Off Topic Old Skool Shaving

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sheffordqpr

sheffordqpr

Well-Known Member
Mar 28, 2011
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Some time ago, a thread was posted about Old Skool Shaving. I, like millions of others have been using the plastic disposables and foam for years. Well not after reading that thread! It inspired me to do some research and I have recently received a Merkur 23C (I like the long handle), Arko soap, a mug and a badger brush. I haven't had a shave as good since I chucked my old lot out 20+ years ago. My advice? GO OLD SKOOL!!!!

If the mods can find the original thread (I can't), please can you merge?
 
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Yep, recently converted after suffering for years with razor rash from gillette cartridges with about 74 blades (that cost a fortune). Now I get a much closer shave, no irritation and spend a fortune on poncey shaving cream instead.
 
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sheffordqpr said:
Some time ago, a thread was posted about Old Skool Shaving. I, like millions of others have been using the plastic disposables and foam for years. Well not after reading that thread! It inspired me to do some research and I have recently received a Merkur 23C (I like the long handle), Arko soap, a mug and a badger brush. I haven't had a shave as good since I chucked my old lot out 20+ years ago. My advice? GO OLD SKOOL!!!!

If the mods can find the original thread (I can't), please can you merge?
Click to expand...

I don't think it was on a dedicated thread. If I remember rightly it was Stan who made a reference to old school shaving within another thread, possibly the politics one.
 
QPR999 said:
I don't think it was on a dedicated thread. If I remember rightly it was Stan who made a reference to old school shaving within another thread, possibly the politics one.
Click to expand...
I remember the discussion, can't remember whether it was a dedicated thread I'm afraid.

Good to see more converts.
1982_Ranger said:
Yep, recently converted after suffering for years with razor rash from gillette cartridges with about 74 blades (that cost a fortune). Now I get a much closer shave, no irritation and spend a fortune on poncey shaving cream instead.
Click to expand...
After the initial investment it works out much cheaper as well as being better. You can get very good shaving cream, blades etc without spending much. The only downside is that it takes a little more time to shave - but is enjoyable and the results are sensational. The other irritant is that you can't take the blades in hand baggage on planes, though that is probably a good thing.

Was talking to a bloke who went the whole hog and spent a lot on a top quality old style cut throat razor. He stuck with it for six months but concluded that the safety razors are better, thus saving me the bother of trying, which I had been pondering.
 
sb_73 said:
I remember the discussion, can't remember whether it was a dedicated thread I'm afraid.

Good to see more converts.

After the initial investment it works out much cheaper as well as being better. You can get very good shaving cream, blades etc without spending much. The only downside is that it takes a little more time to shave - but is enjoyable and the results are sensational. The other irritant is that you can't take the blades in hand baggage on planes, though that is probably a good thing.

Was talking to a bloke who went the whole hog and spent a lot on a top quality old style cut throat razor. He stuck with it for six months but concluded that the safety razors are better, thus saving me the bother of trying, which I had been pondering.
Click to expand...
There seems to be a bit of a resurgence over the last few years. It's quite nice not dreading shaving anymore or going to work looking like I've used a cheese grater. The fact that I can buy 10 blades for a couple of quid, as opposed to four for a tenner is a bonus.

I keep telling myself I'll have to try a proper cut throat shave at a barbers, don't think I'd have the bottle to do it myself!
 
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I've always been a "wet" shaver, in recent years firmly in the Gillette camp, currently using Fusion Proglide Power razor, using Regular Foamy shaving cream, always shaving my facial parts in the same sequence. From the onset, so a bit similar to printers & ink cartridges, Gillette basically gives the razor away and makes their money on the exorbitant cartridge blade prices.

I recently encountered a defective cartridge that wouldn't engage and lock into my razor, so I submitted a complaint to Gillette on their website and was rewarded with a $30 gift certificate to purchase for more blades (I also got my original 8 pack replaced at the store where I bought it ($50 purchase) - the recommendation is to use one blade per month, so about $75/year,although I tend to be a bit cheap and make them last longer.
 
Kilburn said:
I've always been a "wet" shaver, in recent years firmly in the Gillette camp, currently using Fusion Proglide Power razor, using Regular Foamy shaving cream, always shaving my facial parts in the same sequence. From the onset, so a bit similar to printers & ink cartridges, Gillette basically gives the razor away and makes their money on the exorbitant cartridge blade prices.

I recently encountered a defective cartridge that wouldn't engage and lock into my razor, so I submitted a complaint to Gillette on their website and was rewarded with a $30 gift certificate to purchase for more blades (I also got my original 8 pack replaced at the store where I bought it ($50 purchase) - the recommendation is to use one blade per month, so about $75/year,although I tend to be a bit cheap and make them last longer.
Click to expand...
Do you shave your non facial parts in a random sequence?
 
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I have recently reverted back to using a safety razor, brush and soap thanks to number one son [1982_Ranger]
My face is still getting used to the change from a multi blade razor but the shave is much closer. Finding the right blade is the key I suspect.
 
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sb_73 said:
Do you shave your non facial parts in a random sequence?
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I never experienced that, although in my university days a girlfriend once asked me to oblige on her nether parts - back in the good ole days, when those were not "never" parts, as often seems to be the case with my current wife.
 
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Always thought about giving the old style a go, never been totally happy with the gillette's.

Those in the know, how many shaves does the average blade last on the old school razor's?
 
1982_Ranger said:
I keep telling myself I'll have to try a proper cut throat shave at a barbers, don't think I'd have the bottle to do it myself!
Click to expand...

I've had a cut throat shave at the barbers. I was really looking forward to the experience but it turned out to be a bit of a chore. After sitting there having a haircut for half an hour I then had to go through the rigmarole of a hot flannel to soften the bristles for 15 minutes and then the shave which seemed to take forever. I thought it would consist of the barber performing some skilful and elegant sweeps of my cheeks ( the facial ones ... stop sniggering at the back ) but it wasn't it was a laborious series of short scrapes which took about forty minutes.
 
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QPR247 said:
Always thought about giving the old style a go, never been totally happy with the gillette's.

Those in the know, how many shaves does the average blade last on the old school razor's?
Click to expand...
I use one blade (Gillette something) per month! Shave most days with the direction of growth first time then against second time. Gets a little rough towards the end but only a little.
I had thought to see how long I could make one blade last before becoming utterly blunt and then seeing if Gillette would like to 'buy' that research. Maybe Jimmy could advise me!
Son bought me a badger bristle brush from John Lewis at silly price. Sadly was useless - just flattened and would not foam the soap at all. Bristle is best with Palmolive classic shaving stick. Unbeatable.
 
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QPR247 said:
Always thought about giving the old style a go, never been totally happy with the gillette's.

Those in the know, how many shaves does the average blade last on the old school razor's?
Click to expand...
Depends on how heavy your beard is and how many 'passes' you do. I do three each shave with an incredibly sharp Japanese blade. Lasts 4-5 shaves, which is what I got with the Gillette 3/4 blade face scrapers. And these cost about £3.00 for 10.
QPR999 said:
I've had a cut throat shave at the barbers. I was really looking forward to the experience but it turned out to be a bit of a chore. After sitting there having a haircut for half an hour I then had to go through the rigmarole of a hot flannel to soften the bristles for 15 minutes and then the shave which seemed to take forever. I thought it would consist of the barber performing some skilful and elegant sweeps of my cheeks ( the facial ones ... stop sniggering at the back ) but it wasn't it was a laborious series of short scrapes which took about forty minutes.
Click to expand...
I think every one should try it once, but my experience was similar to yours, but didn't take quite as long.
 
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Thanks all, will give them a go I think. I'll do a bit of research and put it on the Xmas list.

Any recommendations, apart from opening post of course, would be appreciated.
 
I took up shaving with a safety razor about 18 months ago. I now have 6 razors 5 types of blade, 4 brushes and 12 soaps and creams. ( Plus aftershaves, balms, facecream and eau de colognes)

I love it, its retro and a thrill. ( You never know when you will bleed!)

Ultimately its cheaper if you don't get carried away by the variety of products. It does take longer to shave as it becomes a bit of a ritual. Types of razor, types of blade and different brushes from badger to boar to synthetic, all make shaving 'au naturel' fun and satisfying.

I'll never go back to multiblade....its cheating!

If you want a cuthroat safety razor experience go with the Muhle R41.

This is the site for all you need to know

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forum.php
 
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acricketer said:
I took up shaving with a safety razor about 18 months ago. I now have 6 razors 5 types of blade, 4 brushes and 12 soaps and creams. ( Plus aftershaves, balms, facecream and eau de colognes)

I love it, its retro and a thrill. ( You never know when you will bleed!)

Ultimately its cheaper if you don't get carried away by the variety of products. It does take longer to shave as it becomes a bit of a ritual. Types of razor, types of blade and different brushes from badger to boar to synthetic, all make shaving 'au naturel' fun and satisfying.

I'll never go back to multiblade....its cheating!

If you want a cuthroat safety razor experience go with the Muhle R41.

This is the site for all you need to know

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forum.php
Click to expand...

Is that better than the Pather Plus Bi Turbo Max Mk11 Black Label Limited Edition?
 
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