Wet Shaving Thread!

[GrainReaper]

Has anyone heard of using a straight razor to shave a head? I generally shave my head and face all at once. Currently, I shave once every 6-10 days using electric clippers (no guard, just on the lowest setting). My cheeks and scalp have not been completely bare for 8 or so years now, I'm always a little scruffy. I have a long goatee (chin only, I don't do mustaches) and twice a year I grow the whole beard out while still trimming my head hair.

The last straight razor shave I had was before prom in '99. I'd like to have another one, but I don't really go to barber's shops. My grandfather was a barber and my mother was a hair dresser, so, I grew up getting hair cuts and shaves at home.

Is the head just too round to get a descent straight razor shave?

Though I haven't personally shaved my melon with a straight, I have done it with a Gillette tech razor with a shark blade with no ill effect, I could see the issue being method, when shaving with a straight I pull my cheeks, neck etc. tight and flat to give me the best shave, curves can get dodgy with a straight, and I might be apprehensive on going at my gourd with one.

Perhaps you may want to look into a mellow shaver like a Gillette tech and start there, then get into a straight and see how you feel about each in regards to getting your head clean shaven.

Where I still shaving my head I would likely use a DE on both my head and face during the week, and treat myself to a combo DE on my head and a straight razor face shave on the weekend when I have more free time.

[GrainReaper]

Ooo, ooo, can I play?

I've been straight razor shaving exclusively for six years now. I bought antique blades and had them fixed up where necessary. My first was a 1930's Double Duck Special followed shortly by an 1860's Wade & Butcher. There's nothing like a great straight shave. Here's the Duck with pimped Yellowheart scales with Mohogany inlay:


For brushes I have to recommend simple boar hair over badger. The boar takes a few shaves to get conditioned but once it does it's as soft as a silvertip with a ton more backbone. I can never get my soaps to lather as well with badger as they do with the boar. Creamy goodness.

As for soaps and cream, I use and can highly recommend http://www.thegentlemensquarter.com/ Collen is the proprietor and soap maker and her soaps are awesome, smell great and last for months, literally. I will never buy another large puck from her because I'm still working on the one I started literally too many months ago to count. You could sure do worse than to try them out. Tell her xman sent you.

Two things, one I will have to check out that site you linked to, and two, that is one sexy Dubl Duck blade you have there! I almost picked one up but found it had a crack in the blade, bought a Gillette American Button Company DE instead, sterling silver plated and once cleaned up, a very nice razor!

[12stones]

I have three straights that I use...one is also a Dubl Duck. I only use Tabac shaving cream (not the soap) as I find it's the best for my skin. For great and affordable starter blades and strops, also check out www.ruprazor.com. I have a basic badger brush from Lee's that I've used for years. I can't recommend boar because I've just not had good experience with them. Wet shaving is a great feeling once you master it and I recommend it to anyone thinking of trying it. It's not difficult to learn.

[Creeker]

[IMG][/IMG]
The Merkur Barber Pole safety razor is my everyday shaver. I use the Dovo shavette when i leave myself some extra time. The straight razors are vintage; Wade & Butcher, The Perfect Razor and something I found in my dad's workshop. I don't use them because I don't know how to properly hone and strop a razor. I use pre shave oil, soap and after shave balm from the Art of Shaving.

[fshguy]

I've been wet shaving for about 8 months now. My current shave is a Parker 98R, Col. Conk's Lime soap and a witchhazel splash. It takes a bit of training, but is a much better shave than the old cartridge. My daily is a single pass while in the shower. Sunday morning is three-pass depletion.

I'm still searching for the optimal blade...

[linedrive]

I bought a DE TTO superpeed (Twist to Open) that is from about 1958. I bought it last fall and decided to shave with it for my neck (I am bearded from Oct to March). Anyway, I decided to give the whole face a try a week ago when the beard left.

I got a lot of info from Blade and Badger and I gave it a whirl (bought an inexpensive Boar brush and soap). I am blown away! Best shave I've had! Plus, I've really adopted the therapeutic and mindset of the experience ... I actually look forward to the shave each morning.

... Linedrive

[dadgad]

I got a lot of info from Blade and Badger and I gave it a whirl (bought an inexpensive Boar brush and soap). I am blown away! Best shave I've had! Plus, I've really adopted the therapeutic and mindset of the experience ... I actually look forward to the shave each morning.

... Linedrive

The zen of shaving, as it were. The Straight Razor Place is another good source of information.

[RunTheWorldOnMac]

I got into wet shaving over a year ago and my skin never looked / felt better. I use a DE safety razor and love Kent/Mitchell shaving soap.

I came across a place in Toronto, (I'm in Ottawa) with great selection and pricing. Fendrihan.com

Cheers,

Scott

[auld argonian]

After doing some research into how to cut down on shaving irritation (especially to the neck), it's bic disposable single blade razors and aveno shave gel. I admit that I have re-commissioned the old Gillette adjustable safety razor from my high school days and use it once in a while to break up the pattern of shaving...have to get blades from Macy's downtown for that one.

It's that simple and that cheap. Most of the guys that I know have gone the arcane and exotic route trying to get the Perfect Shave have ended up realizing that all of the paraphernalia, time and expense weren't worth the effort and just gone back to basic, readily available means and have no complaints.

Best

AA

[GrainReaper]

I have been trying several different DE blades as of late, I have some Israeli personas (also sold as crystal blades) that I don't think I will be using, anyone want to swap a 5 pack of something for a 5 pack of the crystals?