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using a straight razor?

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:41 pm
by Precision
Apparently my GF knew in advance about the Gillette "woke" video. For Christmas, I received a straight razor. It probably isn't the best one on the market, as it came as part of a package nominally aimed at millenials; but I KNOW for sure the lathering soap is not good. I also KNOW my technique sucks, but 4 shave attempts in, I am not fretting that. Both ears and the nose remain, so...

I am open to suggestions on lather brushes, lather soap and any other needed accessories. The brush that came with has already lost 40 bristols, not a good start.

Working on my stropping technique as well as my shaving technique. Both are improving as are the shaves.

For the record, I haven't bought a Gillette razor or other product that I know of, in years. Damn shame, as I can't withdraw my purchasing funds.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 5:10 pm
by Weetabix
I'm a DE safety razor guy, but Proraso soap is pretty good.

Get a styptic pencil until you're good at it. I still need one occasionally.

The brush I use, my wife bought me, so I don't know where it came from. Keep a mug handy. Before you shave, fill the mug with hot water and put the brush in it for a few minutes. That seems to make it work better. Also, experiment a bit with how much water you shake out of the brush before you use the soap. You need a Goldilocks amount.

I usually use canned shaving cream because I'm in a hurry. Guess I need to find a replacement for the Gillette Foamy that I like. Maybe I should switch to the Proraso full time. I'll get faster with practice, surely.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:58 pm
by Precision
Thanks, will look into those things.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:37 pm
by g-man
I use a Merkur long-handled safety razor with Astra Platinum blades. On further research, I've gathered that these are made at a Procter & Gamble (Gillette's parent company) plant in Russia, so I won't be purchasing more of these. I started with Taylor of Old Bond Street sandalwood soap bought on Amazon. It did remarkably well, and I still use the same bowl nearly 3 years later. New soap is purchased in a bar/round format, and then microwaved just long enough for it to conform to the bowl shape. For the second rotation I used some craft-show sourced shaving soap, which worked very similarly to the Bond St. stuff. Asking 'do you have shaving soap' is simple enough, and while most don't, the ones that do are enthusiastic about what they've got.

Currently I'm using a lightly tobacco scented soap sourced from a soap shop in Morro Bay last summer. Not specifically a shaving soap, which was a mistake. Lathers with a lot less water used, but the foam isn't nearly as stiff. Still works acceptably, but definitely inferior to the Bond St. and other shave-specific stuff. I'll keep my eye out for actual shaving soap when I'm out at arts and crafts fairs, but since the current stuff is getting the job done, I'm not going to pitch it prematurely. As it stands, I'm only on my 3rd iteration of soap since I started with the safety razor almost 3 years ago, so it lasts a LONG time.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:42 pm
by HTRN
g-man wrote: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:37 pm I use a Merkur long-handled safety razor with Astra Platinum blades.
That's basically what I use, with Tabac soap.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 11:12 pm
by Weetabix
Good thing I bought that 100 pack of Astra blades before the commercial?

I estimate I'll get 200 weeks of shaving out of them.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 11:26 pm
by g-man
With a post-weekend stubble hack on Mondays, I get Mon/Tues out of one side, then Wed/Thurs/Fri out of the other side, for a week per. The last pack I bought has their new "upgraded" laser-engraved blades, which SUCK for identifying which side I shaved with last, because the engraving is much harder to see than the printed ones were. I was going to look for alternatives whenever this box of 100 runs out (some time next year?) for that reason alone, but now knowing they're made by Gillette, they're a definite no-go for future purchases. Just like Nike stuff I already own... Not pitching it because that would be throwing MY money away. But sure as hell ain't buying anything else from them.

I think I have one remaining Nike dri-fit shirt I got from the U.S. Paralympic Team coaches that visited my WTU when I was in command, and that's it. With the exception of ONE pharmacy run last month (it was the 5th!!! one I'd been to because nobody else had what my daughter had been prescribed in stock) I haven't even been IN a Walmart since they changed their firearms age policy. And as much as it pains me, I haven't had Ben & Jerry's since the "Pecan Resist" nonsense happened. I could accept that they were dirty hippies, as long as they kept the politics separate from the ice cream. Dick's is a no-go, as well as Levi's.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:54 pm
by Precision
Thanks guys.

And G-man, yes this woke corporate bullshit is getting very old. I wish they would hit peak woke already and get over it. Then get back to being for profit corporations and not for visual virtue signalling dumbasses; but... not holding my breath.

Re: using a straight razor?

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 4:05 pm
by BDK
I use Feather safety razors and blades... they work well, but are so sharp you'll never feel the cuts... My brother hates them, and uses Platinum blades and an old Merkur handle.