Official SBAF facial grooming thread

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by FlySweep, Feb 15, 2020.

  1. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    I went away from Merkur 39C Slant Sledgehammer razor to this. With the Astra blades that I really like, the Focus is a much better fit for my thick facial hair. Even with the Feathers that I have on me, for some reason the Feathers don't give me a smooth shave on the Focus than on the Merkur. @Gaspasser I recommend the Astra if you want something a hair short of a Feather for sharpness. Depending on the razor, Astra will be better than a Feather. Merker gets body hair shaving duty with some basic Lord blades.

    Also I picked up a few shaving soaps. I got a free RazoRock soap with a tobacco smell and it is ok. I don't like the heavy smell stuff with high cost per session soaps that are common in the US. I prefer the harder to get French/German stuff that I get from https://thesuperiorshave.com/. This is a good site, owner is nuts but really hate to sell you common crap.
     
  2. Boops

    Boops Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,179
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York
    Can anyone recommend a shave cream (or similar) for sensitive skin? I’ve tried Dollar Shave Club cream and butter, and both Harry’s foam and gel. All burn a bit when I use them on my skin. Not from the razor, just after application before I’ve started shaving.

    The DSC butter seems to give the best shave/lubrication of the bunch.

    What should I try that works well but won’t burn?
     
  3. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    How much you wanna spend?
     
  4. Claritas

    Claritas Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,332
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Raleigh

    I have sensitive skin. I've been using Taylor of Old Bond Street's Organic Shaving Cream without problems since either 2016 or '17.

    944FEBDF-B06B-4D89-B43A-A99F917A905A.jpeg

    The biggest improvement was when I switched from using good and warm lather and a more mildly warm razor to using a cold razor with the same good, warm lather.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 1
    • List
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2021
  5. Boops

    Boops Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,179
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York
    I don’t mind spending a lot if it works. But all things being equal, cheaper and easy to get is desirable.
     
  6. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
  7. Boops

    Boops Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,179
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York
    Thanks all. I’m going to try the Taylor’s and if it doesn’t work for me, the soap.
     
  8. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,923
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, MI
  9. Boops

    Boops Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,179
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York
  10. Boops

    Boops Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,179
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York
    Reporting back to say I’ve been using this consistently for weeks and it’s been great. Thanks for the recommendation!
     
  11. Garns

    Garns Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,483
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sydney, AUS
    PXL_20230423_025518146.jpg

    Used this for a number of years now:

    GEM Micromatic Open Comb
    Mitchell's Wool Fat
    Basic ass Kent brush

    I tried various DE razors but the blades are too thin and flexy and just pull my whiskers out. The SE Gem blades are super rigid but still nice and sharp and just plough through it with no issues. My favourite DE razor was the Fatip Piccolo. Someday would like to get a feather artist club.

    The Mitchell's Wool Fat is good because it makes a dense thin layer not Santa Claus, and it doesn't make me smell like a 75 year old Italian patriarch.

    I gave up on all the aftershave and shit, I just use hyaluronic acid and a few drops of marula oil. Works great!
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • heart heart x 2
    • List
  12. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 11, 2020
    Likes Received:
    2,209
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    open sky
    Just started DE shaving, anyone have any recommendations on places to buy DE blades? Looking to try a few.
     
  13. joch

    joch Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,397
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    the other side of the big ocean
    +1 for Mitchell's...lathers well and smells nice
     
  14. joch

    joch Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,397
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    the other side of the big ocean
    As simple as ordering via Amazon. You can search for variety sampler packs.
     
  15. JK47

    JK47 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2022
    Likes Received:
    2,021
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Surf City USA
    Get a Schick Injector!! Much better...
     
  16. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    Check amazon and get a random pack of blades to start. Not all blades will behalf the same on different razors. Also depends on other factors on how thick is your beard, and how aggressive you want the razor to be with an aggressive blade.
     
  17. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,200
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northwest France
  18. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,200
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northwest France
    IMG_4527.jpeg

    The first safety razor I bought was the Viking Godfather. It cost $30 but later on I found out that a razor called the Baili BD191 can be found for a third of the price on Aliexpress and it’s identical. Pretty sure it’s the same manufacturer.

    I don’t really like the Godfather because the top has a lot of friction with my face. Looking closer it seems to have a high curvature
    IMG_4528.jpeg

    I this this results in more skin contact and makes the razor harder to glide. I switched to a Wilkinson Sword with the opening mechanism and it’s a better experience

    I mostly use Feather because I like sharper blades. Astra is nice when I don’t feel like being extra careful.

    For soap the first I used was Monsavon Bol because I saw it at all the supermarkets around here. I need to work on my lather technique a bit because it just feels like soapy water. I make whipped cream, mayonnaise and meringue all by hand but shave lather is beating me. I have a puck that I want to try out next which I hope I am a bit more successful
     
  19. Slade01

    Slade01 Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    692
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New Jersey
    What do you guys recommend for a razor blade that has a sharpness that is a bit more than Astra (Superior Platinum/Green) -- but not to the extreme of the Feather Blades? I've been getting back into the DE shaving game, and while the Astra does a good job - just want a little bit more oomph to it.
     
  20. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,923
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, MI
    Do you find the problem with the Feather blades to be that you cut yourself too much? I suppose I have the same issue with microcuts, particularly on the neck. I generally will blast through and not realize I cut myself until I have moved onto the next section. There are also cuts that stop showing red within 5-10 minutes, so quite small. Generally, I have found the best way to avoid these microcuts is to slow down and take a less aggressive angle. With patience, I can reliably have zero cuts with the Feather blades.

    I would also consider the fact that I can achieve a zero cut shave with my Boker Straight Edge as a sign that patience pays. I know that my Boker Straight Edge is not as sharp and pristine as any DE disposable, but that razor demands patience and make me go slower. Hence less cuts.
     

Share This Page