Shaving! I ditched the $$$$$ Cartridges!

[pz93c]

Awwwww, dang.

[Skullring]

I just received my Edwin Jagger DE89 today. I am in love. I am using Mercur blades right now but I have a wide variety I will be testing out. Thanks to everyone for their input on wet shaving.

[Sose]

Originally Posted by mfer

btw, i started this thread and now that I have a 6 month old, I went back to the $$$ quick and easy cartridges! :-(

Have you no shame?!

[beowulf566]

My first straight razor shave was al with the grain as I stated in another thread I dont think the Razor is sharp enough and I'm sure my technique has something to do with it, but I ended up with a pretty irritated neck, face is fine. So I ordered a wetstone going to sharpen and try again. Once I get the razor honed in I am going to try to do a pass with the grain and one across for now maybe if I get really good I will try against.

[Timber Loftis]

I went electric after this past Xmas. I keep the Fusion around for touch ups, or to get rid of 4-5 day's growth after a long weekend. But, generally, I've been happy to say good riddance to the gels and the hassle. No water, no goo, just a great dry shave and some lotion.

[Dripp]

Originally Posted by Skullring

I just received my Edwin Jagger DE89 today. I am in love. I am using Mercur blades right now but I have a wide variety I will be testing out. Thanks to everyone for their input on wet shaving.

I've been wetshaving for nearly 7 years now and will never go back to carts. I've amassed plenty of blades, creams, brushes and razors to have a virtually never ending combination of enjoyment.

And yes, I love shaving

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm beginning my 11th month using the same Gillette Fusion head and I'm still getting good enough shaves.

The goal is one year.

The last head I used lasted 10 months, but sadly, I dropped the shaver in the sink and broke off the head, so I started over.

That's value.

[bobdog377]

Nice to see this thread re-appear,since my last post on here I have bought some Castle Forbes limes shaving creme and without doubt it is the best shaving product I have ever bought.Seems very expensive but you only need a tiny amount to make a really rich lather that the blade just glides across,that and it smells great too,there shaving balm is also highly recommended.

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I'm beginning my 11th month using the same Gillette Fusion head and I'm still getting good enough shaves.

That's got to be some kind of record Grady. Perhaps Gillette would like to hear about it.

How often do you shave?

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't always shave every day, but I do most days.

In this thread I explain the ritual I use to get the most out of my blades. It really boils down to shaving after I get out of the shower when my beard is the softest and my face is clean.

I use a gel and rub it in well so as to get the maximum exposure to every whisker.

I use a Fusion Power shaver. The vibrating head is a huge plus.

Actually, Gillette would not like to hear of my success. They put that silly lubricating strip on each shaving head and recommend changing heads when the strip turns white for a reason.

They don't want customers to know that that strip means nothing.

It should be noted that I'm blond and don't have a real heavy beard, so I wouldn't expect that everyone would achieve my success. I am only suggesting that most men can get a lot more out of their blades than they do by following a few simple procedures.

I find it curious that some here denigrate the shaving cartridge.

I consider the bonded blades, which I believe Wilkinson introduced around 1969-70, as being the biggest leap in shaving technology in the history of man.

It is an extreme rarity for me to nick myself using shaving cartridges.

The only problem I've had with nicking myself was some 15-20 years ago when I was reduced to using Bic disposable razors, which I consider to be a step down from using flint.

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I don't always shave every day, but I do most days.

In this thread I explain the ritual I use to get the most out of my blades. It really boils down to shaving after I get out of the shower when my beard is the softest and my face is clean.

I use a gel and rub it in well so as to get the maximum exposure to every whisker.

I use a Fusion Power shaver. The vibrating head is a huge plus.

Actually, Gillette would not like to hear of my success. They put that silly lubricating strip on each shaving head and recommend changing heads when the strip turns white for a reason.

They don't want customers to know that that strip means nothing.

I actually have basically the same routine.

I shave (every day) when I get out of the shower...

I use a gel shave cream and rub it in very well and use the Fusion shaver with the vibrating head (the battery lasts forever!!)...

The only difference is that I don't use the Witch Hazel or shake the can of gel.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by StevArn

The only difference is that I don't use the Witch Hazel or shake the can of gel.

Actually, I don't always shake the can, either, but you should give Witch Hazel a try. It's cheap and it does exactly what an aftershave should do without the other ingredients.

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Actually, I don't always shake the can, either, but you should give Witch Hazel a try. It's cheap and it does exactly what an aftershave should do without the other ingredients.

Thanks Grady, I'll pick up a bottle of it.

[paddy_crow]

Originally Posted by Captainz

My beard is too thick not to use electric!!! Can u believe that? I have been a Braun user all my life, so I a few months ago I bought a Norelco Arctic.

After 5 months, I can tell u the Arctic felt light and shaved OK. My beard took a couple weeks to get used to the rotary shaver. The battery situation was not good. I felt the Norelco battery was very fragile. Nice Shaver, just did not feel solid or perform at a "10" level.

Two days ago, I purchased a Braun 5 series!!!!!! WOW this shaver feels Very solid and my first shave was really nice and close. I have a feeling I am going to really like this Braun <---------From the get-go, it has given me a very close shave.

I owned Braun for the longest time. Then I had about three in a row that fell apart after just a few years (and I usually bought their top of the line). Last Braun was one of those gimmicky ones with the cleaning cartridges you have to replace for about $14 a pop. When it, too, fell apart after a couple years, I decided it was time to try a different brand. I went with a Panasonic Nanotech Wet/Dry shaver at about half the cost of my last Braun. It's held up and provides an excellent shave, and it cleans up with a quick pass under the faucet.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Sose

Have you no shame?!

Nope, but I have a pretty cute 1 year old (who is the reason I don't properly shave anymore....aka no time)

[psv]

OK, my giant stach of Gilette razor blades are finally worn out, just ordered a DE razor, shaving soap and brush on Amazon.com. Looking forward to trying it out.

[Sose]

Originally Posted by psv

OK, my giant stach of Gilette razor blades are finally worn out, just ordered a DE razor, shaving soap and brush on Amazon.com. Looking forward to trying it out.

Patrick, buddy! You won't be disappointed.
I'm currently overseas and I despise the fact that I brought my Mach 3 out of retirement for ease of use.

Big mistake. I'm hating every minute of it.

[dysondiver]

wow ,,, propper razor , and a styptic pencil , when i used to work for hmq and co , i shaved three times a day ,,, now im a freelancer , beard most of the time.

[Sose]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

wow ,,, propper razor , and a styptic pencil , when i used to work for hmq and co , i shaved three times a day ,,, now im a freelancer , beard most of the time.

Who is HMQ and... three times a day?!?!
Wow.

[Sose]

One more thing!
mantic59 has a new blog and in it he put up that he had purchased a Stauer watch. Here's the article and in the comment section you'll find a comment from me. :)

http://sharpologist.com/2012/01/para...nic-watch.html

[Ed Rooney]

I came home yesterday to discover that the cleaning lady had thrown away my 12+ year old Gillette Sensor XL razor. I had to dig the bag out of the garbage and rescue it. It's the only razor with cartridges under $2 each anymore.

I shave in the shower with soap, so I get about 2 weeks on a razor.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Sose

Who is HMQ and... three times a day?!?!
Wow.

Her Majesty the Queen.

[wantonebad]

I use an electric during the week and I shave with a Mach3 on the weekends. Both methods are fast. If I had to spend the time to latherup a cup and then my face and then drag a single blad across it I'd shoot myself. I go through a Mach3 blade every two months and it takes me 3 minutes to shave, electric, 2.5 minutes. Those brushes make me want to sing acapella and since I can't cary a tune... I'll pass

[nolawis]

Been doing it for years. I recommend Proraso shave cream for starters. I use a Gillette Fat Boy that belonged to my father. I use Derby blades. Feather blades slice me to ribbons.

My routine is pretty basic. I have one of those contraptions that boils water or soup or whatever under my counter. They are available just about anywhere. When I'm ready to shave I fill it halfway with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Takes about 2 minutes. When its boiling I fill my shaving mug with the water. My brush is inside the mug. After about a minute, I take out the brush and dump the water. The mug is nice and hot. I flick enough hot water off the brush to just cover the bottom of the mug then shake the brush dry. I put a dab of Proraso on the brush head (about the size of a dime or a tad smaller) and make the lather in the cup. In about a minute I have a mug full of hot lather. Then I dab it on my face and shave. First time with the grain. Second time against. My only face prep is a hot towel. When I'm finished shaving, if I have any small nicks, I rub my face with an alum bar. If not, I splash on witch hazel after shave or taylor's bay rum and I'm done. Much shorter than it sounds. Very close shave and a fraction of the price of drugstore 4 blade and 5 blade jobs.

[joeychitwood]

I've been shaving with a Feather stainless steel DE razor (not terribly aggressive) and Derby blades for a year and a half now. At 17 cents a blade, I can change blades every second or third shave. I agree that the Feather blades are face-shredders!

[mfer]

Tread still alive. I still do it occasionally. Super close shave, but takes a while.

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by Sose

Who is HMQ and... three times a day?!?!
Wow.

her magisty [the queen] and company ,,,lol
one shave before first parade ,, once at lunch time , with a fresh pair of boots and a fresh shirt , once again befor inspecting the evening guard , if i was on duty, again fresh shirt and clean boots , ,, or a shower and shave before eating in the mess.
most days you could get away with only two shaves though.
wet was the only thing deemed as close enough to pass muster. now , ive a beard most of the time.

[dysondiver]

thanks dave ,,, thats the one.

[rustedmetal]

I finally bought myself Art of Shaving Sandalwood shaving soap. I didn't mind the cost, as I've been using .25 blades from a local grocery store. Wife loves the smell. The razor is actually a $5 find at an antique store; New Old Stock Gillette from the sixties.

[oneillba]

A few years ago I was going to go way back retro and get a cut throat razor and learn how to use it. Alas, I never bought the straight edge, but I do have fond memories of using a double edge many years ago.