|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
EDF Wet Shaving Thread
I started wet shaving around 6 months ago as a result of my general unhappiness with my shaving routine and an OOT thread. I'm really enjoying everything about it - the quality of the shave, the lack of ingrown hairs, the morning routine, etc. I'm also one of those guys who enjoys skin products, etc, so having a whole new category of stuff to shop for and buy is right up my alley.
Things I have: Art of Shaving shaving brush $50 from the Art of Shaving Merkur Long Classic Safety Razor $29.99 from Classic Shaving Ceramic Razor and Brush Stand $39.99 from Classic Shaving Brush, razor, stand. All pretty standard. The fun part, of course, are the products. I was able to get a package of stuff from Art of Shaving for super-cheap from Costco. This is it: It comes with a brush, shaving cream, pre-shave oil, and an after-shave balm. All of the products are excellent imo. Art of Shaving charges $100 for it, though, I doubt I'd use it much if I wasn't able to get it for $40 from Costco. I haven't branched out all that far from that stuff, but two things I've tried and liked are: Truefitt & Hill Pre-Shave Oil $28 from Truefitt & Hill and Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Shaving Cream $28 from Truefitt & Hill Finally, I recently bought some products from the American men's grooming maker Jack Black. I'm not posting all that crap because I don't like it very much, especially the shaving cream. It's not as good as Art of Shaving and can't even touch Truefitt & Hill, which is the best I've used. So there you have my wet shaving treatise. I'd like to know what other products people like and use, especially in the after-shave balm and moisturizer categories. I have very sensitive skin so I can't deal with stuff with too much alcohol in it. Finding good moisturizer is hard. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
I've been wanting to stock up on some stuff like this, so thanks for the recommendations.
Have you ever tried a straight razor? Every now and then, I start thinking it would be cool to get one, but I'm not sure if it would end up being more trouble than it's worth. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
I want something that is fast and won't cut or give me ingrown hairs. Is that too much to ask?? I don't care if it's particularly close.
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
BretWeir,
I haven't tried the full-on straight razor because I don't have the steadiest of hands and don't want to die. kurosh, If speed is a priority, wet shaving isn't for you. Part of the appeal for me is the ritual aspect of filling up the sink with hot water, soaking the brush, applying the lather, etc etc etc. I'm always in a rush, and taking 10 minutes to pamper myself and have an excellent shave is a great break. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
LFS,
What were you shaving with before and how do your current routine and results compare? |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
Prior to this I was using the Gillette Sensor. The Mach 3 game me crazy irritation and ingrown hairs, and a wet/dry Panasonic electric razor I used took forever to give me a close shave without tearing my face apart.
Everything about this experience is better. My face is super-smooth. It takes longer than a disposable razor and obviously requires more equipment, though. Cost-wise I bet it evens out after a year or so, since replacement blades are cheap. One thing I've noticed is that the occasional nick I get with a super-sharp safety razor seems to close up MUCH quicker than the times I cut myself with a disposable. Results-wise, there's really no comparison. The quality of the shave I get with this setup is WAY better. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
Have you tried shaving with just water+razor? I stopped using shaving cream/gel months ago and that seems to have eliminated cuts and razor bumps.
I've heard good things about Merkur safety razors. I will probably purchase one when I run out of Mach 3 cartridges. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
Ever since I started rinsing with cold water after shaving, I haven't had any razor burn. It supposedly closes up the pores. And I just use the cheap gillete two blade disposables.
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
I'll echo that the truefitt and hill products are amazing. While I still use a mach 3 and shave in the shower just adding the high end shaving cream really increased the experience quite a bit for me. I bought a tube of the their shaving cream after getting a straight razor at their store in Caesars which now is must for me every time I visit vegas these days.
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Re: EDF Wet Shaving Thread
I've been on this bandwagon for a long time, and most of the things I'd say have already been said here (nice thread, LFS). There are only a few things I'd add.
1. Try different brands of blades. There is a big difference, and lots to choose from. You can buy sampler packs that let you try lots of different blades via some online Paypal stores. 2. Try different creams. I have 3-4 that I alternate between. They're all a bit different. For someone looking for one to buy, you cannot go wrong with Taylor of Old Bond Street or Truefitt. 3. Shave after you shower. The 5-10 minutes in the hot water and moist air will make a huge difference in comfort. I read once somewhere that the average whisker has the same tensile strength of copper wire of the same diameter, so it definitely helps to soften it up. 4. Just as poker and general time-wasting has 2p2, wet shaving has a message board also. Badger and Blade is a great site with tons of info, and lots of serious bzness posters who take this stuff really seriously. They're very helpful, and this is also the place you can find the guys selling sampler packs of blades above. This has been the one change to my daily routine over the past 10 years that has had the most positive impact. Regular shaving with disposables and cheap creams and gels ripped me up, made my complexion terrible, and generally made me dread shaving. I have none of those problems now. |
|
|