What do you use to shave?

[Undertow]

I should have posted here forever ago. I was using a straight for some time until it dulled. I can't find any decent places to get it sharpened, so I've resorted to a double edge. I picked up a couple old screw tops from an antique store - one in brass, one in chrome. However, my daily DE is a chromed one from Classic Shaving - the Barber Pole design with butterfly top. Love it!

[Gin&Tonics]

Just refurbished my grandfather's old safety razor:


Have yet to get the hang of it, but it's coming along.

[Michaelshane]

A better soap will help a lot.

[Gin&Tonics]

A better soap will help a lot.

Everybody seems to hate on the Williams. I'll try something else when it runs out.

[Dennis Young]

Yep, keep at it. It gets easier. But it is by far the best shave I have ever had...far better than my old Gillette Fusion. And I have learned (the hard way) that a good soap does make a difference. Not hatin on Williams, but I used to use one of those Old Spice christmas gift soaps and it wasnt good at all. Smelled good though.

Then I bought the D.R. Harris Arlington soap and it made a ton of difference. Creamier, slicker and the blade was a heckuva lot more forgiving.

There are some good ones to be had too. Truefit & Hill, DR Harris, Edwin Jagger, Taylor of Old Bond, to name a few. I'm not big on the glycerin soaps though like Col Conk, but thats just me.

[Metatron]

I shave with a safety razor and regular olive oil. I'd freely advise anyone to give it a try, you just rub a small amount of olive oil on your face and shave normally. No hot water or soap required, and because of the natural lubrication from the oil you'll never get burns or cuts.

[The Soph Gent]

I went back to wet shaving about 7 months ago. I then started collecting/selling vintage razors. While hunting in antiques stores, I became interested in old typewriters, phones, electric fans and radios. I got the bug so bad, that I not only remodeled my bathroom (razor stuff) but also remodeled a spare bedroom in 1940's style...which eventually brought me to this site.

[BR Gordon]

The soaps that I like the best are tallow based soaps. Currently, I'm using Mystic Water Soap, and Mike Natural. If you want a really smooth slippery soap, use a superlather. I add a small amount of shaving cream, Proraso or some other, them lather with my soap. The resulting lather is very slick.

One other thing to try is to experiment with different blades. Not all blades are created equal.

[Feraud]

I should have posted here forever ago. I was using a straight for some time until it dulled.

Some of our experienced straight razor shavers can probably recommend how you can resharpen the razor yourself.

I shave with a safety razor and regular olive oil. I'd freely advise anyone to give it a try, you just rub a small amount of olive oil on your face and shave normally. No hot water or soap required, and because of the natural lubrication from the oil you'll never get burns or cuts.

I am going to try this tonight.

I went back to wet shaving about 7 months ago. I then started collecting/selling vintage razors. While hunting in antiques stores, I became interested in old typewriters, phones, electric fans and radios. I got the bug so bad, that I not only remodeled my bathroom (razor stuff) but also remodeled a spare bedroom in 1940's style...which eventually brought me to this site.

Very nice collection of razors.

[Michaelshane]