What do you shave with?

[searsa1]

About 8 months ago I took the leap into wet shaving. I seriously looked into getting a straight razor. After doing some research I decided straight razor maintenance was close to a part time job. I promptly picked up a 1967 Gillette slim adjustable double edged and have been using it since. I am sill using different blades and creams/soaps. Any thoughts on suggestions on what you use or like?

[PeeJay]

Gillette Mach 3 and Nivea shaving gel and a great deal of reluctance

[cigarmo]

+1 on the reluctance !!!

[MarkLondon]

I use 'The Real Shaving co.' shaving oil.....and then some SPA dead sea aftershave moisturizer.

Or in Italy I use Proraso which is a pre and post shaving cream, quite menthol and refreshing.

[PeeJay]

By the way I love the smooth segue from cutting edge tv journalism to cutting edges.

[searsa1]

I use 'The Real Shaving co.' shaving oil.....and then some SPA dead sea aftershave moisturizer.

Or in Italy I use Proraso which is a pre and post shaving cream, quite menthol and refreshing.

I picked up some of the Proraso red. I think so far I like it the best.

[MarkLondon]

Ah not had the red one....only used the ones with green packaging.

[MarkLondon]

By the way I love the smooth segue from cutting edge tv journalism to cutting edges.

cutting edge tv journalism??...I must have missed that thread.

[searsa1]

By the way I love the smooth segue from cutting edge tv journalism to cutting edges.

I think from now on I will stay away from the cutting edge journalism stuff. I still feel bad about posting that thread. If I had it to do over i doubt that I would.

[ValeTudoGuy]

I have a Parker travel double edge and a straight. I also have a little collection of shaving soaps and creams, pre oils and post balms.... I also make some of my own pre and post products (all natural), going to have a crack at soap this year too.

[PeeJay]

cutting edge tv journalism??...I must have missed that thread.

I think you had an evening off!

[searsa1]

I have a Parker travel double edge and a straight. I also have a little collection of shaving soaps and creams, pre oils and post balms.... I also make some of my own pre and post products (all natural), going to have a crack at soap this year too.

Interesting......is it hard to do?

[Tomothebuilder]

Have a Dovo Straight Razor, badger brush and soap in a wooden bowl, along with the strop, hone etc.

Bought it a couple of years ago just for no reason at all. Great shave, really like the old school feel of the whole process, you can really tell the difference between that and your run of the mill cartridge razor, particularly as I have a thick rough beard. And it looks cool!

BUT, and this is a big but;
it takes longer to shave, you need to prep properly, you have to go steady particularly early doors otherwise you'll be getting the first aid kit out. The accessories are expensive, and you need a few!

Despite all this I was using my razor regularly but no matter how much I tried stropping, then honing, it gradually got duller and duller and the surgically sharp instrument that sliced through the thickest hair for fun and with which I really enjoyed shaving, now just pulls at my bloody face!

It's another of those fads for me, love the idea, just not the time required for all the finickity maintenance and all that!

[ValeTudoGuy]

Basically what Tomo said, you need to get the straight edge professionally (well by someone experienced enough to do so) honed every now and again to keep it shave worthy. I have only been using the straight since crimbo and it still scares the shit out of me, you have to understand your face very well.

A double edge however is pretty much as easy to use as a cartridge, yet it's cheaper and gives a far superior shave (after about a week of getting used to it).

Tomo, if you ever feel like selling the Dovo let me know.

[Sean]

Just get some hair clippers and put a no.1 blade on it leaves me with a bit of stubble then