Traditional Wet Shaving, Does anyone else do this? Options

[Badman]

I have been shaving with a brush and soap for a good long time and was wondering who else wet shaves?

If you have no clue what this is, Example


Even if you don't wet shave, how do you shave? It is something most men share and I don't believe we as a board have discussed this. You might as well post because there is nothing going on in the Live world.

EDIT:

Video that converted me

This post has been edited by Badman: Nov 14 2009, 6:46 pm

[dangum]

who else wet shaves?

I only recently entered the world of shaving with a double edged (DE) a.ka. safety razor. I had always used a cartridge like a Mach3 or Excel but after finding a thread on a forum I regularly visit, I got myself one of these:



along with a badger brush, some Proraso cream and a variety of blades.

That guy on YouTube (mantic59) is an legend when it comes to wet shaving. He's got an unrivalled collection of YouTube tutorials that cover all aspects of shaving. Even if you continue to use your Mach3, his tips certainly help in getting a better shave.

I'm still in the experimentation stage, trying out different blades and techniques, but it's fun trying to discover what works best for you. There are some disadvantages to using a DE razor - you really can't rush your shave or else you'll cut your face up pretty bad. Also, many people develop something called "Acquisition Disorder" (AD), where they end up purchasing numerous razors, blades, brushes, balms, creams, soaps, aftershaves and colognes.

Badman: what blades have you used?

[Badman]

Badman: what blades have you used?

I got a DE similar to that... if not the same one. A Merkur and I have Merkur blades. I have been using the brush for some time though:



Great brush, but I need new soap or something... I can never get a good lather. Using Col Conk's Almond soap.

[dangum]

I have Merkur blades.

How do you find those blades? With DE shaving - what works for one person may not necessarily work for another, but the general consensus on Merkur blades are that they aren't particularly good (but surprisingly cost more).

I picked up a sample pack of blades (Feather, Astra, Derby, Red Pack Personnas and Merkur)
Feathers are way too sharp, Merkurs are too blunt, while I'm finding it hard to tell the difference between the other three.

[Badman]

I picked up a sample pack of blades (Feather, Astra, Derby, Red Pack Personnas and Merkur)
Feathers are way too sharp, Merkurs are too blunt, while I'm finding it hard to tell the difference between the other three.

I asked my grandma for my great great grandfather's razor but she bought me one instead. She bought it from the Vermont Country Store catalog (what is it with old people and catalogs??) It came with Merkur blades. I find that the first shave was sharper than hell, too sharp but yesterdays shave was much nicer. Where did you find this sample pack??

[dangum]

Where did you find this sample pack??

I bought mine from an online store in Australia, but since you're in the US check out http://www.westcoastshaving.com

Here are a direct link: (just search for "sample pack" for other types.)
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main...&products_id=14 - $5.50 sample pack (30 blades)