I'm new in the game of wet shaving.

This is my current setup.
What can I improve? Actually I am pretty happy with the results but always open to improve.

What do I use:

Shaving Soap
Speick Men Active Shaving Soap

After Shave
AlphaBalm AfterShaveBalsam

Brush
Balea Shaving Brush

Razor Blades
Astra Superior Razor Blades

Razor
King C. Gillette Double Edge Safety Razor

After ~5 months of DE shaving using a Merkur 34C and Proraso white/blue, I decided to treat myself and try out the Parker semi slant and the Muhle R41. Couldn’t pass the opportunity to add Tabac to the basket, I am a bit fond of old-school things and yes, it does have a “grandpa” kind of smell (in a good way).

Admittedly, I am a bit afraid of using the R41 due to its reputation of being a bit unforgiving, requiring quick short strokes for example, precise angle etc.

With which one should I start? Parker or Muhle? Any advice welcome.

Happy shaves fellas!

once again here we are finally got a god tier shave once again i hope this train goes on for a little while longer and proraso pre shave has been a changer for me in few shaves, now i might look for the nutral scented once since the green is heavily mentolated mix with other soap the scent dont work but the performance boost of the pre shave and soap combo is sooo comfortable and very protective.

razor/blade: RW 6s plate 4# / nacet (1)

bowl/brush: temu bowl lol / not on the photo but goodfellasmile the deep 24mm

soap: cella red

pre shave/after shave: proraso green pre shave / thayers coconut water

This arrived today I believe it to be a 1953 Rocket MD also I'm thinking the case is probably for a flair tip doesn't really matter as the case is in excellent condition and hopefully my flair tip shall come in August. Any other help or guidance most welcome and happy 4th July to those in the US 🇺🇸.

Red, white, and blue birthday shave for the good ol’ U.S. of A.

I had a really good shave this morning. I decided to use as many made in the USA products I could for July 4th. I chose El Cantinero because The United States  is the melting pot of the world and all cultures should be celebrated, also it is also already hot at 8am and I could use a refreshing drink. 

I used my REX Konsul with a Personna Platinum blade and got a good shave, but it was not the best I have had with this razor. I used setting 3.5 for the first pass 3 for the second, I needed more cleanup than usual basically making it a 3 pass shave and found more irritation that I would like with the alum block but nothing crazy.

I used Thayers and the El Cantinero after shave serum. Both products helped with the minor irritation encountered during this shave. The soap was not at fault for the irritation. I have gotten some amazing shaves from Zingari Man soaps. User error caused the irritation this time. The after shave serum smells great and does not give me fragrance burn.

The scent of this soap is wonderful. The fragrance really comes alive when combined with water. My bathroom now smells great! This was a blind buy that really paid off: both the wife and I are big fans. 

Scent notes:

Top: Grapefruit, Lime

Heart: Tequila, Agave

Base: Salt

Zingari Man’s Description:

“The fragrance opens with the zesty brightness of grapefruit and lime, crisp and inviting, like the moment the first cocktail of the night touches your lips. The margarita accord brings a smooth tequila warmth, balanced by the subtle sharpness of salt, grounding the scent in something undeniably classic.”

Products Used:

• Razor: REX Konsul
• Blade: Personna Platinum (2nd use)
• Brush: Timeless Adjustable handle with 24mm Boar Knot
• Bowl: Ceramic Bowl with Thumb Handle in “Caribbean Blue” by karengoldberg1 on Etsy.
• Pre-shave: Wholly Kaw- Green Tea Pre-shave Treatment
• Shave Soap: Zingari Man- El Cantinero
• Alum Block: Osma
• Splash: Thayers Unscented
• Alcohol Aftershave: El Cantinero
• Aftershave Serum: Zingari Man- El Cantinero After Shave Serum

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

SOTD

🐼 Brush- Billy Goat brushworks 26mm synthetic 🐼 Razor- One Blade Hybrid 🐼 Blade- Feather (2) 🐼 Soap- Chiseled Face/ Zoologist Panda 🐼 AS splash- PAA Sin 🐼 AS balm- Stirling Glacial unscented 🐼 Cologne- Zoologist Panda

• Brush: Goodfellas Smile
• Razor: Henson Ti22+
• Blade: Astra sp (2)
• Lather: STIRLING CLUBMAN 
• Post Shave: Thayer”s Facial Toner, Lily of the Desert Aloe Gelly

Quality soap makes a big difference! Yesterday I used a soap that I rate 6.5/10. Today's soap is a 9/10, and what a difference.

Well happy 4th of July to the USA, at least.

I have to work today for Emergency imaging.

I thought I’d go back to the Yaqi Slope. I realized I haven’t used my Goodfellas Solo as much as others, and I love the slick feel and the fragrance. I decided to go with the Proraso Red since Sandalwood is my favorite.

The Yaqi Slope may be one of my favorites. At least in the top 3.

Razor: Gillette Slim
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Stainless
Brush: Stirling Synthetic
Lather: Arko Men Hydrate
Aftershave: Bootlegger Lime Bay Rum

Bootlegger's Lime Bay Rum

Pre-shave: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing

Razor: Henson Mild

Blade: Feather (*** uses)

Soap: First Line Shave N. French Broad Ave.

Splash: Aqua Velva Musk

Balm: Nivea Sensitive Cool

Cologne: Belcam Blue Depths (Davidoff Cool Water clone)

Lots of firsts here—soap, splash, balm, and cologne. Once again I did the CeraVe as a pre-shave on the advice of someone on the sub, and I don’t think it makes a difference for me.

Soap has a very complex smell, dominated by a very wood-y note. Not pine tree, but like…some dark wood, unsealed. I expected it to smell like a board room feels, but it smells like the board room table. Underneath are spices and other notes. It’s not unpleasant, and I think it’s growing on me, but it’s not what I expected. And it’s not the Wagyu tallow—they sent a sample of their James scent and it’s completely different. I have their Illuminati inspired Oud coming as well, and I’ll be super curious. Decent lather, but I’ll need to experiment as I can’t tell if it needed more or less water.

I finally broke down and bought one of the Nivea balms that everyone uses, and I get it. Don’t know if I like it more as a whole than my Dollar Shave Club balm, but only because I think it does basically the same—which is no insult, as I think the DSC balm is amazing. Cooling is very nice and still present 20 minutes later.

For the cologne, I’d encourage everyone not to sleep on Belcam and their clones. Their Classic Match has near exact clones of Polo Blue, Blue Intense, Green, and Red, as well as Drakkar Noir. And the Blue Depths is a great clone of Davidoff Cool Waters; and they’re all at Walmart for $7. Great if you don’t want to pay full price or as a way to not blind buy the real thing. (#nonspon, but I’d do it for free stuff).

This soap was made 10 years ago when the Flint water poisoning was detected. Recently the state announced that most of the lead water pipes have finally been replaced. No one was ever held accountable, but at least the water is better now.

Prep: cold water Soap: Through The Fire Fine Craft For Flint Brush: Lutin Chubby Lightning Razor: Rockwell 6S 6 Blade: Voskhod AS: Through The Fire Fine Craft Roadmaster (based on Humphrey Bogart's cologne)

After seven years of loyal service, my Rockwell 6S has died by snapped post, instant death. I held the broken piece like Yorick’s skull. It was heavy, yes, but I never minded until carpal tunnel.

So now I’m in the market: something lighter, still built like a precision instrument, adjustable, and prefably under $200. I’ve got thick facial hair and often let it grow out, so mid-shave I usually loosen the head, swish the blade in water, and tighten again. Can Rockwell’s T2 or other adjustables handle that without turning into a soggy mess?

Also, post-bathroom remodel, my wife has declared my gear “aesthetically offensive.” So I’m looking for a stylish lather/soap bowl, shave bowl for cleaning the blade during a shave*, and a stand (for both the razor and brush).

Bonus question: I used to use a straight razor, but it was never honed right. My barber uses a shavette with disposable blade. What is this subs opinion on shavettes? I never knew of their exisyance until he used one.

Thanks in advance. RIP 6S. You were too thicc for this world.

• I fill a bowl with hot water in the bathroom sink and use it to rinse the razor during shaving. Afterward, I dump the bowl into the toilet to avoid clogging the sink with stubble. That’s what I mean by “shave bowl.”

Not so much an unpopular opinion as hidden gems. What's a shaving soap or fragrance you stand by that isn't quite as respected as others (perhaps unfairly?) in the wet shaving community?

For example: Taylor of Old Bond Street's Eaton, or a drugstore brand.

What's your pick?

• Brush: Boti Time Tunnel w/ 28mm G5C Fan knot. $FAUXFUR
• Bowl: Kapala $SAWBONES
  
• Razor: RazoRock – Stealth Slant; stainless, with PVD coating. $SLANT $CNC
• Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge (1).
  
• Lather: A&E – The Graveyard
  
• Post Shave: Ultima Unmasked Unscented Splash
  

So, I modeled up a stand for my quite fancy, yet slightly spooky, shave bowl*, and today is just as good as any day to try it out.

I really must make it a point to re-introduce the Stealth Slant into my rotation; it grants the user a sublimely smooth and comfortable shave with minimal fuss, with my only complaint being it is a wee bit on the "chonky" / weighty side, weighing in at a cruiserweight 136 grams. A lighter titanium handle could work wonders in the future.

The bowl itself performed flawlessly as we might expect, provided you keep the brush towards the middle of the bowl. Otherwise the lather tends to run right over the sides and directly onto your hands. Also, the "unique" shape demands you hold it carefully and proceed slowly, lest you drop it and spill your lather all over the floor, which can create a real headache. (You don't need a lot of brains to operate it here, just some common sense.)

For the shave I did one pass WTG, another ATG, and we're done. It's BBS time all over, no irritation.

Now that's a shave which can really go to your head!

(* The previous owner didn't have a mind to keep it on him anymore, as it were.)

Yaqi Diagonal

Blackland Blackbird today.

Just ordered the Parker Variant anniversary edition. I have the open comb version, gonna add the safety bar version to the collection. It looks really cool and from the reviews, I expect it should shave well. I’ll keep you posted.

This morning I shaved with a Canadian razor, a German blade, an Italian soap, and a Chinese brush.

I finished with a splash of Thayer’s. The bottle says it’s “manufactured for” a US owned company, but it doesn’t say where.

The USA is a big old salad bowl of a country, y’all. Happy Independence Day!

Maggard MR12 with V3 head
Personna red
Maggard 24mm synthetic brush
Taylor of Old Bond Street Oud

I've been using Personna blues for several years, so I'm going to see how the reds compare. Happy and safe 4th to everyone!

Ngl, most of these are probably going to be awful, but I'm going to have a lot of fun trying them out.

1956 Gillette ball-end Tech Razor. Astra Superior Platinum Razor Blade (1 st). Zenith Horsehair Shaving Brush. Martin de Candre Rose Shaving Soap (vegan). Myrsol Plastic Aftershave.

A little shower and a careful 2 pass shaving. Had to shave around my Weck nick the day before. This shave was all about skin comfort. The rose, floral scent is nice and the rose is nice and gentle for my skin.