Shaving/Razors

[Watkins]

What blades is everyone using? sorry if it's been said but I can't remember and can't read the whole thread again.

[davidruddell]

Tough question!

There is no one blade that everyone recommends.

Virtually all my pals who DE shave have the same razor (Fat Boy) but they all without exception use different blades.

I've come to settle on 'Feather' they're Japanese, lethal sharp (As the chunk out of my index finger proves, after dropping a wrapped razor blade on the floor and picking it up!) but don't have the longevity of some less 'Ninja' blades.

I would heartily recommend buying a sampler, because a) they're bloody good value. b) you get to find out what the best Razor/Blade/Your Beard/Your Technique combination is.

Try Connaught Shaving, very nice chaps with rapido deliveries, and the only company I know that does this!

Their first offering in their list is the best, especially at a tenner for 55 blades!!

Remember if you drop a blade on the floor, pick it up with a magnet!
Don't be a tool like I was.

Let me know how you get on fella, good luck.

[Watkins]

Tough question!

There is no one blade that everyone recommends.

Virtually all my pals who DE shave have the same razor (Fat Boy) but they all without exception use different blades.

I've come to settle on 'Feather' they're Japanese, lethal sharp (As the chunk out of my index finger proves, after dropping a wrapped razor blade on the floor and picking it up!) but don't have the longevity of some less 'Ninja' blades.

I would heartily recommend buying a sampler, because a) they're bloody good value. b) you get to find out what the best Razor/Blade/Your Beard/Your Technique combination is.

Try Connaught Shaving, very nice chaps with rapido deliveries, and the only company I know that does this!

Their first offering in their list is the best, especially at a tenner for 55 blades!!

Remember if you drop a blade on the floor, pick it up with a magnet!
Don't be a tool like I was.

Let me know how you get on fella, good luck.

Cheers for the quick reply, the person I've bought some stuff off over on a forum has been great enough to include some blades as a little starter pack I was really just looking to see what you guys like as a means of a very small mini survey, feather seems to be very popular but I'll be starting with something a little more forgiving I think.

[daverave999]

I try to use Feather but I need to get round to ordering some more. Currently using the Tesco ones which I believe are the same as the Israeli Personna blades.

[MarkSDMF]

Im just looking on that Connaught site there !

Great recommendation there David, big bump there fella !
Will speak nicely to the missus for a good Christmas pressie lol.
Meanwhile, ill need to stick to the old mach 3 or whatever it is im using at the moment, i cant remember lol.

[Corto Maltese]

What a great thread, thanks Dave and all the others that piqued my curiosity and gave loads of informative advice.
I am now the proud owner of a 1960 f4 Fatboy via fleabay ( ?25, is that good ?) which arrived saturday. I spent a lovely couple of hours completely absorbed in cleaning, disinfecting and polishing then ordered the blades from Connaught supplies, Badger brush and alumn block , not to mention the sampler pack you all recommended from Truefitt and Hill.
Unfortunately I have had to hand it all over to the missus so she can send it off to Santa to put under the tree !, but at least I get what I want this year and not more socks !
Roll on Crimbo.
Cheers to all of you for the information and any more would be gratefully recieved.

[davidruddell]

Good man! ?25 for a fat boy (a sentence you can also use in Morocco) is exceptional. It will give you years of service.

You'll also get interested in blade/technique combos for the best results. Only this morning I discovered a blade/technique/setting combo that works far better than anything I've tried before.

Enjoy, the missus will like the results too !

Now go and buy some Pinaud Bay Rum!

It's bloody brilliant!

[jibjob79]

Dam you Dave, I'm officially in the Fat boy club now, well as soon as postie gets his finger out. ?23 from fleabay, couldn't resist.


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[jibjob79]

Just got my fatboy from eBay. Spent some time cleaning it us and took it apart. All in all very happy with it. Going to try it tomorrow with a feather blade in it.



Found a very useful guide here

http://vintagesaws.com/fatboy/fatboy.html

It wasn't as dirty in the guide but there was some scum hidden inside. Glad i took it apart now and give it a good clean. I left it in some boiled water with vinegar and fairy liquid, then went to work with a electric toothbrush and fairy liquid to get it really clean, particularly between the grooves of the checkering. Once it was all clean i coated the innards with a dry style bike lube and it is so smooth and shinny. Feels a lot smaller but heavier in the had than the merkur and the adjustment is a lot more sensitive.

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[celsis]

Anyone any views on Parker razors?

[jibjob79]

Anyone any views on Parker razors?

They are a good razor but they aren't adjustable.

[davidruddell]

I've got a Parker, twas my first dabble in DE shaving, it's 'ok' but as Jibjob mentioned would heartily recommend an adjustable razor, much for forgiving whilst learning technique.
Set it low for learning, when you're comfortable with your routine, crank it up for a speedier shave.

I bought a Futur (modern German, Adjustable) but then acquired a 1961
Gillette Fatboy, which despite it's age is a much better all round razor.

I found a good source (retail) for beautifully reconditioned (serviced, sanitised, replated) DE razors.
Chap has now replated my razor!

If you'd like their web address just PM me?

[Monkey Nuts]

Gents,

I bought a selection pack of various blades and have worked my way through them now trying 1 or 2 from each pack. I have quite a few left over which weren't quite right for me but may suit someone else. Rather than just throw them away I thought I would offer them to any fellow BOTL who may wish to try them out.

There is approx. 50 blades in total, being a combination of:
Derby Extra
Gillette 7 O' Clock
Astra
Platinum Super
Feather
Iridium Super
Personna Platinum.

If any one wants then just pm me and I'll pass them on F.O.C.

I would add these are all unused and I haven't bled all over them and wiped them clean!!

[CloseEmBoth]

Monkey,

I would be happy to take a selection off you especially the Feather and the Astra as I have been meaning to try these for a while.

I would be happy to just have one of each leaving some for other BOTL's that may want to try them.

Regards

Simon

[jibjob79]

Great generosity Monkey Nuts, just out of interest which blade do you find works well for you? Must admit I'm loving the feather blades myself.