Are vintage Gillettes considered substandard equipment for method shaving? Everything I see indicates that Merkur HD's and the Progress are the razors of choice.
Gillette for Method Shaving?
- Thread starter Sode
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Yes you can use it so long as it is a single blade shaving (ex: DE, or str8). One thing about method shaving is you can customize however you want. There are no strict guidelines if you don't want. You can do your own forms (passes), use your own steel (razor), make your mix (lather) how you like, etc.
Your title said Gillette and I'm glad your not talking about cartridges or disposables. Either of those would not be acceptable with the method. Those shaving devices are only acceptable with traditional creams and soaps.
Your title said Gillette and I'm glad your not talking about cartridges or disposables. Either of those would not be acceptable with the method. Those shaving devices are only acceptable with traditional creams and soaps.
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I'll admit that I don't know what goes into the method shaving process, but why would cartridge razors or disposables not be acceptable for method shaving but be okay for traditional creams and soaps?
I can't imagine that the process of putting a blade to your face is that different with method shaving, that it would work for one but not the other.
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"Indeed, in the century since its appearance the 1904 "classic" has never been withdrawn from production. Once produced in America, it is now offered in an excellent form by the German company Merkur. Today, it is available in what is universally known as the "HD Standard" double edge razor. It is this razor--and this razor alone--that forms the basis of all modern Method Shaving. In short, Method Shaving is defined exclusively by the use of the 1904 model, "fixed blade" double edge masterpiece."
-Charles Roberts
This is why it is confusing. CAR seems to state pretty clearly that the HD is the implement for Method Shaving. So would shaving with a Fatboy or Superspeed be a bastardized version of method shaving?
-Charles Roberts
This is why it is confusing. CAR seems to state pretty clearly that the HD is the implement for Method Shaving. So would shaving with a Fatboy or Superspeed be a bastardized version of method shaving?
I know exactly the answer to your question. The mix you make in method shaving allows with single blade razor to create wave between the tracks and blade with a safety. With a cartridge razor, it is designed to pull the hair then cut. The mix is so slick that it causes the cartridge razor to "trip" as shave.
Charles has told me that it's not so much the razor but the blade that makes the difference. He used to recommend feathers. I don't know if he still does though.
It's your face and your shave and your beard is like finger prints, one of a kind pertinant to you, all that someone has done is put a lable on something that has been done for years, making it easier for people to understand and relate to. I Method shave with a 1963 Fatboy,mainly with feathers or derby blades. I normally WTG on all quadrants, then XTG and then ATG..John's Method Shave, been doing this for nearly 30 years..
John
He still does. Sort of.
I met him for the first time this afternoon in his shop while looking for a safety razor (they are surprisingly hard to find in a brick and mortar store these days). He explained Method Shaving, its history, etc. Very engaging to talk to, very informative, and answered all of my questions. Before he sold me a razor or any other product, he invited me to come back later for a practical demonstration.
When I returned (with a towel, at his suggestion), he taught me how to shave using the Method Shaving system. He demonstrate on one side of my face, and let me practice on the other side, with him pointing out corrections in my technique. I'd never used a safety razor before (I had used a Gillette Fusion that morning). During the process, he kept referring to how much better the shave is with a Feather blade as opposed to the Bic blade we were using in the demo.
When we were done, and I was purchasing my new razor, soap, cloth, etc., he again mentioned how much better the shave is with Feather blades, but suggested that I get some time and practice under my belt before trying a shave with them. He explicitly mentioned he "used to" recommend nothing but Feather blades and would tell people using any other blade tat they were wasting his products on inferior blades. Now, however, he doesn't say that. He recommends whatever blade you are comfortable using. In fact, he sold me a selection of four different types of blades to try out to find one that I like shaving with.
He still says that Feathers give the best shave, though.
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