Any Wet Shavers, here?

Ironbut said:
I just thought this thread needed a bump.

Nothing fancy here. It's just what's been working for me for years: Feather blades in a Merkur 23C. Taylor Sandalwood Cream, a Best Badger brush, and an old Sierra cup to work up lather in. Followed by a little cheap Clubman Bay Rum.View attachment 2725975
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The Sierra cup is an awesome idea. I would never have thought to use one. I have a couple that are in the dustbins of my historical crap that now is unused and stored. TOBS Sandalwood and Feathers though? Feathers are my main blade and, while I got a little silly acquiring shaving soaps/creams, TOBS Sandalwood is a traditional favorite of mine.
 
Been using a Merkur 34C for years. When I started, I bought a variety pack of blades on Amazon (2 each of 20 different blades and brands). The Wilkinson Swords seemed to work best for my beard, so I bough a box of 100 several years ago that I’m still working on.
 
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Hi all - Just got turned on to wet shaving a couple months ago. My wife got me a generic kit from Amazon and once I learned how to not apply pressure, and the proper angles it's been a game changer. My generic kit came with a pre-shave lotion, shaving cream, an after shave lotion, a synthetic brush and a butterfly handle w/ generic blades.

Since I'd like to commit to this type of shave, I figured I would upgrade the two most important things, the handle and blades.

I just ordered a Merkur 34C, and some Feather Blades.

Figured the rest I can upgrade as needed. In my research it seems like the Merkur 34C is the gold standard for handles, and the Feather blades appear to be the most popular and versatile. Are there any 'standard' pre/post shaves or creams? How about brushes?

Also, any tips for someone converting? I typically shave every morning.
 
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Matt636 said:
Also, any tips for someone converting? I typically shave every morning.
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Experiment as you are able. Whether blades, brushes, soaps/creams, how you apply it, and even the water hardness/softness, etc., each combination may have a different result with your particular skin and whisker combination. When I started, I bought sample packs of many different blades to try. Once I figured out what worked for me, for a long time, I used a lower cost Ladas blade; super cheap especially. The last I purchased was a bulk pack of 100 Feather blades. I'm still working through those and would likely buy more. Once you identify a blade you like, you may be able to buy them in bulk to reduce the price. Though I used a brush and bowl for a while when starting, I later found that a soft cream with a hand lather application also works quite well for me and was less to bring along when traveling. You may want a Osma Alum Block to wet and dab on any nicks. Be careful about dropping it, though; it can crack. It helps to stop the weeping.

Welcome to the club and enjoy the journey.
 
Matt636 said:
Hi all - Just got turned on to wet shaving a couple months ago. My wife got me a generic kit from Amazon and once I learned how to not apply pressure, and the proper angles it's been a game changer. My generic kit came with a pre-shave lotion, shaving cream, an after shave lotion, a synthetic brush and a butterfly handle w/ generic blades.

Since I'd like to commit to this type of shave, I figured I would upgrade the two most important things, the handle and blades.

I just ordered a Merkur 34C, and some Feather Blades.

Figured the rest I can upgrade as needed. In my research it seems like the Merkur 34C is the gold standard for handles, and the Feather blades appear to be the most popular and versatile. Are there any 'standard' pre/post shaves or creams? How about brushes?

Also, any tips for someone converting? I typically shave every morning.
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The Merkur 34C is polarizing on shave forums generally. It was a terrible choice for my use.

The Edwin Jagger 89 series or the Muhle R89 for me is the "easy switch" for a great shave and they cost me $20~$25. For blades, you really need to buy a sampler pack. Some blades work well in one razor and not in another. Then there are facial differences in whiskers, skin, and related things. Nacets work really well for me and are dirt cheap when purchased from eBay out of Jordan. USA Personna/Lab Blues are good for me too but, not the ones from India or Egypt. Russian blades work best for me but, for obvious reasons are hard to get in the USA! Feather are good blades but, easily twice the cost of my Nacets which to me are 99% of the Feather!

Don't skimp on shave cream or gel. Aveeno gel works really well for me as does the Nivea Cool version during warmer months. Soaps and brushes are personal choices but, the better EU triple-milled soaps in a scent you like are very nice and last a long time so, a high upfront cost but, a low shave cost over time. I buy most of my shave products out of the EU because they are easily 1/2 the cost of the same thing purchased stateside. Free shipping though is typically at $75 so, a $30 tub of soap, a couple of 100-packs of blades, and maybe a razor or brush will get me there, otherwise, an extra soap is what I generally do.
 
Been wet shaving my entire life. I used to sell fold Gillette razors, I have on Ladies 1967 left. Had over a 100 of them at one point.
Sure know a lot of happy ladies.
In 2010 I switched to a Edwin Jagger DL89, sold it to a client a long with 2 others I had. Went with the Special edition Amazon short handle.
Work great until a few months ago when the handle threads stripped out (3 piece razor). After over 10 years of great shaves, I bought another one.
Same model, did not work at all. Im waiting back from E.J. to see if they are going to replace it.
Until then I bought a $8 handle off of Amazon, and been using it with my old razor head.

Shaving cream an after shave I only use Paraso products. It smells like the 1950s again. Ive gone back and told a bunch of men clients to switch to it.
Ive gotten back good reviews. They all bought razors from me so they trust me.
One guy wanted a Gillette 1940 Tech Ranger. Only 17,000 made and then WWII started and they made ones for the war. (Ive got one of those too)
$300 for a pristine one, he takes very good care of it, and I check up on his and his wife's Star Burst once a year.

Muhles always seemed heavy and clunky compared to the Edwin Jagger's. The 89DLs handles are too long for most folks.

I used Feather blades only, but have a few Nacets left. They are one shot ponies. I get a week out of one Feather, one shave from the Ruski ones.

BTW, Ive got two boxes of Blue Birds and almost a full box of Derbys. Anyone want them, stupid cheap. The Lady Star Burst Gold, not so cheap.
 
EJ89's and Muhle R89 are very similar razors. The heads are the same and handles vary from model to model. Whether you like a long thick handle or skinny short one is a personal preference. Personally, I find a heavier razor is more consistent with the pressure I use to have so my shave results remain good and consistent on mornings where my hands may be a bit stiff as I get older and I don't get a weeper (🩸) from a bad stroke. If you have any numbness or shakes, a heavy razor is what you want.

While I like my Zamak EJ89/R89 and similar options, the all-stainless DE razors from Yaqi are very good at ~$35 on Aliexpress which seem to be very similar to Razorocks at ~$80. Again, a Muhle Rocca out of the EU for $80 is hard to beat IMHO.

My Lambda Razors Athena out of Greece is super nice but, is too expensive for most people.

The old Schick Injectors (L-series for me) and the various AC blade razors like my Yaqi Romulus are super nice as well and are super nimble on your face. They also have ZERO BLADE CHATTER!

DE razors that tension the blade will stop blade chatter. Better blades also have less blade chatter. I have tough whiskers so, even with preshave creams and hot water soaks, the blade edge will move or chatter on me often enough to be a real irritation with weepers and a bit of roughness. When the DE blade is arched or tensioned, it will be stiffer and chatter less. All slants will do this and a few of the normal heads will as well.

If you have never used a DE razor head that arches the blade for stiffness, you don't know what are missing! 🥰
 
Question for all of you. How many shaves are you using before replacing your safety razor?

I don't know why, but I tend to use mine for far too long. I just got a pack of Feather blades and am still on my first one with probably 12-15 shaves on it, including a couple shaves with a couple days growth. I definitely need to shave daily and I'd say have full growth. Seemed out of the box this razor gave a bit of a tug, but hasn't seemed to get much worse?
 
I'm a lazy wetshaver. I know all the classic DE's and respect them (mostly Gillette) and use them occasionally. But for ease of use and safety I can't beat 4-5 blade Gillette and Bic's. Yes, I have a few French straights but just because I wanted them.
 
I have a wide assortment and way too many blades (considering my age) but I mostly use Feathers in my vintage or modern razors (I have way too many of them too). My beard is medium light and I usually toss a blade between three and four shaves. They could go longer but I've got a few thousand to use up (not all Feathers). On the brand of blades I use? I can barely tell a difference between them in actual use. If you name a reasonably known brand, I've probably got a 100 or more.
 
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I'm retired, so I only shave twice a week now. I change blades the first of the month, so I get about eight shaves from a blade. I use Feathers, but I also have a bunch of Wilkinson's to use up. Either works fine for me.
 
My Merkur 34c clogs up after a couple strokes to the point that during each rinse I need to unscrew from he base in order to be able to run water through the base and blade (Feather). Is this common? Maybe my pre-shave (Proraso) is too thick, or dry? I put it on my wet face, and don't feel like I'm using too much. I have to do this type of rinse even with 24 hour growth.

Anyone else experience this? I'm newer to wet shaving (3-4 months), so still learning.
 
Matt636 said:
My Merkur 34c clogs up after a couple strokes to the point that during each rinse I need to unscrew from he base in order to be able to run water through the base and blade (Feather). Is this common? Maybe my pre-shave (Proraso) is too thick, or dry? I put it on my wet face, and don't feel like I'm using too much. I have to do this type of rinse even with 24 hour growth.

Anyone else experience this? I'm newer to wet shaving (3-4 months), so still learning.
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I've seen pre-shaves before, but have never used them. I've never had a problem with a double edge razor clogging. Have you tried it without the pre-shave?
 
Ironbut said:
I've seen pre-shaves before, but have never used them. I've never had a problem with a double edge razor clogging. Have you tried it without the pre-shave?
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yeah, I've used a pre-shave oil, and it doesn't seem to clog. Everything is pointing to the Proraso pre-shave as the culprit, but that seems odd and from what I've found, not called out anywhere that this may happen.
 
Matt636 said:
yeah, I've used a pre-shave oil, and it doesn't seem to clog. Everything is pointing to the Proraso pre-shave as the culprit, but that seems odd and from what I've found, not called out anywhere that this may happen.
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I've only ever used the Proraso shave soap, and really liked it, but if it's just the Proraso pre-shave that causes the problem, I'd try another brand, or ditch the pre-shave entirely, Just my $0,02.
 
Matt636 said:
My Merkur 34c clogs up after a couple strokes to the point that during each rinse I need to unscrew from he base in order to be able to run water through the base and blade (Feather). Is this common? Maybe my pre-shave (Proraso) is too thick, or dry? I put it on my wet face, and don't feel like I'm using too much. I have to do this type of rinse even with 24 hour growth.

Anyone else experience this? I'm newer to wet shaving (3-4 months), so still learning.
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Try not using the preshave goop. You don't need any preshave products. Get your face wet and spend a little time lathering.
 
I've been wet shaving for 18 years (since age 21) with a Merkur 34C and the last couple of years I've also been shaving with a shavette.

Once I started wet shaving, there was no going back.

IMG-20250407-003211-2.jpg
 
Matt636 said:
My Merkur 34c clogs up after a couple strokes to the point that during each rinse I need to unscrew from he base in order to be able to run water through the base and blade (Feather). Is this common? Maybe my pre-shave (Proraso) is too thick, or dry? I put it on my wet face, and don't feel like I'm using too much. I have to do this type of rinse even with 24 hour growth.

Anyone else experience this? I'm newer to wet shaving (3-4 months), so still learning.
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Mine clogs also, and I have to do the same rinse method as you... that's one of the reasons I started shaving with a shavette.
 
I V said:
Mine clogs also, and I have to do the same rinse method as you... that's one of the reasons I started shaving with a shavette.
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Good to know it's not just me! I definitely like to use the pre-shave if I go more than one day shaving. Otherwise I've been skipping the pre-shave (and still notice the razor clogs sometimes)...
 
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