****OFFICIAL**** TRADITIONAL WETSHAVING THREAD - Part 2

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

I had a look on badger and blade forum and its shows you step by step. As I said, this is completely new to me so for $10 its worth a shot. The steps something along the lines of letting it soak in alcohol then letting it sit in boiling water. Any other advice would be awesome!

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/0...-shaving-gear/


Here is a really good guide from AOM.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

The GOAT shave cream... U guiese a weoir?

[img]http://cremocompany.com/images/hires/mens-shave-6oz-front.jpg[/mg]

Haven't used it before. Reviews look good, and paraben free too.

Why so cheap?

[tmartin89]

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/0...-shaving-gear/


Here is a really good guide from AOM.

Thanks, got you on r/c

[CodeMan8]

Just bought my first vintage Gillette from ebay to restore! Did I dun goof? Gillette F1 shaving super speed, $9.99 shipped.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/5Xdjg10.jpg

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/NcyCLVb.jpg

Fuark, $10? I was thinking about getting a Gillette off Ebay, but didn't find one any cheaper than what I could get off Amazon for a new razor. I think I was also unaware of what would be considered good/restorable condition.

[tmartin89]

Fuark, $10? I was thinking about getting a Gillette off Ebay, but didn't find one any cheaper than what I could get off Amazon for a new razor. I think I was also unaware of what would be considered good/restorable condition.

Yeah I'm not really sure if it's restorable but we'll see, worth $10 to give it a go.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

I'm far from an expert in restorations, but I think the main thing you want to avoid when buying a vintage razor is one that has damage to the plating. Once the plating is gone, it starts to rust. As far as I know the only way to fix that is to replate it...which I'm assuming calls for a level of technology not found under my sink.

Also helps if you can get a good picture of the gap between the guard and TTO doors before buying. If the guard is bent it's going to be a pain in the ass to bend it back evenly. For $10 you really don't have much to lose though.

In terms of gunk, all of that stuff will come off with some Scrubbing Bubbles and elbow grease.

[JDizleSwoleizle]

There are people that will replate them, but it is usually cheaper to just find one with good plating. If you want to look into replating search on BB, I think it starts around like $30

[MrSilverback]

Actually had my first straight razor shave this morning...kinda...lol

Every since I've been rocking a groomed beard, I've been having a tough time keeping the upper cheek portion straight. Went out to a local beauty supply and picked up a hair shaper straight. It's the type you cut a double edge blade in half and load one side.

Wasn't too bad. I could definitely see myself getting into straights one day.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Actually had my first straight razor shave this morning...kinda...lol

Every since I've been rocking a groomed beard, I've been having a tough time keeping the upper cheek portion straight. Went out to a local beauty supply and picked up a hair shaper straight. It's the type you cut a double edge blade in half and load one side.

Wasn't too bad. I could definitely see myself getting into straights one day.

A shavette? I've used mine a few times and it's great for trimming around mustaches and beards. I have no clue how people use these to shave their entire face though. So unforgiving.

[donprincekaveli]

Actually had my first straight razor shave this morning...kinda...lol

Every since I've been rocking a groomed beard, I've been having a tough time keeping the upper cheek portion straight. Went out to a local beauty supply and picked up a hair shaper straight. It's the type you cut a double edge blade in half and load one side.

Wasn't too bad. I could definitely see myself getting into straights one day.

A shavette? I've used mine a few times and it's great for trimming around mustaches and beards. I have no clue how people use these to shave their entire face though. So unforgiving.

What you both are looking for is a Feather Artist Club SS Razor. Same idea as a Shavette, but much better quality. Yes, I get that they are expensive, however they are well worth it.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Feat...ck_p_1516.html

[MrSilverback]

A shavette? I've used mine a few times and it's great for trimming around mustaches and beards. I have no clue how people use these to shave their entire face though. So unforgiving.

Yeah I agree. I only purchased it for use outlining my beard though.

What you both are looking for is a Feather Artist Club SS Razor. Same idea as a Shavette, but much better quality. Yes, I get that they are expensive, however they are well worth it.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Feat...ck_p_1516.html

Respectfully, I couldn't see myself buying that. I think if I was going to commit to a straight, I'd go traditional and just fork out another $50-$60 more for a decent one.

The problem with the shavettes is blade flexion. They just can't seem to hold it firmly enough.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

I didn't have any problems with the blade being loose in my Parker shavette, it was more of an issue of way too damn much blade exposure. It was ridiculous, and far more than I need to get a decent shave.

Also, the corners of the blade are left exposed, which allows them to demolish your skin when working around the curvature of your face. A sharp metal corner digging into my neck was not what I was looking for.

I'm sure a higher end model would function a bit better than my $20 piece of sht, but I just don't need that kind of risk when I'm shaving.

[JDizleSwoleizle]

Respectfully, I couldn't see myself buying that. I think if I was going to commit to a straight, I'd go traditional and just fork out another $50-$60 more for a decent one.

Advantage of the Feather is that you don't have to sharpen it. You can get a good straight for around the same price or even less for a nice vintage, but then you still have to get a good strop, sharpening stones, compounts etc... You can easily spend 4x+ what a razor costs to get all good sharpening chit.. then you have to learn how to sharpen it. Don't get me wrong a nice sharp real straight razor is the bomb, it's just a lot of time/money to keep it up good. Have a few straights, but don't have time for them, supposedly the blades that Feather uses are nice and sharp as fack. Straight shaving and collecting straights is not matched by any other IMO though.

[Magnumtripod]

Advantage of the Feather is that you don't have to sharpen it. You can get a good straight for around the same price or even less for a nice vintage, but then you still have to get a good strop, sharpening stones, compounts etc... You can easily spend 4x+ what a razor costs to get all good sharpening chit.. then you have to learn how to sharpen it. Don't get me wrong a nice sharp real straight razor is the bomb, it's just a lot of time/money to keep it up good. Have a few straights, but don't have time for them, supposedly the blades that Feather uses are nice and sharp as fack. Straight shaving and collecting straights is not matched by any other IMO though.

Personally I like doing all that stuff. This has become a hobby for me more so than me just looking for a good shave

[jwtiger69]

Advantage of the Feather is that you don't have to sharpen it. You can get a good straight for around the same price or even less for a nice vintage, but then you still have to get a good strop, sharpening stones, compounts etc... You can easily spend 4x+ what a razor costs to get all good sharpening chit.. then you have to learn how to sharpen it. Don't get me wrong a nice sharp real straight razor is the bomb, it's just a lot of time/money to keep it up good. Have a few straights, but don't have time for them, supposedly the blades that Feather uses are nice and sharp as fack. Straight shaving and collecting straights is not matched by any other IMO though.

For 60 bucks shipped you can get a razor, strop and balsa strop with compounds. You can also just send the razor out to someone to hone it for you. If you take care of the razor that can only 2-3 times year you have to send it out

[tmartin89]

Any of you guys use single edge razors? Found some at a local antique store, thinking about getting one to restore...

[Magnumtripod]

Any of you guys use single edge razors? Found some at a local antique store, thinking about getting one to restore...

some of those single edge razors look crazy. A lot have really cool handles; I wonder why more DE's don't. But I feel like a lot of guys (including myself) don't really like single edge blades. Is not always easy finding DE's in the antiques stores, but you can find single edges all day long because no one buys them. Maybe it's harder getting blades for it or something, but I never had an interest in single edges so I don't know how readily available blades are for them.

But, if your looking for something to restore just for practice, then by all means get a single edge. If you mess it up, at least you won't feel bad about messing up a nice DE

Alex, I'd like to hear your input on this

[JDizleSwoleizle]

Personally I like doing all that stuff. This has become a hobby for me more so than me just looking for a good shave

It is great if you have time! Not something you want to rush though, just trying to give some perspective.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

About to order some more TOBS cream. Leaning towards Coconut. Opinions on this scent?

I've already tried:

- Sandlewood
- Jermyn St.
- Grapefruit

[donprincekaveli]

About to order some more TOBS cream. Leaning towards Coconut. Opinions on this scent?

I've already tried:

- Sandlewood
- Jermyn St.
- Grapefruit

Going to be buying Coconut and Lemon/Lime next go around, so interdasted to hear reviews on both if possible. Whipped up a wicked lather with Grapefruit last night!!

[tmartin89]

some of those single edge razors look crazy. A lot have really cool handles; I wonder why more DE's don't. But I feel like a lot of guys (including myself) don't really like single edge blades. Is not always easy finding DE's in the antiques stores, but you can find single edges all day long because no one buys them. Maybe it's harder getting blades for it or something, but I never had an interest in single edges so I don't know how readily available blades are for them.

But, if your looking for something to restore just for practice, then by all means get a single edge. If you mess it up, at least you won't feel bad about messing up a nice DE

Alex, I'd like to hear your input on this

True, but the ones I found were $25 each, could probably find some DE on ebay for cheaper to practice on. I think you could be right about the blades, could be difficult to find decent ones.

[Jibrail]

About to order some more TOBS cream. Leaning towards Coconut. Opinions on this scent?

I've already tried:

- Sandlewood
- Jermyn St.
- Grapefruit

I am using coconut for a month now and I love it. The smell is fantastic. The quality of the lather very high.

I've also tried cold shaving for more than a month now. It's much better for my skin than using warm water. My skin stays hydrated (tends to dry out using warm water), I have no irritations and the first shave seems to be closer. There is just one downside: Some cream and hair is sticking on the blade after every pass. I don't know if it clogs the razor. Up until now, I took out the blade after every pass in order to rinse it.

But as always, I take a hot shower before I cold shave.

[CodeMan8]

Figures all my stuff came in the mail today when I just shaved last night. Thursday will likely be my first shave like a man. Gonna go through a couple videos once more beforehand. Pray for me guise.

By the way, I didn't think to order a damn stand for my brush. Any alternatives to hold me over until I can get one? Or any stores where I can pick one up cheap?

[Magnumtripod]

Figures all my stuff came in the mail today when I just shaved last night. Thursday will likely be my first shave like a man. Gonna go through a couple videos once more beforehand. Pray for me guise.

By the way, I didn't think to order a damn stand for my brush. Any alternatives to hold me over until I can get one? Or any stores where I can pick one up cheap?

Personally, I think brush stands are over rated. It's not like there will be so much water trapped in the brush that if you have it hanging in a stand, water will be dripping out for the next couple hours. Just shake the water out good and wipe it on your towel a few times. It'll dry out quick.

I have several brushes and only one stand, which I custom made myself. I just set the brushes on their ends and let them air dry

If you're really desperate for a stand though and you want something temporary, just bend up a coat hanger into the shape of one.

[tmartin89]

Picked this up for $5. Had a split right down the handle though so the head is kinda loose. Should I use brasso or will metal polish work?

The date on it is 1920.

[Magnumtripod]

Picked this up for $5. Had a split right down the handle though so the head is kinda loose. Should I use brasso or will metal polish work?

The date on it is 1920.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Tw2tzKM.jpg[IMG]



[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/axketuJ.jpg[IMG]

Its actually pretty hard to find these without splits in them. I've seen ones with very tiny splits and I've seen ones like in your picture.

There's a ball end that gets shoved into the end of the handle, but it doesn't look like you have it. That ball end gets held in place via the compression of the handle around the ball, but that pressure over time splits the handle. I've actually had to buy several of these razors just to mix and match the parts for a complete, non-damaged razor. These are the oldest DE razors

Anyway, to answer your question, personally I will use Brasso for cleaning and scrubbing, but if it can be polished, I'll use Maas metal polish. I've never found Maas in the store, so I ordered it on amazon. Ask anyone who restores razors and they all pretty much use Maas. I use it and it's awesome stuff.

[tmartin89]

Its actually pretty hard to find these without splits in them. I've seen ones with very tiny splits and I've seen ones like in your picture.

There's a ball end that gets shoved into the end of the handle, but it doesn't look like you have it. That ball end gets held in place via the compression of the handle around the ball, but that pressure over time splits the handle. I've actually had to buy several of these razors just to mix and match the parts for a complete, non-damaged razor. These are the oldest DE razors

Anyway, to answer your question, personally I will use Brasso for cleaning and scrubbing, but if it can be polished, I'll use Maas metal polish. I've never found Maas in the store, so I ordered it on amazon. Ask anyone who restores razors and they all pretty much use Maas. I use it and it's awesome stuff.

Yeah I figured there was something missing at the end. The only thing I have right now is metal polish, I guess I'll try it and see how it is. Didn't think I'd ever be able to use it but pretty cool to have.

[Magnumtripod]

Yeah I figured there was something missing at the end. The only thing I have right now is metal polish, I guess I'll try it and see how it is. Didn't think I'd ever be able to use it but pretty cool to have.

It's also very hard to find any that have a nice finish left on it. I might send out the one I have to get it replated someday

[CodeMan8]

Any of you guys happen to know of a good place to take/send electric razors to have them properly disposed of?



Edit: Mirin brush stand?






Had a small bag of Legos I keep meaning to take to work and tried it out. Probably going to end up making a coat hanger stand because I want something to hold my razor as well....unless I can rustle up some more Legos somehow

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Any of you guys happen to know of a good place to take/send electric razors to have them properly disposed of?



Edit: Mirin brush stand?






Had a small bag of Legos I keep meaning to take to work and tried it out. Probably going to end up making a coat hanger stand because I want something to hold my razor as well....unless I can rustle up some more Legos somehow

Most razor companies will dispose of it for you if you just send it back to them.

If you don't want to do that, contact your closest landfill/dump and ask them. Most have special recycling areas for electronics and batteries.