new to double edge shaving- a few questions

[ledhedsymbols]

I use Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving creams, a boar brush that's good and broken in, a Merkur 38c razor and red Israeli made Personna blades.


This stuff is the business!



I soak the brush while I shower, then I shake out the excess and lather on my face. I shave three times, twice with the grain and once across the grain. Going against shreds my face. I use a splash of witch hazel and any of several different after shaves.

[matt711]

I am a fan of the Astra blades which come wrapped in paper. I order all my supplies from Bullgoose.com. They sell a little metal box that you put used blades in. I think the box is around 2 bucks and it will hold over 100 used blades.

I shave after I shower, seems like the hot water helps to soften my beard. I let the brush soak while I shower. For the Proraso soap I make the lather in the tub with a wet brush. For the Bigelow stuff that comes in a tube I use an old coffee mug to make the lather.

I do 1 pass with the grain and a second pass across the grain. If I want to get super close I do a 3rd pass against the grain. If you want an even closer shave pick up an open comb razor. I rarely use mine because you can cut the hell out of yourself with it but it will deliver the closest shave short of a straight razor. I have only done the straight razor shave a couple of times. I don't have a strop to maintain the edge nor do I have any wet stones....yet.

The whole wet shaving thing can become adictive. There are so many different products out there. You can spend big bucks...

[ledhedsymbols]

I started to get a bunch of stuff, and I looked at the pile of potions and lotions collecting on my counter. I decided that I was getting a superior shave, but didn't want to spend more money on it. The only thing I forgot to mention was that I bought a bottle of liquid glycerine for about 5 bucks at the drug store. A few drops on my brush before I make lather helps it just a bit smoother with more cushion. Bang for the buck I really like Taylor of Old Bond Street cream and the Nivea after shaves.

[dennis in se pa]

Using a double edge razor has lots of advantages. I use a Merkur and Merkur blades. I recently found a Shea Butter Creme that provides superior lubrication. I believe it has a bit of coconut oil in it. Never understood the fascination with a "good lather". Moisture and lubrication are what's important. I shave with, against and across the grain. I got tired of paying $3 for a plastic razor that you throw away that had no weight to it. The long handled Merkur just feels right in my hand. And the way they are engineered it is almost impossible to get a nick if you close it tightly. As for blades - after you are shaving with a blade for awhile the cheaper blades are alright, but to start I recommend Merkur or Feather. Your face eventually gets used to the pull and it does not seem so bad with cheaper blades.

[matt711]

For me the Feather blades are a little too sharp. I settled on Astra which I now buy 100 at a time. I always recommend that new wet shavers order a sample pack of blades to try. Blades are cheap, try several brands and pick the ones you like best. On badger and blade people will rave about this blade or that blade but until you try one for yourself you just don't know. I can't use the Merkur blades but others seem to like them.

Pre-shave oil is part of my routine now as I have a heavy beard. Wool fat soap works great for me as well.

[Aggie93]

I started a few years ago. I use a Merkur razor with Feather blades. I usually get about 4-5 good shaves and realize I need to change it after the fact. I don't flip the blade. I use Mitchell's Wool Fat shaving soap. One puck lasts a year. I found small plastic containers at the dollar store to store the soap in, works great. I wrap the old blade in the wax paper from the new blade then insert it in the old plastic container. When full, wrap it in packaging tape and throw away.

My routine:
Throw brush in sink, turn on hot water. Splash water on face as the sink fill up. Lather brush (brush only soaked for 30 seconds or so), slash water on face one more time. Face lather (if not "wet enough" just add a few drops and try again). Shave with grain. Splash water on face, lather, shave across the grain. About once a week, I'll do a third pass against the grain, but i get ingrown hairs too often. Rinse face with cold water followed by some witch hazel.