Hello there - I`m Johnny from Manchester NW England - I`ve been shaving since `78 - mostly cheapie BIC disposables, Gillette GII`s, a Braun battery foil and a 2-head battery Phillishave from the 80`s and 90`s.
I used antique straights in Israel and Egypt - sometimes with no water in the West Bank and Hurghada- used veg oil and booze - stropped with toothpaste on a leather belt.
Then I got sick of disposables and expensive supermarket cartridge junk and went back to DE safety razors.
I`m a Russian and can shave with anything - drunk or sober but lately I`ve got some treats for myself - Treet Black carbons which go rusty if not on top of a rad after to dry thoroughly - in piccy and I have some Lieres carbons as well.
I`m old fashioned - I love carbon knives and scissors as well - especially artisanal English or Japanese - I love med preps and Feathers but today I shaved with a Chinese no brand razor with a no brand blade - no writing on them anywhere but, however there was one redeeming feature - a stainless Yaqi best of both head - it`s the short blue handled one - 6th from the left.
The black head one 3rd from left with solid brass handle is another Yaqi best of both - closed and open comb on one head.
The 4th one from the left is a Chinese DScosmetic titanium handle with A Yaqi scalloped head.
The 5th one in from the left is a 4 piece 1930`s German brass/Stainless travel razor that bends and tensions the blade - only 40 grams that goes in the velvet lined square box to the far right.
The first one on the left is a cheapie with a S/S scalloped head and the one on the far right is a English vintage aluminium Gillette tech travel razor that goes in the bakelite box.
I like shaving butter and shaving oil and whipped soap but I can shave with washing up liquid, shampoo, conditioner, washing powder - anything if I have to - I was a poor student in the eighties and I`ve lived in a war zone so I`m not fussy and neither is my skin - thank goodness.
I swap heads because most of them are 5mm threads and interchangeable but I can use very mild or very aggressive razors - no problem.
I have a couple of Chinese adjustables which are great but the head is a bit chunky for under the nose haha !
At my age I don`t think my face is worth expensive razors and soaps - the colourful whipped soaps were gifts and the Poraso soaps were gifts.
I also stock up on Lord rainbow blades because they remind me of Alexandria and Cairo with my pet lizard on the wall and they`re cheap as chips
I don`t use a mirror or a shaving brush and can literally do it by feel - I love shaving in the dark or with my eyes closed in the bath but I have joined this forum to learn because I know nothing about brands or reputations.I have some travel kits too - you`ll burst out laughing at my junk - but I don`t care !
The vast majority of my stuff is second-hand or budget and frankly I can get jolly good results from them but I would like to try some proper shaving gear because I never did it before and would like an easier life if poss.
