I know this topic has been a well discussed one before, though I think it was quite a while ago.

I am looking at my box of old razor handles and I am thinking that it is time to chuck them out and just simplify my shaving cabinet.

I hate those gigantic razors. More than three blades just looks silly (I am shallow that way) and they seem very very expensive (I am mean too).

I have been using 3 blade disposables and I have just used my last Gillette G2 that was in my holiday bag.


Now, here is the question. What is easily available (so I can get blades most places), stylish, and not too expensive to run.

Your recommendations are valued.

CC

DE shaving. After initial outlay, costs per blade way cheaper than the cartridge system you use. £13-15 used to get me a single pack of four Gillette blade heads. Same gets me a year's worth of DE blades.

I had to google DE, but I was thinking along those lines. Double Edged (or safety razors) as I used to call them do have a certain style. I think that I will buy one.

I wonder if it matters which holder one uses? They vary in price so much but it is not obvious to me why that is the case.

CC

Just found this.

http://sharpologist.com/2013/07/what-is ... razor.html

Now I am on information overload.

Don't go too much into it. You can get sucked into different styles. I bought a Merkur 34C HD mainly because it's a short razor and I have short stubby hands. If you have larger hands, the version with a longer handle might be better. I would also get:

- razor sample pack - lots of different razor blades so you can find one that suits
- alum block and stypic pencil - for those nicks/cuts you're bound to get when you start out
- some kind of shaving soap/cream
- badger brush - to generate lather
- mixing cup - not necessary IMO
- post-shave balm - to soothe the skin and reduce/ease razor burn
- blade disposal

I don't recall anything off the top of my head that I've missed. First thing would be to watch mantic59's videos on youtube. I watched them over and over before I even bought anything. The main important ones will be technique and generating lather.

WRT razor - I've had the same one for four years and don't feel the need to change or try out anything different TBH. Blades are a different issue. I started off with a sample pack to help decide which blade was for me. The first one was a Derby blade as this was a relatively "safe" blade for beginners. I went through the others based on the aggressiveness ranking off a badger&blade forum. The most aggressive were Feather and Gillette 7 o'clock yellow/sharp edge. These are now my favourite. Go through each pack to learn the nuances. You can get good shaves from most of them. With some, I just didn't get on with. I reckon it took me six months of shaving 2-3x/week to master the technique sufficiently.

Shaving soap/cream. I started off with Geo F Trumper (GFT) shaving soap which came in a wooden bowl. In retrospect the lather was a bit on the thin/watery side. After I used it all up, I jumped to Taylors of Old Bond Street (TOBS) shaving cream which I found produced a richer, creamier lather. I now use Truefitt & Hill which is slightly better in terms of lather than TOBS.

Brush. This is down to personal choice. The more pricier the brush, the better the quality of bristles and hence the better the lather generated. I had issues with the idea of rubbing badger fur over my face so I went to a synthetic brush. I tried men-u but the brush was still stiff a year down the line. I switched to Bluebeard's Revenge on a whim and the bristles were softer and more flexible so better able to generate lather and apply it to my face. With synthetic brushes, it's difficult to face-lather so you generate the lather and then apply it (or "paint it") on to your face using the brush.

Mixing bowl. My best mixing bowl was a cappucino cup from Debenhams. Unfortunately, someone dropped it (and didn't own up) and I never got round to replacing it. I tried to use my old TOBS pot but it's too narrow. I now prefer to hand-lather. Just mix the brush on to the palm of your hand and then use the tips of the fingers on the same hands to add water. Suits me fine and I've been doing it for about a year. Mantic59 shows you how to do this, although I use fresh running water rather than plug up the sink.

After shaving and rinsing, I run the alum block over my face. When you first do this, it will burn! As your technique improves, it won't burn as much. I rarely if ever experience any burn. The stypic pencil also helps with any nicks.

Post shave balm. Something that's overlooked but IMO necessary. Others have quite liked Nivea for men range. I use Edwin Jaegger aftershave lotion. Cooling, soothing and moisturising. Everything I need in a postshave lotion.

I don't think I've bought anything in the last year other than new blades and shaving cream. The pots of cream last me about a year. The lotions last me about two years. My shaves are better and less irritating than anything I've used from the likes of Gillette.

CW's pretty much wrapped it up.
Taylor's creams are fantastic, Gft cream is slightly nicer but also twice the price.
Just remember not to apply any pressure with the razor (like you have to with the multi-blade POS razors) and let the weight of the razor do the work.

Shaving twice to remove the hair is better than pushing the blade on the skin & tearing your face to shreds

Taylor's smells lovely


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I guess that's that decided then.

Anyone got a link for Taylors?

Taylor shop


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Online shops - I tend to buy from:

http://traditionalshaving.co.uk/ - a bit more expensive but they often have stuff I want
http://www.shaving-shack.com/ - where I get my blades from and more of my equipment
http://connaughtshaving.com/ - again, often have products I want that others don't

Can't you speak to your barber about a regular shave before commencing your rounds in the morning?

The Eton & St James ones are quite citrusy. Avoid if you've got sensitive skin.

I have my fathers DE (one of the safety bar type) which i've been using for around 35 yrs.A good brush last for years(it's at least 30 yrs old) though mine will need replacing in the next 10 yrs
I gave up on shaving soaps & creams yrs ago.I just use what ever soap is in the soap dish,it does the job.
If you suffer with sensitive skin shaving soaps & balm are the way to go,I don't have that problem anymore.

yours wecrookie

I am liking the look of this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Merkur-20C-Safe ... merkur+20c



If you guys don't advise against I will treat myself.

CC

That's a fine razor