Couple of newbie questions (I'm sure you've heard them all before)

[gasdoc]

So I have this dandy vintage gillette and was reading through some threads on here about cleaning/sanitizing used equipment. I swear I saw a bunch of people say they used barbasol to soak their stuff to clean it. So off I go to the local barbershop to see if I can use some of theirs. The barber looks at me like I am crazy and says "It will corrode instantly if you put it in there"

So what's the story? is barbasol bad for metal gear? they said they only use it for combs, no razors, shears, nothing metal. If so, what's the best way to clean stuff? Just bleach/water or white vinegar?

Number 2: I picked up a VDH "premium" shaving set, primarily because I wanted a brush with a little more backbone and didn't want to spend a bunch just to see if a boar was worth getting. Well the thing loses about a dozen hairs every time I lather it up. Is this normal? I mean, I know its a cheap-o brush ($8.99 for the whole set, brush, bowl, soap) but at this rate it won't last a month. At least the soap smells kinda nice. I want to pick up a B&B essential but they aren't for sale again yet. anyone have an extra they want to sell??

Number 3: Is there any way to know if you are getting the right angle other than just realizing if you have a good shave or not? When I make a pass I can hear what I think is the razor cutting the hair but it still sometimes takes me extra clean-up passes to get nice and close but then I get irritated.

Number 4: anyone ever heard of "shaving oil?" not the "pre-shave oil," this stuff actually says "no lather or cream needed." you apparently are supposed to rub 3 drops of the oil into your beard and then... just shave. it was only 3 bucks so I bought it but I'm afraid to use it other than as a pre-shave.

ok, that's about it for now, but like all who are new to this hobby, I'm sure there will be more.

 

[Shutterbug57]

1. I have used Barbicide on my razors with no untoward consequences. I am guessing they did not want your gear in their solution. Scrubbing bubbles works as well and makes a great cleaner.

2. You get what you pay for. Spend a few bucks on a quality brush, it will last much longer.

3. Different razors require differing amounts of clean up. I have the devil's own time with a regular flare tip SuperSpeed and need lots of clean up. A tech (more mild) or my 38 HD C (more aggressive) both work much better for me. You have to find what works for you.

4. I have heard of, but never used, shave oil. It is supposed to work fine, but I have also heard that it gunks up razors.

 

[CGW409]

I think you probably mean Barbicide(or the cheaper,just as good Hydrocide both can be had for under 10.00 at Sally Beauty Supply) provided you mix it right and soak for no longer than 10 minutes max it's no problem though stay well clear of bleach or vinegar both can damage finishes.
A good near boiling water and dish soap soak(boiling water is OK for really grungy razors just never boil the razor only the water) and a good scrubbing with an old tooth brush and some Scrubbing Bubbles.
Every brush will shed at first but I had to change out my VDH boar brushes every year or so.
When I started I set the top of the razor to my face at a 90 degree angle and lowered the razor til I felt the blade make contact, I've mapped out my beard grain direction and I still have a few trouble spots.
I tried the shave oil(Shave Magic IIRC) not worth it.

 

[Nomad1600]

So I have this dandy vintage gillette and was reading through some threads on here about cleaning/sanitizing used equipment. I swear I saw a bunch of people say they used barbasol to soak their stuff to clean it. So off I go to the local barbershop to see if I can use some of theirs. The barber looks at me like I am crazy and says "It will corrode instantly if you put it in there"

So what's the story? is barbasol bad for metal gear? they said they only use it for combs, no razors, shears, nothing metal. If so, what's the best way to clean stuff? Just bleach/water or white vinegar?

Best resource for cleaning questions is the Shave wiki at the top of the page: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Razor_cleaning_and_restoration

Number 2: I picked up a VDH "premium" shaving set, primarily because I wanted a brush with a little more backbone and didn't want to spend a bunch just to see if a boar was worth getting. Well the thing loses about a dozen hairs every time I lather it up. Is this normal? I mean, I know its a cheap-o brush ($8.99 for the whole set, brush, bowl, soap) but at this rate it won't last a month. At least the soap smells kinda nice. I want to pick up a B&B essential but they aren't for sale again yet. anyone have an extra they want to sell??

I have the basic VDH Boar shaving brush and I happen to like it. If you are willing to give that a shot, you can have a matched VDH set.

Others here are less happy with the VDH Boar brushes and will advise other brands like Semogue or Omega, so check them out too.

Number 3: Is there any way to know if you are getting the right angle other than just realizing if you have a good shave or not? When I make a pass I can hear what I think is the razor cutting the hair but it still sometimes takes me extra clean-up passes to get nice and close but then I get irritated.

Partly hearing the blade cutting, partly feeling. You will get used to the right cues as you continue to shave. At first don't worry about getting a really close shave, focus on WTG and XTG, and learn the beard growth patterns on your face.

Number 4: anyone ever heard of "shaving oil?" not the "pre-shave oil," this stuff actually says "no lather or cream needed." you apparently are supposed to rub 3 drops of the oil into your beard and then... just shave. it was only 3 bucks so I bought it but I'm afraid to use it other than as a pre-shave.

Never tried it, but it doesn't sound like something that I'd try. I don't even like pre-shave oils... feel icky. Stick with the recommended shaving cremes like CO Bigelow sold at Body and Bathworks, and decent soaps like the VDH you got, or be adventurous and get a puck of soap from Mama Bear or Sterling Soaps. And have at it.

ok, that's about it for now, but like all who are new to this hobby, I'm sure there will be more.

Hopefully this helped...

 

[Guest111]

Number 4: anyone ever heard of "shaving oil?" not the "pre-shave oil," this stuff actually says "no lather or cream needed." you apparently are supposed to rub 3 drops of the oil into your beard and then... just shave. it was only 3 bucks so I bought it but I'm afraid to use it other than as a pre-shave.

Shave Secret can indeed be used without shaving cream or soap, provided you use it correctly. I used to use it fairly often before switching to DE shaving, back when I was using a Fusion, and I never had any issues once I learned how to use it properly. The 2 keys are a) don't use too much of it, or it stops being slick and starts being goopy (and clogs the razor), and b) major hydration. Keep the face wet. Don't add more oil if it starts losing its slickness, add more water and the slick comes right back.

Having said all that, I don't know WHY you'd want to shave without a good soap or cream-- to me that's a lot of the appeal of this thing we do. I'm just pointing out that you CAN. The only reason I ever do it any more is if for some reason I need to shave in under 3 minutes. Then it's hot water to the face, rub on some Shave Secret, grab the Fusion (blow the dust off of it!), and shave. I can get a merely adequate shave in one pass + touchup. This is for emergencies only, mind you. Or maybe travel, if you don't want to bring your good gear. It carries no traces of the enjoyment we get from shaving done right.

EDIT: Allow me to clarify: this works for one day's growth. Any more than that, not so much.

 

[gasdoc]

awesome, thanks for all the replies.

Some good info here for sure. I may try to actually shave with the VDH soap this weekend, so far I have only done a few palm lathers to try to figure out lathering up a soap.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

I used to use shaving oil sometimes when I shaved with carts and found it just about ok with those, as long as I didn't use too much. But it wasn't much better than the goop from a can, and nowhere as good as proper prep and even a half decent soap or cream. It just doesn't give the glide and cushioning of proper lather,

 

[BlackBear]

I use a British product called saloncide (& I'm assuming it's similar to barbicide) their website tells me it's has the same chemical hazard rating as water - it's highly unlikely to damage anything. (when mixed correctly)

 

[Teppanyaki]

My only 2 cents - I use 70% rubbing alcohol or scrubbing bubbles with the quarternary ammonium compounds for killing stuff and cleaning. For a hard core kill-everything-in-sight, I have accesss to an autoclave (but that tends to visibly tarnish unplated razors and I have no idea what it would do to plating).