Edwin Jagger DE89811 Octagonal Chrome Safety Razor Edwin Jagger England Chrome Safety Razor Double Edge Octagonal DE89811 [ED/JAG/DE89811/OCT/CHROME/RAZOR] - $42.00 : Shave Nation - Shaving Supplies

Edwin Jagger DE89811 Octagonal Chrome Safety Razor Edwin Jagger England Chrome Safety Razor Double Edge Octagonal DE89811 [ED/JAG/DE89811/OCT/CHROME/RAZOR] - $42.00 : Shave Nation - Shaving Supplies

Q: Just wondering is there any difference between Derby, Shark, or Big Ben DE Safety Razor Blades?

A: Different safety razor blades will provide different shaving results for the individual using them. For that reason it's recommended that you try a blade sampler pack so that you can "Test Drive" various blades until you land on a blade that provides  a satisfactory shave for you.
Keep in mind that a blade that works well for someone else may not be the cat's meow for you,  and vice versa.
The blades you mentioned Derby, Shark, and Big Ben, are generally considered to be smooth and mild.
By the way, a good rule of thumb is this: You should be able to accomplish between 4 and 6 shaves with any one of those blades.
YMMV: Your mileage may vary based on your beard type, shave prep, and shaving technique.
Geo.

Q: Can you shave everyday with a straight razor or is it irritating?

A: Sure, you can shave everyday with a straight razor...
That's how they did it before safety razors were invented.
Think about it...
What will irritate your face more? Shaving with one super-sharp blade contacting your skin and slicing the whiskers off cleanly with no pulling or tugging, or dragging 3, 4, or 5 blades across your face, with some blades pulling the whiskers and the others following behind and cutting them?
2 strokes=10 Blades....3 strokes =15 blades being dragged across your face.....
It makes sense that the fewer blades which are coming in contact with your beard translates to less of a chance for irritation.
Plus, no cartridges to dump in the land fill.
Good for your face, good for the environment!
Geo.

Q: I have trouble shaving under my nose getting too close to my nose with the blade, any tips?

A:   Try pushing your nose up and to the left, shave that area, then push it up and to the right and shave that area from north to south.
 Start with the razor just under the nose and scoop downward toward the bottom of the upper lip.
Then turn the razor sideways and go across the grain both ways under the nose..
Flatten your upper lip as you shave across it.
Run the corner of the blade just under your nose without hitting the philtrum (attaches your nose to your lip) or nostril.
Basically any facial contortion or movement you can perform to get your nose out of the way of the razor so that you can shave under it will get the job done.
It also helps if you can look into a 5X magnification mirror as you are shaving the area under your nose. This will allow you to see the blade up close and personal as it navigates its way across that area.
Hope that helps...
Have A Great Shave Have A Great Day   
Geo.

I have a very prominent adams apple and always find it extremely difficult to shave the adams apple area of the neck without cutting myself. Any tips?

I salute your prominent Adam's Apple, you should be proud of it!
OK, Two effective ways to navigate the troublesome Adam's Apple while shaving.
First Method: Pull the skin over the apple to one side.... shave across that area and release. If need be,  pull the skin to the other side, shave across that area and release.
Second Method: Swallow, hold that pose long enough to shave across the area, then release and you're all good!
Try one method or perform them both! Your Adam's Apple will Thank you!
Geo.

How do you store your razor blades between uses, how do you dispose of them when they get dull?  Thanks

I remove my DE blade from my razor after each shave and attach it to my Shave Nation Magnet.
This keeps them safely stored inside my medicine cabinet out of harm's way, yet within easy reach.
After 4-6 shaves, I have various blade banks to deposit them in.
Or go "Old Skool" and cut a slot in the back of your medicine cabinet (like they had in the 50's) and drop your used blades into the void in the wall. DE blades have a very small footprint, thus take up very little space.
I recently read that 11 million disposable razor cartridges are tossed in land fills every day.... ridiculous.
Visit Shave Nation for all your Wet Shaving Supplies!
Geo.

Geo, "I'm interested in Straight Razor Shaving, Where do I start?"

Hi Tyler,
All of our straight razors come in factory shave ready condition. Most all of my shaving videos are performed with the straight razor right out of the box from the factory, the most I may do is strop it prior to shaving with it....
Some of the reasonably priced straight razors that I highly recommend for beginners are as follows: The Boker Edelweiss, the Dovo 5/8 Round Point with Black, Red, or Pearlex Handle, or this Dovo 5/8 Tortoise Straight Razor.  These Straight Razors will definitely provide you with many years of quality shaves in the future if cared for reasonably well.
If you are interested in a set that contains a Straight razor, a Paddle Hone/Stone, and a Strop to properly maintain the razor, then check out these Dovo 3-Piece Sets. These sets are designed so that you have everything you need to embark on your quest of mastering the Straight Razor. Just choose the Shaving Cream or Soap of your choice and a Shaving Brush, and you'll be good to go!

Have A Great Shave, Have A Great Day!
Geo.

Geo, Will you be participating in "No-Shave November?"

Geofatboy ShaveNation Hah!!! Very funny but highly unlikely:) I will be performing a shaving demonstration at a party sponsored by the Merz Apothecary called "The Great Shave Event" at the historic and beautiful Palmer House Hilton Hotel next Thursday night (downtown Chicago) which is slated to have about 300 Safety and Straight Razor Shaving fans in attendance!!! So, I'll be growing it out, only to shave it off at that event! Sure to be a great time!

Thu, November 10, 2011 (Central) SORRY, THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! WE CANNOT TAKE ...

Shaving and Sensitive Skin

Hello Geo,

I'm amazed at how much time i have spent watching you shave over the past few weeks - its a bit creepy - but thank you for the detailed instructions you provide. I have recently picked up wet shaving and have a Edwin Jagger DE8 and am still trying different blades the last experiment was with astra stainless. I find 2 passes almost too much for my skin to take (or my technique still needs improvement). I have a great shave for a full day - and by the end of day 2 i start to break out a bit as my hair grows our from under my skin on my neck and directly below my bottom lip. So i need to wait for 4 days between shaves for my face to recover. I am very light handed and think of wearing down my beard and only using the weight of the razor so I think it might be my face still adapting. Its only been 2 months or roughly 15 shaves.

Can you recommend a good handle and razor blade combination that might be good for someone starting out with sensitive skin? I am not concerned with price at all considering I plan on sticking to wet shaving (so ill still be saving in the long run even if i was to splurge on a feather stainless).

And I have a fairly dense growth of medium/heavy coarse hair from just under my nose down to about 2/3 of my neck.

I have been looking at ikon razors - have you tried any of these? Have any plans to do a review on them?

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration - and one final question...
about how many shaves did it take for you to get comfortable with your shaving technique? Its damn amazing.

Cheers, Shane.



Hi Shane, (one of my favorite Men's names, and movies by the way)

It takes about 30 shaves for your face to become fully acclimated to any new shaving method.
Try using this Proraso product both before and after your shave to help ease irritation, especially on the neck area....

A less aggressive razor than your EJ would be this one:
Parker 22R
Pretty cool in Gun Metal with Twist To Open Doors....

I've contacted the owner of IKON Razors, several times regarding stocking his products at ShaveNation.com and he keeps saying he's low on stock, yet, I see his products in other stores.... I guess for some reason he doesn't want me selling his products.... Or he just can't keep up with the demand.....

:) Thanks for the shaving technique compliment..... I've been shaving since I was about 14.... I don't know how many shaves that is, but I know it's a Damn lot of shaves!!! I read a book by Malcolm Gladwell where he says it takes 10 years to fully master anything and do it superbly..... I guess I've got my 10 years in..... and then some.

You asked some great questions here....I think I'll post this to my Blog Page...
Hope the answers help you improve upon your shaves!
Take care,
Geo.

How to Shave with a Muhle R41 "Rake" Safety Razor. Buy one at ShaveNation.com

I've Been Thinking About Buying a Straight Razor, Where should I start?

    Straight razors have stood the test of time and are currently undergoing a resurgence in popularity. A properly honed and stropped straight razor will provide the closest shave attainable. It is for this reason that high-end Barber Shops use straight razors to perform shaves on their clients instead of other razor styles. In order to achieve a Baby Smooth Shave (BSS) you need to be using a quality straight razor that will hold a sharp edge long enough to perform a complete shave in a manner that is satisfactory to you.

    There are many inferior razors on the market that are made of steel that will not stand up to a proper honing and subsequent stropping.

     Quality straight razors still being produced are manufactured by Dovo, Boker, (Solingen Germany)  and Thiers-Issard. (France) Look for their stamp on the blade if you are in doubt.
These razors generally cost upwards of $100 but they are certainly worth that amount because they can be honed and reused many times. The cost savings over time will definitely surpass  the initial purchase price of a good straight razor. Weigh this cost against the price of today's multi-blade cartridges and take that into consideration when pondering the purchase of a straight razor.

    You also have the option of using a shavette style razor manufactured by Parker or Dovo which use double edge (DE) safety razor blades which are snapped in two, and one half of the blade is then inserted into the razor. The drawback of this style razor is that the blade length is shorter than a traditional straight razor. As a result, they are more tedious to shave with, and it takes longer to perform a complete shave with them. Another issue that sometime arises with shavette style razors is that beard stubble can accumulate between the blade and its holder. This stubble will need to be cleaned out occasionally during your shave. This is never an issue with a traditional solid blade straight razor. One big advantage to the shavette razors is that they are reasonably priced and sufficient for beginners to learn on without breaking the bank.

     A far superior form of shavette razor would be a Feather No-Sharpen Razor. These razors also use a disposable blade which the manufacturer states can provide up to 10 shaves per a single blade. The Feather straight razor line consists of the RG models, and the top-of-the line DX models. They also manufacture a Japanese (non-folding style) razor. The Feather razors are superbly engineered and will last a very long time if cared for properly. Feather Blades come in four different degrees of sharpness. These blades are more desirable because they are longer than the standard DE blade, and there is no honing or stropping required. You can remove the razor from the package, insert the blade, and start shaving immediately.
These razors will eliminate the entire "is my razor sharp enough?" question from the shaving equation. This way you can judge your shave based solely on your face preparation, razor maneuvering, and technique.

     The classic or traditional style of straight razor is the original razor that was used for many years. Around the turn of the 20th century, King Gillette started marketing  razors that had a bar over the blade which revealed a small portion of the blade that contacted the whiskers while shaving. This razor came to be called the "Safety Razor" because of this "safety bar" protective feature.... To be continued. *** Written by Geofatboy ~ 6/26/2011 ***

How to Shave With A Traditional Straight Razor

I Have Acne, How do I Shave With Less Irritation?

Follow proper face prep as it is twice as easy to cut warm wet whisker growth than dry... Check out my video on Best Shave Prep (Below). Use a quality Safety Razor manufactured by Edwin Jagger, Feather, Merkur, or Parker, loaded with a sharp Double Edge (DE) Blade. The Safety razor utilizes a single super-sharp blade to cleanly slice the whiskers off as opposed to 3~4~5 multi-blade cartridge pulling and tugging, which causes more irritation. Use a gentle Shave Cream or Soap that is non-irritating to your acne. Apply Shaving cream or soap gently with a quality Badger Brush. Shave normally over the smooth, non-affected areas. While shaving over the areas where acne is present, tread lightly using just the weight of the razor, do not apply pressure. Only shave with the grain if possible. Perform as few passes as needed to complete your shave in a satisfactory fashion. Finish off with a cold water rinse. Apply Witch Hazel or glide an alum block over the newly shaved area. Alum is a natural mineral which is also an astringent and antiseptic which has been used as a successful acne treatment for thousands of years.  

Best Face Prep for Shaving With a Safety or Straight Razor

How Do I Maintain A Traditional Folding Straight Razor? What is Involved?

If you use a Boker, Dovo, Thiers-Issard, Edwin Jagger, or other traditional solid blade folding straight razor, you will notice that after several shaves, the blade will start tugging on your whiskers as opposed to slicing cleanly through them.
Once you become an accomplished Straight Razor Shaver, you will recognize this feeling right away.
A sure signal it's time to break out your sharpening stones, is when you feel your eyes begin watering while you're shaving...
A reasonable rule of thumb is that you will likely need to perform a touch up honing on your razor somewhere between every 4 and 6 shaves.
Keep in mind YMMV, Your Mileage may Vary depending upon your beard and face prep.
Stropping is also required to line up the edge on your straight razor prior to shaving.
If you are not interested in honing or stropping, you can opt for a replaceable blade Folding or Non-Folding Straight Razor made by Feather, or a Shavette style Folding Razor that requires no honing. stropping, or other maintaining...
Written by Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com


Below is my instructional video regarding stropping a traditional straight razor:

Below is my video using a Feather No-Sharpen Straight Razor / No Honing or Stropping Required.

Why Should I Shave With A Safety Razor and Double Edge Blade?

Chances are, you’re already spending a fair amount of time each morning in preparation for the day ahead. Your current routine might go something like this: Squirt and apply a goo-like substance from a bottle to your hand. Rub that solution onto your face and follow that up by tediously dragging a disposable plastic razor across your face in an attempt to remove the pesky whiskers that have sprouted overnight. Rinse off, then hurriedly splash on some after shave lotion and run out the door to do battle with the day ahead…This routine may be resulting in subsequent razor stubble, rash, nicks, cuts, and annoying ingrown hairs.
Let’s change that scenario up a bit, replacing it with something slightly more challenging, and much more rewarding…
Following a refreshing shower, or the application of a hot, wet towel, you perform the following routine which requires merely 10 to 15 minutes of your morning ritual…
In a warm porcelain bowl, mix up a luscious, aromatic, thick, lather. With a hand tooled badger brush, proceed to apply that intoxicating mixture to your face until the areas to be shaved are thoroughly covered,  lubricated, and protected.
This process also serves to exfoliate your skin, thoroughly hydrate your whiskers, and  prepare them for what lies ahead… A genuine wake-up call for you and your face!!!
Reach for your safety or straight razor, and commence to perform a “with the grain” shave or “pass” followed by another lathering and an across the grain “pass.” One more lathering and lastly, perform an “across” or “against the grain pass,” whichever you prefer.
A final rinse with hot, followed by cold water, to close your pores, and an application of a lubricating, alcohol-free after shave balm to seal and protect your skin against the elements. Or if you prefer, the refreshing ”Sting and Slap” of an alcohol based after shave lotion.
You’ve probably spent only 5 minutes more shaving than your previous method, only now you’ve been rewarded with a ”BSS” Baby Smooth Shave, and the comforting thought that you’ve just bid adieu to your 5 O’clock shadow…
Another benefit of the Double Edge, “DE” Safety Razor, or Single Blade, Straight Razor method of shaving is that stubble and ingrown hairs will most likely become a vague memory, as a result of being cleanly sliced off with your trusty, surgical sharp safety razor or straight razor blade and the absence of pulling and tugging associated with multi-blade cartridge razors.
From a Financial Standpoint, the cost of a Double Edge Razor Blade is substantially less than the price of most multi-blade cartridges currently used.
From a “Green” Standpoint, a Double Edge Razor Blade has a much smaller carbon footprint than multi blade cartridges and take up far less space in a land fill, thus adding further benefit to the environment.
Written by Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com

HOW TO SHAVE WITH A SAFETY RAZOR

ARE YOU TIRED OF THE PULLING AND TUGGING THAT ACCOMPANIES YOUR MULTI-BLADE CARTRIDGE RAZOR? 

Sick of battling razor rash and ingrown hairs? Learn how to shave like your Grandfather and Father did! Yes, The old way is the best way!!!

For those new to Straight and Safety Razor Wet Shaving, Here is a description of how it's done: SAFETY AND STRAIGHT RAZOR SHAVING. HOW TO PERFORM A SHAVE:
Using a Safety or Straight Razor, Badger Brush, and Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap From a Tub or Tube.

A) Ideally, Begin with a Shower with Hot Water/Wash Face/Beard with Soap

B) Apply Softening Hair Conditioner to Hair and Beard Area.

C) Leave Conditioner on for a few minutes/Rinse Off and Head Over to the Sink

D) Soak Badger Brush in Cup of Hot Water for 2 Minutes

E) Fill Sink with Hot Water

F) Apply shaving cream to Tips of Badger Brush

G) Apply Hot Water to Beard/Do Not Dry Off

H) Mix Lather in a Bowl or Apply Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap Directly to Beard with Brush

I) Very Gently apply the razor to your face at a 30 degree angle.

1) First Pass Straight Down With The Grain/Slight Rinse/Lather Again

2) Second Pass From Ear to Nose Across The Grain/Slight Rinse/Lather Again

3) Third Pass: From Nose to Ear with a Slight Upward Motion.

Or, if you prefer/South to North against the grain

4) Rinse with Warm, then Cold Water.

5) Apply Your Favorite After Shave Lotion or Balm/Preferably Alcohol Free.

6) Now You're Ready to Conquer the World!!!!!

That's How Straight Razor and Safety Razor Wet Shaving is Done!

NOW YOU CAN BID ADIEU TO YOUR INGROWN HAIRS AND RAZOR BURN!!!
Written by Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com

How Many Shaves Can I Expect to Get From a DE Double Edge Safety Razor Blade?

This will vary among individual shavers based on the brand of blade used, an individual's beard growth and beard prep, tenacity of whiskers, and amount of "passes performed during each shave". A "rule of thumb" so to speak, is that you can expect to get between 4 and 7 shaves from each new, quality DE razor blade. Keep in mind, YMMV, Your Mileage may Vary!
Written By Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com

Should I Perform a Final "Against The Grain Pass" to Achieve the Ultimate Closeness in My Shave?

While the final "against the grain" pass will usually provide the closest shave, even veteran shavers may occasionally experience irritation as a result of this final pass.
An alternative is to perform a final "across the grain pass" in the opposite direction as the previous "across the grain pass." 
This is an alternative method of achieving the closest shave possible while keeping skin irritation to a minimum. 
The performance of a final against the grain pass can still be performed occasionally when an extra close shave is desired.
Written By Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com

Can I Expect to Remove My Entire Beard In Just One "Pass?"

The goal in wet shaving is to perform several passes to completely remove beard growth and obtain a BSS "Baby Smooth Shave".
The amount of "passes" required will vary upon the individual.
The procedure should be thought of as "progressive beard reduction," which is accomplished during each "pass" resulting in a certain amount of beard growth or whiskers being removed with each pass until you are completely satisfied with the quality and closeness of your shave. 
Written By Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com

Why Do I Need a Shaving Brush To Apply My Lather?

A quality shaving brush will actually absorb and hold warm water that, when mixed properly with a quality shaving cream, or soap, and applied in a circular and/or against the grain motion, will properly hydrate, and exfoliate your skin substantially, thus, preparing your beard for the super-sharp safety razor blade that follows.

Can I Use Shaving Cream From a Can?

Shaving creams and gels from a can contain propellants such as propane, and do not provide the essential lubricating qualities necessary to properly protect your skin and prepare your beard for a safety or straight razor shave.

Tips for Beginner (and veteran) Safety Razor Shavers

The proper angle for safety Razor Shaving is approximately 30 degrees which, is not an exact science...
Start by gently applying the blade and then angling it, then begin your shaving stroke until you can feel the whiskers being sliced off cleanly and effortlessly. You will actually be able to hear the sound of the whiskers being removed if done properly... Implement a locked wrist method to move the razor up and down, rather than bending at the wrist.  Take short strokes if you are attacking heavy beard growth, longer strokes for lighter growth. With a bit of practice your muscle-memory will kick in, and the proper angle for you and your razor will become second nature to you. If you are using a quality Safety Razor, the weight of the razor alone against your face will be sufficient to remove the whiskers without irritating the skin below. The proper angle is something that is acquired and perfected through practice. Be patient and you will have this technique mastered in no time!