SMF

cmoore, Here are a few suggestions. BTW, welcome. Try a glycerin based soap. Williams is a classic shave soap and many people here use it. I use it myself, but its not as lubricating as the glycerin type soaps. Also try some shave cream rather than soaps. Again, some prefer shave creams to soaps and...

Good article, I've read it before. James is a very funny guy and his articles on Menessentials are hilarious. One thing I would disagree with is the part where he says that you should just shave a little off the sides for the first time. I recall my first shave with a str8 was pretty good and I nick...

Can I just express suprise that, with all the talk of "capturing shelf space" and "oneupmanship" and "money makes the world go round" (all of which essentially boils down to exploiting one's fellow human beings in a most egregious fashion) that no one, not one single s...

You think you overpaid? I thought I'd be 'cute' and bid on the 40's model that sold for $40.00. Now I'm the proud owner. That'll teach me. -Tye Not necessarily. I've purchased some razors off ebay for that much. I've also found razors like that in local shops for $5.00, but in the long run it doesn...

Today I had my second shave using the Williams soap and boar brush and it went ok. I had some minor razor burn on my neck and that was about it. A couple questions I have is how long should I lather up the soap for? It usually starts getting pretty thick after 20-30 seconds but should I keep going ...

I flip the razor after a few strokes and use the other side, then rinse. I try to use both sides equally so I get even wear on both sides of the razor.

That's funny. I can't get all the hair off his chest though!

I agree. I think it is more accurate to say "with the grain" or "in the direction of hair growth", "across the grain", "against the grain", etc...

Acecpa wrote:Guys,
....
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But, hey I'm enjoying the experience.
Tom

That's half of it. Enjoyment is a big part of the wetshaving experience. How many other things can you say that about. "Turning a chore into a pleasure"?

Exceptions to every rule. Stretching is useful for most, but not everyone.

Whatever works and gives the best results. It's all good...

Jeff, Joey, :oops: I feel a bit embarassed to tell you guys this, but I find that if I stretch my skin a lot, it hurts me terribly. Even if I shave with my str8, I can't stretch it a lot. Now, if I nick or cut myself, I feel I'm going to throw up, because I get very queezy. Jeff No worries. Stretch...

One thing to watch is not to introduce too many variables at once. Find a good cream/soap, brush and razor combo that works for you and get your technique down. I had some problems early on by introducting too many variables like different blades, pre-shave oils, different razors, etc...and had some...

I tend to agree with those here that a little bigger is better. Personally I think that anythig below 5/8 is too narrow, but certainly useful for some harder to get places. I like something that has some weight to it. I like 5/8 and 6/8 myself. Haven't tried 7/8 or 8/8 but I suspect they're too big ...

I have one and it gives me a great shave. Just as good as the HD or any other Merkur, save perhaps my Futur. I agree that the other DE's don't take up too much room, but I like to carry the travel one with me sometimes when I'm going somewhere for a night or something like that.

I tried Trumpers Violet. Didn't care for it either. I used a bunch of it the other night and shaved my wifes legs. Ha ha... There's one way to get rid of a cream you don't like. She loved it!

I've had very good luck with Priority Mail. It is the most convenient method for me and it seems to be very reliable.

I voted for Razors and Blades, but I would rank in order:

1-Razors and Blades
2-Soaps and Creams
3-Brushes

I've seen the article before. I don't think the advice given is consistent with what I've read here and SRP. Some interesting stuff though.

I use Merkur, Personna, Isreali, and Feathers. I bought some of the Euro Gillettes and I have a few of the Derby's, but have not tried either yet. I mainly use the Merkurs, Israeli's and Feathers.

I have at least 400 myself. I think as long as they stay dry, they should last long enough for me to get through them all.