I'm getting excellent shaves with the absolute cheapest of soaps, and a good de razor

[Christoph]

Okay, this post could be in the soap section, but its really not a post about soap. Its more about my own personal doctrines when it comes to shaving.

To me, technique is EVERYTHING. In fact, I would say a great shave is 95% technique and MAYBE, at the most 5% products and equipment.

I do love some good creams, TOBS and Truefit & Hill, and Prorasso being my favourites. And I do love great soaps.

But lately I have had the need to be tighter with money.

So here's what my routine has been:

Take a hot shower (something I'd do whether shaving or not) wash the face very well with whatever is available, soap, shampoo, or whatever. Get lots of steam and water on the face.

Afterwards (soon afterwards) start the shave. I use a Merkur 38c (the Sledgehammer) which has been my go to razor for years now. I have about 10 DEs but this seems to be the best for me. I've been mostly using Derby blades.

I have a good, large Simpsons brush, and I lather up some of the cheapest soaps ever. In fact, I've been cramming any soap I find in the house into a mug.

I then use Charles' Roberts shaving forms. I like a 4 pass shave to get the whole job done.

After: cold water and a splash of any one of about 7 aftershaves I keep around.

And lately my shaves have been smooth, excellent, comfortable, and bloodless.

Its all about experience, how I handle the razor, knowledge of my face and skin, and .. Technique!

It's not about the quality of the soap, that for sure is true.

I have to be honest, I really feel that high quality soaps and creams are over rated. They're nice, but if you are starting out in the world of classic, old school shaving just get a good DE, a decent cream or soap, and work in the basics.

I love the pricy stuff - who doesn't? But do you really need it? I say NO.

I have a few several hundred DE blades, and a few good brushes, some of which I've never even used. So I do not anticipate spending ONE CENT on saving for the next while. And that, my friends, is one of the great things about this.

So while I'm coming clean on my new doctrine that basically has me walking away from pricy creams, soaps, and things like that, I will forever hold to the belief that these 4,5, and 6 blade cartridge things are pure garbage and only designed to separate you from your hard earned cash.

Nothing beats having a DE and blades, a decent brush, and knowing how to use them. With these basic supplies and the most important thing - knowledge, you can get fantastic shaves. You just have to want them and be willing to learn.

 

[aihpcfl]

..........



I love the pricy stuff - who doesn't? But do you really need it? I say NO.

.............

Yes and no.

I think just about any soap works, even bath soap. I used the cheap $1.99 puck from the drugstore for a long time. If shaving with the basics is the meat and potatoes, then stepping up in quality is the gravy. For me, MWF, which I don't consider pricey though it is compared to a $2 puck, is the gravy and then some. I don't want to use the $1.99 puck anymore. In that sense I need MWF. I'm used to the gravy now. I don't want just meat and potatoes.

 

[santamariasteve]

I pretty much agree. Technique is paramount! All else is nice but secondary.

Speaking of technique, I recently realized and learned that the X the grain pass is where I get 99% of my cuts and nicks. Somehow it is difficult for me to maintain a proper consistent angle on the X the grain pass, especially with a razor that is "angle sensitive." So now my 3 pass shave is N to S, S to N, and N to S. Perfection!

Never stop learning. Where there is learning there is life.

 

[SyntheticEvil13]

I have to agree with everything you said. Although I will be getting some pricey creams and soap for a little while. That's mainly because I'm new and I just want to try them. The best cream I've used so far is a tube of Proraso red I got from one our members (thanks lradke). Technique is the bottom line. That's why if anyone talks about nicks or irritation I always tell them to go back to the basics. No pressure, the right blade angle, a good lather, etc...

 

[Member357]

Variety is the spice of life my friend.

 

[Christoph]

I just want all to know that once you have a good DE and a steady supply of blades (i change mine each Sunday regardless of number of shaves) that you need not go any further than your grocery or drug store to get awesome shaves. And I can't state enough that I love and appreciate the good stuff, but it is entirely unnecessary to achieve the goal of getting a great shave.

So, in a way, its kind of like getting drunk.

 

[Senshi]

What cheapie soaps are you using?

 

[Reevers]

Its all about experience, how I handle the razor, knowledge of my face and skin, and .. Technique!

It's not about the quality of the soap, that for sure is true.

Not sure if I agree with the 2nd part of these statements, in my opinion good soap is critical to a great shave, but good soap doesn't have to be expensive and not all expensive soap is good! Just my opinion

 

[Jarick]

I had a wonderful shave, one of my best ever using a 37C and a puck of VDH Deluxe. Technique and experience are key.

But I do have to use about twice as much VDH as I do a nicer soap. Makes the value of soaps like Mike's and Stirling, or bricks of Cella, or even sticks like Palmolive and Arko great values.

 

[Cagliostro]

Your pretty much correct on every thing too, one can go dirt cheap and get good shaves. The use of Arko stick or Williams can cut down spending when in need if you wanted to go the full rout also in a pinch you can use and lather traditional Ivory soap for a decent shave in your shower I've done it once for the heck of it and it works meaning it is serviceable I would only use a cheap brush doing this however due to scum build up. Quality of soap/lather is also important so what ever you are using best become an expert at that particular soap etc, I think it dose matter as well as technique but yes technique is VERY important.

 

[Useless shaver]

Yes and no.

I think just about any soap works, even bath soap. I used the cheap $1.99 puck from the drugstore for a long time. If shaving with the basics is the meat and potatoes, then stepping up in quality is the gravy. For me, MWF, which I don't consider pricey though it is compared to a $2 puck, is the gravy and then some. I don't want to use the $1.99 puck anymore. In that sense I need MWF. I'm used to the gravy now. I don't want just meat and potatoes.

Technique is basic, but I'm going to agree with Ira.

YMMV of course.

 

[Christoph]

What kind of soap have I been using?

Well... I had a couple of decent pucks (can't recall their name, might have been VDH - they were all glycerin). When they were reduced and took up less than half of my mug, I just shoved in a several broken pieces of whatever bar soap we had lying around the shower and bath. I then smoothed them out, added water and pushed them down. So really, the answer is cheap grocery store bar soap.

I realize it's kind of an unpopular position to continually espouse here, that is, to say that shavers have no need whatsoever of anything beyond the cheapest products. But I think that when we grasp this concept, and hopefully try this kind of basic, no-frills shaving, that we will then fully understand the paramount importance of technique.

 

[aihpcfl]

What kind of soap have I been using?

Well... I had a couple of decent pucks (can't recall their name, might have been VDH - they were all glycerin). When they were reduced and took up less than half of my mug, I just shoved in a several broken pieces of whatever bar soap we had lying around the shower and bath. I then smoothed them out, added water and pushed them down. So really, the answer is cheap grocery store bar soap.

I realize it's kind of an unpopular position to continually espouse here, that is, to say that shavers have no need whatsoever of anything beyond the cheapest products. But I think that when we grasp this concept, and hopefully try this kind of basic, no-frills shaving, that we will then fully understand the paramount importance of technique.

I think a lot of people agree with you as far as it goes. Yeah, technique with the razor is most of what matters. I'll wager nine out of ten guys here join in that opinion. However, there is more to the shave than just the shave. If an ascetic approach is what you are going for, whether because of philosophy or poverty, there is nothing wrong with that; but it is just as reasonable for a guy to need whatever gives him the shaving pleasure he's after. The guy who isn't using random bath soap for shaving soap can still acknowledge that technique is all important, but the shave wouldn't be as pleasurable without using one of his favorite soaps or creams. He doesn't need to shave with bath soap to understand the importance of technique.

 

[Senshi]

I agree that too much importance is put upon the price and reputation of a brand. And that technique is often overlooked. But I don't think you can't make a blanket statement for everyone. Some gents have very thick beards and need specific types of product to get the best results. Some fellas have extremely sensitive skin and need to follow a specific product line as to not excacerbate it.

I'm not disagreeing with you wholeheartedly but just saying that....YMMV

 

[aihpcfl]

I agree that too much importance is put upon the price and reputation of a brand. And that technique is often overlooked. But I don't think you can't make a blanket statement for everyone. Some gents have very thick beards and need specific types of product to get the best results. Some fellas have extremely sensitive skin and need to follow a specific product line as to not excacerbate it.

I'm not disagreeing with you wholeheartedly but just saying that....YMMV

That is a good point. Though I have preferences, I expect I can shave with just about anything. Sounds like the OP can as well, and probably a lot of guys. But that isn't every guy.

 

[aimsport]

Nothing beats having a DE and blades, a decent brush, and knowing how to use them. With these basic supplies and the most important thing - knowledge, you can get fantastic shaves. You just have to want them and be willing to learn.

+1

That being said, I find differences amongst soaps and enjoy choosing which soap I am using each shave. Once a soap is acquired, it's not about price. It's all about performance and enjoyment.

 

[coonskinner]

I have a dense, curly beard and very sensitive skin.

I can tell a real difference in irritation based on what soap I use.

I wanted to be a minimalist. I can shave with Williams, VDH, etc. and get a close shave.

But it hurts more.

Considering how long a puck of Tabac lasts for the few bucks it costs, and considering that Stirling is 5.75 a puck, I still feel like I am getting off cheap by using a soap that makes my daily shaves comfortable and enjoyable.

But I'm glad you are able to find enjoyment in whatever manner suits you.

All of us do that differently.

 

[dfoulk]

Technique is definitely important, no doubt about that.

If I were watching what I spend I'd be choosing Stirling or even cheaper Arko soaps over the VdH or Williams ones.
The Royal Shave sale on MDF makes it very affordable as well considering a puck seems to last forever.
I don't favor the Arko smell but performance wise I can't say it isn't an excellent soap.

There are definitely inexpensive products that get you very close to the performance of the more expensive ones.
Some of the more expensive ones are really nice though.

 

[Christoph]

The one thing that I realize that I do not state in the title of my original post is that I do use a good brush. And to be honest, I have used only high quality brushes for years. So I can't really say that I have gotten great shaves without a somewhat pricy brush (one that you can't get at a drugstore) However, the brush is in the "equipment" category and is something that you can keep and use for many years. So I do not count it in the daily financial cost of shaving - it's a capital investment!

I do agree that there are many joys to be had in higher quality products. And they are part of the whole experience and pleasure of shaving.

I love Truefitt & Hill products, as well as Taylor Of Old Bond Street. I can't imagine going through the summer without using their Victorian Limes aftershave.

i just hope that guys making the switch from those ridiculous cartridge systems know that after they their initial investment in a DE and a brush, they could (if they wish) see their shaving costs plummet. This, to me, has always been one of the biggest selling points of classic DE shaving.

 

[tbrim]

I like the OPs premise. Hopefully it's mostly true, because I wouldn't want to think that guys would be denied my newfound DE shaving love because they couldn't afford the necessary product. I can afford top end "stuff" but it won't help my sorry, pathetic one week shaving self from getting blood when I am not paying attention to technique.