new to double edge shaving- a few questions

[rfuerst911sc]

My wife purchased for me for Christmas a Merkur shaver per my suggestion. Been a multi blade man for many years I just thought it was time to try it. She also bought a badger hair brush, some Proraso shaving soap and some blades. I've used it twice so far, nice clean shave with no nicks or rash. So now the questions. How much of a lather do you make with the soap ? The first time I did it I thought it was too dry. Today I suds'd it up more and the shave was smoother. Second question if you shave every other day aprox. how long does a blade last ? And you don't flip the blades right ? Stick it in one way and use it until you change correct ? How long do you soak the brush in warm water before making the foam ? And finally how do you dispose of the blades ? Do you put them in tape or something ? Even though they are dull for shaving they are still sharp wouldn't want anyone hurt downstream. Still learning how to shave at the age of 55

[kach22i]

Safety Razor; They call it a "wet shaving system" for a reason, it seems to be the more water the better.

The Proraso I've been using is like a paste, comes in a green tub. I wet my beard, and rub in by hand a small amount of the soap, them wet the brush and with a small amount of Proraso in my palm, lather it up. Then apply to face, adding more water as needed as I proceed.

After shaving I need to rinse all of the soap off with water or else the soap will dry on my face. I sort of make a big mess at this point, looking for alternate methods myself.

I finish with a splash of witch hazel water.

I reuse the new razor paper for disposal of the old blade when switching blades.

A blade will last me almost two weeks, I don't flip them, never heard of doing that.

I like the Feather blades over Astra blades.

I don't soak my brush, it seems to get pretty wet running it through running water.

[Danimal16]

Man, if you think Porsche is an anal hobby, wet shaving can be even more so. BUT IT IS A LUXURY!

There are a number of great boards that you can tap into, one of the Biggest is Badger and Blade (if you haven't been there already):

Badger & Blade - B&B Homepage

Poraso is my go to stuff for a quick shave. Mitchell's Wool Fat is my favorite. Use water, it softens your beard. Also, Poraso makes my favorite pre-shave cream in both a small and large tub.

Blades??? Get an assortment and use some different brands, this will help you decide which ones are your favorite. I like the Persona Med Preps the best, sharp, but more importantly to me, smooth. Not cheap, but a great shave. I also have some older Gillette Russian Platinums as well. I like the Astras as well.

The best advice for beginners, is let the razor do the work (don't need any pressure) and work on the angle of the razor to your face.

Have fun.

DanB

[rfuerst911sc]

I think I've got the " touch " part down as I haven't cut/nicked myself yet. Yes the Proraso is a paste like soap in a green plastic jar. I'll check out the link appreciate that. So far I have only found one local drug store that sells double edge blades but no shaving soap. I'd prefer to find someone local to buy the goods rather than purchase online. Thanks for chiming in guys.

[masraum]

geez, or I can use a quattro and shave my face and head just about as fast as possible getting a close shave and never cutting myself.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I'd prefer to find someone local to buy the goods rather than purchase online. Thanks for chiming in guys.

Sometimes old fashion men's grooming products can be found at old fashion cigar stores.

Example:
Maison Edwards

Link to the older larger shaving thread:
What do you shave with???

[scottmandue]

RE: Making a big mess at the sink, I shave just before I shower (seems like if I don't shower after I always end up with some little bit of soap in my ear)

Aftershave... a million choices, I like bay rum but wife doesn't so I have gone with "Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm", feels great, smells good but with little very fragerance, inexpensive and easy to find at most supermarkets.

For soap I like these guys:

SRD 100% Pure Essential Oil Shaving Soaps 12 Wonderful Choices - $7.99 :

"Art of shaving" has good stuff too but a little pricey.

[sammyg2]

Real man shave with sharp rock, like zog! ugh.

[Nostril Cheese]

You see, Sammy.. Zunga zu lunga mi betta bu longa zug..

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by masraum

geez, or I can use a quattro and shave my face and head just about as fast as possible getting a close shave and never cutting myself.

You probably don't BBQ with charcoal do you ? To each their own it's all good.

[Seahawk]

Turn on shower.

Get in shower when hot.

Wash hair, find bath sponge, soap it, do your thing.

Then grab the shaving brush and apply soap.

Shave in shower with a Gillette four bladed something, no mirror needed.

Rinse.

Get out of shower.

Grab second Gillette four bladed something near the sink and mirror and finish the smoothest shave you'll ever have, the grey stubble jumping onto the razor.

Trust me boys, a shower shave rules.

TMI, I know, but isn't this thread

[Bill Douglas]

Me too. I shave in the shower. Really it's a 60 second thing and all the mess goes down the plug hole. No mirror and a single bladed bic. Great shave.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

You probably don't BBQ with charcoal do you ? To each their own it's all good.

Nope, I grill with gas. I grew up with charcoal, but dad and grandpa both switched to gas and I've always been gas. I dont BBQ (here in Texas, that means smoking, not grilling), but I knew what you meant.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Turn on shower.

Get in shower when hot.

Wash hair, find bath sponge, soap it, do your thing.

Then grab the shaving brush and apply soap.

Shave in shower with a Gillette four bladed something, no mirror needed.

Rinse.

Get out of shower.

Grab second Gillette four bladed something near the sink and mirror and finish the smoothest shave you'll ever have, the grey stubble jumping onto the razor.

Trust me boys, a shower shave rules.

TMI, I know, but isn't this thread

Yep, that's my process, but you could have left the bold reference out.

[dyount]

[dyount]

I like Bigelow myself. Quit using the bar/brush thing years ago

[thencamebronson]

I like the Merkur blades after ordering an assortment on Amazon. Your blades should have come in a plastic box with a slit on the back, this is where the used blades go. I change blades once a week and for soap I use Nivea Active 3 which is supposed to be shower, shampoo, and shave in one. Put some on the wet brush and lather up. wetter is better.

I think I read this on Badger and Blade but as far as "pressure", think of it as beard reduction instead of beard removal, more strokes over the same area.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by thencamebronson

I like the Merkur blades after ordering an assortment on Amazon. Your blades should have come in a plastic box with a slit on the back, this is where the used blades go. I change blades once a week and for soap I use Nivea Active 3 which is supposed to be shower, shampoo, and shave in one. Put some on the wet brush and lather up. wetter is better.

I think I read this on Badger and Blade but as far as "pressure", think of it as beard reduction instead of beard removal, more strokes over the same area.

That Nivea stuff works well.

cool user name..

[LWJ]

Hey I just made the switch this year. I soak the brush while I shower. I get my beard hot and wet in the shower and don't dry it. Blades last me around a week with daily shaving. I went from paste shave cream to a bar. Just moved to some sort of sandelwood english stuff that is the bomb. The old blades go in the back of the little plastic case! I use Wilkenson Swords. The are cheap and fairly good. PM me and I will mail you some. I agree that you need to try lots of blades to figure what works best.

Good luck,
Larry

[aigel]

Haha - another shaving thread.

Buzz the beard weekly on short and clean up the neck with whatever is on sale at Costco plus some Edge cream.

I may have to start shaving clean again - it has been years.

G

[rfuerst911sc]

Learn something new every day Did not realize the old blades went in the back of the plastic case thanks for that tip.