Shaving-Just came Full Circle.

Brush
Shaving Cream (Truefitt & Hill) Sandalwood
Feather Platinum coated blades
After Balm (Truefitt & Hill) Sandalwood

Ahhh .......
 
BillE said:
Kinda OT:

Just last weekend neighbor and were talking about "barber shops" and how they would actually shave around you ears, etc, and how I REALLY miss that little experience.

His comment, "I've never had that."

'Too bad' are my thoughts. I for one miss the feel of 'cold steel' against my head (at the barber).

Oh, I should add, he is 55 years young.

Bill
Click to expand...

Yep, that's how it used to be in the olden days, hot shave cream, and a straight razor, and would trim sideburns, around your ears, and neck.

Those old timers (Barbers) could literally play a song with the shears and comb. Not something that is easily found today, but imagine there are still hidden away bastions of that dying art.

The Hot Lather machine humming away, giving the Barber a nice hot handful of Shave Crème to apply, And the "Song" of that Straight Razor being worked over the Leather Strop.

The old Candy Cane Striped electric "poles" going round and round outside.

The smell of Pinaud Clubman After Shave, And Talcum Powder, and all the old pics on the walls of "Flat Tops", Crew Cuts, Duck Tails, etc, Brylcreem and Vitalis Posters-Pics, etc. Those beautiful Leather-Chrome deco-art Barber's Chairs that would recline, and Foot Rests, today would no doubt be a small fortune.

Used to come out looking like "Jan & Dean"! :-) Clean as a whistle! Smelling pretty too!
 
cataylor3 said:
Try Feather blades if you can find them. Sharpest things I have ever used. I started wet shaving in college when money was super tight and never looked back. :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Yes, I've read the Feather Blades are the sharpest of all. In time, I might progress to them, once I get a little more experience. These Wilkinsons I have coming are supposed to be good, and hopefully they are what they are claimed to be, the german made blades rather than the indian manufacture.
 
MarkD51 said:
Yep, that's how it used to be in the olden days, hot shave cream, and a straight razor, and would trim sideburns, around your ears, and neck.

Those old timers (Barbers) could literally play a song with the shears and comb. Not something that is easily found today, but imagine there are still hidden away bastions of that dying art.

The Hot Lather machine humming away, giving the Barber a nice hot handful of Shave Crème to apply, And the "Song" of that Straight Razor being worked over the Leather Strop.

The old Candy Cane Striped electric "poles" going round and round outside.

The smell of Pinaud Clubman After Shave, And Talcum Powder, and all the old pics on the walls of "Flat Tops", Crew Cuts, Duck Tails, etc, Brylcreem and Vitalis Posters-Pics, etc. Those beautiful Leather-Chrome deco-art Barber's Chairs that would recline, and Foot Rests, today would no doubt be a small fortune.

Used to come out looking like "Jan & Dean"! :-) Clean as a whistle! Smelling pretty too!
Click to expand...

Outstanding bit of writing there Mark!

Brings a big good ol' feeling of lost times to this old guy. Whoda thought a 'barber shop' would be so reminiscent? Surly not me till this thread.

Bill
 
Side story (again)...When I was in the service, there was a guy from Scotland who shaved with a straight razor! That in itself is nothing, but we're talking about a razor on a SHIP! We're rocking and rolling, and there's Scotty justa shaving away with out a worry in the world.

The rest of us were cutting ourselves just using an electric razor (LOL).

Bill
 
I have luck with the gillette custom plus 3 disposables. The game changer is the gillette fusion proglide CLEAR SHAVE GEL! This is in a tube. Lets you see where you are shaving! And a unexpected bonus, one of the best and close shaves i ever gotten out of gel. Guess its hard to find in some areas. Its also sold as gillette body. If you can find it, try it. You will not be sorry.
 
MarkD51 said:
Yes, I've read the Feather Blades are the sharpest of all. In time, I might progress to them, once I get a little more experience. These Wilkinsons I have coming are supposed to be good, and hopefully they are what they are claimed to be, the german made blades rather than the indian manufacture.
Click to expand...

I tried Wilkinsons. They aren't bad. I bought this here a few years ago and am almost to the end and it let me try out a ton of blades. http://www.amazon.com/Double-Safety...440160546&sr=8-10&keywords=sharp+razor+blades
 
Yesterday afternoon, most of my goodies arrived, except the Wilkinson Classic Blades. The Edwin Jagger Razor, (with 5 Derby Blades) my nice tub of Trumper's Rose Shave Cream, and a Brush and Bowl.

So, this morning I said "Let's have at it!"

I was going to first try my Edge Shave Gel, (been mostly using Barbasol lately with the disposables) and found although the Edge Can was 1/2 full, no propellant, so it was onto the Trumpers Cream.

Washed face really well, I did wash and soak the Brush last night a bit, getting out some loose shedding hairs in the process. And again soaked the Brush this morning for a few minute's time.

A small Dollop of Cream on the wetted Brush, and went to work whipping it up. With the right amount of water, added just a few drops more to the bowl, and in 2-3 minute's time, had a nice "merengue" type froth, wet my face a bit again, and massaged in the Cream.

OK, here goes!

The cream does have quite good lubricity, nice scent, it should have, a company that's been around before my grandfather was born, and for the cost, it is a very nice Shave Cream. For how little is needed, the Tub should last me a good while.

Shaving was pretty much effortless, not a newcomer to DE Shaving, but has been multiple decades since I used one. Not one bit of drama, no surprises, and not one nick! Zero! Bravo! :-)

I then rinsed my face well with nice cool water, and then for the Coup De Grace, a pat down with some Pinaud Clubman After Shave, and lastly the Pinaud Clubman Talcum Powder.

Ahh, that nice little therapeutic "sting" I remember so well at the Barber!
Doing just what it supposed to do I reckon.

As I applied the After Shave, I was thinking of Rocky Balboa trying to do the After Shave Commercial in the Movie, and saying to myself "My face is surrounded in Class! LOL

My face is as smooth as a Baby's Butt, no tightness, no irritation, and I'm sitting here for the past 20 minutes rubbing my face and saying "Ahh, nice!".

Might see even further improvement with the other blades in time, and of course better experience, but so far, I'm very happy with the switch!
Mark
 
I just trim my beard when I shave and have been using a straight razor that takes DE blades for a couple years now.

Thought about switching to a DE but not sure how well it will work for precise trim work.

Been using shark blades with good results, but I only get 1 or 2 uses out of a blade.
 
I've been wet shaving for about 2 years now, and I'm never going back.

I'm bald, and have SUPER sensitive skin. Cartridge blades, and even electric razors tend to irritate my skin.

I will only use the cartridge type when in a rush, or traveling.

I like short handle razors and have an assortment of Merkur and Jaggers.

I shave daily (head and face) and have minimal irritation issues using DE blades.

-Taylor of Old Bond St. Sensitive Skin shaving cream is a favorite of mine. Lots of lather and retains moisture very well.
-Personna blades for the typical daily shave (allegedly made in the US). Very smooth shave, but not the sharpest things around.
-Feather blades for special occasions, but they do cause more irritation (closer shave).
 
I'm glad I'm not the only wet shaver around here. I made the plunge 5-6 years ago and bought my first straight, soap, strop and brush. Not looked back since. My shaves are much better than they ever were. Now it's fun and not a chore.

Currently using a TI razor, Vulfix brush and DR Harris soap. I do need to find a new soap though. Almost finished my puck of DRH.
View attachment 36712
 
Paid a little visit to my local (quite large) antique shop here in town this morning, because I know in the past I have found many unique goodies, like one day in desperate need for a nice Egg Cup for Soft Boiled Eggs. They had a dozen of them and picked out a beauty for $4 a couple years back. I guard and care for that little dear beauty like it cost me $500! :-)

So today, I asked the lady there if, and where in the store she might have some old fashioned shaving gear stashed, and yep, she had some goodies and nice brushes too on hand! Yay!

Selected a very nice, like brand new vintage Made Rite Badger Hair Shaving Brush, $10 out the door.

I'm only lacking one important item, and will get such shortly, a nice Shaving Stand to hold the Brush and Razor.

There's lots to choose from on that auction site, and the web.

As time goes by, I'll no doubt be grabbing some more small assortments of creams-soaps, and after shaves-balms and the like.
 
You guys can keep all that fancy shaving creams and soaps, although most soaps are better than todays creams/gels. I'll stick with plane ol' Barbasol that's been around since Coon's had fir. Nice and thick, no irritation, I hate gels because of this, it's cheap and it's nostalgic.

May have to try one of those razors though.
 
MarkD51 said:
vintage Made Rite B......
Click to expand...
Shaving paraphernalia?

Sorry; No.
Instead, (to me), that would be:
Made Right Burgers...

made to order, and just the right food:
for the annual Fall Car Show in a little
town just a few miles North of me.

:)

Bob
 
Hoytman said:
You guys can keep all that fancy shaving creams and soaps, although most soaps are better than todays creams/gels. I'll stick with plane ol' Barbasol that's been around since Coon's had fir. Nice and thick, no irritation, I hate gels because of this, it's cheap and it's nostalgic.

May have to try one of those razors though.
Click to expand...

Have a couple cans of Barbasol sitting here, and have been using it for about the past year or so.

No doubt the quality of a shave cream-soap does contribute largely to shaving comfort, and razor cutting efficiency. Lubrication offers the glide, and protection of skin.

Simple test, take any bar of regular soap, and try shaving with it if you dare. You'll have quite a raw face when done.

But too, take a cheapo dollar store plastic razor, and try shaving, and too, no matter the quality of cream-soap, you will be fighting the shave, like shaving with a kitchen knife from the drawer.

I know there's quite a bit of regular run of the mill products that one can usually find at the pharmacy stores, like Cremo, etc. Never tried them, but also might be worth some consideration?
 
MarkD51 said:
Have a couple cans of Barbasol sitting here, and have been using it for about the past year or so.

No doubt the quality of a shave cream-soap does contribute largely to shaving comfort, and razor cutting efficiency. Lubrication offers the glide, and protection of skin.

Simple test, take any bar of regular soap, and try shaving with it if you dare. You'll have quite a raw face when done.

But too, take a cheapo dollar store plastic razor, and try shaving, and too, no matter the quality of cream-soap, you will be fighting the shave, like shaving with a kitchen knife from the drawer.

I know there's quite a bit of regular run of the mill products that one can usually find at the pharmacy stores, like Cremo, etc. Never tried them, but also might be worth some consideration?
Click to expand...
I like soap a lot more. The biggest reason is it doesn't seem to dry out as fast as cream or gel.
 
Mark,

Been doing the DE razor thing for the last 3 years. Use a Merkur 38C and Bolzano Superinox blades, with Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood soap. I really like the TOBS Jermyn Street soap the best, but they don't sell that in a refill puck that I've found, just the more expensive wood bowl, so I buy the Sandalwood pucks for the bowl I have. Might give a shave cream a try the next time I need something. Oh yeah, buy a backup brush when you see one on sale, otherwise they get stupid pricey and you could get dinged for retail when the knot in your current brush lets go unexpectedly one day.

The TOBS I got on a recommendation and just haven't tried anything else. Mind of a Mike Phillips, "find something you like and use it often" sort of mantra.

The Bolzano Blades I got in a tester package from royalshave.com. I found Feather blades were wayyyyy too sharp for my face. I was donating way too much blood each morning. Wilkinson Swords are my second favorite brand, but I found I got a bit better shave with less passes on the Bolzanos. YMMV. Find a blade you like and buy in bulk on a sale to really save some coin. That's the reason I tried a sampler pack.

If you scour sites like badger and blade, royal shave, west coast shaving, etc. and sign up for their email lists, you'll run into some good deals on shave supplies. Just be careful, it can get as addictive trying new shaving products as detailing car supplies, and just like detailing, there are way over-priced items to temp the foolish, and their fortunes. I've found art-of-shaving to be overpriced on a whole, but they occasionally have a decent sale.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top