The Manly Shaving Thread

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Got the 34C as promised for Chrimbo :) along with a badger brush, stand and bowl.

Using the soap/cream that came with the brush along with some oil from Taylors.

Not cut myself yet, which is good, just can't get over how close they shave. Extremely accurate, much better feeling whilst shaving..

Still getting some neck rash though, not sure what is causing it. I did shave as I usually used to against the grain on my neck the first time, but this morning I didn't, so far so good....

Got all the kit from an Irish barber shop, super quick delivery as well.
 
After reading this thread I went out and bought a wilkinson sword DE razer from boot to try it out. I get very bad irritation normally and have used an electric razor because of it. Just had a shave and so far so good. No irritation, lets hope it lasts! If it does I will invest in some proper kit.
 
hyper_piper45 said:
After reading this thread I went out and bought a wilkinson sword DE razer from boot to try it out. I get very bad irritation normally and have used an electric razor because of it. Just had a shave and so far so good. No irritation, lets hope it lasts! If it does I will invest in some proper kit.
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The plastic one? They are terrible! Using a decent DE razor will be a much more pleasant experience and as it will be weighted well, you'll probably get a much more comfortable shave too.
 
Definately agree with the weight Scuzi, it feels like I should just let the weight of the DE on the skin do the work, hence not actually pressing in too much..


Just ordered some nice GFT Shaving Soap in a pot.... Didn't get much Mhule cream with the Mhule brush :)
 
My god I wish I'd discovered this thread years ago, I am one of those people that cannot get a clean shave if my life depended on it, I'd tried electric shavers, and every possible variation of Mach whatever.

I have now invested in a Merkur and some kit to go with it, time will tell!
 
I'm looking to get into the whole safety razor world but a quick question...

What's the difference between cream and soaps, and I still don't really see the need for one of the brushes...purely to create a lather?
 
Yes, they create a great lather, and help lift the hairs up and soften them even more.
 
Scuzi said:
The plastic one? They are terrible! Using a decent DE razor will be a much more pleasant experience and as it will be weighted well, you'll probably get a much more comfortable shave too.
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I realize that they are not that good, but I wanted to try it first before I splash out on a more expensive razor. Got a fairly good and comfortable shave from it so I look forward to using something better.
 
hyper_piper45 said:
I realize that they are not that good, but I wanted to try it first before I splash out on a more expensive razor. Got a fairly good and comfortable shave from it so I look forward to using something better.
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so you read the thread, took it all in, then bought a cheap wilkinson sword because you didnt want to spend money hehe. you didnt read much of the thread then! it's only the initial outlay of the razor that might sting you, unless you cut yourself to ribbons with it ;)

The question is, can you use a merkur downstairs?!
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if you are careful. lol.
 
got a 38c for my birthday, been using it the last 2 weeks and im so glad I ditched the fusion rubbish for it, what a great shave and blades are cheap as chips
 
Anybody use a cut throat? I ask because at 21 I have hit puberty and I have some pubes on my chin and lip but I just get patches on the sides. I haven't shaved in a while because I come out in a rash so I was thinking of just shaving the sides so I look less like a tramp but keep the goatee going on (if you can call it that) so that I don't look 14. A cut throat seems best for that but tbh it looks as dangerous as it sounds. I have all the time in the world to shave but I'm thinking my girlish skin will slice up.
 
Just used my 34C for the first time and...ow :o. Come away with a couple of nasty cuts and a really sore chin. Maybe ive been too vigirous with it. Was is it a bit sore for other people the first time they made a switch from gillette to DE safety razors? Was using Israeli blade btw.
 
RossG said:
Just used my 34C for the first time and...ow :o. Come away with a couple of nasty cuts and a really sore chin. Maybe ive been too vigirous with it. Was is it a bit sore for other people the first time they made a switch from gillette to DE safety razors? Was using Israeli blade btw.
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Watch the videos on youtube by mantic59.
Did you warm your face up first by washing with warm water? I've found shaving after a warm bath or shower is best.
Did you use enough soap/cream and get a good lather?

I got a Merkur 38C + Pure badger brush + Proraso shaving cream for Christmas and I've had the best shaves ever since using it.
It was a pleasure throwing my old Gillette Mach 3 Turbo rubbish in the bin.
The 34C is quite a heavy duty razor so you really don't need to apply much pressure at all, just let it glide over gently. If you used a decent soap and got a good lather you shouldn't have any soreness or feel any tugging, etc. It should be smooth.
 
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RossG said:
Just used my 34C for the first time and...ow :o. Come away with a couple of nasty cuts and a really sore chin. Maybe ive been too vigirous with it. Was is it a bit sore for other people the first time they made a switch from gillette to DE safety razors? Was using Israeli blade btw.
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shouldnt have used an israeli feather blade as your first shave...they are very sharp as you have found out.

you really dont want to be putting on any pressure of your own when shaving...let the weight of the razor just glide over the area.

i used an israeli feather blade on my 3rd shave and it was fantastic..have been using it since ...but like above guy has pointed out to watch some video tutorials, once you know how you will love it.
 
I've just ordered one of these!

The 33C with 10 blades.

Thanks for all the info / recommends! I've suffered from shaving rash ever since I started shaving 7+ years ago.. so I'll see how it goes.
 
GSDog said:
Watch the videos on youtube by mantic59.
Did you warm your face up first by washing with warm water? I've found shaving after a warm bath or shower is best.
Did you use enough soap/cream and get a good lather?

I got a Merkur 38C + Pure badger brush + Proraso shaving cream for Christmas and I've had the best shaves ever since using it.
It was a pleasure throwing my old Gillette Mach 3 Turbo rubbish in the bin.
The 34C is quite a heavy duty razor so you really don't need to apply much pressure at all, just let it glide over gently. If you used a decent soap and got a good lather you shouldn't have any soreness or feel any tugging, etc. It should be smooth.
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Used my pure badger brush with truefitt and hill cream. Had a shower before i shaved. Also used a pre shave oil. As for the blades, I have Feather, Israeli and Derby, and one Merkur blade that came free. It's okay on the rest of my face, it takes longer but I can feel it trimming away layer by layer. It's just my chin can get sore easily and is suseptible to razor burn. I'm only really half shaved at the moment, still got some stubble just because I was getting quite sore and covered in blood so I sort of stopped before it got any worse. I wonder if it's just my technique or something.
I did watch that guys videos a while ago, but I should really rewatch
 
^I would keep at it. I am relatively new to using DE razors myself having had mine (Merkur 34C) for about 3 months but with each shave my technique is getting better. So far I've been using Zirh shaving gel, which has worked superbly in keeping me cut/nick free.

Over Christmas a friend bought me my first badger brush and some Edwin Jagger Sea Buckthorn soap. This was all new to me but I roughly knew how to use it all. Despite this knowledge I ended up with a lot of nicks around the chin using the same techniques I had previously used.

Your technique will get better over time I can safely say. I have a feeling my Merkur blades aren't very good, but that is just a gut feeling.
 
Can anyone tell me the differences between the merkurs? Theres a few mentioned on here but I can't seem to find much difference between them.

Also major noob question... whats the difference between shaving soap and shaving cream? Is the soap is lathered up in a bowl whereas the cream direct on the face?

Been reading the number of threads that have popped up over the years and its time to get on board.
 
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