[Shaving.ie]

Originally Posted by Bobby42

Hi Chris, any idea when the Taylor of Old Bond Street Bay Rum Aftershave lotion will be back in stock?

Thanks.

Hi Bobby42, They might have arrived with the new coconut shave cream but I need to double check they are actually in the box. If I have them they will be available Sunday / Monday otherwise it will be a few weeks before they are ordered again.

Thanks,
Chris

[caz25]

Hi I would start with the Astra, but in my own opinion the Merkur are better and the Feathers are in a league of their own ( I use them all the time now and I can vouch for them as being the best out there).

[Michael G]

Originally Posted by caz25

Hi I would start with the Astra, but in my own opinion the Merkur are better and the Feathers are in a league of their own ( I use them all the time now and I can vouch for them as being the best out there).

I agree. I started with Merkurs because I was a bit overawed by the reputation of Feathers. But after a while I had enough confidence to try them and I wouldn't use any other blade now.

[TheGimp]

Went with the above advice and started with Astra. I was kind of bricking it to be honest with the first shave but quickly got the hang of it. First shave I had one tiny cut under my jawline which was barely noticeable. Splash of cold water sorted it straight away. Was really impressed by the shave, felt great.

Have had two more shaves since and only one tiny bleeder near my nose. Used Proraso healing gel to sort it out.

Finding my neck area to be a bit tough to get a really smooth shave, don't know if it is just my being too cautious or not. How often should I change the blades by the way? Also what is the best way to dispose of them?

Cheers.

[Damo2k]

2nd shave with Derby blades. Getting red bumps on neck. Only shaving down (2 passes) following mantic59's video for starting out. Should I try different blades, or try shaving up? Blade was tugging and skipping a little on the neck but lather seemed fine.

[Shaving.ie]

Originally Posted by TheGimp

Finding my neck area to be a bit tough to get a really smooth shave, don't know if it is just my being too cautious or not. How often should I change the blades by the way? Also what is the best way to dispose of them? Cheers.

The chin and neck are probably the most troublesome areas for beginners. It is best to keep experimenting to get your angles right and remember to use short strokes rather than long ones especially in tricky areas. In time you will have it worked out without having to think about it.

If you feel the blade is not performing smoothly or is tugging it is time for a change. I change every third shave but others might get away with using the same blade for a week.... just depends on the user and blade type.

[source]

Originally Posted by Damo2k

2nd shave with Derby blades. Getting red bumps on neck. Only shaving down (2 passes) following mantic59's video for starting out. Should I try different blades, or try shaving up? Blade was tugging and skipping a little on the neck but lather seemed fine.

You need to ignore down and up, instead you need to go with the grain, I have hair growing in a number of different directions on my neck. By just shaving down you could be unwittingly going against the grain.

You need to figure out your growth pattern, then shave with the grain and you'll be grand.

[Shaving.ie]

Originally Posted by Damo2k

2nd shave with Derby blades. Getting red bumps on neck. Only shaving down (2 passes) following mantic59's video for starting out. Should I try different blades, or try shaving up? Blade was tugging and skipping a little on the neck but lather seemed fine.

Derby's are not for everybody and it sounds like they may not be working for you. I would try something else and keep shaving with the grain. Going against the grain at the moment will probably cause more irritation. Once you find a blade that is giving better results then you can start experimenting with across the grain and against the grain strokes.

[Damo2k]

Originally Posted by source

You need to ignore down and up, instead you need to go with the grain, I have hair growing in a number of different directions on my neck. By just shaving down you could be unwittingly going against the grain.

You need to figure out your growth pattern, then shave with the grain and you'll be grand.

Cheers, will try that in a few days when it's healed.

Thanks Shaving.ie for the fast delivery. Myself and my housemate got a nice kit from you. Enjoying the sandle wood shaving cream.

[Damo2k]

Originally Posted by Shaving.ie

Derby's are not for everybody and it sounds like they may not be working for you. I would try something else and keep shaving with the grain. Going against the grain at the moment will probably cause more irritation. Once you find a blade that is giving better results then you can start experimenting with across the grain and against the grain strokes.

Thanks, will try another blade, as I have only tried Derby from the variety pack so far.

[Michael G]

Chris

I will be putting in an order soon for blades and cream. I would also like to buy a good hard/stiff brush from your range that would deal with Mitchell's and other hard soaps. What would you recommend?

Thanks

Michael

[Shaving.ie]

Originally Posted by Michael G

Chris

I will be putting in an order soon for blades and cream. I would also like to buy a good hard/stiff brush from your range that would deal with Mitchell's and other hard soaps. What would you recommend?

Thanks

Michael

A boar brush would seem like the obvious choice.. Is that along the lines of what you are thinking?

Semogue and Omega both make great boars which have plenty of backbone to dig into soaps and with time the tips really soften up.

Personal favourites for me are:

Semogue 1305 & 830 or Owners Club

Or the under rated Omega 31064

[hitemfrank]

Chris, have you got the knot dimensions on the Omega 31064?

[Gran Hermano]

I have the Semogue 830 and the Omega 31064. I find the Omega a better brush. The Semogue tends to shed a tad too much. Knot size on the 31064 is I believe 25mm.

[hitemfrank]

Any idea on height of the knot?


Also I find the 830 to be great for using with creams but not so much with soaps.