Online Safety Razor Retailer

[SaBBz]

I'm after a new double-edged safety razor and was wondering what websites people can recommend for buying this sort of thing. I think I've decided to get a Merkur Futur, unless anyone can persuade me otherwise, and also need some decent shaving soap/cream, a nice shaving brush and some good aftershave balm. If anyone could give me any advice/recommendations I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SaBBz]

Thanks for the quick reply Scuzi. I've heard that it's hard to get a shave close to the bottom of your nose due to how big the Futur is, would you say the 34 is better in this respect? It's quite a bit cheaper than the Futur so I'm seriously considering it

 

[SaBBz]

Yes, the 34 is much more manoeuverable in that area I find.

Don't expect a perfect shave on the first go, I sliced the face off myself . Once you get the hang of it you just won't go back, it really is far better than a Mach 3 shave. It is also much better for your skin if you use a badger hair brush and a decent shaving soap - my skin is much smoother now.

It'll save you a fortune too. £3.50 for 10 blades

I've been using a cheapo Boots double-edged razor for the last few months and find is a lot better than the Mach 3 I used to us! I figured that a Merkur would give me an even better shave, especially when combined with a good brush and some shaving soap rather than just using shaving gel as I am at the moment.

Leaning towards the 34 now due to your recommendation

Would you say that you need a shaving stand if using a badger hair brush? I've read that you need to let the brush hang down otherwise you can get mildew and mould between the hairs.

 

[SaBBz]

I recommend the following as a starter kit -

Merkur 34 safety razor - http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/merkur-34-razor.html#a45
10x Merkur safety razor blades - http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/safety-razor-blades.html#a51
Edwin Jagger medium English Shaving Brush - http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/English_Shaving_Brush_-_Medium_Best.html#a533
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood shaving soap in Wooden bowl - http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/sandalwood_shaving_soap_2.html#a113
Taylor of Old Bond St Essential Oil Pre-Shave Treatment - http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/taylors-pre-shave-oil.html#a101

You can get an aftershave as well if you don't have any. I like Taylor Victorian Limes

You may also want to try Proraso shaving soaps but I personally prefer Taylor.


A stand is essential. The brush I have recommended comes with a stand icluded.

That's brilliant, thanks a lot mate. I'll probably change the soap for the lavender variety but apart from that it looks just the job. I'll have a look at some decent aftershave balms too as I tend to get quite bad razor rash on my neck.

 

[SaBBz]

Just purchased everything, 78 quid including delivery. I'll let you know how I get on with the 34

 

[SaBBz]

just ordered the razor, soap and blades that you recomennded scuzzi,
Had to get the brushfrom another site, with a alum stick.
looking forward to it, arriving.
would i use my shaving oil underneith the soap lather?

need some nice but cheep aftershave balm

They ran out of the brushes quickly! It only came back in stock yesterday when I purchased mine and it's already out of stock again!

 

[SaBBz]

Got my Merkur 34 today and the other bits I ordered. Used them and it's the best shave I've ever had - so much better than the Boots safety razor I'd been using. No nicks or cuts at all! One question I have is what to do with the soap in the wooden bowl as it still has lather on the top of it, should I wipe this off or just put the lid back on? Think I'm going to have to give the badger brush a wash too as it smells like farmyard animals

Thanks.

 

[SaBBz]

DONT DO ANYTHING ARTIFICIAL TO THE BRUSH!

The natural oils in the hairs protect the brush and ensure it lasts. Washing the brush in anything other than shave soap and water will damage it. Don't worry, the smell will pass in time but till then just rinse it in hot water and shake off the excess before letting it drip drip in its stand.

A piece of paper came with the brush saying that you should wash it periodically with a dilute Borax solution.

 

[SaBBz]

Anyone tried the Derby blades on that site. £10 for 100 sounds good to me.

Anyone know if these are better than the Merkur blades? They seem awesome to me but then I've only used Boots ones before!

 

[SaBBz]

SABBz
when you ordered, did you get a email from interlink saying your package had been dispatched? if so how many days after that did it arrive?

I'm impatient so I got it sent by special delivery. It turned up 2 days later as I missed the royal mail pickup on the day I ordered.