Club Obi Wan

That said, you still could use the shower.

Bink, Michaelson:

I actually am laughing so hard right now I have tears in my eyes...

Thanks guys.

Off to the showers, now. Back later.

But....but.....we were being serious.....



Regards! Michaelson

It wouldn't be the first time we've made a grown man cry, either.

Bink and Michaelson, are you sure you weren't a Vaudville act in a former life (or Michaelson's earlier life) ?

Did I just hear a distant rimshot?

Regards! Michaelson

Well, we tried once, but it was a bit of a sham. More like fraudville, really.

When they threw vegetables at us, at least we got something to eat, but when they started chucking safety razors our way, then things got a bit out of hand. How's THAT for trying to steer back on topic?

Cutting it close, but we're back on track.....

Regards! Michaelson

generalFROSTY wrote:We all know the real reason Shorty took Indy's razor...because no self respecting adventurer is going out lookin' clean shaven!

Long John Tinfoil wrote:Here's mine as it looked when I got it as NOS in 1971. Still going strong, though there seem to be periods when no-one carries the blades - I stock up whenever I find them.

LJ

Anyone remember the jingle for these Schick cartridge units? :

"push pull click click"

This thread has got me to thinkin'
I have got to go back to shaving with a brush and mug soap. I also have a strange safety razor. I will try to find it and post pictures. It is a very utilitarian version with a removable key that inserts into the handle to open the jaws for blade replacement. I got it for less than a dollar along with a few plastic sleeves of unopened Williams soap boxes (for $0.10 per box) at a very odd store. I bought them at the retail store of the Maryland state agency for surplus property in Jessup, Maryland. They were in with a bunch of odd medical instruments and had come from either the State prison and/or the state mental hospital. Considering that the box of medical items included a rectal speculum and a variety of long forceps, one can only imagine what the razor was for. I had it in a display of old fashioned dime store and pharmacy/medical items. Gotta look for that stuff, haven't seen it since I moved.

Michaelson wrote:
My personal favorite that I received as a gift from my sister when she visited London last year was an Arlington shaving bowl from the Dr. Harris and co. They've been around since the 1700's, by appointment to the Royal House for centuries, and I'll have to say some of the best shaving soap I've ever used. I have no clue what they use as ingredients, but when ever I need a REALLY smooth shave, that's the one I reach for.

I think they use the same ingredients as a certain well-known leather dressing - which makes sense in a weird kind of way.

LJ

I've heard tell that Michaelson uses Pecards as an aftershave balm anyway; keeps a tub of it next to the sink.

Nope...

....but as a moustace wax? Hummm



Regards! Michaelson

In New York City they have a few locations of a chain called the "art of shaving". There you can get the steamed towel and old fashioned shave with a single blade. I have never been in there for a shave because I wear a beard but it looks real cool. It looks like your looking through a window of time everytime I pass by.
Very cool! One day maybe in the spring if I decide to loose the beard, I will treat myself.

We have an Art of Shaving in Bellevue, WA, just down the road. Considered going in myself, but a shave-and-a-haircut costs way way more than 2-bits these days!

Maybe I'll splurge before my WWI reenactment in March.

hocfutue wrote:We have an Art of Shaving in Bellevue, WA, just down the road. Considered going in myself, but a shave-and-a-haircut costs way way more than 2-bits these days!

Maybe I'll splurge before my WWI reenactment in March.

I did'nt know they cut hair as well. They seem to make a show of it when their at work and are really pushing the "experience" thing. One day...

I asked our local barber about an old-style shave. He says he did them when he was new to the trade but hasn't had it up on the price list for 25 years - and that was because no-one had asked for one in a long time. He said he'd still do it, but might want some warning so he can practice by shaving balloons for a couple of days.

LJ

Long John Tinfoil wrote:I asked our local barber about an old-style shave. He says he did them when he was new to the trade but hasn't had it up on the price list for 25 years - and that was because no-one had asked for one in a long time. He said he'd still do it, but might want some warning so he can practice by shaving balloons for a couple of days.

LJ

So that's how they practiced before taking on a client with shaving balloons? I wonder how many barbers actually do this these days on a regular basis?

I think that the balloon thing is relatively recent. I've heard of students at hairdressing schools using them. In the "good old days" the barber likely learned on himself. Of course, since the barber might often be the undertaker as well, he'd also have a few nice quiet subjects to work with who wouldn't fidget and complain the whole time.

LJ

Long John Tinfoil wrote:I think that the balloon thing is relatively recent. I've heard of students at hairdressing schools using them. In the "good old days" the barber likely learned on himself. Of course, since the barber might often be the undertaker as well, he'd also have a few nice quiet subjects to work with who wouldn't fidget and complain the whole time.

LJ

I have a freind who is a barber and he would get friends and family in the shop to practice on. I was the lucky recipeint of one of his shaves, he did ok, did catch me a few times though.

I generally use disposables, but once in a while, I'll dig out the antiques:


The brush is a badger hair type I swiped from my Dad about 25 years ago - and it was old when I got a hold of it. The bristles were always that length. I don't think the razor is very old. I've seen those Wilkenson sword type blades everywhere, including Walmart. I just use regular soap because my shaving mug has gone missing. It's entirely possible my own kid has stolen that.

I use my straight razor for special occasions, like Christmas.


Sometimes that holiday malarkey gets to be a bit much.

Seriously, though. I have used that ivory handled blade of danger (apparently it's a 1930's German razor, so... yeah, Nazi razor ) and when I grow my beard thick, you can see a nice scar from the first time I tried it. I used it twice for shaving. EXTREMELY close shave, but ultimately too dangerous and stressing to use... for shaving.

Good shaving mugs are everywhere, Snake. Check your local antique stores.

Regards! Michaelson

This site has reviews on different blades as well as razors:
http://badgerandblade.com/

You may find it useful. I like it because instead of wasting money on blades and hoping they'll do the trick, this might save you some money and time.

I use this:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... tml?s=CC70

Getting the hang of it is not as hard as you're led to believe, I rarely nick myself.

Drudging this one back up from the depths...

I received a shaving brush and soap for Christmas, but since I wear a beard half the year (October - April) I didn't break them out until recently. Not that I couldn't use the brush with a beard and I will next cycle, but I wanted to wait until I was 'clean shaven' to try out the new goods.



I've been using the Col Conk's soap. As labeled it's Lime and has a nice citrus scent. About every other time I add too much water so I end up with really thin lather, but I'm getting better with the proportions. I have to keep in mind to 'whip' the brush on the soap and my face rather than 'brush' it.

I've not made the switch to safety razors. I like my Schick. It's nothing overly fancy (two simple blades), but I like a pivoting head razor.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Yep. Practice, practice, practice.....

That's a very nice gift you got. One bit of advice. You'll hear some people tell you that you'll get a much better shave from a DE razor or a straight razor than a disposable. Don't buy into that hype. This is all a matter of opinion. Some people get a great shave from a DE, others get much closer with a disposable. It's all in what feels right to you. It may also be that you like a mix. Maybe DE on the neck and schick on the face. Personally, I do straight razor on the face and neck, and Gilette Mach 4 Turbo on the head (simply for the sake of time).

We all look different, that means we all have different faces, and that means we all have different shaving needs. So if that schick is working for you, no need to switch. A nice lather in a shave mug goes just as well with a disposable as it does with a DE or straight.

I was recently given this fantastic product by a friend:



Castle Forbes makes some great shave product.

However, when it is gone, I'm probably going back to my old friend:

Williams dries the skin out on my face, so I rarely use it myself.

Excellent example of how faces are different, and applications of what to use will be too.

Good points, maboot!

Regards! Michaelson

I've used Williams and it is good, but when I got this tub of Omega Italian Shave Soap as a gift, I was in heaven.

Nice thing was, it travels GREAT in the cup as is. In the gift pack I received, there was also an Omega brush and brush stand that were contained in a clear plastic tube which made the packing of the kit VERY easy.

If you've ever traveled with all this gear you know it can be a pain. Those little details were nice.

Highly recommend giving it a try.

I like Taylor of Old Bond St. Sandlewood myself. My daily shave is with an old DE razor and some feather brand blades. As for traveling, they make some sticks of shave soap about the size of a roll of quarters that you apply on your face and THEN work to a lather with your brush. They really are great!

I've come to the point where I get a better shave with a DE than with most other razors. Besides, I like the process. I agree that different razors work differently from face to face. The same can be said of blades. I found a blade that works great for me, but not necessarily everyone else. Heck, even DE razors can give you a different shave based on make and model.

I have sensitive skin, so I found Kell's OriginalUltra Aloe Blend Shaving Soap to work extremely well for me.
http://www.kellsoriginal.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Agreed on the blades Bink. Best bet, find a shaving supply online (I like Bullgoose Shaving...Google it) and order a variety pack of blades. Try them out and figure out your brand!

I figure the Proraso soap will be good for travel in the plastic bowl with lid. I don't have a way to conveniently travel with the brush. I kept the plastic box it came in so I figure that'll work for now.

I have found the Col. Conk seems to dry my face out a bit. Might be the citrus. I use a little Domain aftershave lotion (a Mary Kay product) and I'm good to go.

Bink, I took a look at the Kell's Original site and there's a few soaps on there that I may have to add to my list. I can see my Bride's face now when I have half a dozen mugs of shaving soap lined up on the vanity.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

At least you can get the sample sizes for cheap!

AAAGGGHHH! Thanks you guys! Now I've gone and ordered a Merkur HD and I'm going to give it a go. But when my face is shaved off, and I'm bleeding profusely, I will think of this thread and weep a little for what it has made me do.

You'll be fine...just remember, this type if razor is intended for whisker reduction NOT whisker removal. Take it slow. If you have to relather and hit a spot again, then fine. Part of the draw of this for me is the meditative properties of the shave itself.

I recommend checking out the forums at badgerandblade.com and to check out some good youtube tutorials. Yes, take it slow. Eventually, you will find your technique and soap/cream/blade preference will develop. You may also find you save a LOT of money over the modern razor and it's overpriced cartridges!

You're right about that, Bink. I pay over a dollar a cartridge for the Schick blades I use. Over $6 for 5.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

So, thanks to this thread I've been wet shaving for the last week with my SCS "Refined" soap, my Merkur hd, and "Refined" aftershave...and I love it! I signed up over at badger and blade and have learned a great deal. I'll never go back now. Thanks, guys!

Well, I did it. I made the jump to Safety Razors this morning... okay, I haven't shaved yet but I at least have the razor now.

I went to the local Antique mall this morning and picked up a Gillette safety razor for $5. I'm not sure of the exact type but it's basically unused and clean as a whistle. No rust, no corrosion and opens perfectly.

I've been toying with the idea ever since I went to Texas a couple of months ago and went into an "Art of Shaving" store and saw a shave going on. I've always wanted a straight razor shave but couldn't bring myself to cutting off the beard then. That said I did pick up one of their shaving kits. It came with a really nice brush, shaving cream, after-shave balm, and a pre-shave oil bottle. I've only used the kit 3 times so far and have loved using it but have been holding back until I found a good razor. After looking at badgerandblade.com I decided to try the thrift/antique stores because of cost.

And today I think I hit the jackpot (got the blades too- at Wal-Mart). I've seen so many razors recently but everyone looked horrible and they were nothing I wanted to put to my face even after a good healthy sanitization.

Now, this looks good enough to eat off of but I am still going to delouse it and spray a good healthy dose of holy water on it. Then comes the cutting... of hair and hopefully not my face.

I'm glad this thread was here or it would have just remained a desire and not a "Have".

-TS

After years of trying varous gimmick, multi-blade, gel-coated razors -yes they really are sales gimmicks that make no difference - I returned to using a safety razor with blades by Wilkinson Sword and get the best shave I ever had. No soap or brush, just water then moisturiser even on my thick stubble.
these guys do a good selection of cheap but good shavers, I recommend them.
http://thecompleteman.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks that's actually the brand I got!!!

And I just did the deed, great shave and uh, not cuts!!!!

Snakewhip Sable, you can get replacement knots for your shaving brush at the Golden nib.

http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?m ... 08830b68a3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, here are some pics of my "Battle Station"







And here is the shaving brush that my Old Man gave my Grampa back int he early 70's. I have already replaced the bristles with a knot from The Golden Nib.

Indiana Jeff wrote:I figure the Proraso soap will be good for travel in the plastic bowl with lid. I don't have a way to conveniently travel with the brush. I kept the plastic box it came in so I figure that'll work for now.

...

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

i recommend a large Rx pill bottle. drill a hole or two in the lid for ventilation.
just go into the pharmacy and ask for one; the most you'll pay is a few dollars, and odds are they'll give it to you for free.

depending on your razor, you can fit your entire shaving kit in one.




PS:
my shave of the day:

Of course you all keep your shaving kit in a leather "dopp bag", right?

Mine has been a great help for keeping everything from being spread out all over the sink. And I can throw the whole thing in my suitcase at a moment's notice.

Perfect time to drop some Father's Day hints, for you dads out there.

Or to buy yourself to celebrate "Glad I Don't Have Kids" day.