The Manly Shaving Thread
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I've been hanging around here since about 1999 (I think) and survived two server nukes, but OcUk never ceases to amaze me after all these years with the breadth of info and cross section of experience that appears across the whole forum. Seriously, other forums I belong to consistently annoy the heck out of me with their terrible signal to noise ratio. 
What's this got to do with shaving?
Well after receiving my new Merkur Futur, cream and brush in the early morning post today, ordered shortly after reading this thread last week, all I can say is why didn't I start using a DE years ago?!
That was the best shave I've ever had. No nicks or cuts either, which I hope isn't down to beginners luck, but just letting the weight of the razor do the work. Not much slower than those silly, over-priced cartidge blades I, like many, have been convinced must be the best because they are modern and have a gazillion blades.
I have seen the light. Hallelujah!
What's this got to do with shaving?
Well after receiving my new Merkur Futur, cream and brush in the early morning post today, ordered shortly after reading this thread last week, all I can say is why didn't I start using a DE years ago?!
That was the best shave I've ever had. No nicks or cuts either, which I hope isn't down to beginners luck, but just letting the weight of the razor do the work. Not much slower than those silly, over-priced cartidge blades I, like many, have been convinced must be the best because they are modern and have a gazillion blades.
I have seen the light. Hallelujah!
Associate
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Received my starter kit from Traditional Shaving this morning.
A question I have is: will very hot water damage the badger brush? I usually boil the kettle, slosh it in the sink and then work away. But I'm worried that it may be too hot for the brush.
A question I have is: will very hot water damage the badger brush? I usually boil the kettle, slosh it in the sink and then work away. But I'm worried that it may be too hot for the brush.
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it's the glue in the knot/handle that will be affected by the heat. I normally fill the sink with hot water before getting in the shower and by the time I'm out it is not too hot to use and away I go.
I wouldn't put boiling water on a brush or my face for that matter!
I wouldn't put boiling water on a brush or my face for that matter!
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A quick search of the thread didn't come up with anything, so:
How often should you be buying new razors? Is there some way to tell other than increased irritation?
How often should you be buying new razors? Is there some way to tell other than increased irritation?
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Ok I have a question, I accidently stumbled into another thread and saw people waxing lyrical about a Merkur 34c. I don't have a "proper" beard per say and I usually only shave once a week when it's long enough. I currently use Gillete "superawesomemega" something and I hate spending money on the blades because it's expensive.
I understand one of the forementioned will work out a LOT cheaper in the long run with a pack of 100 blades costing about £10.
My question is, does this require any kind of skill? It's pretty hard to cut yourself on the Gillete ones and I don't want to buy this and slice off my face. Eg, can I simply lather up with foam/cream and slide the old girl across the bristles without worrying about holding at the wrong angle and cutting my throat?
I understand one of the forementioned will work out a LOT cheaper in the long run with a pack of 100 blades costing about £10.
My question is, does this require any kind of skill? It's pretty hard to cut yourself on the Gillete ones and I don't want to buy this and slice off my face. Eg, can I simply lather up with foam/cream and slide the old girl across the bristles without worrying about holding at the wrong angle and cutting my throat?
You need skill to use these. You can't just push it over your face and get a close shave without cutting yourself, while the blade is in the razor you can't really cut yourself very deeply (you ain't going to cut your throat or anything). The angle is fairly hard to get right and does need skill and pragmatic, if you don't think you can / wish to put in the time to get it right you'll likely never get a good shave from these. Once a week is also a bit hard, as anything you learn one week will likely get forgotten by the next shave.
Bought myself one of these for Xmas along with strop,posh soap,brush etc.
Takes me a while to shave with it,but shaving is now enjoyable rather than a chore.
Quick question..is it feasible to hone it myself or should I send it somewhere and get it done? I'd really like to learn to do it myself but don't want to ruin my Dovo doing it.
Takes me a while to shave with it,but shaving is now enjoyable rather than a chore.
Quick question..is it feasible to hone it myself or should I send it somewhere and get it done? I'd really like to learn to do it myself but don't want to ruin my Dovo doing it.
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With respect I 'd totally disagree.
If you can use a mach3 (or equiv) using a DE is not much different. You can just drag it across the face. Getting the angle right is a case of is it cutting my hair? NO. Adjust angle, is it cutting my hair? yes. keep going. The same thing happens to safety razors. What skills need to be learnt, that would be forgotten week to week?
The one difference that's worth mentioning is the DE razor likes to do the work hence the weight. You don't need to press it in. Just go over the hair multiple times, each time cutting closer. Some cartridge razers perform better with some pressure, but tbh, I get a better shave with a mach 3 when letting it do the work as well.
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I just ordered some Derby and israli tester blades and after using some supermarket baldes for a while, the difference with the derby blade is outstanding. As well ad blatantl being much much sharper, it's now possible to easily do the top lip which was always a pain.
If you're thinking about ordering some derby blades or other name brands stop thinking! Just do it now. Your face and your time will thank you.
If you're thinking about ordering some derby blades or other name brands stop thinking! Just do it now. Your face and your time will thank you.
I used to cut myself just as much if not more with my Gillette whatever it was, I think using a proper DE razor I appreciate what I'm doing a lot more & pay attention to what I'm doing, with the Gillette it was a lot more slice & dice just get on with it type stuff.
I say go on & treat yourself.
Just goes to show we have totally different experiences, I found the angle fairly hard to get right. I also found I'd be back like I'd never used one before if I went days without using it.
I'd like to point out that he does say 'slide the old girl across the bristles without worrying about holding at the wrong angle' which I don't believe you can. It suggests to me he'd rush and most like end up with razor burn / cuts or not getting a close shave.
You can but i wouldn't advise it with a nice razor, always best to buy a cheap one that can hold a good edge, a good vintage should suffice.
As for honers myself, neil miller or invisible edge can do this.
As for honers myself, neil miller or invisible edge can do this.
Bought myself one of these for Xmas along with strop,posh soap,brush etc.
Takes me a while to shave with it,but shaving is now enjoyable rather than a chore.
Quick question..is it feasible to hone it myself or should I send it somewhere and get it done? I'd really like to learn to do it myself but don't want to ruin my Dovo doing it.
What safety razor can you suggest would be useful for me? 17 and student. So not a considerable amount of money 
Maybe something that will give me a very close shave and can last much longer than those gillete fusion blades.
Maybe something that will give me a very close shave and can last much longer than those gillete fusion blades.
Double edge blades don't last that long but cost about 10p each. If cost wasn't an issue with fusion blades they don't last any longer either, I know I used to use them long past there best because of cost.
Do you have any kind of budget in mind for the razor itself? If you need it really cheap try looking on the bay for Lord 3 piece or in some of the bigger Boots they have double edge razors too. For a bit more you can get a better all metal one, merkurs, parkers, edwin jaggers, muhel, all make them. I can't say I notice that much difference between handles, for me it is lather > blade > razor hardware wise. You might be able to pick up an old one in a junk shop / ebay but they aren't always much cheaper than new unless you get lucky. Old gillete double edge razors are highly regarded.
Do you have any kind of budget in mind for the razor itself? If you need it really cheap try looking on the bay for Lord 3 piece or in some of the bigger Boots they have double edge razors too. For a bit more you can get a better all metal one, merkurs, parkers, edwin jaggers, muhel, all make them. I can't say I notice that much difference between handles, for me it is lather > blade > razor hardware wise. You might be able to pick up an old one in a junk shop / ebay but they aren't always much cheaper than new unless you get lucky. Old gillete double edge razors are highly regarded.
I have a budget of £20 for a razor, I've read that the blades are relatively cheap. I was interested in the Merkurs, but wanted to know if the Parkers were any good really. Just looking for that close shave without finding any annoying bits I have missed.
Don't shave against the hairs.
It may give a closer shave but it's too close and will dig into the skin give little cuts as you say.
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