Wet Shaving

Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
I used to use cheap dispensable razors but they sucked. I moved onto Gillette cartridges for a better shave but they were too expensive.

Then, I discovered the wonderful world of wet shaving. James Bond in Skyfall had it right!

A Merkur stainless steel long-handle double-edged razor only costs $30-40, and boy is it durable. The blades themselves are cheap (like dozens of them for $15). Westcoastshaving gives you a nice sample pack of different brands for a fair price.

I do have Proraso lathering cream and a nice Omega boar brush, but I honestly found that using Barbasol after a shower was just much easier.
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Comments

  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I have a beard ! ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    In my younger days, I've tried wet shaving with different systems but always had problems with skin irritations.

    I went then with dry shaving - with a finish from a Gilette wetshaver.
    What is very important to me is to rinse the blades (both dry and wet) with hot water to kill bacterials - with colder water my rash returns immediately.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Mr MartiniMr Martini That nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,707MI6 Agent
    I love a good shave after a shower. I'm hooked on Harry's Blades. They're from the New York area. Good blades and cheaper than most store brands. I use a $1-$2 can of barbasol and I'm good for a day or two. If interested in the blade I use, I can provide a link. Just ask me for it and I'll PM it to you.
    Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
  • hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,112MI6 Agent
    I use a Phillips electric shaver. I fancy a wet/dry shaver though. You get the same experience as you do when you're using a manual razor, but without the risk of nicking. Which i am nervous about.
    Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"

    " I don't listen to hip hop!"
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    I currently have a bushy beard -{ I've always preferred having Facial Hair :)
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    Beards are no good. James bond doesnt have a beard for a reason ya kno. :)
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    He did in DAD ;)
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    What Shaver did Bond use in DAD?
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    Mr martini. You can share the link here if youd like
  • Mr MartiniMr Martini That nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,707MI6 Agent
    Mr martini. You can share the link here if you'd like

    There you go.
    https://www.harrys.com
    Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    Just got like 50 Feather blades on Amazon for just $16. That's like a years worth.
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    slightly of thread ,but near enough me thinks , one of the patrols out of our factory ,nicked a bloke ,carrying a cut throat razor,to wich he pleaded his innocence ,"honest guv I use it for shaving" ,to wich in court ,the local beak replied ,"well off you go then shave"? ,he was found guilty as charged :))
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) :)) :))
    I have a lovely " Chuck Norris" beard. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    :)) :)) :))
    I have a lovely " Chuck Norris" beard. ;)

    every now and then I will grow one ,keep it for a week then shave it off ,it itches the hell out of me :))
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • Smithers500Smithers500 Spectre IslandPosts: 1,347MI6 Agent
    Yes, same here. I often wonder how people with beards aren't frequently seen scratching their beards vociferously whilst screaming in frustration!

    Maybe beardy's can chime in - is the discomfort something you get used to over time and then ignore, or are there products available to help with this?
    Japanese proverb say, "Bird never make nest in bare tree".
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    As with many things, once it reaches a certain length it can be very pleasurable. ;)
    Or put another way, it stops being scratchy. Intact I spend once a week trimming it
    to keep it short. :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,112MI6 Agent
    I can't pull off a beard.
    Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"

    " I don't listen to hip hop!"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Didn't Disney ban beards and moustaches ? ( even though he had one) and
    in the Book FRWL, didn't Bond say something about not liking moustaches
    or that they were the mark of being untrustworthy ? Something like that ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    Didn't Disney ban beards and moustaches ? ( even though he had one) and
    in the Book FRWL, didn't Bond say something about not liking moustaches
    or that they were the mark of being untrustworthy ? Something like that ?

    yes they did ,they stopped my wife one day at the ticket booth :))
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) :)) :))
    I'll await the obituary notice in AJB, if she ever reads your posts ! :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,320MI6 Agent
    :D

    He better log off AJB!
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    Only joking guys ,but my daughter did get stopped for wearing a FCUK shirt once ,at the magic kingdom ,
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    Anyway ,back to the original topic ,in my 55 years of living on planet earth :) ,ive only ever had one proper wet shave ,that was in Fethiye (Skyfall) in Turkey . I sat there ,very very still ,while I had the full works ,inc the Piano wire ,and the flaming cotton wool bud in your earole ,but ,I didn't need to shave again for a few days ,you cant beat it
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • CmdrAtticusCmdrAtticus United StatesPosts: 1,102MI6 Agent
    I use a Merkur safety razor and Geo. F. Trumper's Eucris shaving soap with a Kent pure grey badger brush. For travel I have the Eucris soap in a tube and Kent's wonderful black anodized aluminium travel shaving brush. The brush is held inside the tube and when needed one pulls it out and threads it onto the tube which becomes the brush handle. Using this while traveling reproduces the exact same quality shave I get at home. I use Clubman Special Reserve for my after shave cologne.
    shave_tr2.jpg
  • BarbaricBarbaric Cedar Grove, NJ, USAPosts: 19MI6 Agent
    I remember watching my grandfather shaving with a soap, brush and straight razor. I've always envied him that ritual.

    I've tried shaving with soaps from Truefitt & Hill, D.R. Harris, and Geo F. Trumper, a badger brush and various straight and double edged razors. I've even given myself the hot towel treatment. I've come to the conclusion that these things do not work for me when I shave on my own because I have very sensitive skin and after several days of shaving like that my skin looks like raw hamburger.

    I did sit down once at an old established barber shop in Wall Street area of NYC and had a shave. I got the full treatment and, overall, it was an enjoyable experience. On special occasions, such as an anniversary or attending a wedding, I sometimes get a shave from my local barber who still does it the old school way.

    While I envy some men that ritual, it seems that the only thing I can use without styptic powders and pencils is Gillette Fusion razors and cream from a can. I've also tried various after shave lotions such as Pinaud Clubman, but usually go without.
    Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Welcome Barbaric -{
    I went with a beard to by pass all the time spent shaving. ;)
    You might like to visit.
    http://www.ajb007.co.uk/post/756830/#p756830
    Just to introduce yourself.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • CmdrAtticusCmdrAtticus United StatesPosts: 1,102MI6 Agent
    Barbaric wrote:
    I remember watching my grandfather shaving with a soap, brush and straight razor. I've always envied him that ritual.

    I've tried shaving with soaps from Truefitt & Hill, D.R. Harris, and Geo F. Trumper, a badger brush and various straight and double edged razors. I've even given myself the hot towel treatment. I've come to the conclusion that these things do not work for me when I shave on my own because I have very sensitive skin and after several days of shaving like that my skin looks like raw hamburger.

    I did sit down once at an old established barber shop in Wall Street area of NYC and had a shave. I got the full treatment and, overall, it was an enjoyable experience. On special occasions, such as an anniversary or attending a wedding, I sometimes get a shave from my local barber who still does it the old school way.

    While I envy some men that ritual, it seems that the only thing I can use without styptic powders and pencils is Gillette Fusion razors and cream from a can. I've also tried various after shave lotions such as Pinaud Clubman, but usually go without.

    I understand the problem you have with these old standard razors. I went from the double edge to the modern multi bladed razors when they first came out and though I spent many years enjoying the ease of use, I noticed my skin actually got more sensitive because they cut so close but not enough to abrade the skin. When I got tired of shelling out the ever spiraling cost of the replacement blades and decided to get a Mekur, it took me a few weeks of practice and nicks before I got reaccustomed to it's weight and the stroke direction. I learned that I was trying to replicate the closeness of the modern multiple blade razor on one pass and that was wrong. I had to use lighter strokes and on the more angled areas to reapply the lather and shave to keep the blade sliding and get closer if needed. Now it's second nature and I learned the difference - the multi blades allows one to shave almost without thinking and the old double edge forces one to focus on the task. However, everyone has different skin and sensitivity and I realized what I experience won't be exactly the same.
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    In the 80s I had a beard. In the 90s that was limited to a moustache. Today I'm clean-shaven (Gillette) but I'd love to grow a beard again (grey these days, of course) but Bride Of Barbel refuses to let me!
  • martinimartini Posts: 289MI6 Agent
    So then, is it worth getting a cut-throat and strop, or a replaceable blade cut-throat? Which do people recommend?

    I wet shave currently using standard Gillette stuff, but want to change.
    "It is better to be as well dressed as possible to stave off, at least for a very little bit, the total collapse of civilization"
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