The Manly Shaving Thread

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A good setup to start with and that razor will probably outlive you!
-Proraso Shaving Cream Jar 150ml
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It's not cream, it's a soap. Proraso sell soap in a tub and cream in a tube. It's a soft soap but it's not a cream and that's worth bearing in mind.
 
I didn't really like the Bluebeard balm, it was the first post-shave product I bought and although it works OK, I couldn't get too excited by it.

These bits just arrived today:

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The scent of Avocado and Rose is average but I believe it gets a lot better once lathered. I really like the smell of the St. James already and if it's as good once it's wet then I'll be buying a full tub.
 
sarge78 said:
^ That's the best type of packaging, nice and simple! :)



You ended up with the Vulfix 660S? Nice! Best £ for £ brush by miles! It's dead easy to get a good lather with Proraso, just follow everyone's advice above. Actually, I'll use it tonight and take some pics! :p


Here we go... a nice simple method for quick and easy lather.

1. Run brush under a tap (hot or cold) and flick off the excess water, one flick will do.

2. Swirl the brush in the Proraso pot for 10 seconds, not too hard and chuck in a few paint stokes for good measure. Make sure all the tips are loaded, if it gets too dry add a few drops of water. It'll look something like this.
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3. Start swirling the brush on your face, in a bowl or on your palm (as I did here) the 660S is great for all methods. Only lightly press the brush down when mixing, maybe around about 5mm or until the top has flattened down halfway to the edges.
You'll get light 'proto' lather real quick.
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4. Keep swirling and occasionally scrape the lather back in your palm/bowl/face from the brush. That's the stuff you need to 'work' into a full lather.
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5. Add a few drops of water or quickly dip the tips under a tap/bowl when it gets a bit thick. I only needed to do this once or twice for this lather.
(Soaking the brush negates adding extra water but it's harder to get the perfect mix, adding it bit by bit makes it easier to see everything coming together and if you add too much water you can just go back to the Proraso for a 1-2 second load.)
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6. When you can fill the brush with gobs of lovely menthol goodness start painting it on your face and enjoy :cool: More than enough for 3 passes and touch ups.
Thick and glossy is great advice and don't be afraid experiment with consistency, even between passes, you can always go back to the tub/add more water, it doesn't take long.
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Edit: Forgot to add the classic bloom shot :p
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Enjoy the brush! :)



Can you still buy these at supermarkets? It makes the perfect blade bank, then safely recycle when its full.

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Just to say thanks for this post. I was producing an adequate foam, though was never truly satisfied with its thickness. Getting there now.
 
Apologies if this has been answered in some previous posts, but was rather daunted by looking through 80 odd pages of posts.

Following on from Movember, I have decided to keep my tache and am getting a very fine handle bar going on.

Obviously have to keep the rest of my face smooth as and at present am using the old Fusion Power for general face and also trimming around the edge of tache and under nose area.

I have been wondering if getting an open razor would be more beneficial for the edging / trimming involved and also for just general shaving.

If so, what are the recommended ones to go for? Have thought about a solid blade one, but are these as much a PITA as they appear to be (sharpening up to start, honing, strapping etc etc).

I did get me some tache wax from Geo F Trumper when i was last in London and looking at their website it looks a-rather good and b-rather pricey.

Is there such a thing as a 'Starter / Essential pack' for this? either as a buy it all in one or what are the products that people recommend?

Many thanks
 
Feek said:
A good setup to start with and that razor will probably outlive you!

It's not cream, it's a soap. Proraso sell soap in a tub and cream in a tube. It's a soft soap but it's not a cream and that's worth bearing in mind.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info I noticed that was pointed out to someone else a few pages back. I must admit I'm a little confused about what the difference is. Apart from the physical product soap and cream will produce the same lather will they not? A Google says soap is a little more slick and cream offers more protection. Is that other peoples experience of it?
 
Zaphan58 said:
Thanks for the info I noticed that was pointed out to someone else a few pages back. I must admit I'm a little confused about what the difference is. Apart from the physical product soap and cream will produce the same lather will they not? A Google says soap is a little more slick and cream offers more protection. Is that other peoples experience of it?
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There isn't much difference in the end lather, but you do different things to get it there. Cream needs less water and you can just stick a bit on the brush. Soft soaps you need to work a bit on the soap to get it into the brush. Hard soaps need a bit of soaking (imo) and working on the soap.
 
Hey Guys,

Sorry if this is a bit of a newbie question. I have been using a Gillette Fusion razor for a while now and I would like to upgrade to a much better quality piece of kit.

What would you guys suggest and where do you all get your stuff from?

Thanks in advance.
 
Feek said:
I didn't really like the Bluebeard balm, it was the first post-shave product I bought and although it works OK, I couldn't get too excited by it.

These bits just arrived today:

morenewstuff.jpg


The scent of Avocado and Rose is average but I believe it gets a lot better once lathered. I really like the smell of the St. James already and if it's as good once it's wet then I'll be buying a full tub.
Click to expand...

You know what to do if you don't want to keep any of those creams ;) :p
 
antc said:
Hey Guys,

Sorry if this is a bit of a newbie question. I have been using a Gillette Fusion razor for a while now and I would like to upgrade to a much better quality piece of kit.

What would you guys suggest and where do you all get your stuff from?

Thanks in advance.
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Swarfega said:
Try these antc. I guess flick though a few pages as there are lots of people asking the same starter questions. I know as I am new myself.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=21910568#post21910568
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=23168946&postcount=2304

Question for others. Has anyone here gone from common razors to DE then back to a common razor due to issues?
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I'm going to edit that post - I'd definitely go for Taylor Of Bond St creams over Proraso now :)
 
Swarfega said:
Question for others. Has anyone here gone from common razors to DE then back to a common razor due to issues?
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As someone who has just started this myself, I can tell you it may seem a little frustrating at first, you WONT get a clean baby smooth shave the first few times, but even in the couple of weeks I've been using them, trying different blades/ routines I'm getting there.

Looking forward to a few months down where hopefully I have it more "mastered" by then.
 
Swarfega said:
Is there any reason you can't use normal foam found in a can with a DE razor?
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You can.

But you'll find it much more comfortable using a decent soap or cream that you've turned into a lather yourself and just look at all the nasty chemicals and preservatives that are in that can of goop. You'll get a better shave and far less chance of any irritation using a good soap or cream.
 
Iv just moved on to feather blades with some Truefitt and Hill Sandalwood Shaving Cream and it's a treat :D Although I still feel my whiskers are quite tough and just can't get my chin and neck to go completely smooth, but much better than a 5 blade fusion or what not.
 
^ Try to flatten your chin out, get up close and personal with the mirror and use small strokes.

Feek said:
You can.

But you'll find it much more comfortable using a decent soap or cream that you've turned into a lather yourself and just look at all the nasty chemicals and preservatives that are in that can of goop. You'll get a better shave and far less chance of any irritation using a good soap or cream.
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Heat: Lovely, luxurious warm lather! Mmmm... A good brush will hold a ton of heat and you can add a scuttle for super warm lather. (I'm still saving up for a dirty bird or similar scuttle :D)
Exfoliation: I've tried everything from dead sea mud packs to every face scrub around. Nothing beats a good face lather with a great brush/quality cream/soap. NOTHING! :p
Preparation: It softens your beard and stands the hair up much, much more than a quick slap of gel. (A multi blade razor tries to do this part, it's effective but not quite as good)
Enjoyment: ...and relaxation.

If your going to use a cold, brushless product (I use Nivea Sensitive when rushing) massage it on in circular motions lifting the hair (never pat/slap) and leave it on for a bit before shaving for better absorption.

Swarfega said:
Question for others. Has anyone here gone from common razors to DE then back to a common razor due to issues?
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I still use a Mach 3, WS Quattro or BIC 1 sensitive occasionally. Prep and technique are the most important factors.

cu3ed said:
Looking forward to a few months down where hopefully I have it more "mastered" by then.
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:cool:

It's a skill worth learning as you'll be doing it for the rest of your life! (unless you get laser treatment :D)

jmc007 said:
Just to say thanks for this post.
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No probs. :)
 
Consistency is still my problem. I had an 'okay' shave on Friday (was as good as Gillette Fusion but still an extra cut or two but overall fine) followed by a terrible shave today with cuts and a lot of redness afterwards.

Additionally, I still do not 'get' the love of brush/soap that everybody makes a big deal out of. I can only hope that this is because of my poor technique (lathering?) - It does not 'feel' that great. I still think my biggest issue is poor lather and whilst it has improved following the excellent guide it is still not great.

One moment I'm really keen to ride it out but other times I wonder what benefit I'm getting (at the moment, nothing... but I'm hoping it will be a positive result in the long run).

Grr! Jealous of those who have transitioned so smoothly!
 
^ You could always...
Try a few different soaps or creams (Tallow based*), add a pre shave oil if you feel the lather isn't performing, drop the DE and use a disposable/cartridge razor until your happy with prep.

*Everyone should use a 50p Palmolive shave stick at least once.
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Wet your face > wet the top of the stick > rub stick into your stubble > soak/wet brush > rub brush on face > BOOM! Lather bomb!
(Palmolive likes a bit of water, work into the ultimate super slick lather)
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Follow up with a nice and effective moisturiser for a great, incredibly cheap ass, shave! :D
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