Any dedicated wet shavers here?

For little nicks, stubborn cuts I find Chap Stick works just fine. I have not ventured in to styptic products just for shaving, but I would like to know for folks who have done the chap stick or vaseline and then the styptic pen if it is all that different.

I've been using a $2 styptic pencil from CVS. Works pretty well, just rinse the tip in water and gently apply to the nick. Leaves a chalky residue that easily rinses off with water. I typically wait 5 minutes before rinsing the residue to make sure a cut won't reopen. My only complaint is that you need to let it dry outside of the container, or else it turns into a goop that gets stuck in the tube. If you don't wipe it down before letting it dry some residue will stick and dry into this bizarre shiny film on the sink.

I have an alum block, but it has been ages since I have had to use it.

Paleocon wrote:

I have an alum block, but it has been ages since I have had to use it.

I picture this sitting next to Paleocon's bathroom sink where he can lean down and rub his chin on it when needed.

IMAGE(http://tinyurl.com/aepu87l)

fleabagmatt wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

I have an alum block, but it has been ages since I have had to use it.

I picture this sitting next to Paleocon's bathroom sink where he can lean down and rub his chin on it when needed.

IMAGE(http://tinyurl.com/aepu87l)

Mine is a V6. Don't have the counterspace for an 8.

I fought it, but I've decided to jump into this rabbit hole. Cost of cartridges was just getting too high.

Last week, I got this as a basic starter razor along with a sample pack of blades. First time with it yesterday was fairly successful just using regular gel from a can. No major damage, pretty close, and only one area of irritation in the same spot most razors get me.

Yesterday, I decided to go the rest of the way, and ordered this brush and soap kit to see how I like it. If I decide I'm cool with the extra time of using the brush, I'll look into upgrading to a badger brush and try some different soaps. I also got another sample pack of blades that includes the popular name ones to see what I like.

Of course, if I'd been smart, I would've waited and ordered everything at once instead of paying for shipping on two different orders. Boo shipping. Why can't Amazon have this stuff for prime shipping?

In my experience there's a big difference between boar and badger. What blades did you end up getting?

I have, or will have soon:

-Astra Superior Platinum
-Gillette 7 o'clock Super Stainless
-Shark Super Chrome
-Laser Ultra
-Feather New Hi-Stainless Platium
-Crystal
-Derby Extra
-Red Israelii Personna

of all of those, my favorite is the Shark Super Chrome.

Chaz wrote:

Of course, if I'd been smart, I would've waited and ordered everything at once instead of paying for shipping on two different orders. Boo shipping. Why can't Amazon have this stuff for prime shipping?

Last time I got supplies, it was all prime eligible(Edwin Jagger razor, shark blades, poraso soap and creams). Some of the more boutique soaps are not prime eligible though.

Chaz wrote:

I have, or will have soon:
-Astra Superior Platinum
-Gillette 7 o'clock Super Stainless
-Shark Super Chrome
-Laser Ultra
-Feather New Hi-Stainless Platium
-Crystal
-Derby Extra
-Red Israelii Personna

My favorite of that list are the Personnas, the Sharks are close behind. I have also had good success with Astras. I did not like Derby blades. I own some Feathers but haven't tried them yet. Other forum-goers here have recommended building up a strong wet-shave experience before getting close to a Feather blade.

The Feathers are definitely last on the list to try. Slicing into my neck veins will likely put a damper on my shaving experience.

Did much better this morning. Wound up with some red bumps on my neck and cheeks. What would those be caused by, and how do I make that not happen? No, they're not pimples! And it's not a tumor.

Chaz wrote:

Did much better this morning. Wound up with some red bumps on my neck and cheeks. What would those be caused by, and how do I make that not happen? No, they're not pimples! And it's not a tumor.

are you moisturizing? aftershave is important.

Will aftershave take care of the little bumps? They were there as soon as I was done. I haven't gone aftershave shopping yet, but I'm planning to try and find some Nivea stuff (since it's probably locally available and cheap).

Aftershave with alcohol will irritate your skin. I use a moisturizer for sensitive skin after liberally splashing cold water on my face and neck.

Chaz, you may also have gone against the grain too soon. I usually go with the grain, across the grain, then against the grain when my facial hair is already very short. I advise paying careful attention to your grain patterns where you're getting some bumps.

I actually didn't go against the grain at all, just with and across. I wonder if it's just my face getting used to the razor, or maybe my skin just doesn't react well to the blade. Might also have to do with the shaving gel I'm using not lubricating enough. The brush and soap should be here next week.

What is your preshave routine?

When folks get bumps, it is usually because they either insufficiently wet their face at the beginning (good start is to shower) or they wet with scalding hot water. Neither is terribly good for the skin.

Right now, preshave is just showering and wetting my face with warm water.

Thinking about it, I'm betting that I need to take a closer look at the direction my hair's growing on my neck, which is mostly where the irritation is. I bet it's growing in a different direction than I think it is. Stupid hair.

It could also be that you are applying too much pressure to the blade or that you have the blade angle slightly wrong. The neck is extraordinarily sensitive.

Got the brush and soap in last night and tried them this morning.

Since it was a new brush, I filled my bowl with hot water and stuck it in there to soak while I showered. After showering, pulled the brush out and shook the excess water out. THERE'S that smell I've heard so much about. Really, wasn't so bad.

Soaped up the brush for 30 seconds (I counted), and whipped up a lather in the bowl. It lathered really easily. I added a touch more water toward the end, but not really sure if I needed to. It was kinda fun watching the bowl go from empty to full of lather. Like magic!

The shave initially went well. The razor seemed to glide better on the first pass. I do my cheeks and left/right of my neck first, then come back for the goatee area, and I noticed that by the time I got there, the lather was starting to dry, and the razor didn't glide as well. Any advice for how to fix this? More whipping before putting it on my face? More/less water? I wound up having enough lather for another two passes, so that's a win.

I also picked up some Nivea after shave over the weekend, and like that. So far, I'm digging the brush thing. Didn't take as long as I was expecting either. I might try hand and face lathering at some point too. If I stick with the bowl, I think I'll want something a bit smaller than what I'm using now. It is big.

Chaz wrote:

Got the brush and soap in last night and tried them this morning.

Since it was a new brush, I filled my bowl with hot water and stuck it in there to soak while I showered. After showering, pulled the brush out and shook the excess water out. THERE'S that smell I've heard so much about. Really, wasn't so bad.

Never had that problem. I use normal hair shampoo on the brush once or twice before the first shave.

Chaz wrote:

Soaped up the brush for 30 seconds (I counted), and whipped up a lather in the bowl. It lathered really easily. I added a touch more water toward the end, but not really sure if I needed to. It was kinda fun watching the bowl go from empty to full of lather. Like magic!

The shave initially went well. The razor seemed to glide better on the first pass. I do my cheeks and left/right of my neck first, then come back for the goatee area, and I noticed that by the time I got there, the lather was starting to dry, and the razor didn't glide as well. Any advice for how to fix this? More whipping before putting it on my face? More/less water? I wound up having enough lather for another two passes, so that's a win.

I also picked up some Nivea after shave over the weekend, and like that. So far, I'm digging the brush thing. Didn't take as long as I was expecting either. I might try hand and face lathering at some point too. If I stick with the bowl, I think I'll want something a bit smaller than what I'm using now. It is big.

I tend to make my lather wetter than normal, since Colorado is very dry. If the lather dries out on my face, I'll usually take the brush and go over that spot again.

I face lather, and I do not notice that the lather wears off/dries out. I also shave in the shower with water hot enough to boil a lobster.

I would also suggest a pre-shave oil or lotion. It makes a pretty big difference in smoothness and glide of a safety or straight razor. I work it in after I brush my teeth. I will then hop in the shower and wash everything except my face. I then go on to the lathering and shave. Then I wash my hair, rinse off my face, and wash my face.

I prefer to use a lot of water to prevent the lather from drying out. I typically whip up enough for 3 passes, and consider it ready when I can't see any air bubbles and the foam has the consistency of a meringue. It usually takes me 90 seconds.

Me I just hold the can of foaming shaving gel (Nivea or Gillette Fusion) under a stream of hot whater while I brush my teeth. The warmed up foam comes out furious and extra lather-y.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

Me I just hold the can of foaming shaving gel (Nivea or Gillette Fusion) under a stream of hot whater while I brush my teeth. The warmed up foam comes out furious and extra lather-y.

I understand that some folks enjoy the pleasure of aerosol cheese too.

Paleocon wrote:
Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

Me I just hold the can of foaming shaving gel (Nivea or Gillette Fusion) under a stream of hot whater while I brush my teeth. The warmed up foam comes out furious and extra lather-y.

I understand that some folks enjoy the pleasure of aerosol cheese too.

Doesn't that gunk up your razor?

fleabagmatt wrote:
Paleocon wrote:
Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

Me I just hold the can of foaming shaving gel (Nivea or Gillette Fusion) under a stream of hot whater while I brush my teeth. The warmed up foam comes out furious and extra lather-y.

I understand that some folks enjoy the pleasure of aerosol cheese too.

Doesn't that gunk up your razor?

Just like Gillette Fusion.

If I had the cheddar, I would buy a true Barber Shop, warmer-a real Lather King, not the less than wonderful home devices. As I do not, I use the hottest water I can get from my tap on the brush.

I've been following this thread from the beginning, (and apparently upon rereading this afternoon adding the occasional smartass comment) but hadn't taken the plunge with a safety razor. I have a cheap brush and soap that I bought some time ago from Walgreens.

Last weekend I came across an old Gillette safety razor in an antique shop and with a $6 price tag I decided to give it a go. Turns out it's a Knack, made in the 60s and 70s.
IMAGE(http://razoremporium.com/store/images/gillette_knack_blue.jpg)
(not mine, but it looks just like it.)

I happened to have some gillette double edge blades in the house for non-shaving use and tried it out yesterday. I finished with a couple of nicks, but nothing too bad. The first thing I learned was that it doesn't take much pressure, the weight of the razor itself is just about enough. I think I may have used too much pressure when I nicked myself on the chin. I have a tendency to break out on my chin when I shave (which causes me to not shave as much as I should) and I'll be curious to see if using this razor makes any difference with that.

All in all I enjoyed the experience.