I've been wet shaving with DE's and straights for about 6 months now. I'm going to use this as my sort of log to keep track of what I like, what I don't, and what I'm looking forward to. Hope it isn't a bother to anyone, and as always, I encourage response!
I had always wanted to learn how to shave with a straight. Mostly because I'm cheap and wanted to stop paying for carts. I'm a head shaver, so that gets expensive. I started out with a Dovo straight. I couldn't get it right away, so I quickly got into DE as well.
I'm the sort of person who is never satisfied. I'm also an obsessive hobbyist. These things have led me to hunt for new shaving gear to try out. Ultimately, I just want to find what works well for me. I actually don't care to collect. I'd like to have a couple good DE's, a couple good straight razors, a decent boar brush, a decent badger brush and a couple soaps that perform well for me.
My reflections
Razors
Gillette Flair Tip - Felt awkward. Not comfortable
Gillette Slim adjustable - I like the length of the handle. I just couldn't find a good setting for me.
Gillette Milord - A bit light. But I like the way it feels. Wish the handle was longer.
Merkur 39c - I'm enjoying the size of the razor. The slant is a bit strange, but I'm going to give it some time before deciding if it is for me or not. So far, it has bit me a few times, but most likely that is my fault. I prefer the TTO. Aligning the blade with this razor is difficult.
Dovo 5/8" straight - I started out this shiny new Dovo 5/8" that was given to me for Christmas. Needless to say, I wasn't able to whip out awesome head shaves with my straight right away. I can get it done, but not without irritation. My straight razor was honed professionally, and it performed very well the first shave. I made my own strop. I think my strop making skills, my stropping skills or potentially both are the reason I can't get the edge right again. I'd really like to find someone local to me that can show me what I need to do and tell me if my strop is no good.
Blades
Derby - Cheap. Fair shave. Don't really irritate my skin much, but they don't feel ultra sharp.
Wilkinson Sword - At this point, I'm not impressed. Actually like them less than Derby.
Lord - Not bad. Not great. Pretty much felt the same as Derby, although didn't seem to shave quite as close.
Soaps
VDH - Super cheap. Once milled, performs very well. Neutral scent is a benefit since I have a sensitive nose.
Razorock XXX - I do not like the smell at all. Lather is okay. No better or worse than my VDH.
Razorock Fresco - I enjoy the scent of this one. Very mild. Lather also on par with VDH.
Tabac - Terrible scent. Awesome lather. Torn about what to do. Gives me headaches but awesome shaves.
Martin de Candre Fougere - Scent is okay. Lather is okay. For the price paid, I don't care much for it.
LA Shaving Co Vanilla/Eucalyptus/Mint - I sort of like the scent. Very minty. Unfortunately, it does not lather well at all for me.
Brushes
VDH Brush - Performs okay. Sheds way too much.
Semogue 620 - Performs alright. Still sheds a couple hairs per shave. Bought it used so I thought that wouldn't be as much of an issue.
Semogue 1305 - Performs okay. Not shedding which is nice. But the handle...sucks. Nice feel in hand, but finish is chipping off.
I'm mostly looking for the right soaps at this point. I'd really like to try Cella, MWF and Proraso. Also looking for a Kamisori, a decent used strop, a feather straight and a heavier/well built DE that isn't a slant.
Future posts shouldn't be so long and rambling!
I had always wanted to learn how to shave with a straight. Mostly because I'm cheap and wanted to stop paying for carts. I'm a head shaver, so that gets expensive. I started out with a Dovo straight. I couldn't get it right away, so I quickly got into DE as well.
I'm the sort of person who is never satisfied. I'm also an obsessive hobbyist. These things have led me to hunt for new shaving gear to try out. Ultimately, I just want to find what works well for me. I actually don't care to collect. I'd like to have a couple good DE's, a couple good straight razors, a decent boar brush, a decent badger brush and a couple soaps that perform well for me.
My reflections
Razors
Gillette Flair Tip - Felt awkward. Not comfortable
Gillette Slim adjustable - I like the length of the handle. I just couldn't find a good setting for me.
Gillette Milord - A bit light. But I like the way it feels. Wish the handle was longer.
Merkur 39c - I'm enjoying the size of the razor. The slant is a bit strange, but I'm going to give it some time before deciding if it is for me or not. So far, it has bit me a few times, but most likely that is my fault. I prefer the TTO. Aligning the blade with this razor is difficult.
Dovo 5/8" straight - I started out this shiny new Dovo 5/8" that was given to me for Christmas. Needless to say, I wasn't able to whip out awesome head shaves with my straight right away. I can get it done, but not without irritation. My straight razor was honed professionally, and it performed very well the first shave. I made my own strop. I think my strop making skills, my stropping skills or potentially both are the reason I can't get the edge right again. I'd really like to find someone local to me that can show me what I need to do and tell me if my strop is no good.
Blades
Derby - Cheap. Fair shave. Don't really irritate my skin much, but they don't feel ultra sharp.
Wilkinson Sword - At this point, I'm not impressed. Actually like them less than Derby.
Lord - Not bad. Not great. Pretty much felt the same as Derby, although didn't seem to shave quite as close.
Soaps
VDH - Super cheap. Once milled, performs very well. Neutral scent is a benefit since I have a sensitive nose.
Razorock XXX - I do not like the smell at all. Lather is okay. No better or worse than my VDH.
Razorock Fresco - I enjoy the scent of this one. Very mild. Lather also on par with VDH.
Tabac - Terrible scent. Awesome lather. Torn about what to do. Gives me headaches but awesome shaves.
Martin de Candre Fougere - Scent is okay. Lather is okay. For the price paid, I don't care much for it.
LA Shaving Co Vanilla/Eucalyptus/Mint - I sort of like the scent. Very minty. Unfortunately, it does not lather well at all for me.
Brushes
VDH Brush - Performs okay. Sheds way too much.
Semogue 620 - Performs alright. Still sheds a couple hairs per shave. Bought it used so I thought that wouldn't be as much of an issue.
Semogue 1305 - Performs okay. Not shedding which is nice. But the handle...sucks. Nice feel in hand, but finish is chipping off.
I'm mostly looking for the right soaps at this point. I'd really like to try Cella, MWF and Proraso. Also looking for a Kamisori, a decent used strop, a feather straight and a heavier/well built DE that isn't a slant.
Future posts shouldn't be so long and rambling!
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