Any Double or Single Edged Brush and Blade Shavers Here?

scottw · Sep 4, 2016

Started on 7/31 - so pissed at myself for shaving for the last 20+ years and NOT going with a single blade. This has truly made shaving fun again. I look forward to it now. So glad to be a part of this group!

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R3alJim Shady · Sep 4, 2016

scottw said:
Started on 7/31 - so pissed at myself for shaving for the last 20+ years and NOT going with a single blade. This has truly made shaving fun again. I look forward to it now. So glad to be a part of this group!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I felt the same way when I started. Congrats on making the switch! My favorite part of shaving now is that it makes me set aside time for myself. All I have to think about is technique and the process. Welcome!

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 4, 2016

joeyboy said:
Thanks, guess I was right on then. Could have been the blade. Been using the silver blues. I will continue on my quest.

I didn't get along with GSBs either. Or Astras lol

fartbubble · Sep 4, 2016

Have used a safety razor for the last decade (currently switch between a Merkur 41 or 39c).

One of these years I'll grow some balls and try to use a KAI straight razor. If the worst happens, at least I wouldn't feel it with some Woolfat

joeyboy · Sep 5, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
I didn't get along with GSBs either. Or Astras lol

I like them I just switched razors and started the new one with a polsilver SI. Today was day 4 and it's still smooth and sharp with no irritation other than the problem area I seem to have. I do have some astra sp I need to try but it looks like it will be a while.

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 5, 2016

joeyboy said:
I like them I just switched razors and started the new one with a polsilver SI. Today was day 4 and it's still smooth and sharp with no irritation other than the problem area I seem to have. I do have some astra sp I need to try but it looks like it will be a while.

I love the Polsilvers. I like the Voskhods too

joeyboy · Sep 5, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
I love the Polsilvers. I like the Voskhods too

I was also going to try those but I need to get through these first. I am tracking in a log.

R3alJim Shady · Sep 7, 2016

Did you guys see this? *drools*

joeyboy · Sep 7, 2016

I saw it and it looks too brutal for me.

R3alJim Shady · Sep 7, 2016

joeyboy said:
I saw it and it looks too brutal for me.

Good call. This is definitely not for beginners. How's that V3 treating you?

joeyboy · Sep 7, 2016

jmoney426 said:
Good call. This is definitely not for beginners. How's that V3 treating you?

I like it. Figured out how to use angles for more or less aggression depending where i am shaving and it works really well. On the same polsilver SI blade now, day 6. Still going strong.

R3alJim Shady · Sep 7, 2016

joeyboy said:
I like it. Figured out how to use angles for more or less aggression depending where i am shaving and it works really well. On the same polsilver SI blade now, day 6. Still going strong.

Glad to see you're enjoying it. I've tried to convert people but haven't had much luck. My brother loves the brush and soap, but he won't give up his damn Fusion. He likes it because it's "fast." That's not the point of wet shaving!

I also tried to convert a coworker even to point of giving him a starter kit. He's too afraid of cutting himself... I want my stuff back then haha!

joeyboy · Sep 7, 2016

My problem is I have become a little obsessed and can't go two days without shaving. I could go several days before with Mach 3 or dollar club but with DE I guess the hair grows back in at the same rate and bothers me. It MUST GO every day. I really look forward to shaving now.

The other problem is not buying stuff, which is easier said than done.

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 7, 2016

joeyboy said:
My problem is I have become a little obsessed and can't go two days without shaving. I could go several days before with Mach 3 or dollar club but with DE I guess the hair grows back in at the same rate and bothers me. It MUST GO every day. I really look forward to shaving now.

The other problem is not buying stuff, which is easier said than done.

Are you bowl lathering, or face lathering?

Zamazam · Sep 7, 2016

jmoney426 said:
Did you guys see this? *drools*

Yep. I have a Merkur slant. They are one of the most aggressive razors out there. They work well, but you have to have either a lot of whiskers to mow down, or a really thick wiry beard.

R3alJim Shady · Sep 7, 2016

Zamazam said:
Yep. I have a Merkur slant. They are one of the most aggressive razors out there. They work well, but you have to have either a lot of whiskers to mow down, or a really thick wiry beard.

I'd really like to justify buying one along with a new handle because... shiny. But I suspect I'll have a similar experience to the V3a head that I already own. Two or three days of growth get taken down to about 95% at one pass with that guy. LOVE that razor head.

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 7, 2016

I've been debating getting a scuttle. Idk if I really need it tho. I have an awesome freaking bowl that keeps the lather good & warm

Zamazam · Sep 8, 2016

Scuttles were made for the times when you had to go to the kitchen to get hot water, or to a shared hot water tap in coldwater flats. I have one, use it up at the cabin.

joeyboy · Sep 9, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
Are you bowl lathering, or face lathering?

I bowl lather.

joeyboy · Sep 9, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
I've been debating getting a scuttle. Idk if I really need it tho. I have an awesome freaking bowl that keeps the lather good & warm

I have looked at all sorts of stuff. My bowl is just a regular smooth bottom bowl. It works fine and I can do as many passes as I need.

joeyboy · Sep 9, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
Are you bowl lathering, or face lathering?

I was in a hurry two days back and put minimal cream on the brush and face lathered. That was the first time. Technically it wasn't enough product but I did a 30 second single pass with no issues. It was okay but I like the bowl better.

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 13, 2016

Anyone feel brave?
http://www.shapeways.com/product/559HVJ4NL/sharkbone-220-slant-bar-safety-razor?optionId=57924412

Tapatalk licks fucking rocks

joeyboy · Sep 14, 2016

Not today

joeyboy · Sep 14, 2016

I did use the razorock german 37 slant today. I put a derby blade in it. Needs a better blade, IMO. Interesting razor. Still working on angle. May try a derby again but in a different razor.

Zamazam · Sep 14, 2016

Use a feather in it and use a light touch when shaving, let that beast to the work.

joeyboy · Sep 14, 2016

Zamazam said:
Use a feather in it and use a light touch when shaving, let that beast to the work.

I was going to use a polsilver or silver blue. I do have some feathers but haven't touched them yet. Maybe persona red.

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 14, 2016

joeyboy said:
I was going to use a polsilver or silver blue. I do have some feathers but haven't touched them yet. Maybe persona red.

I'd use a blade I know I like, & know what to expect from.

Tapatalk licks fucking rocks

HvyMtl · Sep 14, 2016

Just saw this thread. Figures you'd be in here, Hank lol. Personally I use Personna blades.

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joeyboy · Sep 14, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
I'd use a blade I know I like, & know what to expect from.

Tapatalk licks fucking rocks

Then that is a GSB or polsilver as I know those. Next week after I use the blade in my other razor up.

bondo · Sep 15, 2016

I think I cut myself a lil....

joeyboy · Sep 16, 2016

I tried a persona red blade today in my normal razor. Acceptable shave, smooth but 3 of 5 on sharpness. It seems very similar to a derby blade to me.

HvyMtl · Sep 16, 2016

joeyboy said:
I tried a persona red blade today in my normal razor. Acceptable shave, smooth but 3 of 5 on sharpness. It seems very similar to a derby blade to me.

I use blues, never tried red.

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joeyboy · Sep 17, 2016

HvyMtl said:
I use blues, never tried red.

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I used it again today for day 2 for the same blade. I like it. I get no irritation. Still can tell the reduction in sharpness but I think they are a little better, for me, than derby blades. I will hit them again since I now have two 10 packs with 9 blades left. Not wasting them. Maybe my opinion will change.

Tomorrow I am using my German 37 slant with an astra sp for the first pass and cleaning up with my v3 head with a crystal blade. First time for a crystal.

R3alJim Shady · Sep 17, 2016

joeyboy said:
I used it again today for day 2 for the same blade. I like it. I get no irritation. Still can tell the reduction in sharpness but I think they are a little better, for me, than derby blades. I will hit them again since I now have two 10 packs with 9 blades left. Not wasting them. Maybe my opinion will change.

Tomorrow I am using my German 37 slant with an astra sp for the first pass and cleaning up with my v3 head with a crystal blade. First time for a crystal.

Now I've only been wet shaving for about a year and a half now so I could be very wrong about this, but I believe I read that when you're learning you should stick to one razor and one blade at a time so you can really nail down your technique. That way you can distinguish between razor/blade combos that won't work for you vs bad technique.

Certainly not knocking your technique! Just figured I'd pass that along.

Now a question for the pros:
When using a straight versus a safety razor do you fine gentleman lather your soap differently?
I lathered the same as when I use my DE and found that I wanted more slickness and needed to add more water to my lather.

joeyboy · Sep 18, 2016

jmoney426 said:
Now I've only been wet shaving for about a year and a half now so I could be very wrong about this, but I believe I read that when you're learning you should stick to one razor and one blade at a time so you can really nail down your technique. That way you can distinguish between razor/blade combos that won't work for you vs bad technique.

Certainly not knocking your technique! Just figured I'd pass that along.

Now a question for the pros:
When using a straight versus a safety razor do you fine gentleman lather your soap differently?
I lathered the same as when I use my DE and found that I wanted more slickness and needed to add more water to my lather.

I read that. My technique is fine. I don't want to put myself in a box.

joeyboy · Sep 18, 2016

@jmoney426
I am basically only using the V3 head and found two favorite blades. I also found a good blade I like that I can use and be quite happy with.

I am still trying others in my blade sampler. I don't feel I need to continue with polsilver or GSB because they are golden. The ones I am trying in the German 37 didn't work so well with v3 and the new ones in the V3 have not been tried yet.

I have a method to my madness, although it sounds like I don't.

R3alJim Shady · Sep 18, 2016

joeyboy said:
@jmoney426
I am basically only using the V3 head and found two favorite blades. I also found a good blade I like that I can use and be quite happy with.

I am still trying others in my blade sampler. I don't feel I need to continue with polsilver or GSB because they are golden. The ones I am trying in the German 37 didn't work so well with v3 and the new ones in the V3 have not been tried yet.

I have a method to my madness, although it sounds like I don't.

Whatever works for you, brother!

joeyboy · Sep 18, 2016

jmoney426 said:
Whatever works for you, brother!

It's an interesting ride.

Zamazam · Sep 18, 2016

jmoney426 said:
When using a straight versus a safety razor do you fine gentleman lather your soap differently?
I lathered the same as when I use my DE and found that I wanted more slickness and needed to add more water to my lather.

Nope, same lather up...

Hank F. Spankman · Sep 18, 2016

Zamazam said:
Nope, same lather up...

Hmm, I thought he said gentlemen...

lulz

R3alJim Shady · Oct 25, 2016

Been quiet in here... what's everyone been shaving with lately?

I've been using my modified Gold Dollar from Shave Emporium along with an Omega synthetic brush and Maggard Limes & Bergamot soap.

I'm really trying to get my technique down with the straight. Some days I have a great shave, sometimes not so much. A work in progress for sure!

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Moueix · Oct 26, 2016

jmoney426 said:
Been quiet in here... what's everyone been shaving with lately?
I've been using my modified Gold Dollar from Shave Emporium along with an Omega synthetic brush and Maggard Limes & Bergamot soap.
I'm really trying to get my technique down with the straight. Some days I have a great shave, sometimes not so much. A work in progress for sure!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have 3 straights in my rotation.

My first acquired is a 5/8 Dovo Pearlex from SRD. Sharpened by Lynn. I hate it. It cuts me every time I use it. I bought a microscope, and it APPEARS to have a small "tooth" missing from the edge. Pretty deep, very narrow. Way farther than honing can take out, and it's a full hollow, so I think next time I cut myself, it goes in the can.

My 2nd acquired is a 5/8 Boker Tree Brand in Inox. This was "factory ready" and I finished it on the good japanese wet stones, CrOx stropped it, and I LOVE it. I've had to dress it once with a 12K stone and CrOx it again, but it shaves amazingly. I love this razor. It hasn't cut me once, and produces the closest shave of the 3.

My 3rd acquired is a Dovo "Encina" 6/8 in carbon steel. I LOVE the heavier weight of this when shaving. And the jimps and thick tang suit my big hands well. This WOULD be my favorite, if it wasn't so much more difficult to flip while stropping. That thick tang is a nice advantage while shaving, but the downside is trying to flip it for a smooth action strop. This was also "factory ready" , so got the 8K and 12K somethingwara wet stone passes, CrOx, and regular stropping. It seems to hold its edge as long as the Inox does, which is not what I expected.

Moueix · Oct 26, 2016

Oh heck, soaps and creams and brushes.

I prefer creams. The two I use are Xpec and Penhaligon's. They are both amazing, but the nod goes to Xpec. The richness, lift, glide.. it is the best I have ever had. Penhaligon isn't far behind, but I don't like their dispensers, and their cream needs more work to lather than the Xpec. When I am in a hurry and don't have time to warm mugs and all, I use a the soap dish. Lea Classic is the soap I like best.

For brushes, I'm spoiled. Silver tip Badger only. I've had mixed results with the Merkur line. The Futur being garbage that loses hair faster than a high school quarterback, and the terrific Vision being a polar opposite. Great bloom, no hair loss.

I enjoy the higher quality Muhle Sophiste, but the heavy handle feels a bit much for the drag of the brush. I think the Vision is better balanced and easier to use.The knot quality is too close to call.

Hank F. Spankman · Oct 26, 2016

They have my favorite aftershave in a soap now. I'm dying to order a tub or 2.

UncleRJ · Oct 26, 2016

About 2 weeks ago, I stopped by the happiest place on earth (shaving wise) http://riversedgecutlery.com/shaving-brands.html and found this soap.

http://riversedgecutlery.com/bay-rum-lime-peppercorns.html

Comes in a HUGE 4.5 oz puck and for $6.99 one heck of a deal.IMHO.

While I really don't pick up on the Peppercorn, the Bay Rum and Lime scent comes in loud and clear.

For this, I like using my Plisson, Plissoft Synthetic brush.

I was really amazed that after blooming this soap that when I went to load the slightly damp brush, it started creating a lather during the loading process.

When I actually went to build the lather, a lot of lather was quickly produced and it was very silky and slick and delivered a very comfortable shave!

Did I mention that it has an AWESOME scent to it? :stars2:

joeyboy · Oct 26, 2016

Still using my Maggard V3 head. I did use a PAA Bakelite slant off and on but that is aggressive and I really can't use that every day.

Been using stirling soap pretty much daily and started face lathering. Face lathering seems to give me a better shave than bowl lathering.

I picked up a semogue 620 brush that hadn't arrived yet. I also bought some new soaps and creams to try. The ones I am most interested in are lavanille and Seville from barrister and mann.

I will be buying a cream sample pack from St James of London, mikes natural hungarian and and maybe some dr jon's soap.

As far as razors my Maggard V3 and RR German 37 slant work great.

fartbubble · Oct 26, 2016

Couldn't go back to bowl or palm lathering even if I was getting paid, just an uncomfortable shave for me. Outside of holding my woolfat, my salsa bowl has been pretty much been neglected the last year

UncleRJ · Oct 26, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
I've been debating getting a scuttle. Idk if I really need it tho. I have an awesome freaking bowl that keeps the lather good & warm

I have a hand hammered copper shaving mug that I use most mornings.

But on weekends when I have more time, I like to use this scuttle............

https://crownkingshaving.com/collections/scuttle

A hot menthol lather on your face is really a very interesting (and for me pleasurable) sensation :stars2:

Hank F. Spankman · Oct 26, 2016

UncleRJ said:
I have a hand hammered copper shaving mug that I use most mornings.

But on weekends when I have more time, I like to use this scuttle............

https://crownkingshaving.com/collections/scuttle

A hot menthol lather on your face is really a very interesting (and for me pleasurable) sensation

That's a sweet looking scuttle for a damn decent price

UncleRJ · Oct 26, 2016

Hank F. Spankman said:
That's a sweet looking scuttle for a damn decent price

It really is very nice and I like it a lot!

Perhaps you can put it on your Xmas list and start hinting to the family like NOW :idea:

Any Double or Single Edged Brush and Blade Shavers Here?

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