I'm looking at starting with DE shaving (have had a beard for years)
Been looking around at different razors and am not sure what to get as a beginner.
I am thinking of getting a gillette tech (altho not sure about using something old) or a Timor TTO
Does anyone have any experience with Timor TTO razors / Weishi ? (apparently the Timor are re-branded weishi?)
I have seen a few sites say they are ok for starting with as they are not very aggressive.
Been looking around at different razors and am not sure what to get as a beginner.
I am thinking of getting a gillette tech (altho not sure about using something old) or a Timor TTO
Does anyone have any experience with Timor TTO razors / Weishi ? (apparently the Timor are re-branded weishi?)
I have seen a few sites say they are ok for starting with as they are not very aggressive.
Commissario
Latest haul, purchased in a co-op in Italy and delivered by hand by my brother who was over there last week. The tubs of soap were €2.50 each!
Man of Honour
I'm loving getting back into DE shaving. Hardly nicking myself now. Need to get a brush and soap instead of canned goop but I'm just thrilled at the cost of blades compared to cartridge based razors.
Suspended
I have never used one of these 'old fashioned' razors. In what way are they better than the Gillette/Braun electric razors I use?
Are you more likely to cut yourself with one of these?
I can see a number of recommended item lists to purchase - which would be best for a new user of such razors?
TIA.
Are you more likely to cut yourself with one of these?
I can see a number of recommended item lists to purchase - which would be best for a new user of such razors?
TIA.
Man of Honour
Yes infidel.
All of that information and more should be in the thread already for you to browse at your leisure. It is well worth taking the plunge.
Soldato
Just ordered some Truefitt & Hill West Indian Limes Shave Cream.
Spent a bit more than I usually do but my face is worth it (but still went through Quidco and then use the sites discount code for up to 20% off (I got 18%)) so will see what its like.
So far (in order of preference);
ToBS Sandalwood
Arran Aromatics Bay Citrus
Proraso Red
Think I started being Manly in October 2013, wish I hadn't waited so long, couldn't go back. Don't think I've spent more than £100 so far, dread to think what cartridge shaving would have cost me in that time.
Spent a bit more than I usually do but my face is worth it (but still went through Quidco and then use the sites discount code for up to 20% off (I got 18%)) so will see what its like.
So far (in order of preference);
ToBS Sandalwood
Arran Aromatics Bay Citrus
Proraso Red
Think I started being Manly in October 2013, wish I hadn't waited so long, couldn't go back. Don't think I've spent more than £100 so far, dread to think what cartridge shaving would have cost me in that time.
Soldato
They're far cheaper. Blades cost a microscopic amount compared to the Gillette ones.
They can give a good shave, but it can take a little time at first to get used to the technique. I'd argue my Gillette Fusions give me a slightly better and faster shave and certainly with less concentration needed, but I can't go across the chin or moustache areas with the Fusion, whereas I can with a safety razor. So my ideal shave is first pass with the safety razor and second pass with a Fusion.
The most important part of any shave is to do it right though, not the razor you use. Do it after a bath or shower, when your face is at its softest and most forgiving. Use a proper shaving cream with a brush rather than an off-the-shelf canister, and use the face as the bowl, lathering on it to further warm the face and ensure that the cream is getting onto the face and not just the hairs.
Oils and the likes are a luxury (personally I don't bother with either pre-shave oil or post-shave balm) but it's worth a go at first to see if you'd enjoy them).
As for cutting yourself... just take it easy at first and try to find a blade which suits you. The blade sample multipacks are brilliant - go from blade to blade and have a go. Don't expect blades to last long though -a couple of shaves per side (if using a safety razor turn the blade over after a couple of shaves), but given their price they're still way cheaper.
I've been suffering with razor burn and shaving rash for years now and last week I decided to take the plunge and try DE shaving. I have to shave every day for work and the last couple of weeks my neck has never been so bad. Painful blisters and nodules everywhere.
I've tried all sorts of things in the past; Expensive Gillette cartridge razors, 'sensitive' decent disposable razors and electric razors. I've tried all sorts of creams, pre wash, brushes and after-care products. The electric razor worked wonders for about 4-6 months and then I started to get a similar red rash on my neck again. I then went back to decent disposable razors and last week I just couldn't bare my painful shaving routine. I remember reading this thread ages ago and decided to track it down and take the plunge and buy a reasonable kit to get me started.
I'll never be going back. I bought:
Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic - Shaving Shack - £29.99
Pure Badger Shaving Brush - Shaving Shack - £17.99
Taylor of Old Bond St Mr Taylors Aftershave Balm Shaving Shack - £11.99
Popular Blade Sample Pack (using Feathers atm) - Connaught Shaving - £9.90
Styptic Pencil - Shaving Shack - £3.99
I'm currently using The Real Shaving Co Traditional Shave Cream and it seems to be working well and is the best budget shaving cream I've tried.
I'm also using Nivea Men Sensitive Moisturiser. I have no idea if it actually helps or if there are better products out there that will help with neck rash.
I've only had 2 shaves so far and it just feels amazing! It's such a weird thing to say but when you've had the problems I have had in the past, you can understand. I used the 2 pass method shown in the video guide in this thread, downwards and then sideways.
I'm absolutely loving it at the moment but I do want to make sure I'm helping rid my razor burn and neck rash the best way I can. Has anyone here overcome these problems in the past and if so, tell me more! Also any advice on product upgrades would be appreciated. Thanks.
I've tried all sorts of things in the past; Expensive Gillette cartridge razors, 'sensitive' decent disposable razors and electric razors. I've tried all sorts of creams, pre wash, brushes and after-care products. The electric razor worked wonders for about 4-6 months and then I started to get a similar red rash on my neck again. I then went back to decent disposable razors and last week I just couldn't bare my painful shaving routine. I remember reading this thread ages ago and decided to track it down and take the plunge and buy a reasonable kit to get me started.
I'll never be going back. I bought:
Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic - Shaving Shack - £29.99
Pure Badger Shaving Brush - Shaving Shack - £17.99
Taylor of Old Bond St Mr Taylors Aftershave Balm Shaving Shack - £11.99
Popular Blade Sample Pack (using Feathers atm) - Connaught Shaving - £9.90
Styptic Pencil - Shaving Shack - £3.99
I'm currently using The Real Shaving Co Traditional Shave Cream and it seems to be working well and is the best budget shaving cream I've tried.
I'm also using Nivea Men Sensitive Moisturiser. I have no idea if it actually helps or if there are better products out there that will help with neck rash.
I've only had 2 shaves so far and it just feels amazing! It's such a weird thing to say but when you've had the problems I have had in the past, you can understand. I used the 2 pass method shown in the video guide in this thread, downwards and then sideways.
I'm absolutely loving it at the moment but I do want to make sure I'm helping rid my razor burn and neck rash the best way I can. Has anyone here overcome these problems in the past and if so, tell me more! Also any advice on product upgrades would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Soldato
Alum bloc after you've splashed cold water over your face. It's slightly tingly but no razor burn after.
An alum bloc is like a lump of opaque plastic.
Wet it and rub over your mush (or whatever you've shaved), try not to lick it as it doesn't taste very nice.
Aftershave balms are good bug I prefer an alum bloc
An alum bloc is like a lump of opaque plastic.
Wet it and rub over your mush (or whatever you've shaved), try not to lick it as it doesn't taste very nice.
Aftershave balms are good bug I prefer an alum bloc
Man of Honour
Apart from the fact cartridge blades offer a quicker shave with less chance of nicks - that is the only advantage they have over DE or Cut-throat IMO.
The shave is much closer and better - once you have mastered it - I find I do a couple of passes to get the best. A blade normally lasts 3-4 shaves. But at several pence per blade it still works out cheaper.
There is a bit of a ritual to follow and it does take longer, but it is FAR more satisfying. If you have a reasonably thick facial hair like I do, it actually makes a massive difference.
The shave is much closer and better - once you have mastered it - I find I do a couple of passes to get the best. A blade normally lasts 3-4 shaves. But at several pence per blade it still works out cheaper.
There is a bit of a ritual to follow and it does take longer, but it is FAR more satisfying. If you have a reasonably thick facial hair like I do, it actually makes a massive difference.
Associate
Initial cost is more expensive but you will soon make that back. Seriously moving to a DE is a no brainer. Cheaper even when you use expensive natural herbal creams/soaps. Not only that but you get a much better shave.
The one bit of advice I will give is don't expect too much on your first shaves. It takes time to get a nice smooth shave. Stick to only one pass until you have mastered a shave without irritation. Learn the growth direction of your hair, whilst you think you might be going with the grain you actually might be going against it causing irritation (I speak from experience
).
I hated shaving but I can honestly say I enjoy it now... I must be getting old.
The one bit of advice I will give is don't expect too much on your first shaves. It takes time to get a nice smooth shave. Stick to only one pass until you have mastered a shave without irritation. Learn the growth direction of your hair, whilst you think you might be going with the grain you actually might be going against it causing irritation (I speak from experience
).I hated shaving but I can honestly say I enjoy it now... I must be getting old.
It sounds like you're getting on with it quite alright as you are. You could try out other creams and see how they fair but by DE shaving and using a brush you're already taking the best steps towards reducing and then eliminating burn.
Time for me to order new creams... but which ones this time?
Soldato
I've been thinking about upgrading from my Murkur 34C. I think I'd like something with more of a handle. The one on this is on the short side.
Just ordered 30 Feather Blades as finally run out and my last soap lasted me over a year before replacing
Just ordered 30 Feather Blades as finally run out and my last soap lasted me over a year before replacing
any use Wilkinson blades ? i found these to be the best for me out of a 16 blade sample pack even tho they are cheaper than some of the others i tried,
40 blades for under 6 quid can't be bad i did buy the Edwin Jagger chrome shaving bowl too i think it's to small tho.
here is my little set up.
40 blades for under 6 quid can't be bad
i did buy the Edwin Jagger chrome shaving bowl too i think it's to small tho.here is my little set up.
Soldato
One from the pro barbers - use your face as the bowl, don't lather in the bowl. It will ensure the cream gets deeper and continues the process of warming the face.