The Manly Shaving Thread

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Where do you guys get your blades from? I've been using connaught shaving for sample packs (which work out fairly cheap) but I now want to just stick to a couple of brands and it gets fairly expensive just ordering 10 of each blade. i.e. £10 for 3x10 packs of blades, or £8 for 35 in a sample pack..

It's probably because they roll the postage in with the price :\
 
I had my first shave with a 34C today (using the Merkur sample blade) and it took me about half an hour to shave four days of hair growth. That was mostly because I didn't want to slash myself, but it was slow going at the best of times and my chin needed about ten passes.

Could someone recommend which blades I should try now? I have fairly sensitive skin, but my hair is extremely dry and coarse. Great combo, obviously.
 
I have a similar problem and found Israeli blades are best for me. Derby blades always seem to leave nicks even if I am really careful, and feather blades make me look like I've been shot head first out of a cannon through a razor wire factory.
 
TJM said:
Could someone recommend which blades I should try now? I have fairly sensitive skin, but my hair is extremely dry and coarse. Great combo, obviously.
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IMHO, ditch the Merkur blade, they're not great.

I've found for me that the Personna red pack is pretty good, very smooth, hardly feels like it's doing anything, especially good when teamed up with Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood cream. I find Derby are pretty good and work well with any soap or cream, Israeli Personna's are ok, but Gillette 7o'clock green feel like they're pulling and tugging rather than slicing. It's been a while since I used any others I wouldn't like to comment.

For you, the Personna red pack blades might get dull to quickly, try Derby maybe. They seem to be a pretty good all-rounder for lots of hair types.

Also, different blades feel and work differently with different soaps and creams, and each blade make has its own nuances you need to adapt to. And of course the hardness and temperature of the water makes a difference but I'm sure you already know that.

Stick with one make of blade for a while and try out different techniques till you learn the blades. I kept making the mistake of working through the samplers too quickly and not learning the blades. Now I can put in any blade and get a great result (except the 7o'clock greens but even that is better than a Mach3)

(I use the Merkur 38C, Kent BK4 brush and any one of various Truefitt & Hill, Trumper, Taylor of Old Bond Street soaps and creams, depends what takes my fancy at the time.)
 
I have recently been experimenting with shaving. I have a Merkur 23c which I have been using with DE Derby and Feather blades. When it is good it is fantastic however I do find it a little hit and miss.
My personal favourite so far is a Gillette Sensor (or Sensor Excel) handle, still available new at around £5 combined with Aldi 3 blade disposeable heads at £2.50 for 10!

I was really wanting to like DE shaving however the Gillette/Aldi combo is better for me at the moment.

I am considering trying the Merkur Long Handle Progress however it is expensive and the Aldi is so good and cheap!
 
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Im having problems getting close enough to the skin :confused:

I use a Murker and even with Feather Blades it still looks like i a five oclock shadow and just cant get it all off to look clean shaven :confused:

Damn my Jet black beard!

Any tips?
 
Zip said:
Im having problems getting close enough to the skin :confused:

I use a Murker and even with Feather Blades it still looks like i a five oclock shadow and just cant get it all off to look clean shaven :confused:

Damn my Jet black beard!

Any tips?
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Sounds like you need to try either an adjustable razor or a slant bar.

I have my eye on the Merkur Progress 510.

Or you could give the Aldi 3 blade heads a go for 25p each!
 
SkodaMart said:
Sounds like you need to try either an adjustable razor or a slant bar.

I have my eye on the Merkur Progress 510.

Or you could give the Aldi 3 blade heads a go for 25p each!
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What heads are they? You mean things like mach 3s?

Even if i shave it smooth it can still look like a shadow! and even then there are parts that have a bit of a rough texture.

Is there any specific way to actually shave to get as close as possible?
 
@Zip. Soak/splash your face with hot water, then use a good quality Badger brush for at least 60 secs, with a decent shave soap. Don't use supermarket gloop in a can.
I am currently using Erasmic soap, which comes in a black bowl for around £2.

It sounds to me that you need a slant bar, have a look at the Merkur slant bar razors. However although this type of razor gives the closest shave with the least passes, they demand respect and a little skill to use so go steady at the start.

I shave with the grain, splash with hot water and re-lather for an across the grain pass, that is enough for me, some people go against the grain, but that doesn't suit most people.

The Aldi disposeable heads are indeed similar to the Mach 3 type product and I find that one pass with the grain is both comfortable and neat for me. They are great value for money especially when it is 6:30am and I can't be bothered messing about.
 
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I'm really temped to get a Merkur. I've always had such bad results with normal razors and electric ones. I've looked on that website and having seen that not paying VAT negates the delivery charge, I really think I'm going to do it. Can someone explain the difference between a 34 and a 38 first?
 
The Merkur 34c has a short handle, the head however is the same as the Merkur 38c which has a long barber pole handle.

I started with a Merkur 23c which has a long slim handle and is a three piece design, the 34 and 38 are both 2 piece razors.
 
Anyone else find when you don't want to cut yourself because you're going out, your face looks as if it's been mauled by a cat. But any other day of the week you get a perfect shave with no cuts or grazes. :(

May get a Merkur, what's the recommendation for thick facial hair? Not really a beginner with single bladed razors, been using this 1 for a while now, just want a decent new 1.
 
That's just nerves and using too much pressure, if i really don't want to cut myself i grab my futur, that's a pussycat compared to a straight, and even then if i cut myself it's very minor.

Today i cut myself to ribbons just because i tried a different soap. :D

For thick hair hmm id say a slant/futur or mergress, it's a progress with a better adjuster knob and worth the extra imo. :)

Those with a super iridium of course.

@Zip, do what straight users have to do, stretch the skin, sounds silly but it'll give you a much better shave.
 
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It is possible in fact i think the only way is to buy the knob, they stopped doing the conversion, after finding many users had problem razors before the conversion.

I'll have a nose through the forums later, ok?
 
http://www.traditionalshaving.co.uk...aving/_STA-CRE-NOR/268168/Starter-Kit---Cream

I am very tempted to click buy on this, as I get ingrown hairs, tiny spots due to heavy skin irritation and a general sore neck from my mach3.
I have noticed a HUGE degradation in the quality of my shave this week as my soap stick has run out and I am using some Nivia gel crap-in-a-can!

I aim to get the Astra blades with the Murkur 34c - This a good combo for a noob?
Also what exactly do shaving oils do and do you literally slap it on before I use the cream?

Thanks:)

EDIT: Dad just had a look and moaned that those are the sort that cut your faces to bits. I have asked this on OCUK before but people thought I was on about cut-throat razors.
 
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