I stumbled on the double edged razor traditional wet shaving by complete accident about a week ago whilst I was reading a blog elsewhere on men’s fashion. It caught my eye as the guy was talking about using shaving cream and a badger brush with a Mach 3. I had been doing the same since being given some Taylor’s cream and one of their basic badgers brushes by a good friend of mine for a birthday present a few years back. The bit that caught my eye was an edit to the post thanking someone for showing him the error of his ways and then proceeded to link to a beginners guide to double edge razor shaving. Instantly fascinated, I then proceeded to order a Merkur 34 HD and some derby blades.
Well, after the longest week of waiting ever, my new razor arrived yesterday. I was instantly in the bathroom prepping myself for my first real shave, and wow, what a completely different experience! I had watched a few videos by mantic59 on youtube as suggested a traditional shaving forums so had a rough idea of the technique to be used. Aprehension was soon replaced by joy by the solid sound and feel of the razor cutting through my facial hair in the smoothest way.
It’s obvious by reading this that I am a convert to double edged safety shaving but my only question is why on earth did we decide that those nasty cheap plastic razors that initialy replaced the traditional razor were a superior option to this?!!
I have a lot to learn about double edged shaving, but I know awake excited by the thought of shaving each morning, which is a little weird I know. For now, as the newbie advice suggests, I am going to stick to the derby blades, which actually work well for me as I have fairly fine facial hair until I have become more adept at shaving before testing other blades, etc.
Hi there,
stumbled upon your website while searching for infos about when and how to wash raw denim jeans.
I am always happy to see someone having been converted 😉
HOWEVER, if you thought using a double edged razor (I use a Merkur too) was quite an improvement you really ought to try a straight razor. The straight razor is another step up.
I treat myself to or rather indulge myself with a straight razor close shave on weekends since it takes quite a while, lathering your face after showeing, hot towels, lathering again, one shave with the grain lathering up again and then another one against the grain.
Using a badger hair brush and shaving cream/soap is way better than that canned “goo” which my brother swears by 🙂
A silver tip brush is really great for getting copious amounts of lather quickly.
I suggest you try out the musgo real shaving cream, I love the smell of french soap, also I would recommend checking out Olivia’s store, she sells handmade soap at fair prices and shipping outside Germany is affordable too.
Check her out at
http://www.olivia-seife.de/shop/herren/rasierseifen.html
As for the straight razors I do own a few from Dovo, Puma and other makers. Keeping an eye out for them on ebay is a way to cheaply obtain a few great blades.
Hi Stefan,
Thanks for the tips and the link to Olivia’s site, her shaving soaps look amazing.
I have not got around to trying a straight razor, although it is on my list of things to do. I was however given a Geo Trumper Super Badger shaving brush last Christmas which was a massive step up from the pure badger one I was using. I want to get a Silvertip Chubby next!
I keep meaning to post more on shaving but I just haven’t had the time.
All the best,
Nick