The Handlebar Club Forum

Funny, they say: "Always shave with the lie of the beard, never against." But from the images, you can clearly see that they are recommending to go against the grain on the second pass. Interesting information, nonetheless. However, nothing I have read on the Internet about shaving beats the videos from the Shave Nation guy

If I want a perfect close shave, I finish-up with a second pass against the grain. Otherwise, I'm content with one pass with the grain. By the time you're down to the second pass there is less whisker exposed to a pull against the grain and this may be the reason.

I did like the videos you posted. From an earlier video posting I benefited from at least one tip. After I'm done shaving, I now squeeze the excess soap from the brush between my thumb and index finger before running the brush under the cold water. Afterward, I shake the brush to spread the bristles and hang it upside down to dry. I've had my pure badger brush since 1994 and it should last a lifetime, as indeed my father's did.

Mine is usually (if I have time): once with grain, once sideways, once against grain. I only do this rarely.

With the reading "Leisureguy's Guide To Gourmet Shaving," I've gone off the deep end trying out razors, blades, creams, soaps, etc. Just had a renewed interest in the ritual even though I've been hacking away with wet shaving for over 45 years. I'm now trying a Japanese Feather All Stainless razor (gorgeously made) and a Rooney Silvertip brush, but also have a bevy of vintage Gillette tools that I like very much (a 1949 Super Speed being my fav so far). I spend waaaaay too much time at it, but the baby bottom soft shave is worth it to me. Contrasts with luxurious lip growth nicely, don't ya know.....

Clar.: straight razors are wonderful things...

I watched this fine video from a barber located in Hungeford (sp?) a year or so ago and I never looked back. Perfect instructional video. http://youtu.be/YKg5r_JkgQA He uses top of the line shaving gear for sure. I got a Simpson's badger brush for Christmas in 2010. I was extremely excited. I have no idea where Hungeford is, I'm assuming somewhere in good ol' England.

As far as what I use in the perfect shave...

I have quite the collection of straight razors, 10 to be exact. My prized possession is a Fenny/Tally-Ho with pressed buffalo horn scales. The razor is 13/16, quarter hollow, and it has a barber's notch. I'll put a picture up. I don't use this to shave, it's more of a collector. I've got a Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and various other vintage razors. And although I do enjoy the shave a straight razor provides I've found that the time I devote to doing it properly is best left for the weekends. The safety razor was invented, I think, out of convenience. This is what I use regularly (I've noticed that if I take the time to shave properly I only need to shave once every two days). So, I use a Merkur "Heavy Classic" with a Feather blade, Truefitt & Hill pre-shave oil, Nancy Boy Shave Cream, Simpson "Duke" Badger Brush, and I finish with Nancy Boy Aftershave gel. My technique is the same as the video above.

I amassed all of this over a long period of time. Lots of b-day and Christmas presents as well as ample devotion in my scouring the depths of ebay and forums for deals.

Just realized that Schnauzer's link was for the very same company that my youtube link was for. What are the odds?

My Simpson Persian Jar is filled with Best Badger and still going strong after twenty years of near daily use. Recently I received as gift a Charles Windsor shaving set filled with Best Badger. Same quality badger but the CW is noticeably stiffer than the Simpson. That just might be that the Simpson has been well used.

Sweetness. That means my brush has many miles left to go.

Hey, SR users -- I use a shavette (think disposable-blade SR), but don't have time most mornings to do the strop thing. Is there a big difference between a shavette and a shave from a true SR?