Minimalist DE shaving

[Lionhearted]

So, are there any other necessities for DE shaving besides lather or gel? I am unclear as to the need for a bowl and quality razor blades, and I'm really surprised at the cost of brushes!

No.



On the left is what I used for most of the last 15 years. On the right is what I used this morning after I discovered brushes four months ago. For the first 35 years I shaved I used a can of cheap arerosol shaving cream and the same SuperSpeed.

In four months I got up to 22 razors, 14 brushes and 4 soaps but now I'm rapidly cutting back to one of each. In the last two weeks I sold 13 razors, gave away 8 brushes and threw three soaps in the trash. I suspect I'll end up with what's shown in my sig.

I've also shaved with a DE using just water many, many times.

Richard

[apex.predator]

I've also shaved with a DE using just water many, many times.

Richard

Richard, thank you for your comments and the pics. I knew it wasn't the norm, but I was beginning to think I was the only one.

[BroJohn]

Richard, thank you for your comments and the pics. I knew it wasn't the norm, but I was beginning to think I was the only one.

apex.predator --

The Coast, or Irish Spring isn't 'soap' --it's detergent, very drying, and lubricates poorly. It really *is* worth spending a small amount for a low cost cake of Williams or VDH shave soap. It'll make a good difference in your shave.

-- John Gehman

[GarageBoy]

If it's good enough, more power to you. Why bother spending more if you don't feel the need to/find everything satisfactory

[Gafer]

Mr. Gillette, I use Coast or Irish Spring.

Gafer, thank you for your concern. As I said, I shaved with just water once and - I will say it again - there were no ill effects. Only a nick, where I already had a small bump. I applied no pressure, just the weight of the razor. I think it is all in the technique.

Appreciate the tip on shaving soap.

Seriously, though, I don't mean this to anyone personally, but I'm beginning to see how much of a fever this can become for some individuals. How is changing the soap going to yield infinitely better results? Is the smell of the shaving soap orgasmic? Will my skin get tingly all over? Will the lather flash and blink in 1024 different colors?

I'm pretty sure my grandfather didn't have specialty shaving supplies available to him in rural NC during the Great Depression. I'm also pretty sure he knew how to shave well, so he wouldn't have needed them even if they had been available.

apex.predator,
Go with what works for you. Don't let anyone around here make you feel like you have to shave with this soap or that cream. If you want to shave with water or motor oil for that matter it's your choice. As long as you're happy with the shave you get and the experience that goes with it then let it ride.

It looks like you've unnecessarily taken some flak here. Welcome to B&B and don't listen to those that criticize your means and methods.

Personally, I'm in awe of anyone that can shave with water and a DE and not shred their face. I know I would. I'm not worthy! Kudos to you on the technique.

[apex.predator]

BroJohn, I've come to the same conclusion about the dryness. I wasn't aware the soap was detergent, so I appreciate the tip. It took once or twice to see it, but a water-only shave is much more comfortable.

I looked at the local drug store today, but have found no shaving soaps yet. A trip to a larger town (with a Wal-Mart) tomorrow will probably be more successful.

GarageBoy, thanks. I'm with you. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

[arcman]

If you're looking locally, Wal-Mart and a lot of drug stores will carry Williams Mug, if you happen to have a Walgreens in your area I'd recommend checking there for Van Der Hagen / Surrey soap. They usually carry the Deluxe cakes, and personally I think it's the best stuff you can find commonly available. Should be $2.

[apex.predator]

apex.predator,
Go with what works for you. Don't let anyone around here make you feel like you have to shave with this soap or that cream. If you want to shave with water or motor oil for that matter it's your choice. As long as you're happy with the shave you get and the experience that goes with it then let it ride.

It looks like you've unnecessarily taken some flak here. Welcome to B&B and don't listen to those that criticize your means and methods.

Personally, I'm in awe of anyone that can shave with water and a DE and not shred their face. I know I would. I'm not worthy! Kudos to you on the technique.

Gafer, I appreciate it, but your original comments were good advice.

On a side note, the local drug store had Gillette DE blades - which I had never seen before - but they were $8 or $9 for a set of 10. That's almost the price of 100 Crystals at West Coast Shaving!

As for the flak, well, a flaming is fun every now and then.

arcman, sounds good. I do want to look locally at least for now. Walgreens it is.

[LukeInFlames]

Hullo there.

Apex is fun. Now I want colour-changing shaving cream.

And I like his (sarcastically rendered) comment - this hobby seems to revolve around a perverse form of commodity fetishism for the most part. But hey, if you've got the money to spend filling the hall closet with imported shaving cream, I'm not gonna stop you. It's a wierd guy thing - some do it with razors, other with Dinky toys, women, or guns. Collect the whole set!

Hopefully I can wade into the shallow end of this hobby without drowning in it - but it's early times yet, we'll see.

-L.

[Gafer]

Ok, so apex has got me thinking. I'm going to do an "old school" shave tomorrow.

I picked up a Burma-Shave boar brush at Walmart (Right around 4 bucks) to compliment a puck of Williams ($0.99), my Dad's Gillette Fatboy (Free) and Persona (American Safety Razor) blades (Also from Walmart. At $1.50 for a pack of ten they're nearly free). Pretty damn minimalist. A DE shave rig for around 5 bucks! Very retro too - this is the kind of shave rig my Dad and Grandfather used back in the day.

Time for a trip down nostalgia lane. Thanks Apex!

[apex.predator]

Luke, thanks for the kind words. Hope you remain in the shallow end. Watch it - nasty undertow around here.

I placed an order tonight for 100 Crystals from West Coast. They were only $14 total, and I hope they're as good as I've heard. I know I could have tried the sampler first, but, hey.

Gafer, I'm glad you're inspired. I'm still shaving sans brush or soap and using Personna blades. They're pretty decent shaves, but I had hoped to find soaps locally by now. Walgreens was a bust today, no shaving soaps of any kind. Wal-Mart later this week. I'm also liking the looks of the Tweezerman brush from, um .. Beauty Rose.

Edit: Unnecessary repetition and redundancy.

[Robby]

My weekday shave lately has been rather minimal, but not retro.

It consists of: Merkur long handle Classic with ASR Personna blades from Wal-Mart, hot water, Edge brushless shaving cream.

Works rather well for getting a quick shave before work.

[apex.predator]

OK, I just bid on a Gillette Fat Boy on eBay. My minimalism could use a little work.

[texcattlerancher]

*****
OK, I just bid on a Gillette Fat Boy on eBay.
*****

Watch that first step on the slippery slope; it's treacherous. Three months ago I had one inexpensive brush, one shave cream, and an M3. I thought I was happy in my shaving routine. Then, I stumbled across this forum...........

Now: 6 DE razors (38c is my favorite), 4 brushes (SR3124 is heaven), 5 soaps (can't beat the QED sandalwood), 12 shaving creams (Musgo is the best), and enough blades (Crystals are the best for my face) to last for at least two years -- not to mention a couple of new colognes, aftershaves (Musgo is great) and a preshave lotion/oil or two (these really aren't worth the effort). I know what corking a feather means, and it's not pornographic. I have learned the meanings to YMMV, BBS, TOBS, SWMBO, and QED. I have fairly good knowledge regarding the manufacturing dates for the Gillette Tech and NEWs and whether they were ever made in copper without gold flash plating. I know that the Fat Boy I purchased was made in the 2nd quarter of 1959 because of the date code. I understand flop, density, loft height and knot size. I could go on ad nauseam.

Recently, I had to put myself in shaving rehab. I am using Keihls Lite Flite cream (my least favorite), exclusively, until it is all gone. I will then proceed to my next non-favorite cream and use it until it is all gone. Repeat until down to two or three soaps and two or three creams at most. (....but I was thinking what that T&H Trafalgar would be like)

Welcome to the club Apex.

[apex.predator]

Recently, I had to put myself in shaving rehab. ...
Welcome to the club Apex.

Thanks for the welcome, tcr. That's quite a regimen.

[aart_jan]

[QUOTE=Aevum;407226]actually, the treet platinium rebadged as the Wilkinson classic DE sells for 2.70 here in spain, and its a half decent shaver,

This weekend in Germany I picked up a Wilkinson classic in a supermarket, out of curiousity. I shaved with it this morning and actually, I am surprised by the result. My beard is light, so I have succes with razors that generally don't have a great reputation (like the cheapos from China). I like the balance of ths razor and despite it being manufactured from plastic, it does its job well. I would recommend this razor for minimalist shaving.

[Saturn]

Not sure why this thread was resurrected after resting peacefully for over 2 years, but I wonder if apex still uses a DE and whether he still reads these boards.

The minimalism topic is interesting to me because it's something I've thought a bit about myself. I often struggle with the concept of want vs. need. I'm not sure why, it might be due to my upbringing or something, but I feel guilty spending money unnecessarily. It's hard for me to justify, ethically, spending money on a new shaving soap just to try it out, when I already have an existing tub more than half full. And yet it's hard to resist that pull, being a part of B&B, hearing about all sorts of wonderful products that you'd like to try...

[ratcheer]

After almost four years of DE shaving, I can get a decent shave with just my Merkur Classic razor, a Feather blade, and a bar of regular bath soap. It isn't the most luxurious shave, but it is quick and easy.

Tim