^^ now you won't be able to go back. Once I started shaving my head I couldn't stand for it to grow out for more than a week (I typically shave every three days).

11/20/2011 7:30:48 PM

As I said, it will be difficult to do it after my surgery, but the wife likes it so far. We'll see how my super-sensitive and prone-to-eczema skin is this winter and how easy it is to maintain.

But right now, I like it.

One thing I noticed: My sunglasses no longer look good on my face.

11/20/2011 7:40:37 PM

Quote :

"Where does everyone buy their blades from? I just placed an order from http://www.bestgroomingtools.com. Seemed like decent prices."

I have started using the Wilkinson Sword blades sold at Wal-Mart. $1.76 for 10 blades, and I get a great shave. I'd say each lasts me 3-4 shaves, and for 17.6-cents per blade, I can afford it.

11/20/2011 10:20:12 PM

west coast shaving, the last time i bought blades.


kdawg, did you use a traditional safety razor or a specialty razor shaped for the head?

11/21/2011 8:56:28 AM

Quote :

"kdogg, did you use a traditional safety razor or a specialty razor shaped for the head?"

Dude, do you really need to ask that question?

DE all the way!!! I used the DE I normally use for the rest of my face.

Since I won't be at work for a while (almost two months), I'm swapping.

11/21/2011 9:37:24 AM

ok wasn't sure. i've heard good things about the "head blade" even from DE enthusiasts.

11/21/2011 10:05:34 AM

The headblade is okay but hard to get areas around the ear, I used one for a while but now I just use my mach3. I don't have the patience to go DE on my head and shaving with a conventional razor is good enough.

11/21/2011 10:49:21 AM

^ I've been using a DE for 2 years now (OP) and haven't used anything else since.

I have a Schick Quattro in a bag under my sink for emergencies, but was not going to use it to shave the head. It did take a while using the DE, and I got one knick (only one). The thing that hurt me the most was not having a hand-held mirror.

It took me a good 30-45 minutes to do, but well worth the time.

11/21/2011 4:40:54 PM

Went against the grain today. It feels funny now because it's hard not to miss a strip of hair on a curved head with a flat razor. LOL. I'm sweeping my hand across my scalp thinking "Smooth, rough, smooth, rough."

I used a handheld mirror and it helped a little.

Also, I cut the crap out of a pimple that had been there and MAN did it bleed!

11/24/2011 1:25:32 AM

So I've kept my eye on this thread for a while, and am looking at asking for all the stuff to get started with this for Christmas.

Do you guys prefer shaving soap or cream?

I've noticed quite a few people have mentioned the Merkur 33c and a few mentioned the 34c. Is there a functional difference between those two other than the thickness of the handle?

Also, I was thinking of picking up some cheap "vintage" razors to at least have as nostalgia. Has anyone used an old one compared to a modern one like the Merkur 33c?

11/25/2011 10:48:39 AM

^ I have both soap and cream/creme (w/e). Proraso (both soap and cream), Tabac Soap, Ogallala Soap, and some sampler creams. I usually switch it up every few days.

For my head, I have used Proraso soap once and cream once. I liked the cream better, because it "kept" longer in my shaving mug, and I use more for my head than I do for my face.

As for razors, I originally purchased a Merkur Hefty Classic DE, had some manufacturing problems with it, had a new one sent to me and used it for a while. I liked it.

Once, when I went to my folks' town in FL, I ran across an estate sale store and bought, like, 5 old DE's for $25 (I'm sure I've posted about it). I cleaned them up with scrubbing bubbles and Barbicide for a few days and have since used one of those every day.

In fact, I gave my Hefty Classic to my dad to start using (not sure if he is still using it...may have to have him return it during Christmas).

I've got all metals ones, plastic ones, short handles, long handles, and have used them all. The ones below are all the ones I have (now...got rid of a few either as gifts or trashed). I use the one on the left. My ring is in the picture for scale.

11/25/2011 1:12:05 PM

Quote :

"Do you guys prefer shaving soap or cream?"

I actually use a combination of both only because I have both.

I have proraso in a tub...so I basically lather up my scuttle with that first. Then I add in about marble size drop of C.O.Bigelow (rebranded Proraso) cream on top of that.

If you don't want to go high budget, you can get C.O.Bigelow shaving cream at Bath & Body works. It's Proraso under a different name, and a good bit cheaper. Works great

If I had to choose between the two, I'd probably say the C.O. Bigelow cream. It tends to lather more than the soap.

The only experience with Razors I have is the Merkur 34c (Classic)....love it. I also bought an old ball end Gilette Razor at an antique store for $5 (I posted it a few pages ago...I think it's from the 60's or 70's, but they made it for about 40 years). I like my Merkur better, however


[Edited on November 25, 2011 at 5:59 PM. Reason : ]

11/25/2011 5:53:18 PM

OK so I don't want to wait until Christmas So I'm getting some intro stuff for now and maybe I'll get some better stuff for Christmas.

I decided to order this old razor from ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/290634835751?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Picked up some TOBS Lavender shave creme in a tube for $7+$2 for shipping from Amazon

Picked up this sample pack of blades http://www.westcoastshaving.com/DE-Blade-Sampler-Pack-Choice_p_20.html

Royal Shave has some black friday deals going on this weekend. Might pickup that stand and brush http://www.royalshave.com/special-deals.html

^^ Love the Chuck-e-cheese cup

[Edited on November 25, 2011 at 7:46 PM. Reason : cup]

11/25/2011 7:45:24 PM

^ forgot...I started with TOBS Lavender and really liked it.

11/25/2011 7:50:56 PM

^^ You'll really be glad you got the razor blade pack. It really is like selecting tires for a ferarri. The different blades really are completely different

I'm a fan of the Feather blades the most, but I wouldn't recommend starting with them. As you've probably seen in this thread....it's like shaving with a samurai sword. I like Derby's a lot too.... probably a little easier for the noob.

You'll probably want to go to wal-mart/CVS and get a $0.99 styptic pencil. You'll likely get a few good cuts your first few times (And will still get cuts every now and then). I've used the same one for about 6 months..and its a dollar. Good investment.

Welcome to the club. It takes a bit more time to shave, but coming from a disposable or Mach 12 or whatever, it'll be night and day as far as quality of shave and irritation

11/25/2011 9:39:11 PM

I'll probably try shaving just the front part of my scalp, because my hairline is receding around a small patch in the front.

11/25/2011 10:18:35 PM

Used Tabac soap today on the dome. Went against the grain and it took a little longer because it is just so hard to get the left side of my head as well as the right. And absolutely cut the crap out of some zit (three times!!!). Bleeding like a mug, put a spiderman bandage on it.

Smooth as an android's bottom.

11/27/2011 6:54:55 PM

Going to have to get an open comb razor soon when I have to go back to work after my surgery.

Got a bid on ebay for a silver-plated 1919 Gillette.

12/1/2011 8:45:37 AM

Anyone have any good soaps or aftershaves they would suggest for stocking stuffers?

12/1/2011 10:03:53 AM

No stocking stuffers, unless you get a sample pack.

On a similar note, I just picked up some Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad soap and balm at Wmsbrg Outlet.

12/1/2011 11:51:23 AM

Okay, wow...about an hour after I bought the C&E soap and balm, we take our in-laws to the shops at Colonial Wmsbrg. There is a store called "London's Bathecary." The sign on the front said, "Men's grooming."



So I went in, and found this:



Geo. F. Trumpers
Edwin Jagger
Derby Blades


Didn't get any, but got the business card and know where it is next time.

12/1/2011 5:52:02 PM

Holy shit. This may warrant a road trip.

12/2/2011 12:08:33 AM

Yeah...exactly.

If you are married, bring the wife...it's a really fun place to visit, doesn't cost anything to shop in the stores, and the stores have a lot of cool stuff.

12/2/2011 9:32:58 AM

^^^WTF, I was just in Colonial Williamsburg two weeks ago. How did I miss that store???

12/2/2011 9:36:41 AM

It's not outside, perse.

Henry St. Shops at Merchant Square
110 South Henry St. Suite D
Williamsburg, VA 23185
WWW.shopLondons.com

12/2/2011 11:10:48 AM

holy crap this is a pretty cool, novel idea on the cheap for a razor/brush stand

http://www.shavingzone.com/2010/02/how-to-make-a-brush-and-razor-stand-from-a-wire-hanger/





clickable link to London's Bathecary
http://www.shoplondons.com/

[Edited on December 3, 2011 at 7:47 PM. Reason : London Link]

12/3/2011 7:45:31 PM

Three razors so far won from eBay on the way:

Vintage Optimo Travel Razor with case - Made in Germany (30mm x 45mm)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230708744018?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648#ht_500wt_1015

Roller Guard : Gillette Style Double Edge Safety Razor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280780203289?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_2028wt_1015

Gillette brass safety razor vintage
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170737102472?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_500wt_1015

The first two are razors with models I've never seen before. The last one is the standard brass open comb razor.

I've been doing some research on restoration and replating and came across two websites:

http://www.razoremporium.com/store/ - these guys will replate and restore any razor you give them...looks like quality work

http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9 - these guys sell brush replacements if you have a nice brush handle you found or one of your own that is getting bad. You can buy the brush knots and restore your own.

Additionally, because I have a bunch of razors now and am getting more, I was looking at getting a nice multiple razor stand or case/cabinet for them all.

The best things I found to accurately match what I am looking for are antique tobacco pipe stands.

For example:









[Edited on December 4, 2011 at 2:10 PM. Reason : whoops]

12/4/2011 2:09:06 PM

Okay...I spent $90 today on eBay, bought 5 razors, two brushes, and a razor stand (pipe stand).

One of the coolest ones I picked up is the last one.

It's a 1904 Gillette Khaki Set open comb set.

12/4/2011 11:19:07 PM

Nice. What is the point (or advantages) of the open comb?

I finally got my stuff the other day so last night and tonight I've shaved with the DE. I've been shaving at night so that way if I cut off half my face, it might look better in the morn

I've started with the Derby blades and will save the Feathers for last. I've done ok so far. A couple of nicks on my neck (though I have a goatee so I don't have to shave those tricky spots). I've been so worried about making sure not to put pressure on the blade that I keep forgetting not to do long strokes like I'm used to.

I ended up just getting the cheap badger brush at Harris Teeter. Boy does that thing stink. I've tried washing it in the vinegar solution like Mantic said in one of his videos but that smell is still overpowering a bit. Definitely covers up the Lavender scent of my TOBS cream. I'm hoping it'll fade over the next few weeks. I'm also assuming it will soften up some over time as well since its on the edge of being irritating when I'm putting my lather on

[Edited on December 5, 2011 at 12:32 AM. Reason : more stuff]

12/5/2011 12:28:14 AM

got this for $10 from fleabay...it hasn't arrived, yet, and i'm not sure if i'll actually like using a scuttle, but i thought it was worth a shot

12/5/2011 9:22:53 AM

If you have a thick beard, it actually helps comb the hair as you are shaving it.

12/5/2011 11:01:42 AM

Okay...the eBay addiction is over.

4 vintage brushes
6 vintage razors
1 razor stand
Damage: $105

12/7/2011 12:16:41 AM

It may have already been posted, but by "liking" The Art of Shaving on facebook and watching a video of theirs and what not, you can get a "free" starter shaving kit with trial sizes of pre-shave oil, shave cream, after-shave balm, and a small badger brush. Its free if you can pick it up at one of their stores, or you can redeem online and pay $5 for shipping.


I've gone through a couple of Derby blades now and am currently trying the Personna Platinum blades and can already tell I like them far better than the Derby blades. I'll use these for a week or so and then move on to another blade until I try all of the ones I have.

12/12/2011 1:06:01 PM

Go for the Feather blades.

Tread lightly or they'll cut your nose off!

Such a smooth shave, though!

12/12/2011 3:48:15 PM

Yeah I've got some, but they're last on the list since everyone claims they are ninja sharp

12/12/2011 3:53:16 PM

for those interested

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/65332/the-art-of-shaving-free-starter-shaving-kit-at-the-art-of-shaving-stores

12/14/2011 3:54:54 PM

Yep I posted about that a few posts up. Mine should be here tomorrow hopefully

12/14/2011 6:22:34 PM

That starter kit is how I got into this last year -- my in-laws bought it for me. Heck, I still use that same brush.

I would actually recommend that starter kit to everyone, especially if you travel frequently. Traveling with a full-size tub of shaving cream and a full size glass container of aftershave can be a pain.

12/14/2011 6:31:03 PM

Just went to it.

12/14/2011 7:50:04 PM

So I went to their website and saw the three full films. Of the three, I only liked the first. Not only because of the guy's smokin' hot wife, but because he was the only one of the three who was using a real razor.

It will be A WHILE before I try a straight razor on any part of my body.

On a similar note, I found out my father has a Shop Smith and included in that is a lathe. I've asked him if it was possible to make a brush handle and he said if he practiced enough, he could do it. I'm pretty excited about that prospect. One of the websites I may have linked above sells brush knots. All I would have to do is find the right kind of wood I wanted to use (I'm thinking of Hawaiian Koa wood), ask my dad to lathe me a brush handle, put the knot in and BAM!

Anyway...I'll try again tomorrow with TAOS sampler kit. It's not like I'm going anywhere.

And oh btw, I haven't shaved any part of me since last Tuesday, and man...my head hair grows FAST. In certain places.

12/14/2011 8:09:00 PM

Don't be afraid of a straight razor. They really aren't as difficult or dangerous as people make them out to be.

I almost never cut myself (maybe a couple of times a year), and when it happens, it's because I jerk my hand or I'm not paying attention.

(But DO NOT try it on your head...there's no way to get it super close and the few times I did, I left myself with several nicks and cuts. But that was years ago, when I first started using a straight razor, so with practice it might be possible.)

[Edited on December 14, 2011 at 9:47 PM. Reason : fs]

12/14/2011 9:46:16 PM

Okay, so I guess I don't understand how to get the free TAOS shaving kit.

I know their system is down. I signed up for The Brotherhood and got a "Welcome" email. But it didn't include any code to redeem for the free starter kit.

Did you get two separate emails?

12/16/2011 5:41:53 PM

Okay...it's back up, but with a caveat.

Too much traffic is forcing them to send only 5,000 more free kits in a sweepstakes method.

I signed up, and it will wake "3 to 5 weeks" for the results of the sweepstakes to come in.

12/16/2011 6:29:18 PM

ah. I just had to like their facebook page, and watch a video and I was given the link for my info for the kit.

I got mine yesterday and used it for the first time today. Well, parts of it. I used the pre-shave oil and the after shave balm but still used my TOBS shaving cream. I wasn't sure how much pre-shave oil I should use but I think it helped a little. At least around my neck.

Unfortunately the kit is the "unscented" version which really means they didn't put anything into it to make it smell good so it really isn't "unscented" it just smells bad.

12/17/2011 12:56:59 AM

^ yeah...they popularity caused their servers to crash. It took them two days to bring it back up and that's when they started with the sweepstakes.

On a similar note, I've been thinking about making my own pre-shave oil. We have a ton of essential oils at the house that we were using when we were making our own laundry detergent.

I've heard olive oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, glycerin, castor oil, are all good things to have in it. I don't want to make it too thick (olive oil) or smell too funky (also olive oil).

I had some a few years ago in Hawaii that was olive and castor oil with no essential oil, and it smelled like olive oil.

12/17/2011 9:47:13 AM

And this is another reason why you use an open comb. This is exactly one month of no shaving my face.

12/17/2011 1:08:57 PM

Been DE shaving for almost two years now.

Currently I prefer using a Muhle R41 with Feather blades, Proraso cream, a splash of Witch-Hazel and Nivea after shave (sensitive).

Haven't been using the Muhle R41 very long. It was terrifying at first, but after I developed my technique it gives the best shave.


(Interestingly, I haven't been on the tww in maybe a year)

12/17/2011 11:21:06 PM

Today was a busy day for me...shaving-wise.

Pre-Shave Oil - I just made some of my own that I'll try whenever I shave next.

For the oil, I used 4 ounces of jojoba oil, 3 ounces of grape seed oil, and a few drops of Lavender scented essential oil. The lavender itself smells really strong, so I'm hoping the dilution will work to soften the smell.

Razors - I took some Brasso and Tarn-X and polished the razors I bought off of eBay. They are now soaking in highly-concentrated Barbicide to make sure they are all good-to-go later.

Brushes - Of the four old shaving brushes I bought on eBay, I removed the old hair and drilled out the glue that held the hairs in place. I have an old black Rubberset one with a 20mm hole, a green/bone colored one with a 22mm hole, and a generic green one with a 24mm hole.

I'm using the suggestions to restore them from The Art of Manliness (http://pfbarney.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/restoring-an-old-shaving-brush/). In it, they use a polish called "FLITZ" which can be used to polish ANYTHING (according to them). I'm hoping some hobby shops or hardware stores have it.

I've got three places I'm going to look to get the brush knots:

The Whipped Dog - http://whippeddog.com/
Blankity Blanks - http://www.blankity-blanks.com/brushes.htm
The Golden Nib - http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9

Razor Stand - And I've scrubbed, sprayed, and polished the pipe stand I bought, and have a bunch of coffee grounds in the "tobacco box" soaking up all the tobacco smell, so it'll be as good as new and ready to hold some of my gear!

Any of you guys restore any of the equipment you've bought?

[Edited on December 18, 2011 at 10:03 PM. Reason : tags]

12/18/2011 10:03:01 PM

i use Flitz on a lot of gun stuff and all sorts of metal parts. i'm pretty sure you can get it at Lowe's.

[Edited on December 18, 2011 at 11:02 PM. Reason : i use a polishing wheel on my dremel with it. jeweler's rouge works too.]

12/18/2011 10:59:37 PM

^ Well, crap. I did a search on their website (as well as Ace's and Home Depot) and didn't see it, so I got it from a merchant on Amazon. $10 for the tube.

But that is probably not necessary now. I have to give the proper credit for the merchants I am using. B&B has a merchant named Rudy Vey that has his own custom pen shop in his house in New Jersey. He also does brushes and brush restoration. His website is http://www.ultimatependesigns.com/Shaving.html. I emailed him and asked if he could restore the three brushes I have (picture below). And he said he could do it all for $50 (he normally chargers $25 per brush, but gave me a discount because I already did most of the work.



Pretty stoked about this. When I first started wet shaving two years ago, I bought a Mayfair badger brush (picture below). Over those two years, it has lost only a few hairs and has worked well. I would just like to have more brushes at my disposal.



And...once my dad says he's good to try it, I'm going to ask him to make me a few handles and do the knots myself.

12/19/2011 9:14:27 AM