The Manly Shaving Thread

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cu3ed, that's a nice looking wooden bowl there, was it part of a pack or an individual purchase?

Rasta, keep with it - It still sounds as though you may not have enough product but I have another suggestion.

While your brush is soaking, make sure you get your face nice and wet as good preparation is essential. The more water you can get in your beard, the better.

Then when loading your brush, load it for double the time you're currently doing and instead of building the lather in a bowl, try doing it directly on your face. Start slowly, transferring the soap buildup on the brush to being all over your face and then go for it, giving it a good massage in to create the actual lather. If it's a bit dry then just try dipping the brush tips in water to add a bit to the mix.

I find face lathering much more relaxing and it cuts out a step of building the lather in a bowl and then transferring it over to your face. I also get a much better lather when I'm building it directly on my face.

It also sounds to me as though you're using a little bit of pressure. I did that on the third DE shave I had and I cut myself to ribbons. You really do use absolutely no pressure whatsoever. Balance the razor in your hand and find the centre point so it doesn't tip either way and that's the place you should be holding it while shaving. Let the head of the razor do the work and don't push at all. This isn't one of the tips that's given to new shavers just so they don't go overboard on pressure, you really will never need to use any pressure on the razor at all.

Curio, get the selection!

RomanNose, nope, you're not unusual in getting on with the Derby blades. Many people like them. However, many more people don't like them, it's down to individual preference and if you're happy with them then carry on using them!
 
Thanks for the advice, Feek. I'll give it another bash on Sunday evening. I don't think my face could take another hammering tomorrow! I really do think that the lathering is the issue for me as I'm still getting it somewhat runny (albeit less so with more product, perhaps I just need that little bit more!). I'll try your suggestions.

As for cu3ed's bowl, I'm sure I also saw that on Connaught Shaving when I was placing my order (though I did not purchase as at the moment I only have soft soap in a plastic bowl). See here: http://connaughtshaving.com/woodenbowls.html

EDIT: Just remembered - I also got some Body Shop shaving soap for Christmas (on top of the other gear, far too much really!!) so another option is to give that a go and see if I do better with that than the Proraso. It is also a soft soap. However, maybe I am best to sticking to the same soap to avoid changing too many variables at once!
 
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cu3ed, that's a nice looking wooden bowl there, was it part of a pack or an individual purchase?



Separate purchase as above, very handy.

Had my first shave.
As has just been talked about, deffo preparation is the key, you need to treat this as a ritual, I was cautious with how much I loaded the brush with, then realised you just go like mad and load it up real good and go mad in the bowl. I found not just making circles but back and forth and side to side helps it lather up, but I think I still need more time getting a GOOD lather, I got an alright one for a first time, but not a really overly foaming one, so I made sure to paint my face up with with it.

Also, clearly you shave ONCE where the soap lands, old habit, shaving over the same spot with none on. And don't be afraid to lather up and go again.

Overall very good shave for a first outing ( I used the Derby blade), face is buttery smooth, nechline will take more experience, I have a change of direction on my under jaw/ neckline im going to have to figure out.

Also, getting used to "flipping" the blade from side to side I kept dipping it with one side used forgetting just to turn it.

Also it just take time and confidence to build, especially getting used to the handle/ blade and getting rid of old cartridge based habits.

Ohh that Adum stuff......did the sucking air though my teeth thing but it worked really really well, no lasting nicks or anything like that.

One thing I did notice is my skin dried up pretty fast, so im either a noob taking to long to make my pass, or just have to learn to slap more water between passes.

Putting it this way, I cant go back to cartridge based shaves now, not if this is my first shave and I can only presume to get better at it with time.

Seeing a lot of redness about the neckline area rising up with stinging sensation over, almost looks like a shaving rash.
 
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Okay, got a bit better but a couple of things.

I am having trouble getting the kind of thick lathering from my soap.

And the neck area is a problem, I know my hair grows in two different directions, but its just not possible to hit the beard at the angle its growing at on my neck.

Any tips?

Also how many shaves per blade?...I just used a Derby one so far...what a next good one to try?
 
I'm looking to give this a try to tame my fast growing bristles but which online shops does everyone use? Skimming through this thread I found connaughtshaving.com and shaving-shack.com

I was going to buy an Edwin Jagger DE89 but Shaving Shack are out of stock and said it will be a week or two before they get them again. I'd rather get everything from the same place and support one of these specialised shaving retailers.
 
I'm looking to give this a try to tame my fast growing bristles but which online shops does everyone use? Skimming through this thread I found connaughtshaving.com and shaving-shack.com

I was going to buy an Edwin Jagger DE89 but Shaving Shack are out of stock and said it will be a week or two before they get them again. I'd rather get everything from the same place and support one of these specialised shaving retailers.

Try either amazon or traditional shaving as they both stock everything you'll need. Connaught shaving are the best for the blade sample packs though.
 
Got my TOBS sandalwood cream recently and I have to say I like it much more than my Proraso sensitive soap. The TOBS balm is fantastic too .


Okay, got a bit better but a couple of things.

I am having trouble getting the kind of thick lathering from my soap.

And the neck area is a problem, I know my hair grows in two different directions, but its just not possible to hit the beard at the angle its growing at on my neck.

Any tips?

Also how many shaves per blade?...I just used a Derby one so far...what a next good one to try?

The Proraso SOAP as opposed to CREAM is harder to get a thick lather with. You need to really load a lot of product into the bowl and work it up good.

I don;t understand how you can't get at the neck area you speak of? Just pull the skin, or angle the razor accordingly.

Use the blades for 2 maybe 3 shaves (or as soon as it feels dull bin it). Just do like i did, once you try a blade from one brand, open a different brand up and try that to compare. Work your way through them all and figure which suits you best.
 
just received an order of 100 derby blades for less than a tenner. bargain :)

im using them with the men u shaving cream concentrate. its rather good stuff. i suggest giving it a try!
 
Neat thread! Just realised I need to get rid of this Mach Gillette rubbish really, going into this as a starter. Which merkur shall I purchase, the 34C or 38C? Or is the Edwin Jagger for £22 on Amazon ok? Also, other than blades (any suggestions?) what do I need, best foam to use - Can I still used a canned foam...?

Thanks
 
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Neat thread! Just realised I need to get rid of this Mach Gillette rubbish really, going into this as a starter. Which merkur shall I purchase, the 34C or 38C? Also, other than blades (any suggestions?) what do I need, best foam to use - Can I still used a canned foam...?

Thanks

forgive me for requoting quotes :)

ManLoveRulesOK said:
Quick copy and paste from the last page of what I got

Heres what I got as a birthday present, all products that were recommended here.

Razor - Edwin Jagger DE89

http://www.shaving-shack.com/edwin-j...de-blades.html

Brush

http://www.shaving-shack.com/progres...ing-brush.html

Shaving Creme

http://www.shaving-shack.com/taylor-...mond-150g.html

Whichever free gift from shaving shack you fancy, blades are a good idea.

Then the Sample pack from Connaught shaving Captain Planet has linked.

Blades and cremes are much a muchness it's mostly down to personal preference.

On to blades after my second shave with the Feathers I find they seem to dull very quickly, felt like it was tugging and I got a very small patch of minor irritation. So I'm going to try the Astra Superior Platinum in the morning and see what they are like.

Captain Planet said:
This has been answered loads of times throughout the thread but I appreciate it's difficult trawling through all these posts as there are so many now. Maybe the OP should change their post and answer these regular questions :)

I'll help though, by recommending some of the more popular products in this thread:

First brush? - keep it cheap to start.

Proraso is a no-brainer
Or TOBS.

Merkur 34C or the
Edwin Jagger are both beginner favs in here.
You will also want a trial pack of razors to see which you prefer.
I'd also get a drip stand for your brush and/or razor.


HTH
 
Just gone ahead and bought Edwin Jagger DE89 from Amazon for £22 which comes with 5 derby blades, I guess i'll be fine with them as a start I assume, as others seem to be getting on with them fine, if so I'll just stick with them, and possibly try the Mach 7's as have heard good things about them, shaving foam/cream wise I'm just not sure, can I use anything canned as a start?
 
Just ordered a Muhle R89 for £25.99 from Amazon, hopefully it will be a good pairing with the Gillette 7 0'clock Sharp edge blades I ordered with it
 
The Proraso SOAP as opposed to CREAM is harder to get a thick lather with. You need to really load a lot of product into the bowl and work it up good.

I don;t understand how you can't get at the neck area you speak of? Just pull the skin, or angle the razor accordingly.

Use the blades for 2 maybe 3 shaves (or as soon as it feels dull bin it). Just do like i did, once you try a blade from one brand, open a different brand up and try that to compare. Work your way through them all and figure which suits you best.

Cheers for that, ill really overload the brush next time and not be shy about it, it was the last way of trying it, as I tried less with a dab more water last time, so ill go to the other extreme.

Maybe its just a question of time and going through all the blade, ill start doing that and try a new one from the packet each shave.

Also, just decided, I get a drying tightness on the skin after, so going to order the Proraso Ultra-Sensitive Shaving Cream Jar, and Proraso Pre and Post Shave Cream for Ultra Sensitive Skin, as I do have light fair skin, but theirs no way to know how much of a difference it could make without trying them out.

Might order a better brush and see if that helps.....not sure what a decent one is..theirs hundreds to choose from!

Damn, was wanting to order from Shaving shack..but by god they have nothing in stock.
 
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Just gone ahead and bought Edwin Jagger DE89 from Amazon for £22 which comes with 5 derby blades, I guess i'll be fine with them as a start I assume, as others seem to be getting on with them fine, if so I'll just stick with them, and possibly try the Mach 7's as have heard good things about them, shaving foam/cream wise I'm just not sure, can I use anything canned as a start?

Would really recommend getting the random pack here....

As im discovering it really about whittling it down to your perfect match.
 
looking to try some different blades again and i have sensitive skin.

tryed ascos tryed feathers........tryed normal wilkinson ones..........

Anything else? pref some thing off the bay............

Oh and i also use taylors shaving cream
 
In terms of foam/soap can I use something canned as a starter point, like I am used to e.g. with the Gillette canned foam?

You can, the thing is that most of the benefit comes with the prep (IMHO), the brush helps lift hairs & soften them ready for the shave, you get a better shave with better prep & a brush certainly helps that.

Been DE shaving for about a year now, still love it although I have been drawn over to the straight razor side recently, those things really do give a real shave.
 
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