As if cigars werent hobby enough, youve been thinking of starting wet shaving. Good for you, and let me give you a gentle push down the slope.
I am by no means an expert, but an enthusiastic amateur. Youll find that wet shaving is very similar to this cigar hobby of ours with lots of price points and tons of stuff to play with, not to mention that everyone has their own opinion. There are a ton of great brothers here to lean on and resources on the web. I also learned a lot from the book Leisureguys Guide to Gourmet Shaving.
Please note, Im not affiliated with any brands and I don't run an eBay store, so when I do mention something specific, its because I have experience with them. Im not posting any referral links. I am constantly humbled by the generosity here at BOTL and I owe much more than I could ever pay back. Im not here to sell you anything, except the idea that you might like wet shaving. With that said, lets dive in.
A word on Lingo
What we are talking about here is wet shaving which typically describes using shaving soap or cream, applied with a brush to the face, and then shaving with a safety razor. Safety Razors are called that because they were the next evolution in shaving, moving away from straight razors. Safety razors can be single, but are usually double/dual edge (DE) razor blades, set in a handle. These handles were/are built very well, meant to be re-used over and over again with just some gentle cleaning & a new razor blade. Ive shaved with razors that were from the 1940s and they shaved like they were brand new.
So, whats the big deal?
There are two main reasons to wet shave. First, is the cost savings. No more razor blade-heads for $5+ that only last a few shaves, no more cheap handles that get gross after a month and have to be tossed, no more $7 cans of gel that smell like perfume. My daughter shaves her legs with fancy colored and disposable razors that are $20 for 4 at the store, plus some pink nightmare goop in a can for another $10. No thanks, Ill shave like a man. You can get a gently used razor handle for $10 and blades range from 25 to 75 CENTS. Add some shave soap for a few bucks and for $20 you are set up for weeks, if not longer.
Second, there is something to be said for taking a ritual that you used to rush through in the morning and turning that around to something that is pleasant, if not right down luxurious. There is something to shaving with a razor like your father or grandfather used to. If you enjoy kicking back with a cigar, Im certain you will like the ritual of wet shaving.
Kits
Since posting threads about wet shaving, Ive gotten quite a few emails about starting off Im not sure how to get started and found this kit or razor on BLANK, for $XX.XX. Is that a good deal?
Most kits Ive seen from major shave retailers are just fine, and usually are a decent price point for what you get; within a few dollars (+/-) for what you would get if you bought the pieces separately. The main issue I have for brothers just starting out is its highly unlikely that you need all the toys and goods that come with a kit. Just like you probably wouldnt suggest a cigar novice go get every cigar cutter and gadget out there, you probably are getting too much with the kit. As you branch out and get comfortable, a kit might be a decent next step. Also, if you are gifting (or asking for a gift) its always nice to have the toys and the one-stop shop. Personally, Im a value hound (read: cheap) and before I dive in, I want to test the waters. Like I said, for the few key pieces you need, youre wet shaving for about a twenty dollar bill.
Razor Handles
Unfortunately, Ive not found any reliable retail shops (outside of major shave stores in large malls, and those are few and far between, not to mention expensive) that sell razor handles. The best bet, if you are looking retail, would be Sally Beauty or similar barber or salon supply stores. At Sally Beauty Ive found they may have one, maybe two, wet shave handles and run about $15. {They are usually kept with the scissors, sometimes behind the counter; probably best to ask the cashier.}
Your best bet, and the one I recommend, would be find a razor handle on eBay. You can get a gently used Gillette razor handle for $10 or so. I like Gillettes because they are work horses, and the basic ones are as simple as can be. I personally like the butterfly opening razors, but non-moving ones (usually 3 pieces: the handle, then a base that holds the razor, then a part that goes through the razor and base and screws into the handle, bending the razor at the correct angle) are just fine too.
Just starting out, I would stay away from anything with a dial. The dial sets the razor angle for a more or less aggressive shave (good for heavier beards). In my experience, even the lowest setting is too aggressive for a beginner. I would also stay away from any razor that is color coded, usually a colored band on the handle (red or black being common), which is again to designate for a more aggressive shave. So you are looking for your plain chrome or black handled Gillette in the $10 range. Also, Ive not found any difference if your razor handle is comb or flat style, they all shave the same to me.
The other option, also on ebay, is new razor handles based on the Gillette styles. Ive personally bought a few Weishi brand razors and been very pleased. These will run $10+ and while similarly simple to use, they come in different finishes (colors) and often will come with a sample of razor blades. These razors are made and shipped from over-seas; so if you want something new, perhaps as a gift in a cool color, and are willing to wait for shipping, you could do a lot worse for your $10.
There are a number of great razor handle manufacturers today, more than I could ever list here. You cannot go wrong with a Merkur, an Edwin Jagger, a Parker, etc. and many of these have decent starting price points, $30+, but again trying to get you in the door inexpensively and without you buying too much razor.
Razor Blades
As difficult as it is to find a razor handle in a retail store, you can find DE razor blades nearly everywhere. Wal-Mart, Walgreens and the like all usually carry at least one brand (usually a store brand, sometime others); youll find them with the other razor products (which hopefully you are now passing over.) For the life if me, I dont know why retail stores dont carry razor handles, seems like a big miss to me but things will be different when I rule the world.
A pack of 10 DE blades will run you $5-7 at any of the big-box stores. Ive found grocery stores are a good place for very inexpensive blades. Depending on how often you shave, a blade will last you a week+. Usually I toss mine after a week/when I remember to do it. The blade will start to drag a bit as you shave, thats the sign to toss it and get a new one.
A couple of notes here, these things are wicked sharp. There is no need to wipe them down or anything when loading into your razor handle; a good blast of hot water once safely in the handle will take care of any oils from the package. When they are done in, I put my used blade in a soda or beer can with the tab turned over the opening and then right into the garbage (you are having a beer in the shower right?)
As with handles, there are a million razor blade manufactures, and if you ask 5 guys what brand they like, you might get 5 different answers. A number of on-line shops, including many on eBay, sell samplers. I suggest you get a sampler of 5-10 blades and see what you like.
Shave soap/cream
Just like with razor blades, you can find inexpensive shave soaps and kits at several retail locations. Wal-Mart near me sells the Van Der Hagen Premium Shave set in a green box (I believe Van Der Hagen stands for sold at Wal-mart) for $9 which includes a brush, a bowl and shave soap. While I feel the soap is nothing to write home about, its a great place to start for $9.
Youll find the Ven Der Hagen Soap by itself at places, as well as other brands. I personally like Williams brand for its classic scent and it costs $1.77 for a cake at the CVS near me.
And yet again, just like the handles and blades, there are many, many soap brands out there in all sorts of configurations. Experiment and find what scents and types you like.
Thanks
With your razor handle, blades, and brush you are ready to dive in, so for $20 you are started on the slippery slope to wet shaving. I would be happy to answer any questions if I can and thanks for taking the time, I hope you found this useful.
I am by no means an expert, but an enthusiastic amateur. Youll find that wet shaving is very similar to this cigar hobby of ours with lots of price points and tons of stuff to play with, not to mention that everyone has their own opinion. There are a ton of great brothers here to lean on and resources on the web. I also learned a lot from the book Leisureguys Guide to Gourmet Shaving.
Please note, Im not affiliated with any brands and I don't run an eBay store, so when I do mention something specific, its because I have experience with them. Im not posting any referral links. I am constantly humbled by the generosity here at BOTL and I owe much more than I could ever pay back. Im not here to sell you anything, except the idea that you might like wet shaving. With that said, lets dive in.
A word on Lingo
What we are talking about here is wet shaving which typically describes using shaving soap or cream, applied with a brush to the face, and then shaving with a safety razor. Safety Razors are called that because they were the next evolution in shaving, moving away from straight razors. Safety razors can be single, but are usually double/dual edge (DE) razor blades, set in a handle. These handles were/are built very well, meant to be re-used over and over again with just some gentle cleaning & a new razor blade. Ive shaved with razors that were from the 1940s and they shaved like they were brand new.
So, whats the big deal?
There are two main reasons to wet shave. First, is the cost savings. No more razor blade-heads for $5+ that only last a few shaves, no more cheap handles that get gross after a month and have to be tossed, no more $7 cans of gel that smell like perfume. My daughter shaves her legs with fancy colored and disposable razors that are $20 for 4 at the store, plus some pink nightmare goop in a can for another $10. No thanks, Ill shave like a man. You can get a gently used razor handle for $10 and blades range from 25 to 75 CENTS. Add some shave soap for a few bucks and for $20 you are set up for weeks, if not longer.
Second, there is something to be said for taking a ritual that you used to rush through in the morning and turning that around to something that is pleasant, if not right down luxurious. There is something to shaving with a razor like your father or grandfather used to. If you enjoy kicking back with a cigar, Im certain you will like the ritual of wet shaving.
Kits
Since posting threads about wet shaving, Ive gotten quite a few emails about starting off Im not sure how to get started and found this kit or razor on BLANK, for $XX.XX. Is that a good deal?
Most kits Ive seen from major shave retailers are just fine, and usually are a decent price point for what you get; within a few dollars (+/-) for what you would get if you bought the pieces separately. The main issue I have for brothers just starting out is its highly unlikely that you need all the toys and goods that come with a kit. Just like you probably wouldnt suggest a cigar novice go get every cigar cutter and gadget out there, you probably are getting too much with the kit. As you branch out and get comfortable, a kit might be a decent next step. Also, if you are gifting (or asking for a gift) its always nice to have the toys and the one-stop shop. Personally, Im a value hound (read: cheap) and before I dive in, I want to test the waters. Like I said, for the few key pieces you need, youre wet shaving for about a twenty dollar bill.
Razor Handles
Unfortunately, Ive not found any reliable retail shops (outside of major shave stores in large malls, and those are few and far between, not to mention expensive) that sell razor handles. The best bet, if you are looking retail, would be Sally Beauty or similar barber or salon supply stores. At Sally Beauty Ive found they may have one, maybe two, wet shave handles and run about $15. {They are usually kept with the scissors, sometimes behind the counter; probably best to ask the cashier.}
Your best bet, and the one I recommend, would be find a razor handle on eBay. You can get a gently used Gillette razor handle for $10 or so. I like Gillettes because they are work horses, and the basic ones are as simple as can be. I personally like the butterfly opening razors, but non-moving ones (usually 3 pieces: the handle, then a base that holds the razor, then a part that goes through the razor and base and screws into the handle, bending the razor at the correct angle) are just fine too.
Just starting out, I would stay away from anything with a dial. The dial sets the razor angle for a more or less aggressive shave (good for heavier beards). In my experience, even the lowest setting is too aggressive for a beginner. I would also stay away from any razor that is color coded, usually a colored band on the handle (red or black being common), which is again to designate for a more aggressive shave. So you are looking for your plain chrome or black handled Gillette in the $10 range. Also, Ive not found any difference if your razor handle is comb or flat style, they all shave the same to me.
The other option, also on ebay, is new razor handles based on the Gillette styles. Ive personally bought a few Weishi brand razors and been very pleased. These will run $10+ and while similarly simple to use, they come in different finishes (colors) and often will come with a sample of razor blades. These razors are made and shipped from over-seas; so if you want something new, perhaps as a gift in a cool color, and are willing to wait for shipping, you could do a lot worse for your $10.
There are a number of great razor handle manufacturers today, more than I could ever list here. You cannot go wrong with a Merkur, an Edwin Jagger, a Parker, etc. and many of these have decent starting price points, $30+, but again trying to get you in the door inexpensively and without you buying too much razor.
Razor Blades
As difficult as it is to find a razor handle in a retail store, you can find DE razor blades nearly everywhere. Wal-Mart, Walgreens and the like all usually carry at least one brand (usually a store brand, sometime others); youll find them with the other razor products (which hopefully you are now passing over.) For the life if me, I dont know why retail stores dont carry razor handles, seems like a big miss to me but things will be different when I rule the world.
A pack of 10 DE blades will run you $5-7 at any of the big-box stores. Ive found grocery stores are a good place for very inexpensive blades. Depending on how often you shave, a blade will last you a week+. Usually I toss mine after a week/when I remember to do it. The blade will start to drag a bit as you shave, thats the sign to toss it and get a new one.
A couple of notes here, these things are wicked sharp. There is no need to wipe them down or anything when loading into your razor handle; a good blast of hot water once safely in the handle will take care of any oils from the package. When they are done in, I put my used blade in a soda or beer can with the tab turned over the opening and then right into the garbage (you are having a beer in the shower right?)
As with handles, there are a million razor blade manufactures, and if you ask 5 guys what brand they like, you might get 5 different answers. A number of on-line shops, including many on eBay, sell samplers. I suggest you get a sampler of 5-10 blades and see what you like.
Shave soap/cream
Just like with razor blades, you can find inexpensive shave soaps and kits at several retail locations. Wal-Mart near me sells the Van Der Hagen Premium Shave set in a green box (I believe Van Der Hagen stands for sold at Wal-mart) for $9 which includes a brush, a bowl and shave soap. While I feel the soap is nothing to write home about, its a great place to start for $9.
Youll find the Ven Der Hagen Soap by itself at places, as well as other brands. I personally like Williams brand for its classic scent and it costs $1.77 for a cake at the CVS near me.
And yet again, just like the handles and blades, there are many, many soap brands out there in all sorts of configurations. Experiment and find what scents and types you like.
Thanks
With your razor handle, blades, and brush you are ready to dive in, so for $20 you are started on the slippery slope to wet shaving. I would be happy to answer any questions if I can and thanks for taking the time, I hope you found this useful.