Advice on changing my wet shave regime

[DeanMc]

Hello Everyone,

First of I would like to say what a great site you have here. Its nice to see a place that cares about a mans grooming in such an open fashion.

Now to my question, I am 23 years of age and since I began to shave I have used a cartridge based razor in one form or another. My job requires me to be clean shaven at all times and since I like to keep a beard it needs to be trimmed to perfection everyday or I will be told to shave it off.

My beard is about 1.5mm thick and follows my jaw line. My neck needs to be clean shaven and my "line" consistently straight. I also taper my beard on my cheeks to give it a clean shape.

I have used many types of cartridge razor but they tend to give me razor burn and ingrown hairs due to the numerous passes I must make to ensure the shape of my beard remains neat.

I have tried a safety razor before and while I found the shave improved I could not get my beard to shape as comfortably as I would with a cartridge (which I may add is clumsy at best due to the many blades).

I recently had a professional shave with a straight razor and fell in love with the result and also the items used. (a badger brush, soap and moisturizer).

So what I am looking for is advice on straight razors or possibly a safety razor that will not impede my craft so to speak. Money is not an issue as I am a believer in getting what you pay for.

I would also like some advise on a brush and also some products you guys would use as a full shave as I would like to try out a deluxe shave and see if it makes my skin feel better (and a shave more enjoyable).

Finally I am in Ireland so if you are providing links be aware of the fact that I would need international shipping.

Thanks in advance

Dean

[Boba Fett]

Given the perfection required of your facial hair, I am assuming you are military. Correct me if I am wrong, but there is nothing else I can think of which would require such consistancy (unless you are a beard model, which would be crazy awesome)

Since you are looking for something that will help you keep that straight line and clean neck, I would suggest you go for the straight. I think it would be a little better at eyeing the line of your beard, as the head of a DE or cartridge can sometimes keep you from seeing exactly where the blade is making contact.

As far as starting products go, I would get some Proraso--it is a good cream that lathers pretty easily, and it feels great too. For a brush, I would suggest the Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush (http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi/@cEdwin%20Jagger%20Best%20badger%20shaving%20brush es@b). though I do not have one myself, this is regarded as one of the better brushes out there.

Welcome, and good luck in your search for a great shave!

[kvanhorn]

Actually I doubt he's military... Most if not all modern (non-islamic) militaries require a clean shaven face expect for a moustache (very strict limits on even those).

The reason has a little to do with tradition and uniformity; but mostly it's a practical thing. An NBC protective mask (gas mask) can't get a good seal against a face covered with hair. Notice that facial hair WAS allowed in the military prior to WWI. Chemical weapons = no beard for the guys in uniform.

[valmara1971]

Actually I doubt he's military... Most if not all modern (non-islamic) militaries require a clean shaven face expect for a moustache (very strict limits on even those).

The reason has a little to do with tradition and uniformity; but mostly it's a practical thing. An NBC protective mask (gas mask) can't get a good seal against a face covered with hair. Notice that facial hair WAS allowed in the military prior to WWI. Chemical weapons = no beard for the guys in uniform.

The Royal Navy wear them full and thick! Also Canadian Pioneers wear them very very long and full. Perhaps they are both imune to CW's?

[DeanMc]

Ha Ha, nope not military. I work in high end sales and it is a requirement of the company to be completely clean shaven. I am allowed to keep my beard simply because I maintain it so cleanly.

Having said that I do have pride in it too. After having one for so long you kind of grow attached to it.

Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions on a blade? I have never honed before and I am unaware of any place that sharpens locally.

[Boba Fett]

Ha Ha, nope not military. I work in high end sales and it is a requirement of the company to be completely clean shaven. I am allowed to keep my beard simply because I maintain it so cleanly.

Having said that I do have pride in it too. After having one for so long you kind of grow attached to it.

Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions on a blade? I have never honed before and I am unaware of any place that sharpens locally.

I was straight Grizzly Adams when I worked sales last winter. But, I was a lowly car salesman.

If you choose a DE razor, then I would suggest a sampler pack of blades (http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=d8fa61b7907cabc9c2b367a36644f3ae). If you opt for the straight razor, but have neither the time, experience, or honers in your area, I do believe you can find some honemeisters here on the boards. I do not know who they are, or how t get ahold of them, so for that you may want to head to the straight razor forum.

[DeanMc]

Cool,

I went for this blade:

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/CTRE||@cStraight%20and%20Cut%20Throat%20razors,%20 Strops%20&%20Paste@b|0|user||7|

Which is ready to use. I got a strap and some Proraso products too. I should get them in a few days so I will let you all know how I get on!

[Boba Fett]

Cool,

I went for this blade:

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/CTRE||@cStraight%20and%20Cut%20Throat%20razors,%20 Strops%20&%20Paste@b|0|user||7|

Which is ready to use. I got a strap and some Proraso products too. I should get them in a few days so I will let you all know how I get on!

Off to a good start then. Just be sure to dry off that blade after each use, and put some oil on the edge when you aren't using it for extended periods of time. It is carbon steel, so it could rust if you aren't careful with it.

Good luck, and have fun with it!

[WhosYerBob]

Welcome!

[DeanMc]

Thanks guys,

For that price you better believe I will take care of it. The missus just rolled her eyes when she seen the price!

[gone down south]

Thanks guys,

For that price you better believe I will take care of it. The missus just rolled her eyes when she seen the price!

Take the long-terms view with her - how many mach-3 cartridges would it take to equal that price? In a couple of months you'll be making money on the deal!

[DeanMc]

That is the orginal reason for the switch but then I realized all the wonderful little nuances that come with shaving and it seems that it can be a most enjoyable experience.

I really cannot wait for it to come, I will probably pick up a DE as well just for those quicker shaves.

[Swampfox]

Welcome to B&B!:001_smile

[closer]

Given your requirements, I think you made the right choice with the straight. Just be aware, there is a bit of a learning curve to using it properly - if you persist, you will get it in time. What's most important with a straight is to have it "shave ready". I'm not sure about the vendor you bought from, but if it is not shave ready, you will be uncomfortable with it. Read the interactive guide to straight razor shaving here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28547 and learn how to strop properly, for starters.

[DeanMc]

It did say shave ready on the site but I have aranged to have it honed professionally just in case!

[Bit2]

Welcome to B&B,
John

[kvanhorn]

The Royal Navy wear them full and thick! Also Canadian Pioneers wear them very very long and full. Perhaps they are both imune to CW's?

Hmmm... I'd call 'em Sitting Ducks

[valmara1971]

Hmmm... I'd call 'em Sitting Ducks

Agreed I don't get it but perhaps in time of war off comes all the hair head and face? Never had even as much as a pair of side burns or a tosh so no chance of not getting a good seal for me :001_smile

[DeanMc]

So my stuff came today!

I would like to say a big thank you to the englishshavingcompany.com for a really quick and well packaged delivery and also a further thanks for the freebies!

Anyhow hears the picture!

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3300/p091102131623.jpg (http://img262.imageshack.us/i/p091102131623.jpg/)


Can't wait to start!