Shaving truths

[ericesque]

As a new DE shaver I have been immersing myself in information on shaving. From product reviews to techniques, I have been tearing through posts and pages in search of truths to guide me to shaving nirvana.

In the last week I've been a tad disheartened as I read threads on topics counter to what I thought was shaving truth: A boar brush can be better than a badger brush? Feathers need not be feared?

While I understand that so many things depend on the individual, I'm craving some timeless shaving truths. Help me out guys!

Replies necessitating 'YMMV' need not apply.

 

[Manco]

Boars can lather up soap amazingly well but feel like sandpaper compared to a silvertip. Feathers don't need to be feared, they're like any other blade. Just sharper.

 

[HIT]

Newbie here

I recently switched from a BODY SHOP synthetic brush to a super badger brush.

The difference is immense. Lather builds up at a 1/3 time, its is thicker and more dense. Also the brush feels much softer on my face and lathers more easily.

Now concerning the blades up so far I have only used the Persona as I recently bought my new Merkur

 

[kingfisher]

I prefer boars to badgers.

A Feather is just a razor blade.

 

[Not4you]

Feathers demand respect - straights should be feared. Once you over come your fear, a straight will give you the best shave of your life ... consistently.

 

[SiBurning]

The only timeless & unvarying shaving truth is it's easy to shave with crappy blades and bad cream and with little effort. The proof is that billions of men do it regularly.

Many people at B&B are on a quest seeking perfection. As in other pursuits where people operate at such heights, it's less about standards than about idiosyncrasies, superstition, and aesthetics.

Sorry, but despite what you've come to prematurely think of as truth, the sad truth is, your ISAs may vary.

Shaving is a skill. As with any other skill, it takes long practice in different situations to gain proficiency. Most of us only shave one face, so our experiences are limited and vary with the face we happen to shave. If you're looking for the one true way as a shortcut to getting a better shave, good luck. I'd never advise anyone that there's such a thing. Not in shaving any more than in many other pursuits. Keep reading the boards and you'll eventually find out why people keep saying YMMV. When you get to the point that you live the YMMV mantra, you might be getting close to your own truth. In the meantime, curiosity and a skeptical mind are your friends.

 

[DougK]

I haven't been at the whole wetshaving thing for very long, just about six months, but here is the truth as I see it: plenty of hot water plus a brush, a soap or cream, a blade, and good technique will give you a great shave. The actual products you use don't matter all that much as long as you know what you're doing and the products are of sufficient quality to do the job (for example, few if any olive oil soaps produce a decent lather for shaving). That's it; the rest is window dressing.

How's that for a universal shaving truth?

EDIT: I see Steve and I were thinking along the same lines.

 

[Marco]

Here is my opinion:

1. Badger brushes are MUCH better than boar brushes.
Badger brushes, in fact, produce the best creamy lather possible and feel great on your skin.

2. Feather blades are good, sharp blades.
But nothing you have to be scared about.

 

[Compaq]

As far as I am concerned, there is no superior brush type. I have one boar and one silvertip. Quite a difference, I must admit, but I wouldn't rank one brush over the other LATHERABILITY wise. I do have some thoughts about which handle material is "best" for me. I do prefer the horn handle over the plastic. Then again, that concerns the "feel" of the brush, and not how it lathers. There are days when I want those stiffer bristles against my face, and those days that brush is awesome. Other days I want that soft feel, and then no brush beats my silvertip. So, again, there are no superior brush IMHO.
PS. that is brushes made of "normal" hair types (boar/badger). I dare say a car haired brush would perform badly.

As for the blades, I'm thinking along the same lines as with brushes. Yes, what blades work for people vary. But I don't think there's anything "scary" about feather. Keep in mind that even a dull DE blade is sharp enough to cut deep into your finger. I think the scary propaganda of feathers are bad. People are more aware of the blade when using a feather, because people tell them that they're so sharp, little room for mistakes etc. And when one is too aware of the process, it may have a negative effect on the technique.

Try to imagine if you'd prefer a soft brush vs a stiff brush, and when using feather, just think of it as another blade from the sample pack. That's my advice. Then again, there's nothing wrong with working out your technique a little before using a certain brand of blades, if that makes you feel better. But remember, the first time you used a DE blade, you probably were a little nervous because of the sharp blade. I'm nervous every time I change a blade

 

[scottb]

I think there's a lot a trial + error, a lot of experimentation, with everybody searching for the ritual that is perfect for them.

No matter how devout the followers, there are always folks who have bad experiences with a much-loved product, folks who enjoy something that regularly gets slammed, and everything in between.

I have no doubt Marco's got a lot of experience to back up the belief that badgers are always better. I bought a boar that shamed all but one of my badgers. Neither is right or wrong, the only bottom line is don't cut your ear off.

I lurked for several years because I wasn't sure if I could go all the way wet shaving, or that I wouldn't be doing it the "right" way. By the time I was, I had realized you don't have to. It's just shaving, and we're having a good time.

p.s.--but go slow with the feathers...

 

[dpmtherrien]

Here is my opinion:

1. Badger brushes are MUCH better than boar brushes.
Badger brushes, in fact, produce the best creamy lather possible and feel great on your skin.

2. Feather blades are good, sharp blades.
But nothing you have to be scared about.

+1 here, actually +1 many times over.

A good badger brush at Vulfix is not much more than a boar. Look here.
www.classicshaving.com

Treat feathers as you would any blade.

 

[DanOK]

Shaving Truths

1. If you have a joint account you might consider opening a separate account with online statements that SWMBO can't see.

2. If married, or living with a significant other, it might be time to get that PO Box you have considered, or check if you can have personal packages delivered to work.

3. There is no such thing as to many Old Spice mugs (or razors, or brushes, etc., etc.)

4. The amount of space, in cubic feet, you get for shave gear should be directly proportional to the amount of space she needs for shoes.

5. Duck hunting is way more expensive than shaving AD's.