Anyone use a safety razor?

[Doc Dan]

So, here is the result of my Maggard Build a Brush. I bought the handle and knot and used the provided silicone adhesive. I think it looks pretty good.

[ChrisinHove]

Neat! Nice job!

[Ric]

Looks nice. How was the first shave with it?

Shaved today with the AL13 +++.
Very efficient. 1,5 passes was enough.
Overall I prefer the smoothness of the medium. It feels nicer on the skin.

[Doc Dan]

I agree. The medium ++ feels nicer on the skin. The +++ gives a close shave, but it causes slight irritation.

The glue is just now set and I washed the bristles. I will use that brush for the first time a bit later. It is late in the day for a shave, but I was waiting on the brush to set.

[ChrisinHove]

I made the mistake of trying the Yaqi Mellon with a Wilkinson Sword blade (I find them quite sharp) and a much less favoured EJ cream soap, the day before the Henson Al+++ arrived. As a consequence I had very tender skin to start with, used the same blade, and so my first impression of the Henson was merely “I’m very glad this isn’t the Yaqi again!”

3 days on, a pre-war Vokshod blade, and the Henson Al+++ has given me a fantastic shave in just 2 moderately rushed passes! No sting from the alum block at all. A looser lather on my Cella soap also stopped any clogging I had with the cream soap and I’m obviously getting handle on the angle.

[Doc Dan]

Awesome! It does give a great, close shave. I got some minor irritation on my neck, but otherwise it was perfect. Changing to a different blade will likely solve that issue.

[Doc Dan]

Looks nice. How was the first shave with it?

Shaved today with the AL13 +++.
Very efficient. 1,5 passes was enough.
Overall I prefer the smoothness of the medium. It feels nicer on the skin.

The first shave went pretty good with this brush. It doesn't have much backbone, but Rudy Vey told me it is because the knot is set too high. He would know. The handle wasn't drilled deep enough and the knot is all the way in. It does lather up really nicely, however. Here is a picture of the brush after the first face lathering:


As can be seen, it still had a lot of lather.

[Ric]

That’s a nice lather!
Used the TI22 medium today. Nice efficient shave. Muehle brush with soap makes a nice juicy lather. I prefer it wet and not too thick. Normally the lather on the second pass is better and glides also better.

Used some pre-shaving oil in the past but felt no advantage…

[Doc Dan]

That Ti22 is a fine instrument. I love mine. I'm envious over your Muehle brush. Silvertip or Silvertip Fibre?

[Doc Dan]

Here is my AP Shave Co. brush. It has a 26mm G5A knot (hair). It is really nice.




There is a huge difference in this brush and my lesser expensive ones. The feel, the way it holds water and soap, everything.

[Ric]

I have the synthetic muehle brush.
With base plastic handle.
The more expensive brushes just costs more because of a different handle material.
I want the brush to be improved not the handle...

I think you can get them easy on amazon.
You can try the travel brush which you can store inside the aluminum handle.

[Doc Dan]

The Muhle synthetic is really top knotch. Muhle and Shavemac are king. I have a Shavemac on the way.

[Ric]

Shavemac: too many options for me
Measurements of the handle is missing, at least I did not see it.

[Doc Dan]

Shavemac: too many options for me
Measurements of the handle is missing, at least I did not see it.

Email them and ask them. Bernd is very responsive. HOWEVER, the handle dimensions are given in the Configurator at the bottom. I've got a butterscotch coming, like this one:


They don't make them until you order and pay. They tie all of their own knots by hand and make their handles. Really nice. In their configurator you can choose their logo on the bottom or side and have your name engraved or something else on the bottom or side.

[Ric]

That’s a nice looking brush.
Thanks for your advice.
Maybe in the future.
There are more important things on my want-list right now :)

[Doc Dan]

barristerandmann.com

The super premium Barrister and Man bar soaps, shaving soaps, after shaves, and etc. are finally coming to the EU. I got this email today:

European Export
We have an export order en route to Italy right now for distribution! After nearly a decade of requests, we’ve finally begun exporting the majority of our products to the EU, and Barrister and Mann shaving soaps, aftershave splashes, and aftershave balms will all be available across the continent within the next few months.

Note: We don’t know exactly when. The shipment is in transit and has to be set up and entered into the distributor’s product system. But, once it arrives, you can order it directly from Barbieri Uniti. They’ll begin distribution to the rest of the EU after that, but keep an eye on their social media and website for updates

[Woodpuppy]

The regulatory state strikes again. Would have had it sooner if not for EU “help”!

[Doc Dan]

I hate USPS. Their new tracking merely says, "Item is moving through they system on the way to the destination." Thanks, big help! I want to know where, exactly, my new brush is at the moment!

[akapennypincher]

Best place to find Safety Razor stuff is IMHO.

Razor Empourium in Arizona, not cheapest place, but great service.

[Doc Dan]

Don't make the same mistake I made! I tried to shave this morning with a cheap Chinese Gold Monkey straight razor. It wasn't shave ready, even though I was told it was. It was terrible! This is dangerous enough without the razor being bad and dull. I ended up getting out a Henson Double Edged Safety Razor with a Feather blade and finishing the job properly.