New Kid on the block seeks advice from Yoda's

[Razor Head]

Hello to all my new friends of the old school shave.

I am the new kid on the block and have several questions for you seasoned shavers out there.

First, I would think that with all the advancements in shaving design and product we would be buying current razors like the Merkur. However, I noticed a lot of buyers suggesting vintage Gillette razors. Is this for the nostalgia and romance of the period or are they actually that much better and if so why?

I read many of your post suggestions on the boards and so I purchased a 1964 Gillette SS Super Speed Flare Tip and a Vintage Gillette 1965 Slim Adjustable via Ebay.

So far, I have tried the 64 SF and it's OK. I am awaiting the arrival of better blades and soaps today to make a better opinion. The 65 Slim Adjustable should be here later in the week.

I purchased the Premium blade sampler from West Coast Shaving as well as Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Tabac and Mama Bears soaps and to be applied with Omega 636 Silver Tip Badger Hair Shaving Brush. As you can see I have been very influenced by all you.

First of all, are these good picks and are there other purchasing suggestions as to razors, soaps and blades you can recommend?

How long can one use a blade before it becomes ineffectual? I have a standard beard, not to light, not to heavy.

The friend who turned me on to the type of shaving tells me he removes his blade after each shave and soaks it in rubbing alcohol for 10 min and then air dries after each shave to remove excess soap coating from the blade. He swears this greatly improves the life of the blade. Does this sound correct or a myth?

Are we allowed to carry our razors and blades onboard flights here and abroad, as I would hate to have them taken at the airport, but am also concerned about being stolen if checked?

Do you remove the blade from the razor when traveling to avoid the razor or blade being damaged by being jostled in travel?

Well, I will look forward to hearing from all you and I appreciate your kind insights. David

 

[mmack66]

Welcome to Badger and Blade!

 

[Greyfox]

Welcome to the forum. I have both new and vintage razors. People prefer different razors for different reasons. Part of it is nostalgia for some. I prefer the vintage Gillettes because the give me a better shave. This is particularly true for me regarding the NEW Gillettes. They just perform great for me. I do have to say the the Muehle R41 is close in performance but when I add in the nostalgia factor I still prefer the Vintage Gillette.

A good blade sampler is the best way to find out what works best for you. I get 3 to 4 shaves out of a blade typically. You will know when it is time to change the blade and it could be anytime.

Looks like you have some good stuff to start with. Technique is more important than anything else so initially spend your effort there. Remember multiple passes with NO PRESSURE. Once you are consistently getting good shaves then you can pursue trying to cure all the symptoms of the AD's that are sure to come. Good luck.

 

[SpyvSpy]

Welcome to B&B I asked a few months ago at the airport if safety razor were allowed on carry-on (NO) check in I don't think it's a problem. Good choice on the soaps and I usually hear people switching the blades every 3-4 shaves (they're cheaper than catridges so not a big problem) and taking the blade out and soaking it and wiping it seems a little too much to me but to each their own.

 

[tsmba]

Hello, David.....and welcome! I'll try to answer a few of your questions. You should check out the "Shave Clinic" section of the forum and follow the links to the tutorials if you haven't already done so. This is the "Method Shaving" section which is a shortened term for the Roberts Method for Wet-Shaving (RMWS), a specific process created by Charles Roberts. Since you already have a selection of products (and you listed some fine choices), I would recommend that you use them until you have mastered basic shaving techniques prior to exploring the world of method shaving. Posting on the larger forum sections will expose your comments to more members and generate more responses.

I used disposable razors for over 30yrs, got sick of paying high prices for cartridges, and stumbled upon wet-shaving via my interest in knives and sharpening. I remember my dad using the old Gillette razors, especially on days when he put in a new blade. He switched to an electric, something I could never stand, so I thought my Edge gel and Mach III razor were as good as it got. I had no idea that anyone used "old-fashioned" shaving products.

If I could offer one single tip to you it would be to practice patience! I read B&B awhile, then ordered a whole bunch of creams, soaps, etc. I chose to start with a Merkur HD, a razor I consider to be a benchmark tool, you cannot go wrong with it. Old Gillette razors can be good choices, but for me, those came much later. Along with patience, your other best friend will be consistency. This came hard to me because, once I discovered all the great scents of all the fine products, I wanted to try them all....right then! That was a mistake (of course the tutorials made this point but, of course *I* knew better) and I went right into using a different soap or cream every day.

I did not have too much trouble mastering the techniques, what fouled me up was undoing 30+ years of bad habits! I made ALL the usual newbie mistakes: too much pressure, trying to cut too much in a single pass, poor lathering technique, etc., etc. It is impossible to pinpoint troubles when you are varying multiple aspects of the process. So I would say to find a soap or cream you like, a razor you like, and stick with that combination until you become proficient. After that, try other products until you settle upon what works best for you.

Another point to consider when evaluating products is giving them enough time to make a meaningful decision. Of course I have tried things that, following one use, I knew were right or wrong. But for the most part, things take awhile to appreciate. Sometimes, something you initially reject will, on further review, become a favorite. The reviews posted here are always helpful, as is the information contained in the "Shave Wiki". All of these things are available to help you, as are the discussions.

However it goes for you, the most important thing is to have fun! Most of us found shaving to be a necessary, but tedious task. Who would have imagined it could be enjoyable? Give yourself some time and you will find your niche. If you find the community to your liking, please consider becoming a contributor. All the benefits of membership are available at no cost, but I like to kick in a little to defray costs.

Enjoy!

 

[Razor Head]

First thanks to all for the welcome and advice!

Tom, where should I post to get more responses as you suggested?

By the way, do you maintain your razors as polishing etc, or does this place wear on these older pieces?

If yes, what products do you recommend and how often?

Thanks again
David

 

[Go West Young Man]

I'm usually in favor of helping out the new guys with info, but damn dude, you just asked every single possible 'newbie' question in one post! That may be a B+B record!

Check out the stickies in each forum (Shave Clinic, Razors, Blades, Brushes, etc.) Read the tutorials and watch Mantic59's videos on youtube. Guaranteed you'll learn more about shaving than you ever thought possible.

 

[Razor Head]

Thanks Chris, I will check out the videos.
I appreciate your input.
David

 

[tsmba]

Yes, Mantic's videos are a great start. Check out the top of the "Soaps" and "Creams" , etc. forums for the stickies. There you will find links to tutorials and other valuable info. Also, the "wiki" (click the link above....beneath the B&B logo) has tons of info.

That was a good comment about the many questions in your initial post. Your best bet is to post questions in the appropriate forums. As in any forum, its always best to read the tutorials and stickies, and to do searches prior to asking questions. B&B members are always helpful, and I've never seen a UTFSE! (Use The (er)FreakingSearchEngine)....you get the idea!