so yesterday TSA pulls my carry on as I'm going through security. After pulling nearly everything out the guy holds up my Weber DLC, unscrews it to remove the blade, then screws it back and holds it up to me with a look as if I'd tried to pack a bomb. Meanwhile I was so happy I was thanking him. Not sure how it ended up in some crevice of my bag but don't care. Quite a relief for personal comfort reasons also because I got my WCS 88B Open Comb and tried it for the first time on Monday and wasn't super happy. Keep in mind that the only DE razor I've ever used up to that point was the Weber, but the only way I can describe the experience with the new razor and a brand new Iridium blade is "scratchy". Had to take care of a few nicks for the first time in forever.
I've got thousands of iridium so needless to say I'm a fan. Maybe one of fifth gives me a scratch first pass. A lot of times I could blame me for probably bumping the blade during loading. I have had luck stropping it and it's perfect. Like maybe the edge might have been slightly dinged. That said I've been hung up on my ikon open comb for years now and rarely use anything else.
yeah I was attributing the scratchiness to the head rather than the blade. Never used an open comb and I figured the way it was causing the blade to hit my face had something to do with it, but then again I'm not super smart so who knows.
I've got some iridiums I'll sell or trade for feathers. If anyone's interested let me know and I'll count how many I have.
This thread still going? I let work creep on me and had been rushing my morning routine...so basically just hot water and razor. What’s the latest and greatest in the world of razors, blades, brushes, soaps, etc?
The single edge razors are gaining steam Above the Tie Se1 and 2 Asylum RX Razorhawk Etc Lots of artisan brush guys a whipping the powerhouses like Simpsons Blades haven’t changed much other than the SE blade market boom with Feather, Kai, Dorco etc. The soap market is insane right now. Too many options. That said, I’m picking a soap and using it to completion. I just have too damn many to use in a lifetime. I’m using the same brush and alternating 2 razors. I’m trying to abide by less is more until i feel comfortable selling things. Still owe Biff a package for sure. Only major new development for me is using straights and a Feather Kamisori with the SE blades. The Feather SS artist club is just fun to use, with none of the stropping and honing of a true straight.
I would subscribe to a podcast where you just talk about products and stuff. You're an engineer and you're very particular, I bet if you started something eventually you would start getting products throw your way that could lead to objective sponsors.
There’s that, but there’s a big part of me that wants to downsize to my grandads old Gillete Tech (worth about $10), a stick of $2 arko, and a $15 synthetic brush. It took me a lotta money to reach that conclusion, and the fiddle factor and craftsmanship in many of these products keeps me coming back for more. I appreciate people who appreciate their work. I still maintain the soap market is out of hand. I can’t be the only guy realizing I have more soap than I do days left on this planet. Edit to add: there’s already a plethora of chubby white dudes on YouTube trying to make a living talking about products. I do roll my eyes at a lot of them who don’t know the difference in stainless steel and aluminum for instance.
Need some help. Have to shave daily and am using feather blades in a merkur 34c and Taylor of old bond sandalwood soap or cream. Starting Wednesday of each week my neck and chin become very sensitive to shaving (slight pain). Tried using pre shave oil but didn’t seem to help. In the past I have used the multi blade razors but switched due to ingrown hair issues. Any advice or recommendations?
I used to have similar issues when I used the open comb side of my razor. I switched and have minimal issues.
I’m not a fan of TOBS soaps. I’d find something a little slicker. That said, I usually pick one day a week for a good single pass “acceptable” shave instead of going for smooth as possible. That’s keeps my face happiest.
There’s some really niche markets out there. That’s said I absolutely love my Palladin brush. I’ll try to pull a few more names but I’ve been happier with it than just about any brush i own. Soap wise Barrister and Mann, Mike’s, Cold River Soap Works, LPL Rose, Stirling....it’s a long list and I’m trying to whittle down not bring in. I tried staying up with at least one puck from every brand but fat chance. All the major houses like DR Harris, Castle Forbes, MdC are all doing their level best to stay on top of things. Pressure from the boutique market has probably helped them from reformulating into crap as was the trend for a while. Soap manufacturing has blown up exponentially in the past two or so years. If It’s not to esoteric and you don’t mind a new forum aside from TMB I do some reading on shavenook. Badger and blade is way too big, and is in my mind the Rivals of shave forums. It’s some people’s scene...not mine most days. There’s great info but really just way too big and way too many people with three weeks of experience professing their expert status. The admin team kinda confuses me on rules application sometimes too.
TOBS removed tallow as an ingredient a while back and took a step back. I have a puck of tallow rose that I use sparingly trying to ration it out. Barrister and Mann is super easy to lather and doesn’t last quite as long as some Triple milled soaps but all their scents resonate with me. On days I’m gonna do a one pass lather and toss it I feel guilt free whipppng up Arko and washing it down the drain. It isn’t as nourishing post shave as some higher end soaps, but it’s got everything you need. Mitchell’s wool fat is an easy winner too. DR Harris lavender is one of my personal favorites from a well established easy to find house. I’m rambling...
I've gone through two jars of Mdc and 2 jars of castle Forbes. Im down to using my travel tub of Castle Forbes. I think if I had to decide between the two I'd go with Mdc. I think it lathers better and faster but Castle Forbes is great stuff and its got a great label.
I think i have about 12 jars of MdC left. I never have and excuse to buy the single batch scents, but at least I know I’ll never run out or be duped by a reformulation. The rose they did for Father’s Day this year or last was reportedly faint but awesome. I hated to order one on a blind buy in case I hated it. Now I’m tempted again.
Speaking of engineering, here’s my old notes in defense of buying higher priced soaps that are long lasting. Spoiler MdC Weight: 170g (not the newer 200g) Cost per jar: $43.27 USD Shaves per jar: 360 for me Cost per shave: $0.12 USD Grams per shave: 0.47g Lather style: Face (on rare occasions I bowl lather but 95%+ were face) Brush knot size: 24mm & 27mm. The 24mm was an M&F with great flow through. Just an amazing brush that deserves its own review. The 27mm was a Chubby 2 Best that needs no introduction Hot or cold water: Hot Passes: 3 always Razor: iKon open comb Blade: Iridium
That’s particular soap is so dense it definitely is the longest lasting one I can think of in my rotation. At 5 or so days per week I can envision stretching just my mdc into my 50’s.
Use a Simpsons Berkley, Edwin Jagger with Iridiums, and Mikes Natural Soaps for every shave. Couldn't be happier.
I don't have to shave every day, thankfully, but I know these struggles. Not sure what the issue is. Things are way better than the electric/cartridge days, but still get razor burn issues in the neck area if I shave too frequently. That's even with just trying a single pass.
The mildest shave I can get is from a single pass with an old Gillette tech and an astra or somewhat mild blade. Don’t know what all you have experience with, but if I do even a single pass on a face not-quite-ready for the next shave and I use a new Feather blade I’ll have the slightest bit of irritation. I guess that’s why I like iridium blades, they’re as smooth as a second use feather for all 5-7 shaves. I wish I’d kept it that simple. That was my main user, then my travel workhorse, and now I’m so far in the weeds I can’t see the path.
The upside is like the “want to buy” ad on badger and blade right now with the guy willing to pay $500 for a Tradere open comb. I think i paid $85 for mine. One went on eBay for $750 recently. People are odd.
Thanks for the Barrister and Mann suggestion. Tried the Seville and I’m a big fan. Got a bunch of samples to go with it, but digging them out of the containers is leaving too many chunks of soap in the lather.
Somehow I cross threaded my older Edwin Jagger, so I got the classic Merkur 34c. I don’t think it is aggressive enough for me.
Ifyou can can, try mashing the sample flat in the bowl. Like silly putty on newspaper when you’re trying to pick up the ink. Should be soft enough to do that maybe. Seville is a solid choice. There’s soooo many good razors out now. I like the ikon open comb and the shavecraft is a cheaper version of that. Seems a bit smoother than the 34c to my face. I’m using an Asylum RX single Edge this week. It’s a badass. Also just got a razorock plissoft knot for $10. My first synthetic brush and I’m surprised. Very pleasantly surprised. I bought it as a knock around travel brush but I can see me using it often at home. Back on razors, don’t sleep on vintage Gillettes. Hell an adjustable slim or fatboy is as mild or aggressive as you set the dial. I like super speed more than any Merkur I i have except the slants. Techs are mild and cheap as hell but with a good blade it’ll do wonders.
I need to try a slant but I've shaved almost exclusively with my Gillette fatboy on setting 8 since I entered this thread and started wet shaving. Can't recommend enough, but admittedly I've only tried 4-5 different razors.
I'd love to try one of those. I worry about slicing my face off, but I'm excited to look death in the eye.
I haven’t done a proper shave in about 3 years. I’ll occasionally buy some new stuff every now and then for later. Before I stopped I was big into combo soaps. Like I’d whip up a little lather with some queen Charlotte vostok(and just saw they closed) and some godrej blue. Etc. Razors ive cut down to three just the ph and dlc Weber and baxter of cairofirna razor.
My tradere Open Comb has people I’ve never met emailing me. They’re pushing the thousand dollar mark on eBay now.
Here's a starter kit I put together for a friend overseas (so no free flowing liquids like aftershave). Anything else I should add?