It has been a few years since I was active on the razor and shaving forums. I currently use a Merkur slant and a merkur Progress with Arko for shave cream/soap, Astra and Derby blades. This has been my setup for the last 3 or so years. I am coming to the point where I need to get some more blades and cream/soap. Is there anything that is a better option that most seem to agree on as a great value for the price? Back 3 years ago Arko and Astra seemed to be the two most popular choices for great value. I got them both off of Amazon at bulk prices. And I do agree they both are a great value and work very well.
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Soap cream blades?
- Thread starter db
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I've been using Gillette Silver Blues and really like them, they are in the middle of the price range. Before that I've used Bic yellow box, gillette 7'oclock black/blue.
As far as soaps, I havn't been sticking to anything in particular, but I do like taylors of old bond street, I figure the soap lasts so long its worth the price.
As far as soaps, I havn't been sticking to anything in particular, but I do like taylors of old bond street, I figure the soap lasts so long its worth the price.
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- Mar 5, 2015
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I've pretty much settled in on Gillette slim adjustable and Gillete new long comb.
I've tried a bunch of blades, but I only use Feather. I think they are the smoothest. They cost more than Astra, but they are still a good value.
For cream - Body Shop macca is a good value. They are always running sales. I usually get a tub for $8. I also like Proraso for the price.
- Rex
I've tried a bunch of blades, but I only use Feather. I think they are the smoothest. They cost more than Astra, but they are still a good value.
For cream - Body Shop macca is a good value. They are always running sales. I usually get a tub for $8. I also like Proraso for the price.
- Rex
Thanks, I do agree Feathers are good blades but they cost 2 times as much as Astras. I'll have to try the Gillette blades.As for soap/cream a tube of Proraso is probably my all time favorite. The value of 12 Arko sticks for around $15 is a hard thing to top. But I'm going to try and find something just as nice for the price.
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feathers don't work for everyone, for some they are too sharp and harsh, but the idea that they are the sharpest blades you can get isn't marketing, they are their own beast.
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- Mar 5, 2015
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I recognize both points on the Feathers. Blades are definitely up to personal preference.
My personal experience has been that once I had less variables in the process (technique, razor, blade). Feathers really stood far above the rest for me.
Only thing I'd say is don't hesitate to try them. If you get a damn fine shave, you won't mind the price. Last couple times I bought them $0.30/ea. Unfortunately you will pay more for a smaller quantity for trial. But if you use them regular I don't think $.30 is too bad. I approx. one week on one blade. At half the price I'd only save about $0.65/month.
I still try less expensive blades once in a while (persona, Astra, derby...). For me they feel like trying shave with the edge of a breeze block...that is compare to feather.
That's just my experience.
- Rex
My personal experience has been that once I had less variables in the process (technique, razor, blade). Feathers really stood far above the rest for me.
Only thing I'd say is don't hesitate to try them. If you get a damn fine shave, you won't mind the price. Last couple times I bought them $0.30/ea. Unfortunately you will pay more for a smaller quantity for trial. But if you use them regular I don't think $.30 is too bad. I approx. one week on one blade. At half the price I'd only save about $0.65/month.
I still try less expensive blades once in a while (persona, Astra, derby...). For me they feel like trying shave with the edge of a breeze block...that is compare to feather.
That's just my experience.
- Rex
I have used Feather blades before. Like I said they are good blades I just don't think for me they are 2 times as good as the Astras. In fact I personally think that almost all DE blades are sharp enough to shave with. It depends more on the angle and razor angle that really makes the difference in how a blade feels for each person. I tend to have the opinion that if you use a blade long enough you will naturally adapt to it. With that said I cant fault anyone for making the choices they do whatever works best for you is what you should use. Me? Im a cheap skate.
Ironbut
Gold Member
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I've tried quite a few blades, but have settled on Feathers. I use one side, flip it over & use the other side, then throw it away. I get 50 for under $15 as compared to $25 for something like five Mach 1's, so I don't feel like seeing how many shaves I can get from one before I lose enough blood to need a transfusion.
For shave cream, I've settled on Taylors of Old Bond Street Sandalwood. It's fairly cheap & lasts a long time.
Aftershave? Cheap old Pinauld Bay Rum. My wife likes it & the smell goes away quickly, which I like. If you shave too closely, you'll think you set your face on fire when you put it on though.
For shave cream, I've settled on Taylors of Old Bond Street Sandalwood. It's fairly cheap & lasts a long time.
Aftershave? Cheap old Pinauld Bay Rum. My wife likes it & the smell goes away quickly, which I like. If you shave too closely, you'll think you set your face on fire when you put it on though.
I think we are really talking about two different price points. I think last time I ordered Astras I got 100 for $8.50 and Derbies 200 for about the same price. I also got 15 sticks of Arko for less than $20. This supply is going to last a little over 4 years. I do shave every day and these are the products Ive used 99.9% of the time. And Im not out of them yet. Probably have around less than 50 blades and 2 sticks of Arko left. So lets say $9+$9+$20=$ 38 for 4 years worth of stuff. I think that is a fair assessment of the cost.
I have used Derby blades and I do not like them at all. In fact every other blade I have used including Wilkerson, Israeli made super platinum, and possibly Swedish Rapira (I am not sure if I used them yet but I have a pack) have performed well but unfortunatley I could not get good results with Derby blades.
I would suggest feather they worked the best for me. I find feathers to be the best out of all. I also can get multiple shaves out of one feather blade but maybe that is just me. I find as long as I am slow, gentle, and careful with the sharper feather my shaves will be pleasant.
I have used the high end D.R. Harris Arlington shave soap with my safety razor and recently purchased the Arko shave soap that you use and I have to say my initial impressions are that Arko is one great buy as far as quality and money spent so you may want to keep using it.
Although I enjoy straights these days I can still get closer shaves with my safety razor loaded with a used feather blade but that may change with time and practice.
I would suggest feather they worked the best for me. I find feathers to be the best out of all. I also can get multiple shaves out of one feather blade but maybe that is just me. I find as long as I am slow, gentle, and careful with the sharper feather my shaves will be pleasant.
I have used the high end D.R. Harris Arlington shave soap with my safety razor and recently purchased the Arko shave soap that you use and I have to say my initial impressions are that Arko is one great buy as far as quality and money spent so you may want to keep using it.
Although I enjoy straights these days I can still get closer shaves with my safety razor loaded with a used feather blade but that may change with time and practice.
Only blades that really gave me any trouble were Persona? I think, bought here locally and I haven't really used them since. It was way back when I started with a DE razor so it could have been just me learning how to shave. I could try them again but I'm really into buying bulk packs at good prices. And not really interested in trying every blade known to man. I did try a sample pack years ago but in my slant they all worked very well. Yes, I agree the Arko is good stuff and a hard value to match.
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Blades are as personal as underwear. Some handles love some blades, some seem to like a lot, some like a little. The only thing that I know and that is backed up by many wet shavers is that feathers are the sharpest by far. Too sharp and harsh for some, just right for others, but its agreed that they are sharpest. Other than that, its a complete gamble on which blade will work for you. I've used blades that others swear by, and I end up swearing at. I've had good luck with blades others wouldn't even look at. Gotta try lots and take notes. In fact, I did recall reading a double blinded study by a guy who set up blades in identical (apart from color) handles, to see which ones were better, and in fact got a better shave from a blade he had earlier rejected.
Some blades and soaps are also more forgiving of prep time, and some really need to hit a narrow window, but if you don't really focus on it, you can have a soap that feels like it doesn't work. It can be very subjective, to the point that many folks think that some blades are just re-brands.
For the record, I get a week out of a silver-blue and thats full head and face shave every day. I don't always shave every day, but I can on a single blade with little trouble.
Some blades and soaps are also more forgiving of prep time, and some really need to hit a narrow window, but if you don't really focus on it, you can have a soap that feels like it doesn't work. It can be very subjective, to the point that many folks think that some blades are just re-brands.
For the record, I get a week out of a silver-blue and thats full head and face shave every day. I don't always shave every day, but I can on a single blade with little trouble.
I dont recall ever really seeing any proof that Feathers are sharper than all others except for peoples opinions. Which I kind of believe is mostly people going along with popular opinion rather than facts. Ive only ever tried them once. I bought a 10 pack with my last bulk order and if I remember correctly they were good blades but nothing noticeably better in fact they may have even dulled a little quicker than the other blade I was using at the time. I shaved with one blade for a week then switched and used the other for a week until the Feathers were gone. I think that guys blind test shows just how truly subjective opinions on blades can really be. Including my own opinion. Personally Im glad that I can get a very comfortable shave with cheap blades and soap.
PS I checked out the forums again and they haven't seemed to change much.
PS I checked out the forums again and they haven't seemed to change much.
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db, I agree, its hard to "prove" sharpness, but it is less subjective than smoothness, or harshness. A lot of blades feel "different" and a multitude of anecdote is not data. That being said, I've have heard many words used to describe feathers, and sharp is always top of the list. I've also found that they do drop off from their peak a little more than others, but the first shaves are very different than any other blades I've ever used.
I notice you use the word comfortable to describe your shave. Not being pedantic, as that is the point, a comfortable shave, not every blade and soap combo gives that, so might as well use what works.
I notice you use the word comfortable to describe your shave. Not being pedantic, as that is the point, a comfortable shave, not every blade and soap combo gives that, so might as well use what works.
I think you may be correct. I think I have talked myself into getting the same as I have been useing, Arko and Astra. I may just toss something in that is different just for the heck of it and to try something new. Sure hope I don't find that something is better than what I'm useing now.
My shave soap and cream update from my perspective.
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Mama Bears Aged Spice shave soap
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despite my reservaions about possible skin irritation this is actually the most gentle on my skin second to Swedish Dream Soap (not primary a shave soap) and it smells good too.
Lather is actually quite good however it takes a good amount of time to whip up if you are using a separate shave bowl but once you do it's good. This is not the type of soap that you will quickly work up a lather using minimal effort but I find it to be a high quality lather once I do. It looks like the puck will last many shaves as the little it does give up with a good amount of work goes a long way in making a decent amount of lather.
It does have a narrower index of how much or how little water you can use compared to my other popular high quality shave soaps but not excessively so.
It's one of the few soaps that will not irritate me after multilple applications such as when doing a 3 pass shave despite my initial misconceptions due to on line reviews. Every individual is different and this soap is a thumbs up as far as I am concerned.
I really like this soap and look forward to trying more of Mama Bears line of shave soaps.
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Lightfoots Pure Pine shave soap
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Very narrow index of how much or how little water to use as either too little or too much will blow it. It is another shave soap that requires a lot of work to get a good lather possibly the most work out of all of my shave soaps. It seemed to work fine the first time I used it but I need more time (and possibly a good amount of patience) and use with this soap to make a good judgement.
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The famous or infamous low priced Arko Turkish shave soap.
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Once you get over the fact that lemon scent is a popular favorite among toilet bowl freshner pucks, the lemon scent is really quite pleasant. The lather is exceptionally thick, it is slicker (it's very slick in fact) than my Dr Harris Arlington but not better overall. Arlington is not as prone to getting gummy if you don't use enough water and the lather is more butter smooth.
Arko lathers up very easily (maybe too easy?) and despite the fact that it gets gummy if you don't use enough water it's water index is wide and you don't have to worry as much about using too much or too little water. I guess I can describe it as a quick easy lather.
This is great shave soap but it does irritate my skin with multiple applications. From the on line reviews it seems to be fine for most people with normal skin.
As for being the best buy well it is very low priced but that Arko shave stick will wash down really fast with just a few shaves. After only 2 or 3 shaves my Arko stick is almost 1/3 gone.
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Art of Shaving Shave cream
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I talked about it earlier I have been using it for a while. I have found out a few things. It is an excellent shave cream, a little goes a long way and it provides an excellent lather that makes for great shaves.
I can use it for a 3 pass shave but it will start to irritate my skin if I reapply it too many times or leave it on my skin too long. I have no problems with Art of Shaving pre shave oil and I have been using it with every shave regardless of the type of shave soap or cream I am using. I like both and if I keep the cons in check I get great shaves.
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Body Shop Maca Root Shave Cream
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I rate this as somewhere near high quality but it is becoming my go to shave cream because it far better than good enough, easy and quick to lather (it is a shave cream,) it requires more cream for a good lather than my art of shaving cream but regardless a little still goes a long way, the fact of the matter is this stuff does not irritate my skin after multiple applications like most of my other soaps (Dr Harris Arlington included.) I am also quite fond of the smell.
I have also adapted well to the Maca root aftershave lotion and use it almost always after every shave, regardless of soap or cream, but the aftershave does have a scent that may overwhelm or distort the desirable scent of some other scented shave soaps such as Mama Bears Aged Spice which is mild but unique (the out of production Old Spice Scent.) I decline using the maca root aftershave when using those mild scented soaps or creams if I wish to keep those scents intact.
_______________________________
Mama Bears Aged Spice shave soap
______________________________
despite my reservaions about possible skin irritation this is actually the most gentle on my skin second to Swedish Dream Soap (not primary a shave soap) and it smells good too.
Lather is actually quite good however it takes a good amount of time to whip up if you are using a separate shave bowl but once you do it's good. This is not the type of soap that you will quickly work up a lather using minimal effort but I find it to be a high quality lather once I do. It looks like the puck will last many shaves as the little it does give up with a good amount of work goes a long way in making a decent amount of lather.
It does have a narrower index of how much or how little water you can use compared to my other popular high quality shave soaps but not excessively so.
It's one of the few soaps that will not irritate me after multilple applications such as when doing a 3 pass shave despite my initial misconceptions due to on line reviews. Every individual is different and this soap is a thumbs up as far as I am concerned.
I really like this soap and look forward to trying more of Mama Bears line of shave soaps.
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Lightfoots Pure Pine shave soap
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Very narrow index of how much or how little water to use as either too little or too much will blow it. It is another shave soap that requires a lot of work to get a good lather possibly the most work out of all of my shave soaps. It seemed to work fine the first time I used it but I need more time (and possibly a good amount of patience) and use with this soap to make a good judgement.
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The famous or infamous low priced Arko Turkish shave soap.
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Once you get over the fact that lemon scent is a popular favorite among toilet bowl freshner pucks, the lemon scent is really quite pleasant. The lather is exceptionally thick, it is slicker (it's very slick in fact) than my Dr Harris Arlington but not better overall. Arlington is not as prone to getting gummy if you don't use enough water and the lather is more butter smooth.
Arko lathers up very easily (maybe too easy?) and despite the fact that it gets gummy if you don't use enough water it's water index is wide and you don't have to worry as much about using too much or too little water. I guess I can describe it as a quick easy lather.
This is great shave soap but it does irritate my skin with multiple applications. From the on line reviews it seems to be fine for most people with normal skin.
As for being the best buy well it is very low priced but that Arko shave stick will wash down really fast with just a few shaves. After only 2 or 3 shaves my Arko stick is almost 1/3 gone.
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Art of Shaving Shave cream
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I talked about it earlier I have been using it for a while. I have found out a few things. It is an excellent shave cream, a little goes a long way and it provides an excellent lather that makes for great shaves.
I can use it for a 3 pass shave but it will start to irritate my skin if I reapply it too many times or leave it on my skin too long. I have no problems with Art of Shaving pre shave oil and I have been using it with every shave regardless of the type of shave soap or cream I am using. I like both and if I keep the cons in check I get great shaves.
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Body Shop Maca Root Shave Cream
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I rate this as somewhere near high quality but it is becoming my go to shave cream because it far better than good enough, easy and quick to lather (it is a shave cream,) it requires more cream for a good lather than my art of shaving cream but regardless a little still goes a long way, the fact of the matter is this stuff does not irritate my skin after multiple applications like most of my other soaps (Dr Harris Arlington included.) I am also quite fond of the smell.
I have also adapted well to the Maca root aftershave lotion and use it almost always after every shave, regardless of soap or cream, but the aftershave does have a scent that may overwhelm or distort the desirable scent of some other scented shave soaps such as Mama Bears Aged Spice which is mild but unique (the out of production Old Spice Scent.) I decline using the maca root aftershave when using those mild scented soaps or creams if I wish to keep those scents intact.
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My favorite Razors right now are the mongoose, and above the tie .
Soaps I love Mitchells wool fat and Stirling executive man (creed Aventus)
Blades the mongoose takes feather artist clubs just the pros or the supers ,what ever is cheapest to be honest .
Blades for a DE polsilver . They are normally pretty expensive but a Google search to the us distribution makes them pretty cheap.
Soaps I love Mitchells wool fat and Stirling executive man (creed Aventus)
Blades the mongoose takes feather artist clubs just the pros or the supers ,what ever is cheapest to be honest .
Blades for a DE polsilver . They are normally pretty expensive but a Google search to the us distribution makes them pretty cheap.
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,363
Arko provides a decent lather but I can't stand its smell.
If you can get hold of Mon Savon bol a raser soap from France it's excellent and very inexpensive. Has a Cola like smell and is very effective indeed.
Proraso is an impressive soap and the almond scented Cella also from Italy is first-rate. Now, these soaps may not be as cheap as Arko but they last well and when matched against canned slop they're inexpensive and far better. As I live in Europe, my tastes are bound to be continent based but I've found your American Colonel Conk (much sneered at in some puerile quarters i.e. those who are woodenly indoctrinated that expensive is always best) to be a fine piece of kit, can't be too expensive there either.
Another thing, I went through a sometimes foolish phase of buying too many creams or soaps at once. When opened they can become slightly off or rancid if not used up reasonably quickly, so I now stick to one or two types only, altering only when completely finished the product. Taylor makes wonderful creams, but they're not cheap even here in Europe.
Thanks, Will
If you can get hold of Mon Savon bol a raser soap from France it's excellent and very inexpensive. Has a Cola like smell and is very effective indeed.
Proraso is an impressive soap and the almond scented Cella also from Italy is first-rate. Now, these soaps may not be as cheap as Arko but they last well and when matched against canned slop they're inexpensive and far better. As I live in Europe, my tastes are bound to be continent based but I've found your American Colonel Conk (much sneered at in some puerile quarters i.e. those who are woodenly indoctrinated that expensive is always best) to be a fine piece of kit, can't be too expensive there either.
Another thing, I went through a sometimes foolish phase of buying too many creams or soaps at once. When opened they can become slightly off or rancid if not used up reasonably quickly, so I now stick to one or two types only, altering only when completely finished the product. Taylor makes wonderful creams, but they're not cheap even here in Europe.
Thanks, Will