GF got me a safety razor kit for my birthday.

[rkell87]

really excited for my first shave with it. Anybody else use one/have any tips?

[Hoofbite]

Merkur's are nice.

I have one.

It takes a little getting used to. I'm not sure I have even gotten used to it but they are definitely good razors.

What kind of blades did you get?

I think the one's I use are called "Feather"

One thing you gotta remember is "beard reduction". There's a dude on YouTube whos entire channel is devoted to shaving and he preaches "beard reduction".

Basically you aren't shaving it all off in one pass, you have to take multiple passes at different angles, lathering each time in between to remove a little more witch each pass until you get to a clean face.

[rkell87]

Originally Posted by Hoofbite

Merkur's are nice.

I have one.

It takes a little getting used to. I'm not sure I have even gotten used to it but they are definitely good razors.

What kind of blades did you get?

I think the one's I use are called "Feather"

One thing you gotta remember is "beard reduction". There's a dude on YouTube whos entire channel is devoted to shaving and he preaches "beard reduction".

Basically you aren't shaving it all off in one pass, you have to take multiple passes at different angles, lathering each time in between to remove a little more witch each pass until you get to a clean face.

the blades are murker, they are standing up against the edwin jagger box in the pic. I'm going to get a sample pack of blades and try out the feather, astra, derby, and some others. I've heard feather is by far the sharpest but also heard that sharpest doesn't always mean best in this case.

I know I'm going to have to get used to holding the razor different and not use pressure but I'm excited and hopefully I don't cut myself too many times.

[Meat-O-Rama]

That is very cool.

My experience with the safety razor is that it's good for a daily shave, not good for several days stubble. Start with the razor on it's closest setting and use light pressure. Plan on making a couple of passes to get a clean shave, After a few shaves, you'll start go get the hang of it.

The cowboyszone of shaving: http://badgerandblade.com/

[Kangaroo]

Love mine and will never go back to disposals again. On the stubble I have no problems myself.

One think to note lather up good the brush makes the hair stand up easier to shave.

On blades it is all about preferences and skin type the sharpest blade out their is feather imo. The Merkur blades are good but what you can do is go to amazon and get a variety pack of blades usually about 50-100 blades for 10-20$ and try out the different brand of blades and see what you like take note when you shave have each one does.

[ologan]

I see she included the mandatory styptic pencil. I guess she really does love you. Keep it handy!

[Signals]

I am not sure why you are calling it a Safety Razor in your headline.

I bought myself a Merkur once to trim my beard and cut myself all up. Those things are SHAAARP... and dangerous.

[trickblue]

I also use Merkur a safety razor. Use Feather brand brand blades ONLY. Nothing else is even close. Shave one side of your face with one side of the blade, then spin it to the other side blade for the other side. This makes it wear evenly and you never forget which side you used. Feather brand blades are EXTREMELY sharp. You'll have to change the blade about once per week to week and a half.

Do NOT shave against the grain of your beard to start out. Only do that after you get the feel of your face. When you learn proper technique your face will literally be as smooth as a baby's butt. You don't have to use NEAR the pressure of razors made today...

[Phrozen Phil]

Boy oh Boy, are people are ever young around here. When I first started shaving, a safety razor was the only alternative to a straight razor or the really pathetic electric razors of the time. BTW, shaving against the grain will often lead to ingrown hairs. Get your face good and warm and, as noted above, you won't need too much pressure. The better the blade, the longer they will last. That looks like a Badger's hair shaving brush. Take good care of it and you can use it for a long time. If you shave daily and keep yourself well hydrated (lots of water) your skin will look and feel better. Every so often, consider going to a barber and get a professional shave.
In any event, enjoy your stuff.

[rynochop]

Now i remember why i have a beard..

[Dallas]

Your bathroom is a mess.

You would not be allowed in our home.

[chuch]

Originally Posted by Meat-O-Rama

That is very cool.

My experience with the safety razor is that it's good for a daily shave, not good for several days stubble. Start with the razor on it's closest setting and use light pressure. Plan on making a couple of passes to get a clean shave, After a few shaves, you'll start go get the hang of it.

The cowboyszone of shaving:

+1 There's a great community over at Badger and Blade. My advice would be to never rush a wet shave. The quality of your shave will only be as good as the prep/time you put into it.

[Idgit]

Originally Posted by trickblue

I also use Merkur a safety razor. Use Feather brand brand blades ONLY. Nothing else is even close. Shave one side of your face with one side of the blade, then spin it to the other side blade for the other side. This makes it wear evenly and you never forget which side you used. Feather brand blades are EXTREMELY sharp. You'll have to change the blade about once per week to week and a half.

Do NOT shave against the grain of your beard to start out. Only do that after you get the feel of your face. When you learn proper technique your face will literally be as smooth as a baby's butt. You don't have to use NEAR the pressure of razors made today...

I've had the Merkur on my Christmas list the last two years. No dice yet, but I'm working through my backlog of razor cartridges. (damn you're bulk pricing, Costo!).

Glad to hear it getting positive reviews.

[SkinsandTerps]

Young lady seems like a keeper congrats.

I learned how to shave using my dads safety razor. I found it to be relaxing.

The whole lather thing is a pain, but the shaving experience is much better than disposables or electric (Although I have a pretty outstanding electric razor).

Comfortable and as others have stated it's a close shave, and you barely need pressure.

That said I haven't used one in 20 years probably. Life was moving fast for me in those days. I needed a quick shave and off to the races. Perhaps something to put on my Christmas list.

Thanks for the idea and good luck with it. Let us know how it goes for you.

[rkell87]

Just finished my first shave, it went....ok I guess, about what you would expect from a first timer.
I had problems with my lather, a little too wet, I added more cream but it didn't help until the third lather because the wet lather was already in the brush. I had trouble finding, and then keeping the proper angle on the contours of my face. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't cutting anything just moving the lather from face to razor. Of course I had a few nicks including one where your ear meets your head. I wasn't sure when to use the pencil so I waited till the end, I figured if it was bad and running down my face I would stop and use it but I just kept shaving. I have some mild irritation, mostly on my neck but where I feel it most is on my chin, I have a dimple on my chin and I tried to move the razor along the surface, I think next time I'll stretch that portion to one side and shave it there instead.
Over all not too bad I think, my face is smooth but my neck is about the same as with a cartridge, I have a strong jawline and I can't shave with or against the grain very well under/behind the back of my jaw. I'm pretty pleased and can't wait until I'm proficient enough to do it a little quicker and with less irritation. I have some MR GLO and alum block on the way so I'm interested in seeing how the MR GLO helps with the slickness and if the alum will finally get rid of the sporadic blemishes and pimples I always have one or two of.