Shaving Brush?

I use a brush and shaving cream, but not a double-edged razor (Gillette Mach 3 for me). If this doesn't disqualify me from commenting, read on...

After trying quite a few brands, I don't think you can beat Trumper's (www.trumpers.com). I use Almond shaving cream and one of their medium-priced brushes. Simply the best quality there is - the Naim of shaving, if you will. Prices to match, yes, but a tub of shaving cream lasts me nearly a year and the brush is still going strong after more than a decade.

Mainly out of curiosity, I went for a shaving lesson about 12 years ago at their shop in Mayfair, and it was worth every penny. Taught me how to shave quicker and closer than before, and I hardly ever cut myself.

Mark

I use a Kent brush which I've had for 20+ years. Always stored it carefully with bristles downwards. Whichever brand you go for, go for a big brush; its all part of the experience.

Razors; usually Gillett's current multi-blade model.

Soaps; Body Shop used to do decent creame ones, but reduced to a single fragrence now. The hard soap blocks also good (forget where my current one is from), but take that bit more time. I have never got on with the brushless gells; although I know many swear by King of Shaves (?) products.

Have a look here.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/shaving-brushes-1

Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba soap.

"Those who enjoy wet shaving are used to seeing historic products. Kent
brushes were established in 1777, La Toja began in 1837, and Trumper and Coate's
began in 1875. There is one brand, however, that predates them all: Around 1221,
the Dominican monks at Santa Maria Novella began creating elixirs from rose
water and vinegar. If you travel to Florence today, you can visit the Officina
Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, which is part museum, part
boutique. The historic wooden doors open to dimly lit hallways and display
cases, where you can find traditional products ranging from potpourri and
candles, to herbal teas and ceramics, to bath and body products. Among them is
Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba, one of the oldest and finest shaving creams
in the world."

As I said in the previous thread on this subject I use Taylor's of Old Bond Street for my razor handle, badger bristle brush and soaps. I occasionally use Trumper's shaving cream but somehow always go back to Taylors. Almond, Avocado and Coconut are my favourite soaps.

My brush is 20 years old, my ol brush has had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time.

Sorry gents...couldn't resist!!!!

I now use Somerset shaving oil and have done for many years. tried all sorts of foam but none were ever satisfactory. Have tried Kings (?) oil but it is no where near as good. I'm afraid I have moved from double sided razors but as they endlessly are updated them with evermore blades and moveable heads I may go back!

+ 1 for Somerset shaving oil, good stuff. I used it for a number of years until I gave up wet shaving for the 'leccy razor a few years ago.

I was talking about the old school double edge razor, not the twin/three/four blade systems that gillette is pushing. :-)

Chaps

I "converted" to DE shaving a few years ago as a result of the Matthew R thread on pfm.

I would say without any hesitation, the biggest benefit was giving up the can of foam and using Mitchels Woolfat and a shaving brush. Your face feels so much better for it.

The DE razor does produce good results but it does take a bit of practice. I think in all honesty you have to allow yourself about 6 weeks before you are reliably shaving nic free.

Also it becomes a bit of an event, you tend to buy made to measure ceramic dishes for the soap, the brush is on display on its stand and it does become more of a pleasure rather than a chore.

I for one am glad I made the move.

Regards

Mick

My preference is a Thater shaving brush, one of their larger versions 28 mm. For soap Mitchell's is good but I am not a big fan of the scent. For something a little more luxurious I like the Aqua di Parma odourless shaving cream or a bit of Martin de Candre. As a DE I prefer a Merkur slant head (37c) or a nice Grelot straight razor. 

Check out

http://www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk

or

 http://carterandbond.com

Thanks! Got a Truefitt & Hill sampler on order. As well as Taylor's Sandalwood. Muehle razor, merku blades.

Nice! Finally gonna shave off that beard, huh? It will be comforting to know you're posting clean shaven.

I use a modded (modding is not restricted to only audio! ) Merkur razor called the "Mergress", with Crystal or Red Persona blades, and Simpson best badger brush. After trying numerous specialty shaving soaps, I realized that I got my best shave using a cut half of a Dr. Bronner's bar soap. At about $3.00 USD/bar, and half bar at $1.50, placed into a small Tupperware-type circular plastic container with holes poked in the bottom to allow water to drain, it works perfectly and inexpensively for me. 

MM - Like me, I believe you live in the U.S., and I have found Lee's Razors in NY a great online resource!  http://www.leesrazors.com/

Lee himself is incredibly knowledgeable, easily reachable, and helpful over the phone. No b.s. from him, and he will often recommend inexpensive options that he thinks perform better than the more costlier ones. Each time he has recommended something to me, it has worked out to a tee. IMHO - he's a gem.

Good choice.  Best investment I've made is a Merkur Futur safety razor.  Badger brush and Truefitt & Hill soap.  Ive found that Merkur Super are my favoritet blades.  zyou might need to try several brands to find the right fit.

Yes I know, and I was saying as razors are becoming ever more multi bladed etc I may go back to the twin ones you are using . Will still use Somerset oil tho'!

For shaving soap I started using Nivea Original Moisturising Shaving Gel with ultra glide (whatever that might be). Came top of a Sunday Times survey some year back. They do numerous other gels and foams but this one for me is the best. Lathers up very well with a brush and the blades actually seem to last longer. Don't know if this is because it reduces friction or just my imagination but I highly recommend the product.

Seems that the shaving world is every bit as full of quirky personal preferences as HiFi; and, (dare I say) an analogous element of snobbery and bragging. "Only badger hair is good enough for me....". "Modern multi-blade plastic razors? Pfft! Too much digital glare and harshness. Only an approximation of the real thing. Only hand-made, cut-throat razors, forged from steel sourced from viking axes, ground on granodiorite mined from an ancient and remote quarry in the Outer Hebrides and honed on only the finest unicorn-leather strops are worthy of my face." Well, you get the point...

Except that the 'snob' blades are cheaper. :-)

Nivea or Gillette foam and Co-op ultra cheap plastic razors.

Cheap and cheerful!

Years ago I used to use a brush and Boots shaving soap, with a double sided razor. I was always taking nicks out!

One time I went to Norway, and my bag went to Hungary! One does have to wonder about Heathrow baggage handlers!

SAS gave me an emergency wash-bag including disposable razors and Gillette foam at Fornebu. What an improvement I found in this forced change. I never looked back!

ATB from George

I can't stand the foam - just doesn't lubricate well enough, and dries the skin. I use Taylors of Bond Street cream, but just lather with my fingers. I also find the more expensive multi-blade replaceable razors are much better than the disposable cheapies. I can't imagine faffing with safety razors.

Good choice of shaving cream Winky. I've been using it for years. You'd get a much better shave though if you use a good badger bristle brush to apply it. Mine is also from Taylor's.

Hey guys, 

save your cash for your next Naim upgrade, use Gillette Blue 2 razors, don!t buy a shaving brush, and 'borrow' some hair conditioner from your wife, it works wonders as a beard-lube.

Perhaps you should be called shaggy.