Electric Shavers

davidhuh · Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:25 am

Costi is right. You don't really require a bathroom for a good wet shave: http://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/s ... ps-for-men
david

Rowly · Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:06 am

A good reference source....

http://www.trumpers.com/shaving_tips.cfm

Costi · Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:51 pm

davidhuh wrote:Costi is right. You don't really require a bathroom for a good wet shave: http://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/s ... ps-for-men
david

What I had in mind was more along the line of these beauties:

Rowly · Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:41 pm

I've had a look at other shaving posts and am now very interested in trying a straight razor. I wonder is it possible to get a cheap starter one, where you are getting a quality blade, but not paying for the beautiful finish of the handle, etc. I would need one that is shave ready. Also, I understand that a good double edged safety razor is the next best thing to get a close shave. I didn't know that and thought they had been surpassed by cassette types. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive way to try these out? What razor?..what blades? Are shavettes any good.?.I saw them here...
http://www.shaving-shack.com/razors/
I don't want anything too expensive at this stage until I see if this is a hobby I want to pursue. I just want to scratch the surface at this stage..( well actually , I don't)....although the whole thing does have a tremendous appeal.

Man at C&A · Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:55 pm

Rowly wrote: Also, I understand that a good double edged safety razor is the next best thing to get a close shave. I didn't know that and thought they had been surpassed by cassette types. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive way to try these out?

I'm too much of a wuss to try a straight/cut throat razor but I gave up on cassettes several years ago and since moving to a safety razor I've never looked back (and if it was good enough for grandfather it's good enough for me). The entry point seems to be around £30 but I've found several that look reasonable for a little less at www.traditionalshaving.co.uk

The critical points are to get a razor that has some weight behind it, like any good tool it needs to be controlled an there's little worse for a shave than having a flyweight stick of plastic skipping over your face. The other point is obviously the blade. High Street chemists still stock them but over the past 3 years or so I've noticed a marked decline in quality of these, even well regarded brands like Wilkingson Sword. I suspect cheap rubbish imported from China.

However I was introduced to Merkur blades several months ago and these are brilliant; a very close cut and they last much longer than standard types. Well worth the premium in my humble opinion.

Costi · Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:15 pm

Rowly, I think the best thing is to visit a shop that stocks straight razors and ask advice there, they usually know their stuff pretty well. Or visit a site like www.straightrazorplace.com and find posts on starting out. I bought a Solingen with a "cheap plastic" handle (the least expensive in a decent quality - about 70 euro), but it was not shave ready, as you write, and to date I couldn't get it sharp enough to use it (it pulls at my hairs), much though I stropped it. I promised myself to get it honed professionally, but I procrastinate...
I also bought one where I can use a normal safety razor blade snapped in half and I would never go back either to a safety razor or to a cartridge multi-blade. It's very maneuvrable (the way you hold makes it much easier to shave than with a safety razor, once you learn the moves) and precise. The short blade helps, too. It's also extremely convenient (there are no "precious" scale versions and blades are still cheap). That's what I'd advise for starting out. Once you master the moves, you can upgrade.

Costi · Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:52 pm

Rowly wrote:I just want to scratch the surface at this stage..( well actually , I don't)....

My hairdresser once told me she learned to shave using a straight razor (from her grandfather, who was also a hairdresser) on... balloons! Yes, richly lathered air-filled balloons - if she could shave clean the rounded surface of that taught plastic membrane without cutting it, she was sure to succeed with human skin as well.
The "coup de maitre", though (shaving that little dimple on the upper lip, just below the nose), is something you have to learn on a real face: start with the blade perpendicular to the skin (the thrill of that...), flush with the bottom of the nostrils, then quickly rotate the blade and move down the lip at the same time, in one master's stroke.

All over the world · Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:02 pm

Costi wrote:The ugly plastic piece is perfect for starting out. What if you can't stop your hand shaking? - you would have spent 500 euro on a Thiers Issard...
Did you know you don't actually need running water to shave? All you need is a nice inexpensive ceramic sink (find a potter who can handmake, paint and glaze one for you) and a mirror. Soak a small towel in the hot water in your sink, keep it on your face for a couple of minutes. Leave your brush in to soak, too, while you close your eyes and imagine yourself in a field of lavender - that should steady your wrist and focus your mind on the task at hand Rinse the blade in the same water. All you need in the end is a splash of cold water to close your pores - you can get that in the kitchen if you wish.
Alternatively, you can persuade the bathroom invader about the coolness of "a la garconne" haircuts...
Any more excuses?

Airport regulations on hand luggage?

Rowly · Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:07 pm

Costi wrote:My hairdresser once told me she learned to shave using a straight razor (from her grandfather, who was also a hairdresser) on... balloons!

I know ! I had a haircut recently from a lady hairdresser who was wearing a low cut dress..and she definitely didn't have a hairy chest!
Further to advice...I have ordered a Mirkur safety razor and Mirkur DE blades. That will get me started. However, ultimately I want to use a traditional straight razor. If I develop a keen interest, and enough skill...I will take pleasure in upgrading, but all in good time as the art of shaving is all about patience.

I found this service for honing non shave ready razors..
http://www.razorsharpening.co.uk/page2. ... fAod6AN5YQ
I wonder how often honing would need done...or after how many shaves?

There are also straight edge razors available to buy which are already shave ready, and honed. http://www.classicshaving.com/DOVO_Straight_Razors.html

However, this one has caught my eye....Feather "Artist Club RG" Solid Brass

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/i ... 731130.htm

It takes replaceable blades which are shave ready. Although not the most aesthetically pleasing, by all accounts its functionality is superlative, giving the best shave bar none. It's not the most expensive either.
Ultimately, it would be nice to have a beautiful razor and be adept at the whole ritual, including honing...but that is not practical at this point.
I am tempted to either go down the route of the Feather "Artist Club RG" Solid Brass
, or, get an entry level razor, but with a good blade...and outsource the honing as long as the combined cost isn't too much.....Any further advice?

Rowly · Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:13 pm

Sorry ...should be Merkur. What happened the edit function?

Costi · Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:00 pm

All over the world wrote:Airport regulations on hand luggage?

Grounded until you learn to shave yourself properly!

All over the world · Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:06 pm

Costi wrote:
All over the world wrote:Airport regulations on hand luggage?
Grounded until you learn to shave yourself properly!

Can anyone lend me their Rolls Royce then?

I'm Joking!

Costi · Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:15 pm

Rowly wrote:I know ! I had a haircut recently from a lady hairdresser who was wearing a low cut dress..and she definitely didn't have a hairy chest!

Can't believe what I got myself into!

Rowly wrote:Any further advice?

If you strop your razor before / after every shave and care for it properly (do not drop, hurt the blade etc.), you may need to hone it 2-3 times a year. If you get the grip of it, you can have 2 or 3 razors in a rotation, so you always have a spare while another is sent out to honing. Self-honing is also an option, but it does take some practice to get good results... It's not all that complicated, our grandpas weren't smarter than us (were they?

)
Great choice, the Feather - if a bit expensive for a not-really-straight razor. But it does have a more "realistic" feel than most "shavettes".
Now learn the freehand style! There are some good tutorials out there on these shaving sites and fora. Watch and practice. Expect some nicks and scratches on the first attempts. Don't put on your best face yet!

Costi · Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:38 pm

All over the world wrote:Can anyone lend me their Rolls Royce then? I'm Joking!

I'm not! You can't have any toys, either!

Here, get your hands on some serious stuff!

http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/showp ... les&cat=45
http://www.thegoodstuffshop.dk/product. ... duct=20373 - good price!

Rowly · Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:05 pm

by Costi » Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:15 pm

I bought a Solingen with a "cheap plastic" handle (the least expensive in a decent quality -

I have now read some info about the feather being , "scary and evil sharp!" ...a bit off putting for a beginner. I'm now considering a DOVO 5/8" full hollow ground, a Solingen I think. I can get it already shave ready...and then have it honed when necessary.I think your advice, is valuable here, Costi. Also, it has more style than the feather.
http://www.dovorazors.com/stockrazors.html
Anyway, I'll use the safety razor for a while and then move up. With the Dovo and the honing service...I can make a good start and give myself plenty of time to investigate nice upgrades... .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDR_1hg-xNs
Thanks for the help...Rowly.

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