Just a little bit….. they are all about the same just the longevity of the scent they have.
Wet Shave
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Fun idea for a thread! Much like pipe smoking, one can spend as much or as little as one wishes on shaving gear. This was my set up this morning. I started straight razor shaving when I retired. It was primarily to save money, but also to avoid the waste of canned foam and razor cartridges.
Much like my pipe gear, most of my shaving stuff was inherited. My Dad had some great sharpening stones, the brush in the picture was Dad’s from WW2 or right after. I have my grandfather-in-law’s and great-grandfather-in-law’s straights. All up, I probably spent less than $100 transitioning from disposable razor cartridges to straights. I figure I’m saving a couple hundred bucks a year doing it this way.
I get how men might want to collect a bunch of cool shaving tools, just like having a large number of pipes or nice watches. Luckily I’m not given to obsessive purchase issues. I have one boar, one badger and one synthetic brush, and my wife’s comment was, “Do you really need three?”
Much like my pipe gear, most of my shaving stuff was inherited. My Dad had some great sharpening stones, the brush in the picture was Dad’s from WW2 or right after. I have my grandfather-in-law’s and great-grandfather-in-law’s straights. All up, I probably spent less than $100 transitioning from disposable razor cartridges to straights. I figure I’m saving a couple hundred bucks a year doing it this way.
I get how men might want to collect a bunch of cool shaving tools, just like having a large number of pipes or nice watches. Luckily I’m not given to obsessive purchase issues. I have one boar, one badger and one synthetic brush, and my wife’s comment was, “Do you really need three?”
Were you the one that stored tobacco in the empty TOBS (Taylor of Old Bond Street) tubs I spotted in a picture a few months ago?
Looks like Gillette Tech Open Comb with a ball end handle. Probably no date code and from 40s. Possibly..
I question this because my razor looks to be brass, or at least not nickel unless nickel corrodes tannish. He had military relatives, but I speculate that the F is part of the model number and not a military designation. That’s a pretty nice looking set though. I wish I had the wherewithal to own cool vintage razors when I was in the service and had to shave every morning
Looking purely at the $ aspect of shaving.
100 pack of double edge blades 8$ish
Stick of Arko 2$
One could shave for 20$ish for a year……
100 pack of double edge blades 8$ish
Stick of Arko 2$
One could shave for 20$ish for a year……
No, not me. But I do use old bread yeast jars. And no, I do not store them in the fridge door with the butter and cream cheese (but the jars do come from there).
Being retired, having the time to shave without rushing is a great morning pleasure. And it saves money. That plastic TOBS container in my photo is probably 18 years old. I bought the cream, but once it was empty, the soap replacements fit in it perfectly, so that's where they go. I love reusing things rather than tossing them.
A quick edit regarding costs: When I last used disposable razor cartridges, I lived in Sydney, where everything was over-priced. The cartridge packs I bought once a month cost about $30 AUD. I've been using a brush and soap for about 25 years except during travel. I wore out my first brush (best badger) and recently "re-knotted" it with a best badger knot from on-line. Maybe my kids will use this stuff once I'm done with them.
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I like synthetic brushes when traveling. They dry out the quickest and just easy to use if you can’t soak your brush before using.
Favorites :
DE Razor - Merkur 11C
Straight Razor - G. Johnson
Blades - Personna
Soap - Pure Tallow
Brush - Omega Stripey
Aftershave - Witch Hazel
DE Razor - Merkur 11C
Straight Razor - G. Johnson
Blades - Personna
Soap - Pure Tallow
Brush - Omega Stripey
Aftershave - Witch Hazel
For the things that are quantifiable, why are they your favorite?
I have a Gillette Adjustable safety-razor and five straight-razors. The straights include:
1. Kinfolks Top-Notch
2. Genco Master Cutler
3. Crown Hollow Ground
4. Genco Grant
5. Genco Model B2
The Adjustable is for daily shaving with a British Super Badger brush, Palmolive Classic shaving cream in a tube, and Dickinson's Witch Hazel as a finishing lotion.
The straights are reserved for weekends, holidays, and vacations when I can enjoy a leisurely shave. I keep them keen with Clydesdale Shell and Razor Back (pig-skin) strops and (when necessary) Pike Swaty and Crystolon hones.
For cologne I prefer Gabel's Bay Rum.
1. Kinfolks Top-Notch
2. Genco Master Cutler
3. Crown Hollow Ground
4. Genco Grant
5. Genco Model B2
The Adjustable is for daily shaving with a British Super Badger brush, Palmolive Classic shaving cream in a tube, and Dickinson's Witch Hazel as a finishing lotion.
The straights are reserved for weekends, holidays, and vacations when I can enjoy a leisurely shave. I keep them keen with Clydesdale Shell and Razor Back (pig-skin) strops and (when necessary) Pike Swaty and Crystolon hones.
For cologne I prefer Gabel's Bay Rum.
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For the razors, the aggressiveness of the cut. The 200+ year old G. Johnson holds an edge better than any straight razor I've owned. The Personna blades don't wear out on me as fast as others. The tallow soap provides a lasting lather that doesn't irritate. I've had the Stripey brush for 15 years and it hasn't lost and strands. I like that witch hazel removes redness and disinfects with no lingering smell or residue.
My particular Adjustable was manufactured in the first-quarter of 1961 according to the date-code.
Between the razor, the blades, soaps and aftershaves it is truly a giant rabbit hole into which to fall.
This morning was a Gillette ball end Tech, Gillette Siver Blues and the end (finally) of some Arko. Definitely a very utilitarian lineup.
This morning was a Gillette ball end Tech, Gillette Siver Blues and the end (finally) of some Arko. Definitely a very utilitarian lineup.
The quest to find the perfect shave keeps going. All sorts of combinations.
I used some myrsol today.
I've been wet shaving for a long time.
Once you get used to it you will be able to get a good shave just as quickly as any other method.
I have a very large collection of soaps and half a dozen brushes but have only one razor, a 1960's Gillette Super Speed, I have always been content using it.
As for blades I primarily use Astra Platinum but alternate Sharks or Derby's on occasion
Once you get used to it you will be able to get a good shave just as quickly as any other method.
I have a very large collection of soaps and half a dozen brushes but have only one razor, a 1960's Gillette Super Speed, I have always been content using it.
As for blades I primarily use Astra Platinum but alternate Sharks or Derby's on occasion