Shaving: Merkur Safety Razors

[ryanj247]

there is an ingredient in the product that has that effect, "salicylic acid". wikipedia says it does this by "causing skin cells to slough off more readily". that is, it basically thins out the topmost layer(s) of skin so that it's easier for hairs to emerge straight out of the pore and less likely they'll get trapped underneath the skin...

another product that is great for this (and has the same active ingredient) is MiN Solution2

[ohgeetee]

I prefer the Spishak Mach 20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F7TMlrDXtw

[RacersEdge]

What is this ingrown hair you people speak of?

[Soul Daddy]

How difficult would it be to shave one's head using this method and/or tool?

[MyNameIsSamSnead]

[ QUOTE ]
What is this ingrown hair you people speak of?

[/ QUOTE ]

The fact that you have to ask this question makes you blessed. Consider yourself very lucky.
Every time I shave I have to perform minor surgery on my neck.....and I still don't get them all.

[Big Poppa Smurf]

Does anyone here use a straight razor? If I'm going to switch to a more badass razor, I'm going whole hog here.

edit: I suck at the english language [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[BeeRye]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone here use a straight razor? If I'm going to switch to a more badass razor, I'm going whole hog here.

edit: I suck at the english language [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been shaving with Merkurs and old Gillettes for a number of months now. My favourite is a Merkur "Slant". Oustanding results and I will never go back to cartridges.

I've started with straights recently, working with one of these:
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vsho...132&page=1
The learning curve is a little steeper, maintenance is much more than the double edge razors. But there are ways to get well honed/shave ready straights to start with so all you do is strop them.

Best part of this for me is not only the quality of shave better, but it's no longer a chore, but something I look forward to.

[AvivaSimplex]

The straight is better than cartridges, but how does it compare to quality DEs?

For maintenance, I read one article that said you should coat your blade with mineral oil after every shave. Do you seriously do that?

[jeffraider]

I wetshave with a Merkur Hefty Classic, love it! I use Old Bond Almond shaving cream which is awesome and a badger hair brush. I have some Old Bond aftershave which feels pretty good but I don't like the smell of it, and I have some Proraso after shave which feels fantastic and smells great! Dirt cheap too compared to the expensive Old Bonds. I still use my Mach3 on days when I just have to shave ASAP and don't have time to do a proper job, it's a nice little reminder of how much Mach3s suck compared to wetshaving.

[BeeRye]

[ QUOTE ]
The straight is better than cartridges, but how does it compare to quality DEs?

For maintenance, I read one article that said you should coat your blade with mineral oil after every shave. Do you seriously do that?

[/ QUOTE ]

Right now...it's tough to say. I get a better shave now with a DE, but that's a matter of technique. I've only got a few shaves in with a straight. They are getting progressively better as my technique improves. If you look on the shaving forae, you'll see that opinion is divided. For me it's too early to tell, until my technique improves. Already though, only two passes with the grain with a straight and my sloppy technique, easily surpasses any shave I've had with a cartridge.

I don't coat mine with mineral oil. I just make sure the blade is dried well before storing. It's more important for a carbon steel blade than a stainless blade. If I weren't going to use the razor for a week or more, I would use food grade mineral oil on the hinge and blade.