The Manly Shaving Thread

sarge78 · 26 Jun 2013 at 09:39

Gavin said:
Ill shampoo the stubble, then soak it in conditioner to soften it then use oil..............then a taylors shaving cream.........

Maybe your putting too much emphasis on softening the stubble and inflaming the skin. Have you tried cold water shaving yet?

Also Taylors can irritate, try a different cream/soap like Palmolive or Ingram if nothing else works.

Edit: beaten like a Nadal in the first round.

jesus2nd · 26 Jun 2013 at 11:37

Now then,

I'm in a bit of a double shaving shaped pickle.

I'm a recent convert to the ways of DE shaving and I'm loving it, started out on a cheap wilkinsons plastic job and I've recently upped to a merkur 34c and nothing compares to it.

However, this friday I'm off on holiday for a week and I've only got handluggage so I wont be able to get my blades onto the plane. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm going to have to use a disposable (Bic one blade job) but will it be worth me taking my soap and brush? or will it be wasted on the disposable?

Cheers lads.
Sam

cu3ed · 26 Jun 2013 at 11:58

No, better soap still allows ANY blade to travel over the skin better, though I would just do a single pass to keep the skin clean etc, id shudder the thought of trying any sideways, or against the grain passes.

jesus2nd · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:07

cu3ed said:
No, better soap still allows ANY blade to travel over the skin better, though I would just do a single pass to keep the skin clean etc, id shudder the thought of trying any sideways, or against the grain passes.

Cheers bud, I'll have to see if I can find some room for my soap and brush then.

Good should with the sideways strokes, normally I roll with a down, out to in and then in to out but I'll just stick to downs with the disposable.

cu3ed · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:19

My last use of a disposable was for the same reason ( cant carry on blades for the overnight), some Bic thing, was absolute hell lol.

Feek · 26 Jun 2013 at 13:25

Post a packet of blades off to wherever you're going on holiday. Carry the razor in your handluggage (it's allowed), disassembled if possible. Sorted.

Gavin · 26 Jun 2013 at 15:06

Shaving with the grain on my neck is a bit hard as its all in different directions.

Is there anyway to make it grow normally?

Could this be the problem?

I also found the palmolive stick to make the rash even worse.

thanks for the replys

Feek · 26 Jun 2013 at 15:18

No, there is no way to change the direction of growth.

Edrof · 26 Jun 2013 at 16:18

Mine goes a bit funny under the jaw, too. It took a while to really figure out the flow of the grain. My bro-in-lo actually has swirly circles.

Gavin, I'd add that Derbys are not very sharp in my experience, and they tend to pull on my hair and make it feel like I'm hacking away. They aren't awful, but I've found sharper.

RoboCod · 26 Jun 2013 at 16:20

Finally got my Creightons order forwarded on to me by the GF. Only tried the "Real Shaving Company" stuff so far. It was nice, simple smell with good lather. Looking forward to trying out the Trufitt & Hill, smells lovely!

Got enough cream to last me the year, all for around £10. Thanks for the code

jesus2nd · 26 Jun 2013 at 19:10

Feek said:
Post a packet of blades off to wherever you're going on holiday. Carry the razor in your handluggage (it's allowed), disassembled if possible. Sorted.

Left it a bit late now, I'm going to multiple places in multiple countries so it would all be a bit of a hassle.

I'll made do with the disposable and my brush/soap

Edrof · 26 Jun 2013 at 20:19

Captain Planet said:
Finally got my Creightons order forwarded on to me by the GF. Only tried the "Real Shaving Company" stuff so far. It was nice, simple smell with good lather. Looking forward to trying out the Trufitt & Hill, smells lovely!

Got enough cream to last me the year, all for around £10. Thanks for the code

For the prices, I love my Creightons stuff. The RS cream is so cheap you can just throw it about the place.

Yjani · 26 Jun 2013 at 20:39

where are you going on hols mate? I went to cyprus not long back and found multiple places that sold DE blades, so maybe you could buy some wherever you're going

jesus2nd · 27 Jun 2013 at 05:46

Yjani said:
where are you going on hols mate? I went to cyprus not long back and found multiple places that sold DE blades, so maybe you could buy some wherever you're going

I was thinking of this but my 34c would probably tip me over the weight limit on hand luggage.

Im off to Sweden for 4 days then Denmark for four days so it would mean buying two packs...And I'm a tight arse of a Yorkshireman

Edrof · 27 Jun 2013 at 08:49

I have a few Derbys going spare if anyone would to try them. Pop your address in a message via Trust and I'll post them out to you.

callum · 27 Jun 2013 at 16:24

Yjani said:
Never knew this thread existed Anyway, long time DE shaver here.

Razors: EJ DE86, Murkur Futur, Murkur 37c Slant (awesome razor!)

Blades I use: Feathers, Astra Platinums, Voskhods, Personna Platinums

Kent Best Badger Brush

Creams and Soaps Balms ect as in the pics

I strongly believe that traditional shaving is the way to go. No more of an arduous task, more of a hobby now and an enjoyment to shave. If people are unsure on where to start, check out Geofatboy or Paul H Films on youtube

What's the proraso aftershave balm like? How does it compare to the Bluebeard revenge stuff?

Sonea Fifer · 27 Jun 2013 at 17:03

Edrof said:
I'd add that Derbys are not very sharp in my experience, and they tend to pull on my hair and make it feel like I'm hacking away. They aren't awful, but I've found sharper.

Agreed - and I've still got a **** load of Derby's I bought on line to work my way through

I've found Feathers to be the sharpest - they do take a bit of getting used to and they aren't as durable as some of the other types of blades I've used but they do by far give me the closest shave yet.

wndsr · 30 Jun 2013 at 18:35

I'm looking for a bit of advice from expert shavers, if possible.

I've been using the extortionately priced Gilette Fusion blades for a couple of years or so but I'm getting sick of the cost and also the ingrown hairs/shaving rash that I seem to get. Unlike some who have posted, my shaving rash or ingrown hairs don't seem to be there all the time, only occasionally.

I've been following the thread for a while but only now have I brought myself to try something new. It'd be great if somebody could 'spec me a shaving kit' as there are so many things to choose from I'd have no idea where to start.

It's probably worth noting my hair isn't particularly thick, it seems quite soft compared to my dad who could use his stubble to sand wood. I don't tend to shave daily at the moment because I find that the more I shave, the more it irritates my skin - not sure if this is the blade/technique or my skin? I'm also using a standard 'Nivea for men shaving gel' - nothing fancy. I shave pre-shower and just wet my face with warm water before starting. Don't currently use anything post-shave.

Cheers

Crowort · 30 Jun 2013 at 18:50

Gavin said:
Shaving with the grain on my neck is a bit hard as its all in different directions.

Is there anyway to make it grow normally?

Could this be the problem?

I also found the palmolive stick to make the rash even worse.

thanks for the replys

To me it sounds like you have fairly sensitive skin. Much like me. I get a great shave some some products but after my skin tells me it didn't like them. Some soaps I love the smell of but again my skin doesn't like them.

My suggestion would be to pick something like proraso sensitive but you might need to try a lot of things until you find the one.

I'd drop the shampoo routine. Make your lather, work it into your beard and places a warn face cloth over it wash off and relather. You'll need a few face cloths as they need washing with each use, total breeding ground for bacteria.

If you have ingrown hairs it might be a good idea to buy salicylic acid toner / moisturiser to use after. salicylic acid get deep into the pores and cleans them out.

It is part of the fun and hell of shaving. You get to find your perfect shave but it can take a long time getting it right. People can suggest things but until you use them you really don't know how your skin will react.

RoboCod · 30 Jun 2013 at 20:01

wndzr said:
I'm looking for a bit of advice from expert shavers, if possible.

I've been using the extortionately priced Gilette Fusion blades for a couple of years or so but I'm getting sick of the cost and also the ingrown hairs/shaving rash that I seem to get. Unlike some who have posted, my shaving rash or ingrown hairs don't seem to be there all the time, only occasionally.

I've been following the thread for a while but only now have I brought myself to try something new. It'd be great if somebody could 'spec me a shaving kit' as there are so many things to choose from I'd have no idea where to start.

It's probably worth noting my hair isn't particularly thick, it seems quite soft compared to my dad who could use his stubble to sand wood. I don't tend to shave daily at the moment because I find that the more I shave, the more it irritates my skin - not sure if this is the blade/technique or my skin? I'm also using a standard 'Nivea for men shaving gel' - nothing fancy. I shave pre-shower and just wet my face with warm water before starting. Don't currently use anything post-shave.

Cheers

What is your budget good sir?