Safety Razors

I haven't been happy with my shave for quite a while, my preference up to now was using Mach3 and tube of palmolive shaving cream.
I tried all the usual gillettes etc but the disposable blades and systems are just not satisfactory and its not just the cost, its the pain of preparing to shave and realising you forget to get new blades or wife has just used your last one to shave her legs. also I was finding that shaving everyday was causing an irritation so I only shave about 3 times a week now so all things considered its time for a change.
also just turned 40 so decided to splash out on some new shaving gear from shaving.ie based on the positive comments from here

ordered a Merkur Progress, muhle silvertip brush and some taylors soap and aftershave. really looking forward to using them.
cheers lads

eBay member http://myworld.ebay.com/zeus-polaris/ is sending out large Pinaud 1oz. (just under 30 grammes) styptic pencils, P&P included to Ireland for €5.40, which isn't too shabby.

The sticks are big.



http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Clubman-Pinaud-Styptic-1-oz-Jumbo-Pencil-Since-1810-/290442269845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

As you can see they're done like a match book,not quite as good as a full size pencil but most of the time they do the job - and you can just throw them away and not have to carefully dry a pencil.
(Note the quantity in the link - it's 5 books of 20 'matches')

Thank you for solving a mystery, I saw these in a Barber Shop in Dublin and was wondering what on Earth they were.

Ali's on (23a) Aungier Street, Dublin, stock them in the entrance window stalls, no idea of the price though.

Edit: Just purchased, nice idea, great price.

Total cost works out at: €3.97 EUR P&P included.

DeadSkin wrote: »

I've only recently converted to DE. I'm enjoying the whole ritual and actually like shaving now. I hated shaving before switching, sometimes not shaving for 6 weeks or so.

My problem now is, I have red spots on my neck. I've always had them after a shave. They used to sting/burn, before I switched to DE and using soaps/brush/pre-shave and the like.
They don't burn/sting now since switching, but I just can't get rid!!

They will probably go soon, but two possible treatments are (i) an alum block and (ii) http://www.tendskin.com/tendskin.htm this product which is quite effective because it contains aspirin but it can dry your skin.

Amalgam wrote: »

Styptic arrived this morning. Here's a picture to give some sense of scale. I used one of these back in the early 90's. Slightly powdery, with a light tingle when used. Works quickly.

Fairly XL alright !
Would ya ever wear it out ?
The small one I have for a couple of years seems to be the same as when I bought it, I wonder do they degrade over time...I'm sure I'll forget to dry it some day and that will be the end !

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

I'm sure I'll forget to dry it some day and that will be the end !

I killed off an Edwin Jagger styptic by leaving it wet and replacing the plastic cover. Next shave, it was white goo.

There's a small pair of aeration holes at the top of the Pinaud styptic cover.

Shave nerd that I am, I look forward to trying those 'styptic matches'. The idea of use once and discard is an appealing one.

Edit: Chris at http://www.shaving.ie/ is stocking them now.

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Alum-Sticks.html

Nicks? No.. but those really really small isolated blood specks can be annoying. I get one in exactly the same place on my neck using a Murker HD, I also get one in exactly the same place every time on my chin, using a Schick Krona.

Deedsie, I went with the long handled Progress starting out. I recently got a shorter handled razor[cheers DonJose ] and find that the longer handle of the Progress involves a bit more work.
I was quite happy happy with it but, when I used a shorter handle, I just found it easier.

That's my 2 cents!!!

Deedsie wrote: »

Hi guys, I am interested in purchasing a safety razor. But I am a bit lost. I have no idea which razor to buy. I don't know which creams to buy, what the technique involves, pre post shave. I tried to look through this thread, but I ended up more confused than when I started! Hopefully someone can point me in the direction of some answers. Thanks

Good luck with it. I have been using a DE razor for two years now. Shaving is a pleasure and I look better-shaved every day than any of my colleagues, and my skin is smoother. But there is no magic formula. I use a Merkur Progress long-handle razor because it has a nice weight and is easy to use, but I have shaved just as well with my late father's sixty-year-old Gilette.

Wet your face well with hot water, put up a comfortable lather with a brush, and DO NOT EVER PRESS DOWN ON THE RAZOR. Just let it glide along your face with just enough pressure to keep the blade in contact with your skin. Shave in the direction that your beard grows.

Then wet your face again with hot water, lather up again, and shave LIGHTLY across the way your beard grows; not against it.

Finally, splash your face with cold water. If you have any nicks, dab them with a moistened styptic pencil – an essential piece of equipment.

You are not supposed to have a face that feels like a baby's bottom; that is a myth, though veteran professional barbers may be able to achieve something like it. When you start shaving with a DE blade, you want the result to be a face that feels smooth when you run your hand in the direction of your beard's growth, and you want no red bits. In a few weeks' time you can start trying out other tricks.

By the way, I buy everything from http://www.shaving.ie (not a relation; I don't even know him), but because he is Irish postage is cheap, and service is outstanding.

DonJose wrote: »

I've been shaving with a safety razor for 2 years now and I expect to get a baby bottom smooth shave everytime. I usually shave downwards twice (shaving with the grain) and then finish with an upwards shave (shaving against the grain), its very important to lather after each pass.

You are right, it is vital to lather after each pass, but you are very lucky that God gave you such a smooth face. Some of us have a more uneven ground to cover.

Deedsie wrote: »

Ok guys, I have purchased/intend to purchase the following items:

1x Merkur 34C 'HD'
1x Lea shaving stick

3x Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum
2x Feather (New Hi-Stainless) (Platinum)
3x Super Platinum (ASR Personna)

I also have Nivea facial scrub and moisturiser.

I am going to purchase the following badger brush off shaving.ie today, I just want to know what else do I need. I may order it all off shaving.ie today.

I also have to get shaving cream. What shaving cream would you recommend?

You'll be better off with the Merkur Progress razor, and try a tube of Taylor Avocado shaving cream.

Deedsie wrote: »

Ok guys, I have purchased/intend to purchase the following items:

1x Merkur 34C 'HD'
1x Lea shaving stick

3x Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum
2x Feather (New Hi-Stainless) (Platinum)
3x Super Platinum (ASR Personna)

I also have Nivea facial scrub and moisturiser.

I am going to purchase the following badger brush off shaving.ie today, I just want to know what else do I need. I may order it all off shaving.ie today.

I also have to get shaving cream. What shaving cream would you recommend?

Its not in stock but the Muhle R89 os a great razor and should be a part of every DE razor collection, its my main choice of razor and I have over a dozen.

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Muhle-R89-Classic-Razor.html

I love the Geo F Trumpers coconut oil shaving cream.

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Geo-F-Trumper-Shaving-Cream-Bowls.html