Hi Guys.

Just would like to share some insights on shaving (facial hair, that is!).

My occupation prefers (but does not require) me to be clean-shaven, and until recently, I've had trouble with shaving. Mind you, I'm hitting 31 this year, so I'm no newbie to razor burns, nicks and cuts.

I used to use multi-bladed cartridge shavers (Gillete, Shick, Bic) with canned spray-foam. A summary of my problems:

1. I ALWAYS had razor burns in order to attain a near- 'baby-smooth-shave'. This prevented me shaving daily as my face needed healing time.

2. Shaving cartridge blades are expensive. RM10 per cartridge for a Mach 3.

3. Due to no.2 above, I tend to use the blades longer (like a week or two) before changing them. This dulled the blades, causing further 'no.1' problems.

4. Sometimes, I got ingrown hairs (yuk)



Anyway, went searching for an alternative, and the first thing I did was change the foam. From canned-spray, I started using home-made shaving soaps, mixed into a thick, luxurious lather with a shaving brush. This was OK, I got less of the burns, but the shave quality was still S***.

So, I got myself my first ol-skool double-edged razor. Was the only one available, less than RM10 per razor, and about RM2 per pack of 5 blades. First shave was horrible. Scarry as hell. Thanks to the internet and practice, got me a good routine going, and got closer shaves than was ever possible with a cartridge razor.

By now, I managed to source real shaving soap. It really makes a mockery of the 'whipped-cream' sold in supermarkets.

But I wanted to grow up, and get a proper DE razor. Never found one in KL. Even Acca Kappa doesn't stock 'em. I thought that with all the cheap blades being sold everywhere (mostly at Indian grocery shops), one would easily find a quality DE razor. Was wrong. Best I could find was an RM4 made in China number that tried to carve my face off!

Anyway, long story short, I got my Edwin Jagger DE89 and got me the closest shave ever. Really, a BBS! No bleeding, no razor burn, and no stinging while putting aftershave.

I now shave everyday, and I S*** you not, its actually enjoyable!

Here's my gear:






Shaving soap and brush:


This post has been edited by carbman: Feb 28 2011, 05:20 PM

Electric shavers don't work for me either. It actually gives me worse razor burns than a cartridge razor. And the shave is never close enough, IMO.

That's a straight razor. For people with steady hands and balls of steel! Damn cool. Would probably try that in the future. Only thing is that it needs sharpening. CONSTANTLY!

---

Added on February 28, 2011, 1:43 amHi kotmj! I've read your threads on shoes, tailoring and suitmaking. Really informative! One way I could describe a DE shave in terms you could relate to would be comparing a fused, RTW Padini suit to a fully canvassed masterpiece. One would be able to know the benefits once one has tried. Heck....I even shave on weekends now!

About late day stubble, I get 'em really late now, much around the time I contemplate 'cabut'-ing from work (around 5-ish). Results vary, but if you're good with an electric shaver and your face can handle it, you'll be awesome with a DE razor.

And yeah, Gillette has spawned a 5-blade razor:



They seem to add a blade every 4 years or so!

---

Added on February 28, 2011, 1:48 amGot it online. Tried as I might, alas, I couldn't find any good ones locally. I'm beginning to think those who still buy the blades (readily available everywhere) are barbers. The cheap DE razors are almost lethal.

This post has been edited by carbman: Feb 28 2011, 05:21 PM

Does it use a mach 3 cartridge head?

Word on the street is that different faces respond differently to different blade-razor combinations. I haven't tried ordering blades from the net yet (would I have any trouble with customs?), but have heard rave reviews concerning Derby blades. Its recommended that one tries a sampler pack (around USD10) to choose the most suitable for one's own needs.

That said, I've tried Gillette Nacet, Topaz, Bic, and some other cheaper blades. Best so far are the Bics. Very smooth.

---

Added on March 1, 2011, 12:25 amYes, super Nacet is still in production, methinks. BTW, your razor has some rave reviews....don't ever sell it off (unless it to me lah)

This post has been edited by carbman: Mar 1 2011, 12:26 AM

Shave lah.

---

Added on March 1, 2011, 9:05 amI find that prepping the hairs on my face with a hot towel makes a CONSIDERABLE difference. But I leave that for mornings when I'm really free. At the very least, just splash on some hot water some minutes before the shave.

Google "Kyle's Prep".




This post has been edited by carbman: Mar 1 2011, 09:05 AM

Same like bathing lah. U just gotta do it. I loathed shaving before. Not anymore.

Try westcoastshaving....that's where I got my gear.


Anyway, was in Barcelona lately, and found this gem of a shop there. Spanish people must take their shaving seriously!

Haha....thought this thread was DEAD. OK....I'll storm Jln Masjid India tomolo...running outta blades. I originally bought 5-pack BICs from carrefour for like RM1.20 a box or something like that...pack of 5 boxes.

For the soap, the one that I've found here is from Acca Kappa at pavillion. Buy the refill puck if you're curious. They say its good. Cheaper still would be Crabtree & Evelyn at Midvalley or Bangsar, they sell the refill complete with a wooden boal at RM150 (around that....not sure, was a long time ago). C&E shave brush is also quite acceptable. Acca Kappas brush is something like RM400 ('silvertip' badger, no less).

---

Added on September 15, 2011, 8:25 pmI have to shave everyday to stay non-hobbo-looking.

Don't buy the electric shaver if you think you're going to get an awesome shave. I havent tried the super-expensive ones yet, but there's NO way they could be a good-ol razor.

PS: I've fallen into the electric razor 'fad' TWICE.

---

Added on September 15, 2011, 8:27 pmGet a Maybank account. They'll give you a VISA debit ATM card. Use it lah. Unless of course, you are under 12, which would negate the need to shave anyway.

---

Added on September 15, 2011, 8:29 pmI tried at night...much more 'aman-damai'. But not as BBS in the morning as I'd prefer. Now I shave in the mornings, but will perhaps revert to night shaving sometime soon.

Cold water shaving: no problem. Hot water shaving: better still.

This post has been edited by carbman: Sep 17 2011, 01:39 AM

Kotmj,


that's a nice set u got. My DE89 looks almost like your DE8911, complete with the knurling at the bottom tip. Any ideas what's the difference?

And how's the shaving going? I've got 2 'best' badger brushes, but havent yet tried the silvertips.

OOhhhh.....just ordered me a sampler pack today. Also hitching the ride will be a drip stand (for the brush), and 2 long handled EJs (brother and dad want one). Did it after I teracuned from your last post.

Anyway, could you please point me in the right direction for the China-made silvertips? Me want one!

This is what I use to hold my DE razors: a toothbrush holder from IKEA. Wont work for the brushes, though.



This post has been edited by carbman: Sep 17 2011, 09:56 PM

"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots".

PS: not my line

I was going to say the same thing. Maybe his other hand is better.

---

Added on September 27, 2011, 9:02 pmR u sure its not a brushless shaving cream? There are those things out there that are brushless and are meant to be used as such. I have the soap version of the Nomad (C&E) and its OK, just so.

---

Added on September 27, 2011, 9:03 pmWhen in doubt, lubricate.

---

Added on September 27, 2011, 9:04 pmI checked in all my shaving stuff with a pack of raw blades, no problem. This was to europe.

---

Added on September 27, 2011, 9:06 pmYou like it, dontcha? This is the kinda stuff, if you ter-drop on your toes in the morning, would render you fit for an MC. The chrome gets dulled by the shaving soap residue over time. A quick rinse in hot water, followed by a gentle scrub with a terrycloth does the trick. Pics of your shaving stand, pls...

This post has been edited by carbman: Sep 27 2011, 09:06 PM

In the midst of being jealous that Kotmj's purchase sampai but mine belum, I was delighted to see a brown box my maid signed for from the postal people. Took about 10 days.

Inside were 2 EJ DE89Ls (for my brother and dad), a brush holder, and a sampler pack of razors. These are the razors:






Just for some porn, here are my brushes, both best badger, not silvertip. Not yet.

First impression is that it grips a wee bit better than the non-textured shaft. The shaft is just as long, though. Looks-wise it just a matter of taste. The head is identical. Is this sounding too much like a sexual innuendo?

Anyway, how's the silvertip brush? Soft? My best badgers are still a bit stiff at the ends.


Bic is the best I've been able to source locally, and since you say the feathers are better, I'm gonna try em out quick. Dont even bother with the Nacets and Lasers.

R U absolutely sure the brush is silvertip? Or even badger, and not synthetic? I'm hoping its real, coz I also want one, especially at that price. Even B&B members have used this brush. I was a wee bit sceptical on its originality because of the waviness of the hair: my synthetic Bodyshop shaving brush does that. Try burn a few strands and see (yeah right).

If it is real, then perhaps its just a matter of "running-in" the brush. Give it some time.

I tried the Feathers, and they were sharper than the BICs, yes. I'll be trying the others in the sampler pack later on. They cost about RM3 per pack of 5, pretty much market price here, excluding shipping charges, of course. If I find one I particularly like, I might switch to that. As it is, its tough to beat the BICs at RM8+ per 6 packs, or about RM1.2 per pack. My first Feather shave hasn't converted me yet. Perhaps I was being too cautious after hearing about their legendary sharpness.

Ah, those old skool barbers.....i'm quite certain they never dry their brushes

Do you go ATG (against the grain) from the 1st pass? I usually manage with 3 passes, begining with WTG, followed bt WTG again and finish off with XTG. For tough spots, I emply the 'blade buffing' technique. And a proper, unhurried prep really does wonders. But having no razor burn means your technique must be on track.

WTG below the chin IS awkward. I have to change hands.

Your MIC (made-in-China) brush, I imagine it to be reasonable stiff at the base but gets floppy at the tips, yes? Mine are stiff up to the tips...not nice lah. I think I'll make an order for those MIC silvertips now.

If you think BICs are dull, you don't wanna go for Nacets, much less those made-in-India blades. There's a reason why barbers change em after a single use.

I like the slotted-tin idea of disposing blades. But so far, I've been snapping the baldes into 2, and wrapping them um with layers of newspaper. Not ideal.

I wonder how my dad and brother are doing....