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The Wet-Shaving Thread

As of today, I'm two months in. It seems like much longer and other than one four-day stint when my mailed-to-myself blades didn't show up on a business trip, I've shaved exclusively DE. I'm figuring that I have 50+ shaves under my belt. That's a far cry from cartridge shaving - I would have had sub-30 shaves in that time.

I've learned a lot. One thing I've learned is that I suck at making good lather with hard soaps, whether tallow or glycerin. As a result, shaving with those is more of a challenge than a joy, so I'm mostly sticking with creams and croaps. I just started using my Strop Shoppe Rosemary and Mint - it's awesome!

I haven't given up on the soaps and I think that I may have made a discovery with my face-lathering, so I'll keep trying. Along with that, I've almost exhausted my supply of generic blades (that I think are Israeli Personnas) and I'm about ready to try my Astra SP blades. And, at some point, I'll put down the '45 Ball-End Tech and pick up the RazoRock Mission.

What's your latest progress/discovery/purchase?
 
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Atticus make sure you put enough water when doing hard soaps so you can lather it up (i still need to give you some soaps/creams when i pass through there in a couple of weeks).

I prefer face lathering now as its quicker and more effective for me. Not sure if you have witch hazel in your kit but it's great. I like thayers but i also tried the generic target one and added essential oils in it.

I flitz'd a couple of my vintage razors and came to the conclusion that I may opt to rhodium dip the one my grandfather gave me. It's pitting bad and has no luster at all.

Might start to straight razor again once I figure what i want to buy
 
Yakoo752 said:
shitty pot steel :cry

the screw post (stud) broke off :mad
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Aw, that sucks. I hope EJ takes care of you on this. :nchantr

drewcandraw said:
Atticus make sure you put enough water when doing hard soaps so you can lather it up (i still need to give you some soaps/creams when i pass through there in a couple of weeks).

I prefer face lathering now as its quicker and more effective for me. Not sure if you have witch hazel in your kit but it's great. I like thayers but i also tried the generic target one and added essential oils in it.

I flitz'd a couple of my vintage razors and came to the conclusion that I may opt to rhodium dip the one my grandfather gave me. It's pitting bad and has no luster at all.

Might start to straight razor again once I figure what i want to buy
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I've tried more water, less water...doesn't seem to matter. What I haven't tried is face-lathering with a hard soap, so maybe that's the trick for me. I've been face-lathering my Proraso (tub) and Strop Shoppe croaps with great results, so I'll see if I can do a better job that way with a hard soap.

I do use WH. I started with some Humphrey's Organic, but I don't care for the 14% alcohol in it so I got some Thayer's with Aloe at the local Raley's. I also use Lucky Tiger Face Tonic, which I love! In both cases, I follow up with a Stirling after-shave balm (either Bay Rum or Sharp Dressed Man).

I might get some Flitz for the 1980 aluminum British Tech. I haven't been able to get it to shine, so I'm hoping that will do the trick.
 
1sicv8 said:
thanks for the advice. and the congrats!

I was trying to stay under 40 for this part of the gift. I am throwing together some other things as well. Was thinking just brush and soap because I am not sure how some of them would feel using other types of razors.
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Here's what I used to get started:

http://www.theartofshaving.com/Lave...gid=travel-tavel-kits&navid=travel-tavel-kits

You have to buy the razor & blades separately, but even with a cartridge blade it is a step up, and your guys can do that if they're into it. Probably better to wait until after the wedding anyways so they don't show up with a bunch of nicks on their faces.
 
This is sexy as hell! I wish I could line you all up and do a cheek to cheek test! Le faint.
 
macro shots of our cheeks lol...

I'll try that Maas metal polish if Amazon or someone locally has it.
 
I've been working on one soap per week in order to learn them. This week is Chiseled Face Groomatorium's Easy Street. I'm still not completely sold on the scent - it's fine, but doesn't "wow" me - but the lather is ridiculously easy to make and works very, very well.

What product has (positively) surprised you along the way?
 
Positive surprises:
Spieck shave stick. Inexpensive, convenient, nice scent, and awesome slick lather.
Treet razor blades. Smooth and sharp

Negative surprises:
Anything RazoRock
Kai blades
Cade/Plisson shaving brush
 
When I last shaved recently, I tried the natural soap I got from Dr. Squatch Soaps and it wasn't bad. Lathers well in my beard which I spread to my face. I had a pine tar scent which i actually like a lot but did not shave with. It makes me smell of the woods :D
 
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