The Manly Shaving Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
Right it's time for me to switch to this DE shaving malarkey. Bought my Dad the Merkur 38c for Christmas 2010 and he loves the thing so now I want one. The misses has kindly offered to buy me some kit for my birthday next month so I've got a bit of time to research and get something that suits me.

Initially I was going to go for the Edwin Jagger DE89L as many seem to compare it to the Merkur 34c. But I've got quite sensitive skin (I can shave every day and against the grain if it's a brand new razor(I use the disposable Bic's(I Know))). So that pointed me to the slant bar but many say you need to be experienced with a DE first. I also like the look of the Futur but no idea if it's any good.

Also need a brush. I know badger hair is good but that is it. Looking for something around £30.
 
Got a merkur long handled jobby for xmas, body shop shaving cream and brush and oh my what an improvement! First few times it took me a good 10 minutes but can whip round my face pretty quick now with zero irritation and a nice close shave :)

Need to pick up some more blades but will probably get one of those selection packs as have only used the Merkur ones so far :)
 
Got a Boots DE yesterday and had a go with it this morning after watching some vids on YT. Did 3 passes, last one against the grain. It resulted in a very close shave but nothing overly better than my usual Fusion Power. That said, for a first attempt I thought it was ok. Nicked myself a couple of times but didn't bleed to death - bonus!!. I found getting the angle correct was quite awkward so I suppose it's all in the practice. And I reckon I could have prepped better - Used a brush but the soap I have isn't anything to write home about. I know there will have been recommendations already in this thread but can anyone suggest some soap that gives good results and is preferably available on the high street rather than mail order?. Oh and blades - Recommendations?. Heard folk talking about some sort of Platinum blades on that well known auction site?.
 
Draeger said:
Got a Boots DE yesterday and had a go with it this morning after watching some vids on YT. Did 3 passes, last one against the grain. It resulted in a very close shave but nothing overly better than my usual Fusion Power. That said, for a first attempt I thought it was ok. Nicked myself a couple of times but didn't bleed to death - bonus!!. I found getting the angle correct was quite awkward so I suppose it's all in the practice. And I reckon I could have prepped better - Used a brush but the soap I have isn't anything to write home about. I know there will have been recommendations already in this thread but can anyone suggest some soap that gives good results and is preferably available on the high street rather than mail order?. Oh and blades - Recommendations?. Heard folk talking about some sort of Platinum blades on that well known auction site?.
Click to expand...

you would enjoy the weighted head of a proper DE as you let the weight shave you, the boots ones seem to look very light!
 
I went with the Boots one as they seems to get quite a few recommendations in this thread. I can't compare the weight of it to anything else as it's the first DE I've tried. :)
 
They certainly do, he uses badger knots that would usually be seen on more expensive brushes, then sells them at a reduced price.

I have his tubby 2, and some have compared it to a simpson chubby which is 2-3x what he is asking for.

I love my tubby to bits, id really suggest anyone to buy one. They are such a step up from the cheap best badgers you see knocking about, the lather whips up so fast.

imb4tman said:
They look like nice pieces of kit. Look comparable with some of the £100 brushes.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I've been thinking about getting one of Rod Neep's New Forest brushes for ages to replace my cheap Vulfix, I'm getting ever closer to buying one...must...resist! I've already spent too much on this supposed cheaper alternative to cartridge shaving. :)
 
I admit I've not read this whole thread but I've gone back the last ten pages or so - I find myself with some crimbo vouchers for the rain forest store and was looking at either this or this and was wondering if anyone can tell me if there is great deal of difference between the two please?

I'm the type of individual that (if I were in the forces) would need to shave twice a day in order to maintain that clean look. I'm not in the forces, but would still like to look respectable (as opposed to scruffy :p) I haven't used an electric razor since my teens preferring wet shaves and using the Gillette Mach 3 blades which haven't been too bad to be honest. Earlier tonight I used the Wilkinson Sword Hydro5 and was initially wondering how many bloody blades can you stick on a razor? Either way I got a completely **** shave from it (wouldn't recommend) and have decided to spend my vouchers on a decent razor.

So between the the above two - which would the OcUK forumites recommend?
 
Either, they are very similar so just go with whatever you like the look of.

But personally id buy the Ej, it's cheaper and comes with a pack of derby blades.

Btw that Ej is out of stock, with good reason of course i tend to find the plating is a bit better, merkur have been slipping lately.
 
hux said:
Either, they are very similar so just go with whatever you like the look of.

But personally id buy the Ej, it's cheaper and comes with a pack of derby blades.

Btw that Ej is out of stock, with good reason of course i tend to find the plating is a bit better, merkur have been slipping lately.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the speedy reply Hux - I noticed it's out of stock too :p I'm in no tearing rush to spend my vouchers and can wait until it's back in stock I just didn't know if there was a massive difference between the two?

Also I've been looking at this and this as well. Does the brush and soap make a big difference?
 
Can do with some people, both are fine btw amazon reviews are fairly accurate.

My favourite soaps are mitchells wool fat, and provence sante, but in all honesty it's subjective. I mean i like arko it's dirt cheap and lathers well but many don't like the citronella scent.

Just a case of trial and error really.

And brush wise again is suggest the new forest ones i posted above, costs a bit more but it'll be far better than anything at that price point.
 
I did not take the plunge on a DE blade over xmas....

Is it easy to cut your self with these blades? I need to find a solution for me, becuaseI have sensitive skin, but my stuble grows fast.

So it means I cant shave often, but look like a tramp within 3-4 days.

At the moment I leave my growth until the weekend, but means I look like a tramp at work. There are girls at work and there are girls on the wekened. I cant shave all the time!!!

Are these DE blades less irritant?

Should I buy a cheap one from boots or something to try first? Is it the same or similar experience to a merkur blade?
 
Just try it, I would get the merkur as it has a decent weight which is essential as you are not supposed to apply any vertical pressure, only horizontal. DE blades are much less irritant than multi blades and give a closer shave. Two passes with my DE will get every hair off my face. Absolutely brilliant, I have had it for about 2 months now. Hardly ever cut myself and if I do, it's usually down to my own stupidity by using a fogged up mirror.
 
Do you think I would get away shaving twice a week with a DE blade. At the moment I cant even dream of shaving more than once with a fusion blade.

Which Merkur to you advise?
 
opethdisciple said:
Do you think I would get away shaving twice a week with a DE blade. At the moment I cant even dream of shaving more than once with a fusion blade.
Click to expand...

Yes, I would expect you to. Soap is important and brush as well, the brush that I have was irritating for the first few days until it was worn in. Merkur 34c is pretty good.
 
opethdisciple said:
Whats the number system about?

Spec me some soap and a brush please.

(I get shaving spots easy etc, will this help with that also?
Click to expand...

I don't know what the number system is, ask on a proper shaving forum.

Soap wise, Edwin Jagger is quite good. As for Brushes, that new forest website apparently makes good ones. I just use a cheapo Wilkinson one, does the job but probably more irritable than the other ones. Worn in now so it seems alright.
Ask on a proper shaving forum about skin irritation, I am by no means an expert. It is well known that 5 blades can cause a lot of irritation for people. For me, it was not that bad with cartridge razors but I was using three blade. Even if the irritation does not go away completely, you will never get a closer shave with anything else.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom