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Evening all,
My first post, so I thought I should introduce myself properly.
Been wet shaving for 25 years plus as electric razors never did it for me. Been through a selection of cartridge razors over the years, as well as a couple of straight razors with replaceable blade systems rather than blades you can sharpen (shavettes?). I have never been really satisfied with the results, and although I could get a smooth shave I often had quite a bit of irritation. In fact I would always shave the day before a meeting, just in case. I would soften my beard with warm water and use either hand soap or shaving gel from a can.
I thought it was time to start doing this properly, and to be honest just spoil myself with a "luxury shaving system". I am a bit of a sucker for a traditional approach to most things.
So, I ended up with a starter kit from The Traditional Shaving Company comprising of a Merkur 1904, best badger brush and Truefitt and Hill soap (along with a few extras) and a travelling kit of a Cyril R Salter travel brush and D R Harris shaving cream. I will use up my old cartridge razors when I travel, which I do a lot, then buy another DE razor for when I am away.
I have now tried both set ups. The 1904 and the soap gave me the closet shave I have ever had. Three passes, two WTG and one a mixture of ATG and XTG, and not a blemish. No soreness, and even applying aftershave didn't sting. It was also my most comfortable shave ever. I think I need to practise more to build the perfect lather, but it worked pretty well.
The travel set up worked well too. The cream lathered really well directly on my face. I didn't want to carry a bowel when travelling. The shave with the cartridge razor was pretty good. Two passes, one WTG and one ATG / XTG. I stopped there as I know that the cartridges can cause irritation. It was not quite as close a shave as the home set up, but it was still good and irritation free. The aftershave stung a little, but I expected that from that razor.
All in all it's been a bit of a revelation, and to find there are forums to join and new toys to buy makes it more of a hobby in line with my love of watches and pens.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to spending some time here.
Jason.
My first post, so I thought I should introduce myself properly.
Been wet shaving for 25 years plus as electric razors never did it for me. Been through a selection of cartridge razors over the years, as well as a couple of straight razors with replaceable blade systems rather than blades you can sharpen (shavettes?). I have never been really satisfied with the results, and although I could get a smooth shave I often had quite a bit of irritation. In fact I would always shave the day before a meeting, just in case. I would soften my beard with warm water and use either hand soap or shaving gel from a can.
I thought it was time to start doing this properly, and to be honest just spoil myself with a "luxury shaving system". I am a bit of a sucker for a traditional approach to most things.
So, I ended up with a starter kit from The Traditional Shaving Company comprising of a Merkur 1904, best badger brush and Truefitt and Hill soap (along with a few extras) and a travelling kit of a Cyril R Salter travel brush and D R Harris shaving cream. I will use up my old cartridge razors when I travel, which I do a lot, then buy another DE razor for when I am away.
I have now tried both set ups. The 1904 and the soap gave me the closet shave I have ever had. Three passes, two WTG and one a mixture of ATG and XTG, and not a blemish. No soreness, and even applying aftershave didn't sting. It was also my most comfortable shave ever. I think I need to practise more to build the perfect lather, but it worked pretty well.
The travel set up worked well too. The cream lathered really well directly on my face. I didn't want to carry a bowel when travelling. The shave with the cartridge razor was pretty good. Two passes, one WTG and one ATG / XTG. I stopped there as I know that the cartridges can cause irritation. It was not quite as close a shave as the home set up, but it was still good and irritation free. The aftershave stung a little, but I expected that from that razor.
All in all it's been a bit of a revelation, and to find there are forums to join and new toys to buy makes it more of a hobby in line with my love of watches and pens.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to spending some time here.
Jason.