"Can't Hardly Miss" Shave Gear

[tehfear]

Mantic, have you ever tried the van der hagen brushes? This is what I am using at the moment, and I suspect that they aren't the most high quality brushes.

[mantic59]

@tehfear yes I've tried the VDH brushes and they do leave something to be desired. they're widely available and OK to get started with though

[nobleox66]

@Mantic59 Is the Omega a brush product to get. I'm transferring to wet shaving and I have a few questions. One, The razor sample pack, can all those razor blades be used on Merkur safety razors (any merkur razor product)? Second, Is Merkur safety razor a good product to shave around goatee if someone (ME) would like to keep it?

Thanks

[mantic59]

@nobleox66 Omegas are OK "middle of the road" brushes. Yes, all the razor blades can be used on Merkur razors. I've never had a goatee but I don't see any reason why you would not be able to shave around it.

[XxXBestgamerXxX]

hey mantic, have u ever heard of using alum blocks

[mantic59]

@XxXBestgamerXxX i'm working on a video about that very topic!

[CAdesipower]

In fact, I got the smoothest shave I've ever experienced out of it. Btw, I found a $35 badger brush at a C&E in Glendale, CA and I purchased it seeing as it was the last one they had. I'm not entirely sure if its the same brush that you refer to in your vids, but, I'll take my chances. I also purchased a Nomad Series Shaving Creme (C&E brand). I use a Mach III. Thanks again, and any input from your side will be appreciated.

[CAdesipower]

Hello mantic59. I want to thank you for posting these vids up for people. They are practically an asset to the society, esp. for younger generations (im 20). I've been shaving for awhile now and everytime I shave, I end up cutting myself one way or another. Then, on a trip to the east coast, somebody lent me there brush and after lathering it and applying it to my face, and then shaving, I received no visible cuts whatsoever.

[wcropp1]

Any idea what the current status on the C&E BBB is? I went by there the other day, and they only had the Best brushes in a $150 kit. I got a Pure brush, which they did have, for $35, but it's not even on their website? All they're showing is a non-descript brush in another olive-wood kit? Guessing they've discontinued it a second time?

[wcropp1]

@wcropp1 Update: my girlfriend went to the mall today, had her check for a Best brush. They did have the brush itself in the back, but wanted $75 for it?! I don't know if the ppl at my particular location are smoking crack, or the company is just jacking it's prices up, or what.

[mantic59]

@wcropp1 I'm hearing different stories on it too. I'm guessing you're right,its been discontinued a 2nd time.

[cristinelbuff]

Hi Mantic ! What do you think about Proraso before and after shave cream? it is good to use as an aftershave balm? thanks a lot for youre videos !

[mantic59]

@cristinelbuff I like Proraso pre/post! But the eucalyptus can irritate sensitive skin for some people.

[mateodeusername]

Manic59, I have a mekur hd, a great badger brush and I usually use taylor of old bond st. shaving cream. They all work great, but I have one problem - aftershave. I can't find a balm that works. I used Neva and Every Man Jack. Both moisturize my face, but neither sooth my face. Do you have any suggestions?

[mantic59]

@mateodeusername have you tried Proraso aftershave?

[vladimir2277]

What shaving creams would you recommend that can be found in more common stores? I haven't found a dedicated shaving shop in the area, but there is WalMart, Target, Wegmans.

[mantic59]

@vladimir2277 Van Der Hagen shave soap (look for glycerin or deluxe) widely available. Kiss My Face moisturshave in many 'health food' outlets. CO Bigelow (at Bath & Body Works) or Body Shop shave cream if you have them at a local mall. Real Shaving Co. at Rite Aid.

[daboss212]

i think they raised the price on the best badger brush from crabtree and evelyn there travel brush is 35

[brodybear83]

What is your opinion on solid shaving soaps?

[mantic59]

brodybear83- There are many excellent solid shaving soaps.

[KendrickMcMurphy]

I've tried just about every kind of shaving soap and my personal favorite is PRORASO Ultra Sensitive Skin. (Contains soothing Aloe and Green Tea)

[coffeeboob]

I can only assume Proraso wasn't mentioned because it might be hard to find in the average mall/supermarket? Was it the smell? It is rather popular and relatively easy to find online. Body Shop's Macca Root one should also be pretty easy to find and gets good reviews. just mentioning...

[cadfog]

Proraso is GREAT! My two favorites are Proraso and Musgo. I love the way they both smell and lather. They're also about 10 bucks a tube, making them cheaper than all the other shave creams, which are nice but expensive and overrated imo.

[rydogg6016]

Alot of the outlet crabtree&evelyn stores have best badgers

[goby999]

Another nice video. For those looking at the creams, don't be scared by the price. They last a long, long time. One of my favorites is Proraso, which is also called C.O. Bigelow, and can be found at Bath and Body Works. $10.00 and it will last months.

[Tommyrazzle]

I use a Kent BK4 and trumpers sandalwood soap. Merkur 34hd razor.

really good shave.

[vgdhdfhfghh]

did u ever think of using an trimmer or wilkinson sword quattro titanium precision

[Glivity]

what do you think of taylor's silvetip?

[mantic59]

Glivity- Sorry, I've never tried taylor's brushes.

[GodBlessGeorgeWBush]

i dunno about all this cuts stuff. if you are getting bonafide "bleeders" then I think either you are doing something wrong, or you should consider shaving less often.

[1982circaguy]

For cuts, tear a piece of toilette paper and apply it to the cut. Put pressure on the cut so the paper won't fall of and it also soaks up the blood. Remember the longer you let it sit on your cut the less of a scab youll get. I would recommend getting Shave Secret from Wal-Mart wich you apply on to your face or razor before you start shaving.

[DJActivitY]

to stop a cut bleeding i use a cue tip soaked in %3 hydrogen peroxide and apply directly to cut until the sting is wears off, then rinse with the coldest water you can find.

[1982circaguy]

It works on small cuts but since I use a safety razor I get bigger cuts, especially when I shave upwards during the second pass.

[1982circaguy]

I bought an ointment called Lectric Shave at Wal-mart. It works!! just apply to dry skin on your face. Wait for a few minutes as your face hairs stand up strait then apply shaving cream and shave with razor as normal. Youll get a close shave.

[rlrsk8r1]

Just for the general knowledge of everyone, the newer $35 best badger brush from C&E has a slightly different handle than the one. there's another ring around the "base," at least there is on my walnut handled one.

[idebeep]

I know I'm crazy, but I'm going to introduce my face (sensitive skin / brillo stubble) to safety razors with a merkur slant and feather blades. They're in the mai.

I've been wetshaving with a pansonic wet/dry, pure badger, TOBS lime cream, GFT lime food.

I am tired of having to press so hard for 8 minutes to get a BBSS. Increasing my shave time by 2 minutes while reducing the force exerted and razor burn seems like a good trade-off.

Thank you for your well-made videos!

[FalseTalkExpress]

Believe it or not, i don't use an airbrush. I use a toothbrush stroking against the grain to lift it up. It gives me a shave that lasts 3-4 days.

[FUBAR956]

I just bought one of those Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger brushes on Ebay for $30 brand new. I like it so much I bought a pure badger brush for my brother at the Crabtree & Evelyn outlet store.

[powerhouse2112]

Shower

Lather

Shave

Rinse

Done

[FUBAR956]

Ever tried any of the razors and brushes, or any of the shaving products from The Grooming Lounge? I like their ivory razor which uses my Mach 3's razors, and the matching brush makes a sharp looking set. With my Mach 3 and face wash, shaving oil, a shaving soup from Wal-Mart, and a after shave cream and already no red bumps or razor burn, using my dad's old brush and mug.

[mantic59]

FUBAR956- No, I haven't tried any of the Grooming Lounge products yet.

[scytheye]

If one wanted to purchase just the razor first, then the creams and brushes later, could you use basic shaving cream in a bottle with a safety razor?

[mantic59]

scytheye- Actually you should get a cream/soap and brush first, then a safey razor later.

[TheShineNSB]

Agreed. I first tried wet shaving using a brush/cream and disposable Bic razor and got excellent results. Adding my safety razors improved the process, but there's no substitute for a nice lather from a brush.

[scytheye]

Oh my god. I got the AoS Lavender Cream and even with a gillette 3 blade, I am not getting any cuts anymore or dry skin. The difference is unbelievable and my girlfriend loves it, lol. I can't wait to get a safety razor.

[IsaakHunt]

My experience is, that pressurized shaving might work well enough with cartridge razors like the Mach3 and Sensor, but with double-edge razors you'll need something better. I don't know why, but I think it might be that lubricating strip at the top of the cartridge. A tubed shaving cream and the cheapest badger brush improves your shaving quite all lot, regardless of what type of razor you use.

[Diabolik771]

Been trying Kiss My Face and C&E Nomad shave creams. Kiss My Face seems to work better and is really inexpensive then C&E but Nomad smells way better.

[SFsc616171]

Hey!! The archer is the famous Howard hill ... or of those who remember, "Captain of the Archers",supplier of all Errol Fluynn's Robin Hood shots (first shot hit eery time)!

[ronniedonnie]

thanks!

[ExplodingTeeth]

Mmm.. I just got all my shaving stuff today.

1x each - unscented and sandlewood cakes

1 regular sized mug

Merkur HD classic

Cyril R. Salter French Vetiver

Vulfix #2233

And of course 2 packs of Merkur blades. Dear god the Vetiver smells good. Your series is amazing and I look forward to more instructional videos. Keep the tradition alive man. :]

[ronniedonnie]

hi i wrote once before great series by the way on wet shaving, two quick points like i said before i use a gillete razor over here in the uk the only branded blades iv'e seen are wilkinson sword or boots own brand a uk store, also what do you make of shaving soap you get in a dish do you recommend any particular type aloe vera etc,

thanks.

[mantic59]

ronniedonnie- The type of soap is largely personal preference.

[claest007]

I've been using "Taylor of Old Bond street" products for a few monhs now and they have great brushes and shaving creams.

[DannyMunster]

i just got that crabtree and evelyn best bager brush today and it's sheading hair already. i haven't even used it yet..

[mantic59]

DannyMunster- A few loose hairs in a new brush is actually fairly common. Don't be suprised if it looses a few hairs on every shave for a week or two. If its still shedding after that, then you may have a problem....

[coronet]

You should add one of those text video notes to the part about the C&E brush.

[mantic59]

Coronet- Great idea! Done!

[monkeyman522]

Between this video and the guys at Badger& Blade, I think I'm on the right track to having a good experience with wet shaving. I ordered all my gear and look forward to butchering my face. Just kidding but I'm sure my first time will be a bit intense.

[newyorkfish]

I find "The Art of Shaving" products readily available.

[paulf0x]

I'm not impressed with the products The Art of Shaving offers -- they are expensive and I'm not a fan of the quality.

[newyorkfish]

I am going to try some other competing products very soon and I might make a video response with my other YouTube account.

But testing various shaving creams will take some time so I can properly have a base of measurement.

[rockergod789]

@paulf0x The Art of Shaving stores often carry high end safety razors, though. the store at the Mall of America in Minneapolis sells Murkur "barber pole" safety razors.

[SLR722BRABUS]

Excellent vid! These have totally changed my shaving experience. Thanks!

Just wondering...I use a pre-shave wash AND almond pre-shave oil, is that overkill?? I.e. will using too many products on my face eventually become detrimental...?

Also what would recommend regarding post-shave balms - I use nivea extra soothing balm, would you recommend anything better?

[mantic59]

SLR722BRABUS- Personally I think yes, a pre-shave wash and a pre-shave oil would be overkill. Skip the pre-shave oil to see if there's a difference without it (keep using the wash though). But if you're getting a great shave, you might not want to "mess with success!"

[soundworksvectra]

well im 19 but i dont get "stubble" yet :| my facial hair is crap. Kinda soft n tends to be locolised to my chin, tash n sidies areas and grows kinda slow but ill bare all this in mind when/if im ever gifted with proper beard :)

[FoxyGrandpaYo]

meh i'm lazy, but i never really counted the fluff that youngens get at that age as requiring shaving, doesnt grow longer than a cm. i'd shave from time to time with a throw away razor, but what i meant is i have required shaving every day or 2 since i was 17 :)

[guz]

Let me say that your vids are the best... great quality and very instructive.

I ordered my merkur HD, Merkur Blades, Proraso Shave Cream, and Twezzman Brush... I hope it works, or I dont know waht to do with irritation.

[WillEyedOney]

Shaving brush is $35 in the US and £45 in the UK. That's $90, what a rip-off. :)

[verloc]

Edwin Jagger makes the brushes for C&E, so if you're in the UK you can buy it through them much cheaper. They have best badger brushes from 18 to 32 GBP, not sure which size C&E sells. Just google "the english shaving company" (that's EJ's webshop).

[joe817263]

FoxyGrandpaYo u started shaving at 17 im 13 and i shave LoL

[theuppercut]

i didn't know that shaving was really an art, i just can't wait to grow a beard now! :D

[FoxyGrandpaYo]

I'm 18 and have only been shaving for just over a year now, using an electric shaver, but i found it so boring i often skipped it and went about looking rather scruffy. But i saw your videos and bought an Art of Shaving kit. It's more involved and therapeutic, its even helped clear up the remnants of my acne as well so thanks! :D

[debit256]

u said scruffy

[FoxyGrandpaYo]

quite a hilarious word :S

[SLR722BRABUS]

I don't think Prattyiiv is talking about "mantic"!!

Maybe foxy's comment??!!!

[Prattyiiiv]

No Im laughing at the stupid kid wishing for a beard hahaha

The User: soundworksvectra

Foxygranpayo is cool, but that other kid is just haha stupid

[Prattyiiiv]

hey the comment was to the kid by the way not you, see yours said 7 months ago, mine was 2

[wetshave]

Again, a very nice video! Thanks!

[opivyapathy]

Thanks a lot Mark.

By the way I went to Crabtree and Evelyn and found a Neiman Marcus Wetshavers set. It is expensive [220 US] but I found the items to be of high quality. What do you think ? [Right now I shave with a Merkur HD and Proraso shaving cream.]

Thanks again.

[mantic59]

opivyapathy- Sorry, I don't have any info on the N-M set. I looked at the N-M and C&E webpages but didn't see anything.

[aloksa]

upd: BTW, which is better (less agressive) for sensitive skin - Merkur Heavy Duty or Merkur Long Classic? Thanx!

[mantic59]

aloksa- I believe the razor heads of the HD and the LC are identical.

[aloksa]

Thank you!

[wetshave]

Merkur has "only" three heads in their "classic line", the one shown in the video, an open comb version, and a slant version. To a beginner and for sensitive skin I would recommend the version shown in the video (but try for yourself). The razors then differ mostly in handle length and weight (also if they are chromium-plated, gold-plated, nickel-plated).

[wetshave]

The weight and length of the handle indeed have an impact on shaving. Most men prefer the heavy ones, those with big hands the long-handled one, the others the shorter one. Others otherwise. So, you're kinda on your own here, sorry.

[aloksa]

Thank you!

[aloksa]

I've been a wetshaver for almost 20 years and I still learn a lot from your videos. Great job! Thank you!

[Solaras88]

Very nice video - im seriously considering switching from disposables.

[moumou360]

yet another awesome vid. thanks again Mantic!