The Manly Shaving Thread

spaceman · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:08

Housey said:
This thread has caused an addiction, who do I sue?

^ this

3 month into DE shaving i've bought 7 razors (2 new, 5 vintage gillettes), enough blades to last me 8 years, 4 soaps, only one brush though

I enjoy shaving now so it's not all bad, i'll probably save money in the long long term over cartridges, lol

The shave i had today with proraso menthol soap, followed by proraso post cream was excellent in this heat.

The Halk · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:10

I've spent a scary amount of T&H stuff recently.. once it's all arrived I'll take a pic of the lot.

NeilF · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:15

NinetyOne said:
Doesn't last anywhere near as long. If you ask me anyway... plus from using a brush stimulates the hairs and softens them allowing a closer shave with less tugging etc.

God I sound like a commercial..

Hang on... How does a brush "stimulate" stubble exactly? ie: If I rub my shaving foam in with my fingers, how is that any different to a brush all glooped togethor with foam?

The Halk · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:18

I would imagine in the same way that a scrubbing brush works better than your hand.

[FnG]magnolia · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:23

NeilFawcett said:
Hang on... How does a brush "stimulate" stubble exactly? ie: If I rub my shaving foam in with my fingers, how is that any different to a brush all glooped togethor with foam?

The difference is that the brush raises and coats the stubble more effectively than using your hands. It's not really that different - they're both doing the same thing after all - but the result is markedly better using a brush.

cu3ed · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:25

NeilFawcett said:
Hang on... How does a brush "stimulate" stubble exactly? ie: If I rub my shaving foam in with my fingers, how is that any different to a brush all glooped togethor with foam?

A bush irretates more of the hairs in you face to sit up and allow the foam to get in under the hair, basically holding it upright so when you pass over with the blade itll do a better job of cutting it off.

NeilF · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:29

[FnG]magnolia;22597237 said:
The difference is that the brush raises and coats the stubble more effectively than using your hands. It's not really that different - they're both doing the same thing after all - but the result is markedly better using a brush.

Do I smell some pseudoscience here?

I can only speak from personal opinion - I message soap in with my fingers, and I suspect this get soap far more into the stubble and skin than a bit soft gloopy brush would for example.

Question - Do you wash your hair with a brush or your fingers? Why? What gets the shampoo/lather into your skin and hair better?

Challenge - For you gloopy brush guys, try messaging the foam into your face with your finger tips... Report back (honestly)

cu3ed · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:32

Umm why dont YOU go get a brush and come back to us!?

Plus if you are preferring to use a soap, your hands wont be anywhere near as effective in lathering it up for your face to use.

[FnG]magnolia · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:33

If you go to a barbers to have a proper shave they will never, ever use their fingers.

If you go to some of the more respected shaving forums they will never, ever recommend using your fingers if you also have access to a brush.

Do you see a pattern here?

I don't care whether you believe it to be true or not and I'm only now realising that your posts suggest that you haven't used a brush before. That's not a great way to make a comparison.

Anyway, do what you like

NeilF · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:33

cu3ed said:
A bush irretates more of the hairs in you face to sit up and allow the foam to get in under the hair, basically holding it upright so when you pass over with the blade itll do a better job of cutting it off.

How does a brush 'irretate' hairs?

Strange how advert suggest the exact opposite? - "The totally natural, soft bristles of a badger hair shaving brush ensure minimum irritation during the lathering process."

I suspect just putting a hot/warm flanel on your face before a shave is far more effective at raising the hairs etc?

[FnG]magnolia · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:35

Most shavers who know what they're doing will use a hot towel or at least have a warm/hot shower prior to applying the cream with a brush.

NeilF · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:37

[FnG]magnolia;22597319 said:
If you go to a barbers to have a proper shave they will never, ever use their fingers.

And this is down to a brush being better, or not wanting some stranger's mits all over your face?

[FnG]magnolia;22597319 said:
If you go to some of the more respected shaving forums they will never, ever recommend using your fingers if you also have access to a brush.

Quite possibly there's a good reason for it... Hence my suggestion some folks go away and do a honest test out of interest?

[FnG]magnolia;22597319 said:
I don't care whether you believe it to be true or not and I'm only now realising that your posts suggest that you haven't sued a brush before. That's not a great way to make a comparison.

I used to use one, and found it a waste of time. Finding quickly messaging in some soap, then foam was quicker and more effective (for my ugly mug)...

Hence my simple suggestion a couple of other folks try it (messaging the foam in with fingers rather than a brush) to see if they concur or not? Not a ridiculous thing to suggest now is it?

Just questioning the seemingly magical properties bestowed to a lump of wood with some bristles in the middle - So feel free to test away in the name of OCUK science

The Halk · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:48

Let's not form camps and try to win arguments!

I can't use my fingers when I shave (which I'll be doing in half an hour) because I'm using cream which needs lathering, and I'll need to use the brush for that. I could use my fingers (and I used to) when it was the Gillette stuff in a can.

My stubble doesn't need to be agitated to bring it up, it already stands proud from my face, so it wouldn't help there.

However a brush is simply going to have a much greater surface area. I use a scrubbing brush in the bath (on my hair in all honesty as well as everywhere else) and I use a facecloth to get rid of the soap afterwards. Both of them work because they allow me to apply pressure and contact much more efficiently than my fingers. I don't think that's pseudoscience - and it is the Scientific Method since I've tried various different things over the years and watched the results. If I don't use a flannel then I don't get all of the soap off. If I use a scrubbing brush then I get cleaner.

As far as using a badger hair brush... I suspect it's there to create the lather and apply it easier. I don't really think there's much going on when it comes to putting it onto my face, other than making it faster. Rubbing it in with my fingers... well I don't see why that would cause less contact.

rG-tom · 19 Aug 2012 at 22:52

The Halk said:
I think in this thread we recommend shaving it off daily

For a while I just used to use the clippers I use on my head, it did the job fine.

i have a finely kept chinstrap, that isnt going anywhere

i shave the rest of my face, but im fed up of using the hair clippers on it. Much rather something dedicated to the job.

Housey · 20 Aug 2012 at 08:44

I've been shaving for close to 30 years and a brush, with soap works best for me. I have dark hair and thick stubble and I simply can't get close to matching the combination of safety shaver, brush and soap/cream. The foam/gel products, whether I use fingers or a brush simply don't give me the blade protection or smoothness that I experience with 'old school' methods. The only downside is it takes 3 times the length of time to shave and can occasionally nick me on my neck, but outside of that I never cut, I suspect being used to shaving for so many years.

Skeptic · 20 Aug 2012 at 22:49

I almost solely use a straight now - I can actually shave quicker and closer than I can with my DE89l, but there's not a lot in it, I just enjoy it more!

That reminds me - I'm in the market for another straight - my dubl duck is showing it's age. Where is a good place to buy, either new, or used, straight razors? I look in the B/S/T on B&B but they're almost always in the USA so the shipping is a lot. I've used the whipped dog deal in the past but don't want to again.

So, aside from the bay, where should I be looking? I would ideally like it to be honed and stropped before delivery as I'm awful at that!

jordan282 · 21 Aug 2012 at 21:22

anybody recommend some razor blades? I bleed easy

[FnG]magnolia · 21 Aug 2012 at 22:13

Buy a variety pack from any of the normal sites. Derbys and Merkurs tend to be duller, with Feathers and Israeli blades being at the other end of the spectrum.

What cream and razor do you currently use?

Django x2 · 21 Aug 2012 at 22:14

NeilFawcett said:
How does a brush 'irretate' hairs?

Strange how advert suggest the exact opposite? - "The totally natural, soft bristles of a badger hair shaving brush ensure minimum irritation during the lathering process."

I suspect just putting a hot/warm flanel on your face before a shave is far more effective at raising the hairs etc?

He doesn't mean that, he means aggetates, i.e, picks it up, moves it around far more effectively than hands do, which is correct.

Skeptic · 21 Aug 2012 at 22:57

fus said:
I almost solely use a straight now - I can actually shave quicker and closer than I can with my DE89l, but there's not a lot in it, I just enjoy it more!

That reminds me - I'm in the market for another straight - my dubl duck is showing it's age. Where is a good place to buy, either new, or used, straight razors? I look in the B/S/T on B&B but they're almost always in the USA so the shipping is a lot. I've used the whipped dog deal in the past but don't want to again.

So, aside from the bay, where should I be looking? I would ideally like it to be honed and stropped before delivery as I'm awful at that!

Anybody?