SMF

marsom/Marion I just received a '48 - '51 Aristocrat from Marion, which I have been wanting to compare with the '47. The razor is in beautiful condition, though not too beautiful to use! The case is in unusually good condition. This was another smooth transaction with a fellow SMFer. I experience Ma...

Hi Richard - a hearty welcome to SMF! I don't use creams at all, so I'll just skip over that part. One of the best values in a high-performance shaving soap is Truefitt & Hill's Luxury Shaving Soap . If you just buy the refill (such as from Vintage Blades http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/index.ht...

I have read reports here of misaligned shaving heads across the model range, including the Classic, HD, Progress, Futur, and Vision. The Vision seems to stand out in this regard, however. My impression is that I have seen fewer such complaints about the Progress and the Futur, though they have not b...

Hi Jason - Welcome to SMF! You're off to a great start in developing your technique and in your selection of equipment and supplies. I prefer to use soaps, myself. (Creams, no matter how good they may be, just don't fit into my shaving ritual :D ) I also love a lime scent! I hope to hear more from y...

I don't rinse, but I do rehydrate my beard before applying more lather. I do this with a spray bottle. Works like a charm!

- Murray

I don't know a lot about the Weishi, except that I've heard of quality control problems. The HD is an old standard and it's the razor I started with. I don't think you can go wrong with the HD and it should last you a lifetime. Steve Merkur has more than their share of quality control problems. Bla...

I'm looking into getting a Rooney small, super. I know the 3 styles look quite different, but is the style 1 any stiffer than say the style 2? (or 3?) Personally, I prefer the way style 2 looks. Hi Todd - The shorter the loft, the "stiffer" the brush will feel. The taller the loft, the mo...

First of all, I use only soaps, so the following observations are based on my experience with a brush and shaving soap. If the boar brush you had was the Omega/Proraso brush, I think it can do virtually anything a badger brush can do, though it might take a little longer. The $10.00 brush you have i...

Hi innotivity - The Weishi is a gentler razor, that is better suited on one learning to use a DE razor and to one with sensitive skin. It enables the new shaver to shave with less worry, to explore more freely, while developing skill. As skill is developed, one can also learn to get a closer shave w...

Hi Tim - Like notthesharpest, my thought when I saw the pictures and read the text was that you had the razor set so low that you had to work it too hard to get it to cut. Gillette generally recommended starting at a 3 with a Gillette adjustable, and that should still be a fairly mild shave. My reco...

The Treet razor at Tryphon's Barbieria Italiana, that I linked to above, has a handle with a metal core. Is that the case with yours?

One person who tried the Treet razor said that it was very gentle and almost forced you to use the right angle or it wouldn't make blade contact.

- Murray

My skin doesn't tolerate building lather on site, so, having tried it, I don't do it. I also enjoy the process of building lather in a bowl.

I think face-lathering is worth trying, but you're not defective if it doesn't work for you.

- Murray

Welcome to SMF, vuelamanuel! Interesting name. I'm guessing there is a story behind that! At any rate, it sounds like you have done a lot of experimentation and problem-solving, already. Perhaps we can still contribute a little to your shaving journey, and we look forward to the benefit of your shar...

well a few weeks ago I ordered up a Proraso/Omega boar brush with the intent on using it for a travel brush so I don't have to take my badger brushes with me. for the last few days I have been shaving with this brush to attempt to "break it in". To my utter surprise I kinda like the way t...

Hi Josey - Welcome to SMF! It sounds like you are doing fairly well with the Futur, though it isn't typically recommended as a starting razor. As your technique evolves, you will be able to get more out of any razor. The possible advantage of trying an HD would be that you may learn something from s...

I tried Van Der Hagen soap and it blew my face up... This amazes me! VDH is designed to be completely inoffensive. I can't recall any complaints about it, except that it's too boring. I get fine shaves every time, and yet, I don't choose it very often. So I'm curious, what happened in your case? Ir...

would you get more shaves out of a DE blade if you flipped it from top to bottom? seems like the edge is being pulled at from one direction otherwise. sorry, i am just too cheap to throw away something once a week. Welcome to SMF, babahr! Flipping the blade over won't make any difference. The blade...

I had no idea that there were DE razors designed for sensitive skin. I currently have the Merkur HD, but should I think about purchasing another one? I do have a heavier-than-normal beard so I'm wondering if it would make a difference at all. They're not really designed for sensitive skin. They jus...

First of all, welcome to SMF! I'll offer a different opinion here. Though many favor the Merkur HD, even as a starting razor, I don't think it is well suited to sensitive skin - at least not to start. I started with a Merkur and always grazed my throat and had razor burn. When I switched to a Weishi...

Hello J - a hearty Welcome to SMF! My favorite brushes are the Rooney Style 1/Size 1/Super Silvertip, Shavemac 177, and the Kent BK4, in no particular order. I don't think you could go wrong with the BK4; it is a great brush and it's very reasonably priced. Send me a PM and I'll give you a discount ...