Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought to switching to a safety razor. Thanks to helpful comments and and the vast supply of information on Sharpologist
, I decided to make the leap. I ordered a Merkur Double-Edge Safety Razor, a Badger Shaving Brush, Col. Conks Shaving Soap, and a pack of Merkur Double-Edge Razor Blades.
My Amazon order arrived last night and I felt like a kid on Christmas. With everything I would need to transition away from modern razors, I got down to business. I was a little nervous the first time the safety razor touched my face but with each pass I grew more comfortable.
The process took a bit longer than usual but I enjoyed myself. The end result was a single nick on my neck and the closest shave I’ve ever had. I have a few spots on my face that could have been done better (I can feel a slight bit of stubble when rubbing against the grain) but I’m sure that will get better with experience.
7 thoughts on “My Safety Razor Has Arrived”
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I love my safety razor. I use a Merkur Slant with feather blades but I have coarse facial hair. When you do the 3rd pass make sure you only go over areas with soap on them, don’t go back over because you missed a spot. Your mileage may vary but I recommend getting a really nice brush and look for some proraso or a cream from one of the T’s. The shaving soaps are great but a little harder to get a good foam consistently, at least for me. I often went too dry when starting. I really like the Skin Food aftershave but it is not the most moisturizing for winter. My wife complains that I have more soaps and aftershaves than she has makeup.
Mike,
Making a lather definitely takes a little practice. The first thing I did was whip up a lather and apply it to my entire face. Before I was done the first side, my neck and entire other side was dry.
My face tends to dry out fairly easily and I was hoping to get something in an aftershave that would help with that.
I’m sure you’ve looked at the youtubes and seen the videos. It doesn’t take any longer than a disposable to shave with a safety. Just follow the rules, like the one above from Mike.
Okierover,
With time I’m sure it will get faster. In the past, shaving has always been a sort of mindless activity. Squirt some gel out of a can, rub it on your face, and run a disposable blade over it. The safety razor feels like it requires a little more finesse. I actually like the process, even if it does take a little longer.
Good for you, sir! For aftershave I recommend rinsing with as cold of water as you can to close up the pores, then wetting an alum block and running it over your face. Search Amazon for “Bloc Osma”. It’ll last you forever. Finally, I have no specific aftershave recommendation, but I do suggest you stay with a lotion or moisturizer. I like and use Art of Shaving, but it’s pretty costly and when I use it up I’ll probably go with a less expensive alternative.
Pre-shave… Are you actually looking for a soap/cleanser, or a pre-shave oil to condition your beard and face?
Eric,
I was thinking along the lines of a soap / cleanser. The stuff I use in the shower dries out my face and I wind up using an unscented lotion. I’m seeing a lot of recommendations to shave after showing and I don’t want to wind up drying out my face before shaving.
Hi, I just started wet shaving about 7 months ago and I am completely converted. After you beat the learning curve I promise you can have it done in about 10 to 15 minutes. As for a pre shave, i do a hot shower and Neutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash. After I am out of the shower and I have used the face cleanser I take a quick batch of lather (I use Proraso) and my brush and put it to my face, and then place a hot towel over the lather for about 60-90 seconds. After that is done I make the lather for my shave and do two passes. The first with the grain and the second with or across the grain depending on how sensitive my skin is that day. I finish up with Prorasso White Pre/Post shave as an after shave after I rinse my face with warm water first and then cool water. Good luck Mr. Walt.