Do any of you still use shaving soap and a brush?

[Bekeart]

Do any of you still use shaving soap and a brush?

I remember my grandfather using shaving soap and a brush.
That has been over sixty years ago.


That memory came to mind this morning while shaving.
Just got me curious.

 

[Harrison]

Yes, shaving soap, brush and double edged razor made in 1940.

 

[mrchick]

I use a brush and soap every day. I use straight razors or vintage safety razors as well.

 

[pharmer]

Funny you should ask. Last week I was in Indiana at our daughter's house and I didn't (couldn't) bring shave cream in my carry-on. Figured every man has Barbasol around. Except her future husband has a "ZZ TOP" beard. Did have a shaving kit he got as a gift with a jar and a brush. I remember how to use it and it gave a great, close, comfortable shave. I would use it more regularly but being a lazy American I'd rather shake the Barbasol can and get on with it. Joe

 

[UncleEd]

Not only a brush and shaving soap,
but I've also been known to use just
plain bath soap rubbed onto my face.

Today usually lather from a can followed
by an electric razor to go over sensitive
areas I've been known to cut such as
right under the lower lip.

 

[Rpg]

I too use a brush and soap: nothing is as comfortable. It's a few minutes of comfort in the morning.

 

[DWalt]

When I first started shaving as a teen, I used my father's shaving mug and brush. When I left home, I went with the spray can shaving cream. Back then, they were way less than a dollar a can. In my mid-40s, I got my first Norelco electric razor and never returned to wet shaving. I think I am on my fifth Norelco. The first couple were plug-in, the later ones were rechargeable. I tried a Remington for awhile, it was OK, but I returned to Norelco.

I wonder if Burma-Shave is still available?

 

[Bro. Dave]

I think I've tried almost everything to make shaving a better experience. Having started with the classic double edge and canned cream, I tried electric shavers with thin foil heads, rotating heads, etc. Even had a brief affair with mug and brush and straight razors.

After retiring, I've grown my first beard and wish I had done so earlier. The pendulum of fashion was swung to favor bearded men, halleluiah!

 

[Rustyt1953]

The follicles on my left cheek and most of my neck were permanently zapped by radiation.

Ten seconds with a Braun and I have completed the third "S" in my morning constitutional.

 

[Heinz]

I use a brush, a wide range of razors, but mostly high tech modern multi blade.

 

[Divere6106]

ABSOLUTELY... but I use a Track II with the double blades and slide strip. Note that if you use Sandalwood Oil as a pre-shave it really sets up the skin. But it is VERY expensive. Also to save money & trash, don't use a foam can but a bar of Pears amber transparent soap (like ladies use on face - there are other brands) as it is THE BEST shave soap for brushing on, but it is a little more than a regular shave soap. But much cheaper than foam and, like all shave soap, last a long time. I have two straight razors, but am leery of using an unprotected blade. I cut myself occasionally with a protected razor.

 

[riverrat38]

I use a brush and Musgo Real shaving cream in a tube. I have a Murker double edge razor and Personna medical prep blades. Finish with Dominica Bay Rum after shave. Also have 3 straight edge razors and the necessary sharpening tackle.

73,
Rick

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[RobertJ.]

Nope. Harry's for me.

But hey, some guys still prefer a flintlock for deer.

 

[Absalom]

Until not too long ago, I also used shaving creme from a tube, foamed up with a traditional brush in the face. This method was very popular in Europe, and moving to the US in the early 80s, I was surprised to find that hardly anyone used it here. Palmolive was the dominant brand, and even though it's an American manufacturer, I had to have folks ship me the tubes from the old country for decades. Couldn't find it here (pre-web).

 

[Truckman]

I used my Grandfather's shaving mug after receiving it when I got home from overseas (he used Burma Shave in a tube) but it broke during a move...I wore out his brush and two of my Dad's military issue from the 40's (I still have them)...In the late 70's Mom and Dad gave me a new mug with matching brush and holder for Christmas...The brush wore out after a few decades, and was replaced by my current Amazon purchase...The Christmas mug started to show cracks last year and was replaced by an old coffee mug I accidentally packed in my duffel bag when I was separated from the USAF...A girlfriend shipped me a straight razor when I was still overseas in the 60's (possibly hoping I would slit my throat)...After many years I got tired of sharpening it every day before work, and sold it at a gun show...I now use a Bic throwaway which I throw away and replace every month...

So to answer the thread title, yes I still make my own warm lather every day......Ben

 

[TXBryan]

Yes. Natural bristle, monogrammed mug, decent shaving soap, with Dollar Shave Club razor. Generally at the utility room sink I might add.

When in a hurry just soap on the second lather; but it has to be Duke Cannon beer soap. Works fabulous.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Electric rechargeable Norelco. I'll use a disposable with Barbasol maybe once every two months. Why? I'm not a hairy guy...

 

[Rustyt1953]

As a boy I remember dad having a white shaving mug while mom had a pink one.

 

[Maddog 521]

What is this shaving you speak of?

 

[Dave_n]

Yes, Shaving soap in a walnut container, bristle brush and a 1939 Gillette razor with double edged blades. All came originally from the UK and when I go over there I pick up the necessary supplies (checked baggage only). Still have a "Rolls Razor" from my father that I will use at times. plus a hollow-ground cutthroat razor in its leather sheath, with all three being pre-WWII. Dave_n

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For Christmas 1974, my best friend gave me a Old Spice mug and brush set, I still have both but the brush is my back-up. When my oldest was about 14, Odd Lots has Burma Shave brush and mug sets, I bought a set for each son. Number two son's mug got smashed on a short term missions trip as a teen. He glued it together in the field and continued to use it. Every January 1st he would take a picture of him shaving using that mug and texted it to the girl that smashed it!

I'm having a hard time buying good quality brushes!

Ivan

 

[Rustyt1953]

What is this shaving you speak of?

I hear ya.

I would love to not have to shave but with the majority of my beard follicles fried I would look like a half mowed lawn.

 

[TEXASJake]

I have used Truefitt & Hill for years. GREAT soap and a good boars head brush. I used to use my grandfather's double-sided razor, but as I get older, I like the convenience of one of those new vibrating multi-blade Razors.

I still keep the Barbasol around and often end up using that and still applying with the brush.

Note, Shaving AFTER a shower makes a big difference for me.

 

[lkabug]

I stopped using shaving cream while in South East Asia. Haven't used it since.
The smell of clean in the jungle.... well.....it just smells clean. Not good to smell like a clean grunt in the jungle.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Allow me to drift a bit. I had friends who had pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) from ingrown facial hair. Shaving was painful.

Some got shaving waivers but those that didn't would smear a dibilatory paste on their face, let it set, then scrape it off with a popsicle stick.

 

[Mule Packer]

Yep. Been using a mug and brush since 1967. There's a tiny little shop tucked away in northern California, up in the Redwoods, called "Bubbles, Bubbles." Their specialties are glycerin soaps. I've been using their soaps now for 40 years...since 1982. I usually order a dozen cakes at a time....various scents...musk, redwood moss, sandalwood, rain, lilac. It's all good.

The great thing about the mug and brush is that you can control the moisture. The stuff in the can is relatively dry in comparison.

Don't know how many pure badger brushes I've gone through over the decades. Not an awful lot because a good badger-hair brush will last for years.

I've tried different razors...Trac II, Gillette Sensor, Merkur double-edged, etc., but I always stick with mug and brush.

 

[lihpster]

I've only been trimming around the edges of the beard since 1994 or so, but I use a disposable razor and hot water. Before I had the beard I used to shave in the shower with just the hot water.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Yes to using soap and brush. I still have my dad's natural bristle brush
but only use it once or twice a year, always on his birthday. The rest of
the time my own brush and the Bic throw-a-ways. I would still use the
double edge razor but the blades are hard to find in my area.
My opinion, some things don't need improving.

 

[Skeet 028]

Being a barber for a few years in another life I still use a brush and mug. I had a real lather machine that worked for about 8 years but it finally quit. I mostly use Bic razors these days but still break out the straight razor to keep my hand in...And I'm glad someone mentioned the Rolls Razor. I happen to have a few including one from a Brit officers kit from a long time ago...which I still use occasionally...just as I told him I would. Have to be very careful with them. I cut his hair once a week in the late 60s. He was in his 80s. He was a bit afraid to use it as he was a little shaky...well maybe a lot. That canned shaving foam really isn't very good...without adding water anyway