Wet shaving anyone? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

martureo · #1 05-08-2017, 10:21 AM

Every morning I hear this commercial from Gilette. "Every morning millions of Americans depend on Gilette razors made in our Boston factory..."

I started wet shaving (DE safety razor) a few years ago and I'm tired of hearing cartridge razor commercials. Even the dollar shave club razor commercials make me laugh. I buy the razors I want, the soap I want and I still spend less than I could with any of these companies to get a better shave.

Razor handle: Merkur 38c ($35)

Razors: Feather, box of 100 blades ($10/year)

Soap: Mama Bear's shaving soaps ($12 puck/1.5 years)

Brush: Semogue 1438 Boar Hair ($20)

Bowl: Jay's Clay ($20)

My yearly cost is nothing more than $22 (soap + blades). And usually I can run cheaper than that if I'm using the same soaps year to year and aftershave/post shave balms multiple years on the same container.

I know that you can go much higher in price or much lower in price, but for a high quality shave with products that I chose because I like them I just don't think you can get much better.

Hickster · #2 05-08-2017, 11:28 AM

I'm 3 or 4 years into wet shaving, I'll never go back.

That being said, I'll probably never save much money doing it. There's always a new soap or brush I want to try.

t walgamuth · #3 05-08-2017, 11:30 AM

What is meant by wet shaving? I do it in the shower with shampoo does that count?

alabbasi · #4 05-08-2017, 11:51 AM

Buy a straight razor and you'll half your annual costs in blades

Mxfrank · #5 05-08-2017, 12:59 PM

I also shave in the shower with soap or shampoo. I use a Gillette Fusion, but I only change the blade quarterly, so my costs are a fraction of yours. Aside from cost, the waste of using 100 blades a year seems absurd to me. Don't wus out, it's not that uncomfortable. Just clean the blade well, you'll live.

TwitchKitty · #6 05-09-2017, 07:33 AM

I like to shave every week or two whether I need it or not. Hedge trimmers are usually my choice for implements of destruction.

http://www.theloop.ca/unlucky-pooch-finally-gets-happy-ending/

martureo · #7 05-09-2017, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

What is meant by wet shaving? I do it in the shower with shampoo does that count?

Think turn of the century lathering with a bowl and a straight razor or double edged safety razor. It's a wet lather made by hand and a traditional razor type.

martureo · #8 05-09-2017, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Buy a straight razor and you'll half your annual costs in blades

I've thought about it but the initial cost and continued maintenance can't be justified at this time in my life. I've got too many little ones running around which risks their health and the health of the razor.

martureo · #9 05-09-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

I also shave in the shower with soap or shampoo. I use a Gillette Fusion, but I only change the blade quarterly, so my costs are a fraction of yours. Aside from cost, the waste of using 100 blades a year seems absurd to me. Don't wus out, it's not that uncomfortable. Just clean the blade well, you'll live.

This is what a blade looks like. No plastic, no housing and I recycle them.

They're incredibly thin and flexible. The one above is a single edged, the one below is a double edged and the brand I prefer.

dynalow · #10 05-09-2017, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

This is what a blade looks like. No plastic, no housing and I recycle them.

They're incredibly thin and flexible. The one above is a single edged, the one below is a double edged and the brand I prefer.

I went through teen years shaving with those type of blades. Made by Gillette and later Wilkinson. Long time user of Gillette Atras now. Blade lasts 3 or 4 weeks on average. Very few nicks. Head floats to make shaving the neck & chin easier. No need for styptic pencil or tissue with red dots.

Always shave before showering.

I did wet shave, as you refer to it, when the g/f gave me a kit as a Christmas present.
Bottom line to me is the razor, not the soap. Preference for Edge.

martureo · #11 05-10-2017, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

I went through teen years shaving with those type of blades. Made by Gillette and later Wilkinson.

There's still quite a few brands out there. Derby (I hate these), Wilkinson Sword, Bigfoot, Feather (personal favorite), Personna, Astra, etc. The good ones are either from Japan or Solingen, Germany.

Quote:

Long time user of Gillette Atras now. Blade lasts 3 or 4 weeks on average. Very few nicks. Head floats to make shaving the neck & chin easier. No need for styptic pencil or tissue with red dots.

I rarely cut myself or have any nicks/dots. If I do cut myself its gonna bleed and because it's a straight, thin cut the wound heals in a day or two.

I can go a week or two without a problem but I usually change out blades every four shaves.

Quote:

Always shave before showering.

Any reason? I always shave AFTER showering so my whiskers have been softened. If I didn't shower I'll prep with a very hot, soaked washcloth against my face for a few minutes.

Quote:

I did wet shave, as you refer to it, when the g/f gave me a kit as a Christmas present.
Bottom line to me is the razor, not the soap. Preference for Edge.

I can shave with about anything but the prep, not the blade or the soap/cream is what makes the biggest difference. I can't get as close or as less of an irritated shave with cartridges as I can with a single or double blade but even then prep is the key.

oldsinner111 · #12 05-10-2017, 02:06 PM

strait razor is rough,when shaving the sack.

Hickster · #13 05-11-2017, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

strait razor is rough,when shaving the sack.

Especially during allergy season.

dynalow · #14 05-11-2017, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

There's still quite a few brands out there. Derby (I hate these), Wilkinson Sword, Bigfoot, Feather (personal favorite), Personna, Astra, etc. The good ones are either from Japan or Solingen, Germany. I rarely cut myself or have any nicks/dots. If I do cut myself its gonna bleed and because it's a straight, thin cut the wound heals in a day or two.

I can go a week or two without a problem but I usually change out blades every four shaves.

Any reason? I always shave AFTER showering so my whiskers have been softened. If I didn't shower I'll prep with a very hot, soaked washcloth against my face for a few minutes. I can shave with about anything but the prep, not the blade or the soap/cream is what makes the biggest difference. I can't get as close or as less of an irritated shave with cartridges as I can with a single or double blade but even then prep is the key.

Unless it's a side slice, showering usually dries up the small nicks for me.
I agree it's the prep. I wash my face with bath soap & hot water, rinse and apply shaving cream then go at it.

Going through puberty and pimples, those old twin blades were murder. I hated them.

E150GT · #15 05-23-2017, 06:33 PM

I use a Merkur something or other. I also have a ton of derby blades. I own three straight razors and love them but i still am not good enough to get a smooth shave. I don't really cut myself though. I like caties bubbles soap and an omega synthetic brush.