet]

I get tons of ingrown hairs with the Gillete stuff, so I switched to electric, but I miss the super close shave of Gilette razors.

Would wet shaving help me?

 

[sefskillz]

What safety razor did you use and which blade?

the merkur 178 and the merkur blade that came with it. i bought a sampler pack of blades too so i can test out a couple different ones

 

[J-Roderton]

I went with a rather cheap razor to start with. It's the Lord. It came in yesterday and I'm definitely digging it. Cut my neck up a little, though. I just gotta get used to it, I suppose. I guess I'll be upgrading down the road but it should be fine for now.

 

[Giard]

I get tons of ingrown hairs with the Gillete stuff, so I switched to electric, but I miss the super close shave of Gilette razors.

Would wet shaving help me?

I believe so. Check the OP for some information!

I kinda regret my purchase of Feather blades. They do shave well, but I get a ton of nicks and cuts, and that didn't happen with the blades I used before. I should've bought a smaller quantity.

 

[zero_suit]

I believe so. Check the OP for some information!

I kinda regret my purchase of Feather blades. They do shave well, but I get a ton of nicks and cuts, and that didn't happen with the blades I used before. I should've bought a smaller quantity.

They're pretty much the sharpest blades you can get.

 

[Giard]

They're pretty much the sharpest blades you can get.

Yeah, and they're great for my coarse beard, but they're bad for my fragile, sensitive skin. I've heard that the Personna Meds/Labs are almost as sharp as the Feathers, but are much smoother. Maybe the razor I have and the Feathers just don't make a good combination, who knows...lots of factors involved.

 

[clav]

Yeah, and they're great for my coarse beard, but they're bad for my fragile, sensitive skin. I've heard that the Personna Meds/Labs are almost as sharp as the Feathers, but are much smoother. Maybe the razor I have and the Feathers just don't make a good combination, who knows...lots of factors involved.

Have you tried Astra SP blades?

 

[ShaneB]

My thoughts as well on the Feather blades I bought for starting out. Think they're a little too aggressive for my skin, and I realize the proraso soap wasn't the best choice for me either, really dries out my skin and I'll be looking at other options in the future. it's all good though, could to learn varying products.

edit: Also, I realize I need to shave everyday actually, or my hairs get pretty unwieldy. That was contributing to it being so difficult before.

As for the soap vs cream question below, I would love to know this too really. I guess I understand it on a basic level, one is a soap, and one is a cream, lol, but I'm sure there's some other explanation.

 

[XenoRaven]

What's the difference between a shaving cream and shaving soap? Which do most people here prefer?

 

[Chittagong]

What's the difference between a shaving cream and shaving soap? Which do most people here prefer?

Wondering the same thing. Specifically, would I still need a bowl to go with Truefitt & Hill cream?

 

[Giard]

Have you tried Astra SP blades?

Yep, I liked them enough.

What's the difference between a shaving cream and shaving soap? Which do most people here prefer?

Here's a post on Badger & Blade on the subject:

[...] it is pretty much a YMMV (your mileage may vary) sort of thing. Some greatly prefer creams and for others, it is soaps. I prefer soaps, but I still occasionally enjoy using a cream.

For me, one of the biggest factors for soaps is that they seem so much more traditional. But I also do prefer the way they shave. To me, they are slipperier, but some cream advocates say it is the other way around (i.e., YMMV).

Also, there are at least two major types of soaps. Glycerin soaps are cheaper by the cake, but they don't last as long. Glycerin soaps have more vivid scents. Their shaving quality can be very good. I would recommend Mama Bear's or QED.

The hard triple milled soaps are quite expensive to buy, but they last a very long time. Their scents are usually much more subdued, but still very pleasant. To me, the triple milled soaps are the slipperiest of all. Also, my favorite triple milled soaps, such as Mitchell's Wool Fat and Trumper's, leave my skin feeling very conditioned, like I had already used a smooth lotion (but, I hadn't).

Hope this helps.
Tim

Haven't tried a cream myself. I don't think you need to lather them at all.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

What's the difference between a shaving cream and shaving soap? Which do most people here prefer?

When you're speaking of traditional wet shaving, a cream wouldn't be referring to a can of shaving cream. Rather, a cream typically comes in a tube, though it may come in a bowl. If it's in a tube, it is squeezed out like tooth paste. If it's in a bowl, it needs to have a dollop scooped out. You wouldn't just put a wet brush in it like a soap.

A soap is just that. It's like a bar of soap, except it's usually in a bowl or in the shape of a puck. Giard's post from B&B supplies all the additional details about a soap.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Buying expensive shaving equipment is the epitome of just making a simple thing complicated in order to obtain illusory cool points (i.e. "hipster cred").

Sorry.

Pretty much any razor you can buy anywhere can give you a fully acceptable shave.

 

[Giard]

Buying expensive shaving equipment is the epitome of just making a simple thing complicated in order to obtain illusory cool points (i.e. "hipster cred").

Sorry.

...you do know it's less expensive than shaving with a cartridge razor, right?

 

[Angry Grimace]

...you do know it's less expensive than shaving with a cartridge razor, right?

Shaving isn't expensive no matter what way you do it. It's like 0.00000001% of my annual budget.

Convincing yourself you aree saving significant amounts of money by buying long term shaving solutions is a pretty silly concept unless you replace your razors far too often. It's just being nerdy about something that should occupy almost none of your brain space.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

...you do know it's less expensive than shaving with a cartridge razor, right?

No, otherwise I imagine he would have refrained from posting drivel. Enjoy your 8 Gillette Fusion Manual Cartridges for $45.67 26.66. What a bargain!

 

[Angry Grimace]

No, otherwise I imagine he would have refrained from posting drivel. Enjoy your 8 Gillette Fusion Manual Cartridges for $45.67 26.66. What a bargain!

Yes, I'm sure this is all a scheme to save money, as opposed to finding something to be snobby about that the rest of the internet hasn't found yet.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

Yes, I'm sure this is all a scheme to save money, as opposed to finding something to be snobby about that the rest of the internet hasn't found yet.

No, it's all a scheme to make a Grimace angry. You've made your misguided point. What else do you hope to accomplish?

 

[Giard]

Yes, I'm sure this is all a scheme to save money, as opposed to finding something to be snobby about that the rest of the internet hasn't found yet.

What do you say to all the people, some of them who have posted in this thread, who no longer suffer from razor burn, bumps and/or get closer shaves because of wet shaving?

 

[XenoRaven]

What do you say to all the people, some of them who have posted in this thread, who no longer suffer from razor burn, bumps and/or get closer shaves because of wet shaving?

Placebo effect. Clearly.

 

[ShaneB]

Over the past month, I've had the best shaves I've ever had in my life. This isn't some gimmick hipster stuff.

And I'm sorry, if any blade could give anyone an acceptable shave, there wouldn't be a billion different options for a billion different skin types.

Just seems ignorant to say something like that in this thread =/

 

[Broder Salsa]

Hey look, it's Angry Grimace being wrong and now being a bitch about it.

 

[jacket320]

Yes, I'm sure this is all a scheme to save money, as opposed to finding something to be snobby about that the rest of the internet hasn't found yet.

Not to sound snobby but you are incorrect. Wet shaving has been making a comeback in the dark recesses of the niche internet for several years. I'm amazed GAF took this long to make an official thread, though other shaving threads have touched on the topic from time to time.

 

[devenger]

Over the past month, I've had the best shaves I've ever had in my life. This isn't some gimmick hipster stuff.

This. I will never go back.

 

[Tess3ract]

Am I the only one here who likes personna blades?
Derby fucking cuts my face up and are dull as fuck

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Yes, I'm sure this is all a scheme to save money, as opposed to finding something to be snobby about that the rest of the internet hasn't found yet.

How about turning a boring chore into something to at least take a bit of interest in? Chin up bro, friendship is real & yr not alone.

I'm using Feather blades and i'm finding them to be nice, I got a pretty bad rash from my first shave with a beard, but that could have been bad technique, too many lathers and an aggressive blade.

Going to try the Merkur blade after this run with the Feather. Got a bunch of other blades like Gillettes and the like. Will make my way through them all in time.

 

[Jake.]

these are the blades i have accumulated after about a year of DE shaving. if anyone wants a 'review' or something, let me know.

 

[Lucius86]

All of them!

 

[Jake.]

basically, there are only a couple i haven't tried (lord, kai etc). i had some w. swords and merkur too but lost them (both are garbage anyway).

 

[Uchip]

I have some safety razors that are fairly cheap, last months, and just use them in the shower without needing foam or aftershave or anything

its so much easier

 

[Coins]

I keep wanting to pull the trigger, but I dunno.

I have literally perfect skin. I can count on one hand the number of zits I have gotten on my face through my life and Im 35 now. My job doesnt require I shave so I do it every Sunday and I just splash water on a disposable to just shape up my facial hair during the week.

Not sure this would be worth it to me. Looks fun, though.

 

[bhytre]

I'd stay away from Dorcos if you have a tough beard and sensitive skin or don't have time to thoroughly soften your beard. Should be decent enough if you don't have a dense beard though.

Mercur blades are pretty good imo
Timor ones are pretty similar to Merkurs the first few shaves imo but lose sharpness quickly

The only 3 brands I tried so far, but I ordered some Feathers online to test them out since I can't be arsed to finish the remaining Dorco blades I got.