Wet shaving thread.

[Gixxer]

Honestly I feel I get better protection from TOBS cream than Proraso. I have been looking at Valobra menthol or Klar Kabinett soap. That has been catching my eye for "more".

 

[IrregularPulse]

Picked up some of the bath and body works cream. I've used it once and used the cake that came with my whipped dog kit. The cream was much easier to lather, but it was used at home and the cake was used in a holiday inn and their water is always weird. I've only DE shaved twice, but love it so far, but it does take a bit longer.

 

[stamandster]

My local Rite Aid had Real Shaving Company 2x Cream and Post-Shave balm for only $4 a piece. Good deal and this stuff works and smells nice.

 

[runningweird]

I've been we shaving for a few yearsusing a cheap DE from Amazon. I just got a short handled Weber dlc and absolutely love it with astra blades. Been using mama bear unscented shave soap or a eucalyptus mint cream from taconic shave.

Yes the razor was expensive but it will outlive me.

 

[azscoob]

Too bad weber is out of stock, I would consider purchasing one.

 

[runningweird]

It's the nicest razor I've ever used. The balance is amazing since the handle is so heavy. I stalked their website for weeks trying to buy one, they went out of stock the same day.

 

[CHefJohnboyardee]

To be clear, I LOVE the TOBS! Smell, tradition and so-forth!
Also, I am 99.5% happy with Omega soap!
Just want "more"

Omega is proraso. Enjoy!

 

[Hanglow]

I've been using the palmolive soap stick (grated into a bowl) and the tube of cream for the last few weeks and it always amazes me how good these are - I've yet to find a more protective cream (have tried Trumpers, TOBS and another couple of cheapos - Boots own brand and Ingram over the last couple of years since I started) So cheap as well at £1.50 a tube and available in every supermarket here. The only problem with it is that the smell isn't the best, but that doesn't last more than a few minutes at most.

The soap is good too but MWF and the Speick one I have top it

 

[Ace_Club]

Just purchased a straight razor kit from whippeddog.com. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[blacksquid]

I've been into straight razor shaving for a few years now. The hardest part to start with was the honing but I built a nice 'collection' of stones - synthetic & natural and have a pretty good technique now. Mainly use DMT diamond stones for setting bevels, a chinese 12k, Shapton 16k and Swaty barber hone for touch ups. Tony Miller latigo/cotton strop and another older horsehide/Linen strop.

I used to buy a lot of razors but I settled for a very simple Wapienica with a french point (have a few others Wapis as backups).

Mainly use Tabac and Proraso as they're the easiest to find around here. Still need to get around to try the Kent Wool Fat soap thing! But tbh, I find most fancy shaving soaps a little too expensive for the performance they offer.

Still...tried every way to shave, and it's the best shave ever - and it actually takes me less time to shave than with any cartridge razor. No pollution is another plus.

 

[Gixxer]

When my time in the military is up and I have more time I will pick up the straight again. A Harner razor with some form of G10 might be the ticket.

 

[Shooter]

So I'm using Mitchelle's Wool Fat shave soap, and while it is doing the job, I'd like thicker, creamier lather. It gets mixed reviews on Badger & Blade.

I shave it off in little slivers, add just a little hot water and let it sit a few minutes. I've done this to loose slivers and slivers kneaded into a little pad. I've also just mashed up the slivers some. That seems to give me the closest lather to what I (think I) want, but still pretty far off. It's thin and watery. Is this what yall get with Mitchelle's or is there another technique?

What soap gives a thicker, creamier lather?

Hmm, I was thinking water hardness on this one as well. MWF lathers great for me. Have you tried any of the soft soaps like Cella? Some people don't like the scent, but I find Cella lathers up a treat!

 

[Zuljin]

I do like the idea of not having to buy another razor. It one less thing for me to run out of, keep in supply and go get.

 

[Zuljin]

I have Baker St from the Strop Shoppe but haven't tried it yet.

 

[BigKahuna]

Wow!
You guys liked TOBS, and it's never worked for me! I love the smell, but never got a good shave with it... Till today !
I heated up A coffee cup of bottled water in the microwave and used it to soak my brush and lather! Wow. WOW!
I shaved my entire head and trimmed my beard in no time, with no nicks, no stubble and no problems! Smooth as a bowling ball!
Hard water just sucks!

 

[Shooter]

I have fairly soft water, but still find a good soak of the brush and the soap are great help to lathering. Interstingly, after the soak, it's actually best for me normally to shake the brush dry.

 

[azscoob]

I have fairly soft water, but still find a good soak of the brush and the soap are great help to lathering. Interstingly, after the soak, it's actually best for me normally to shake the brush dry.

Hmm, I might try shaking the brush dry, I have occasional issues getting a lather, maybe a too wet brush is the root, or it might target that a too dry brush might be the case for me, time to experiment.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Hmm, I might try shaking the brush dry, I have occasional issues getting a lather, maybe a too wet brush is the root, or it might target that a too dry brush might be the case for me, time to experiment.

That's what I do. Let the brush soak for a minute or two and then shake any extra water out.

 

[Shooter]

Yeah, for soaps, the drier brush seems to work better normally. Not as big of an issue with creams, but I also bowl lather those and tend to load the brush and face lather soaps.

 

[Gixxer]

I use a moist brush and add water as I need it. There is a happy medium when hitting the soap. During the winter I really dig a warm brush soaked in hot water but during the summer I am strictly cold water and some menthol products. In Korea, one time (only) I made the mistake of using a menthol A/S and then had to ride my bicycle to work and it was 20 deg out. Yea, suck that did.

 

[Shooter]

I use a moist brush and add water as I need it. There is a happy medium when hitting the soap. During the winter I really dig a warm brush soaked in hot water but during the summer I am strictly cold water and some menthol products. In Korea, one time (only) I made the mistake of using a menthol A/S and then had to ride my bicycle to work and it was 20 deg out. Yea, suck that did.

Like splashing on a little Osage Rub and sticking your face in the freezer, nice!

 

[FastAndy]

I just bought a straight off of a guy at badgerandblade.com and now I need a strop. Any suggestions?

 

[Mcbobs]

A few months ago, I came across a Gillette DE razor but it has tarnished some. I'd really like to be able to begin using it, but don't have the slightest clue on how to refurbish it for use again.

I took some pictures of it and hopefully some of you guys can give me a few good ideas for restoring this thing.

Any ideas for getting this thing in working order again?

 

[FastAndy]

A few months ago, I came across a Gillette DE razor but it has tarnished some. I'd really like to be able to begin using it, but don't have the slightest clue on how to refurbish it for use again.

I took some pictures of it and hopefully some of you guys can give me a few good ideas for restoring this thing.

Any ideas for getting this thing in working order again?

The photos aren't showing up on my phone. If its not in too bad of shape and there isn't much plate lose or pitting I suggest soaking in warm water with a mild detergent. After that I've had good luck getting some older razors cleaned and some shine back by scrubbing with a gritty toothpaste and an old tooth brush.

 

[Gixxer]

Give it a scrub with a toothbrush and soft scrub bathroom cleaner. Then you could give it a quick dunk in boiling water and then a dunk in rubbing alcohol. As far as the overall condition? Both of my NEW's look like yours and I use em every day. The only way you are gonna get it pretty again is if you get it replated. Outside of that, give it a scrub, sanitize, and use it.

 

[Zuljin]

Flitz or Brasso maybe.

 

[Gixxer]

Forgot to add be careful with the brasso -yes- that specific brand cause it will polish the plating off. Flitz is the better product if you are gonba try to polish

 

[azscoob]

A few months ago, I came across a Gillette DE razor but it has tarnished some. I'd really like to be able to begin using it, but don't have the slightest clue on how to refurbish it for use again.

I took some pictures of it and hopefully some of you guys can give me a few good ideas for restoring this thing.

Any ideas for getting this thing in working order again?

Send it to me..... I need another NEW..

 

[azscoob]

I usually soak my acquisitions in a mild yet scalding hot oxyclean bath, then use a toothbrush to scrub the knurling, etc. I then hit it with some metal polish paste, buff it off and give it a final cleaning with glass cleaner to get any polishing paste off without messing up the shine.

 

[blacksquid]

I just bought a straight off of a guy at badgerandblade.com and now I need a strop. Any suggestions?

Dunno what your budget is but I have a Tony Miller Heirloom latigo/cotton strop. I think it was 65$+ shipping or something. If you have more money to spend, look at getting horsehide, it's worth the money. And don't forget to get a practice strop to go with it, as you'll definitely cut it on the first few tries!

Gotta email Tony beforehand though, as he produces in very small quantities. A steal at that price.

http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/

If you have less money to spend, I heard Illinois strops are OK - but tbh, I bought a cheap strop once and I'll never waste money on that again. Came all bent and creased. I'd rather use an old pair of jeans.