new to double edge shaving- a few questions
 

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 :D

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.

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

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.

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.

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:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/728271-what-do-you-shave.html

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.

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


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1388694748.jpg

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1388695330.jpg

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

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:D

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.

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

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

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..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1388719692.jpg

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

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

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

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!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1388748890.jpg


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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.