I use this preshave method. I spend a good minute firmly rubbing the skin as this causes the glands in the skin to release oils which condition the skin and provide for a good shave. This is an old school barbers trick.
Great minds think alike! I actually have been doing this since my very first wet shave maybe 2 years or so ago. I'd lather my soap up in the Proraso container, but the drippy watery soap would overflow during my aggressive circles with the brush and overflow onto my hands, which I'd then swirl around the container to wipe it up. So there I am left with this half-lathered soap all over my hands, I thought, why not just rub it in for now, while I put the container away and set the blade into the razor and set it in hot water. Then I'd go back and do the real lather. Works wonders! Thanks for sharing, Geo!
I have a separate puck I use for this, however I remove the soap. I basically wash my face first, just with a shave since since it smells nice. you got to get the skin oils off your hair, so that when you hydrate and lather, the water can penetrate your hairs! it certainly works!
I don't remember where I heard this. "Boy! you is some kind of genius!" I have been wet shaving a little over a year now. Your videos have been very helpful. I tried this trick this morning. I used Van der Hagen glycerin soap and a 7th shave Astra. Wow! I got a 3 pass shave in 2 passes. I went ahead and did the third pass. WOW!!
+Charles Baker That's a nice increase in your Shaving Efficiency Rating Charles!. Sorry, I've been watching too much football today :) I'm glad it worked well for you!
I've been using this method after heating up my face with hot water. It makes a difference for sure. Sometimes I use glycerin soap bar instead of the shave soap and that works too.
Many gents refer to this soapy water blend as bloom water. Blooming a soap is when you take warm/hot water and place it on a soap a length of time (between 5 and 15 minutes) to: a) Release the fragrance oils b) To soften hard soaps to make them easier to load. c) Create bloom water (water-soap-blend)
I use fingers when I've finished my shave and rinsed everything off and I realize I've missed a spot. Gets the job done. :) Thanks for making these videos, Geo!
I use bloom water almost exclusively. I’ve never cared for pr shave oil. It seems to make my straight razors catch and drag. Perhaps I’m using too much or not enough. I’ve been enjoying Voskhod blades lately. Thanks for the tips.
What up Geo, I just did a one pass shave using the exact method as described in this video except for i used the de 89 and a personna blade. F***in Brilliant!!!!!! The melted down Col Konk shave soap in the shave nation bowl are a must. I usually do a 3 pass shave but today i was pressed for time and had a 4 day growth and just did a one pass. It got the job done but a 3 pass if i have the time is a must. That DE 89 mowed those whiskers off like a hot knife through butter! I have no complaints with that razor what so ever. I wonder if I could use Porrazo or Taylor of Old Bond Street as a pre shave? With this demo, no more need for pre shave oil!!!
GeoFatboy, I agree with you! I have tried that before and it works great! Better than pre-shave oil. Makes for an easier time creating your lather as well..thanks for sharing the tip!
I've been using pre-shave since day one. It's really a great tip for everyone if you're not taking a shower first. I use a cheap Palmolive shaving cream as a pre-shave while soaking my brush in water for a couple of minutes. The facial hair is all softened up when it's time for the shave! Favorite blades for me is Voskhod and Rapira Swedish Supersteel.
+geofatboy Nah, I usually go for something else, and then I wash the Palmolive off before I apply the other soap. If I use Palmolive for the actual shave then of course I let it stay on. Either way, it's a great way to hydrate the facial hair!
How to stop razor bumps after shave. Been forced to use electric razor for 10 years. Coming back to razor especially de, gives razor bumps, that gets cut on next cut. Thank you in advance for everyone's help
Hey Geo!! Great vid. Question. Is there anypoint in doing this if you already use a pre-shave(for example I use a Proraso green cream pre-shave followed by a Proraso green shaving soap puck) Will it make the shave better?? Thanks. Much respect to the time you put into teaching us.
I've done that numerous times with the bloom water that the soap has been soaking in for a few minutes. What I've found that seems to be even better is to take the Neutrogena facial cleansing bar which contains glycerine along with sodium tallowate, wet it and either run it along my face and neck or use my hands to soften the beard with the water and soap mixture. One can do the same with the liquid Neutrogena in the pump jar. Until I decide to buy a pre-shave oil, or make my own, I find the Neutrogena to suffice, although creams like Arko, Derby and Nivea provide plenty of slickness by themelves. I've read that some on the various forums have even used the Neutrogena cleansing bar as a shaving soap in an emergency! BJ's has them in a quantity purchase for a reasonable price and Walgreen's frequently runs a buy 3, get the 2nd three pack for 50% off sale. Geo - you have a pretty thick, coarse beard like me, except my facial hair continues growing down my neck, almost to the collarbone! I also have fine hairs growing along the sides of my upper cheekbones from the eyebrows to the sideburns! As you can guess, I also have a few extra hairs right up to the openings of the nostrils that have to be trimmed. Sometimes my DE gets them all but other times I've taken your advice from a previous video and have gone back to the single blade side of my Fusion for the complete, close under the nose trim. When I decided to change to wet DE shaving after about 4 decades of cartridges, it was your 3 pass shave tutorial that got me started, so thank you for the videos!
+Shave- a-thon Thanks Much! Nice tip about using the Neutrogena bar as a pre-shave. Same idea, just a different method of application, which is probably cleaner than my method which gets shaving soap all over the fingers. My hair does grow down further, but I sometimes shorten it up so I don't get shaving cream all over my shirt during the video. Woh! 40 years of cartridges, $$$.. Glad you jumped off of that merry-go-round! I'm happy I was able to assist! Be well.
Good advice if you don't have a preshave with you. That said, it seems like geofatboy hardly ever uses the Simpsons shaving scuttle that he sells and I'm curious about that as I bought one from him based largely on his review.
hey I want to buy my very first DE razor, I was thinking about buying the EJ DE89 who's apparentl great. It's already 5 years old, isn't there a better DE razor for less than 40€ as we are in 2015 ? Thanks you really much,
+JiggyJinjo Here are some great choices: DE89-www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303_1_6&products_id=111 HD34C-www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303_1_27&products_id=14 Muhle R89-www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303_1_101&products_id=338
+Richard Glenn I agree Richard. When I'm in the shower, I always apply the conditioner to my hair, then my beard, rinse, then hop out and get to shaving! I think it's better with a softening conditioner as opposed to a strengthening or thickening conditioner. Thanks for the props btw!
I like this suggestion! I'm going to try this next time! 👌 Thanks! I like the proraso pre shave but I don't like spending the $10 for a little container.
I tried to shave with a single edge razor and I tried all the tricks....warm water, hot towel, scratching the water and soap into the beard etc. I just can't get as close as my tried and true Gillette Mach 3. The SE razor just tears my skin up when I keep going over the areas it didn't get close. Not to mention my skin is too sensitive to go as fast with the SE as I can with the Gillette.
I think it’s the angle, with cartridge razors you don’t have to think about it. That might be the issue just takes a bit of time to get out of the old habit of the Gillette.
Hi geo how are you I'm using a shaving cream out of a can quite cheap compared proraso shaving soap it's quite expensive online I buy my shaving can at the $2 dollar store and my de blades at the $2 dollar store also.
Hey geo great video I have been using my Parker shavette for 3 months now and it's great and I can shave with it with zero nicks or cuts thanks to your videos
Terrific video as always I've learned everything from your vids and I've been doing that with the bloom water for every shave and it does help get a better shave I also saw that on Nick Shaves videos
Hey Geo,you seem to take an awful lot of shaving cream and whiskers off with one side of the blade very quickly. as I am a relative novice to safety razor shaving I tend to take a lot less off with lot less speed. I also have a problem with going all the way down to my Adam's apple with the grain as you do because the hair seems to grow in a different direction half way down my neck so I go against the grain coming up from there because I'm afraid I'm going to open up my throat if I keep going against the bumpy bits. Is this normal for some men or do I have to persevere and go with the grain all the way down my neck until my face gets accustomed to the blade? I realize that you have been shaving this way since you were a teenager so your face must be practically like leather and completely resistant to any type of Blade including the straight razor :-) currently I am using a derby razor blade because I do not want to use anything sharper than that in case I do some real damage thanks a lot for all your videos and you're fantastic assistance over the years! Cheers from your Irish buddy in Ohio!:-)
I even tried using nivea skin moisturiser after washing my skin and then use moisturiser and then shaving soap/cream on top to help give the razor more glide ability
I overlooked the obvious. Of course you're right. I like Feathers but have a hard time getting past the first shave, after that they work great! I tend to use Persona and Astra. Thanks for all your videos.
I’m 27 years old and I’ve been using a CV razor for since I was 26 and it’s the best shade I could have one the razor itself is not that bad it’s about 24 or $25 and it’s our pretty cheap and pretty good too but I can get a sample pack for 10 bucks and it has 10 different razors blade Yeah it’s pretty expensive for the razor but it’s $25 but it’s good that you get $25 down and then you spend life with 56 dollars for razor blades better to buy a lot better than the 15 $16 refill kits that come with only like five or six razor head
Do this bur with Cream instead. Rub a minimal amount of Cream in my hands with warm water . Works better for me than any pre shaved ive tried. Or perhaps the Pro razo pre shave works as well but no point with a separate pre shave If it isnt better than pre shaving with the Cream.
I use regular face soap for my pre shave. I use Pears, I think it's better to use a glycerin soap like Pears because it's not brittle or crumbly like some soap. the whiskers really pick up the soap and you can then massage it in. I have tried TOBS too that also works well but Pears is 60p per bar (90 cents) and TOBS £10 ($15). You do the math as they say!
Worth giving it a shot. I've been using Proraso products for a while and love their pre-shave ointments. And +10 for Feather double edge blades--they are awesome!
+pensfan718766 Agreed, Proraso has been around since 1926-time tested and barber shop favorites around the world:www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=9 and Feather blades are among my all-time favorites!
I just tried it few minutes ago and that soapy water really makes a difference. Great tip! By the way, in my opinion the Astra Superior Platinum (green packaging) are way better than the SS (blue ones), I'm pretty sure GeoFatboy used the SP here (judging by his comment).
+Daniel Lugo You're right Daniel, I was referring to the Astra blades in the Green pkg, although I forgot to mention it. It's in the captions though. The Astra provides a nice smooth irritation free shave. And they are very reasonably priced to boot: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=17
Great video Geo. I love doing that and it works extremely well for me. The only time I don't do it is if I'm showering before I shave. For me I like the Perma-Sharp DE blades. They're sharp as a Feather DE blade is, but smoother than a Gillette Silver Blue is. I'm really waiting on my straights to get back. A friend of mine is putting a jnat edge on them.
+Steve Davidson Thanks Steve! I haven't shaved with the Perma-Sharp blades in a while, I'm going to give them a go again and check them out. I hope your straights come back in perfect form :)
+geofatboy I'm looking forward to shaving with them. I've never shaved with a japanese natural water stone edge before and people have been telling me that I'm in for a treat when I do.
+Steve Davidson FYI: Both Dovo and Boker reps have told me in person that all razors are shave-ready from the factory. Dovo razors warranty is void if someone else hones one of their razors before the customer gets it. Most all of my videos are done shaving with the razor right out of the box! Unfortunately not at the moment Steve, but any "honemeisters" in the Chi-Town area should contact me and we can work something out for re-honing service! I'm too busy running and growing Shave Nation to start honing razors for others.
If I'm using a puck of shaving soap or a shaving stick, I start off by using a bit of cream from a tube------Just about enough to cover the head of a toothbrush will do-------Wet the hands----rub them together and then into the face------Makes a great pre-shave without having to worry about oily compounds affecting plumbing--------Just remember not to confuse the shaving cream with toothpaste!
Hi Geo, thanks for this video. Do you have a tip for me? My neck area is very sensitive. I can make two passes as a maximum. The it becomes a red area and I cant shave anymore. But until this it is not a BSS. Thanks Werner
+Werner S Warm it up, shave after a shower. Use a preshave (the technique in this video will work). Let it soak in thoroughly. Use a new/sharp blade. Shave WTG With The Grain, 2 passes if need be. What razor, blade and cream are you using?
+geofatboy Hi Geo, thanks for the quick response. I use a Parker TTO and several blades. Feather, Astra platinum and currently Shark. My shaving creams : Proraso pelli sensibili, Valobra Almond and the Bodyshop shaving creme. you are right with the shower. After a shower and washing the beard with conditioner it's the best result.
+Werner S Have you tried a bit more aggressive razor? Merkur HD34C, Edwin Jagger DE89, Muhle R89? Might help you remove your stubble more efficiently with less passes.
Thanks Geo, I must credit you, along w/ Mantic, for starting me down the road to "saving money by Wet Shaving". Bahaha! Always great tips! Some more Straight Razor videos would be Awesome! I (like others I'm sure) have been on the fence, while having a strong collection for DE shaving I'd like to "start w/ the [midrange] basics". Razor: (does it need to be sent off for honing when bought new? Any suggestions to not break the bank other than GD's?) Strop: Best type to buy that will serve you for years or until you're bitten by the SR bug, etc... Thanks again and keep up the excellent work! Congrats on all your successes!
+James Lansdale Thanks much James. Greatly appreciated. I will come up with some new straight razor vids. Keep on "saving money" by SR wet-shaving! The Man's shave den becomes larger and larger until it spills over onto the ladies side! That's how we roll!
+Luis Flores Melted in my Shave Nation Stoneware Bowl for this video was Colonel Conk Glycerine Shaving Soap. I believe it was almond scent: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_322_81
Ive done this without giving it any thought but its a great tip, i think NickShaves does something similar with his soaked pucks leftover water/broth AND i love the quote 'do what you can with what you have, where you are' ~ ill give that and your video a shout out on my next upload. Love shavenation videos geo, your a legend!
+Steve thedailyshaver Thanks Steve! Love the thumbnail, Telly with the Tootsie Pop! FYI, I may have borrowed that quote from Eddie Van Halen. But I do live it!
+Michael Petersen Here is the link to Colonel Conk Glycerin based Shaving Soap (used in the video) In case anyone wants to pick some up and give it a try: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_322_81
Great tip! Tried it today and it worked great. Normally use a preshave oil or cream, but don't need it with this tip.
I use this preshave method. I spend a good minute firmly rubbing the skin as this causes the glands in the skin to release oils which condition the skin and provide for a good shave. This is an old school barbers trick.
Great tip! I'll give it a try!
Great minds think alike! I actually have been doing this since my very first wet shave maybe 2 years or so ago. I'd lather my soap up in the Proraso container, but the drippy watery soap would overflow during my aggressive circles with the brush and overflow onto my hands, which I'd then swirl around the container to wipe it up. So there I am left with this half-lathered soap all over my hands, I thought, why not just rub it in for now, while I put the container away and set the blade into the razor and set it in hot water. Then I'd go back and do the real lather. Works wonders! Thanks for sharing, Geo!
+TheBoomshine
Excellent! No reason to let that lather overflow go to waste. It take a bit longer, but its definitely worth it.
I literally just did this for the first time before I watched the video. It does seem to help
Hey Geo! I just tried this tip with my Merkur 23c and a shark locked and loaded, works a treat.
Excellent tip!
I have a separate puck I use for this, however I remove the soap. I basically wash my face first, just with a shave since since it smells nice. you got to get the skin oils off your hair, so that when you hydrate and lather, the water can penetrate your hairs! it certainly works!
I don't remember where I heard this. "Boy! you is some kind of genius!" I have been wet shaving a little over a year now. Your videos have been very helpful. I tried this trick this morning. I used Van der Hagen glycerin soap and a 7th shave Astra.
Wow! I got a 3 pass shave in 2 passes. I went ahead and did the third pass. WOW!!
+Charles Baker
That's a nice increase in your Shaving Efficiency Rating Charles!. Sorry, I've been watching too much football today :)
I'm glad it worked well for you!
I've been using this method after heating up my face with hot water. It makes a difference for sure. Sometimes I use glycerin soap bar instead of the shave soap and that works too.
Great-Thanks Johnny.
Many gents refer to this soapy water blend as bloom water.
Blooming a soap is when you take warm/hot water and place it on a soap a length of time (between 5 and 15 minutes) to:
a) Release the fragrance oils
b) To soften hard soaps to make them easier to load.
c) Create bloom water (water-soap-blend)
+Mason R
Thanks for the clarification Mason. Good stuff!
+geofatboy Thank you for your Videos!
I use fingers when I've finished my shave and rinsed everything off and I realize I've missed a spot. Gets the job done. :)
Thanks for making these videos, Geo!
I use bloom water almost exclusively. I’ve never cared for pr shave oil. It seems to make my straight razors catch and drag. Perhaps I’m using too much or not enough. I’ve been enjoying Voskhod blades lately. Thanks for the tips.
I actually started doing this a few days ago and I agree it really helps
+Brian Kennedy
Every bit of softening and hydrating of the beard goes a long way toward a smooth shave! Thanks Brian!
You shave so fast and aggressively I’m surprised you don’t have cuts all over
Coz he's a pro
Geo is a pro has been wet shaving for many years already I think so.
Happy to be a new subscriber!
Thank you, Cory
I can’t believe what a difference this trick made. 🤯🤯
This is great advice. It really does help. Gives great added slickness. There's really no need to go crazy and buy expensive pre shave oils.
+Nathan Rochelle
Thanks Nathan!
I just got a pearl flexi..used a Willy's blade that came with it.. Not bad actually.. good razor.. Felt really no blade feel in 1 or 2 settings..
What up Geo, I just did a one pass shave using the exact method as described in this video except for i used the de 89 and a personna blade. F***in Brilliant!!!!!! The melted down Col Konk shave soap in the shave nation bowl are a must. I usually do a 3 pass shave but today i was pressed for time and had a 4 day growth and just did a one pass. It got the job done but a 3 pass if i have the time is a must. That DE 89 mowed those whiskers off like a hot knife through butter! I have no complaints with that razor what so ever. I wonder if I could use Porrazo or Taylor of Old Bond Street as a pre shave? With this demo, no more need for pre shave oil!!!
+anakin1255
Thanks Anakin! I'm glad it improved your shaving efficiency.
Try the other brands as pre-shaves and check the result.
GeoFatboy, I agree with you! I have tried that before and it works great! Better than pre-shave oil. Makes for an easier time creating your lather as well..thanks for sharing the tip!
I've been using pre-shave since day one. It's really a great tip for everyone if you're not taking a shower first. I use a cheap Palmolive shaving cream as a pre-shave while soaking my brush in water for a couple of minutes. The facial hair is all softened up when it's time for the shave! Favorite blades for me is Voskhod and Rapira Swedish Supersteel.
+nameknoB
Then do you use the Palmolive for the actual shave or do you switch to something else?
+geofatboy Nah, I usually go for something else, and then I wash the Palmolive off before I apply the other soap. If I use Palmolive for the actual shave then of course I let it stay on. Either way, it's a great way to hydrate the facial hair!
Nice 1 Geo great tip agree with Astra too great shave, keep the feathers for date night when want to be extra smooth : )
+woody Chocks
Nice!-Feathers for date night :)
Woody Chocks yea, keep the feathers for date night, the extra cuts and wounds will raise your manliness ;)
@@discovery91 😆
How to stop razor bumps after shave. Been forced to use electric razor for 10 years. Coming back to razor especially de, gives razor bumps, that gets cut on next cut. Thank you in advance for everyone's help
Hey Geo!! Great vid. Question. Is there anypoint in doing this if you already use a pre-shave(for example I use a Proraso green cream pre-shave followed by a Proraso green shaving soap puck) Will it make the shave better?? Thanks. Much respect to the time you put into teaching us.
What puck would you recommend to fit the bowl I have the same one in your video what puck did you put in the blue bowl
I've done that numerous times with the bloom water that the soap has been soaking in for a few minutes. What I've found that seems to be even better is to take the Neutrogena facial cleansing bar which contains glycerine along with sodium tallowate, wet it and either run it along my face and neck or use my hands to soften the beard with the water and soap mixture. One can do the same with the liquid Neutrogena in the pump jar. Until I decide to buy a pre-shave oil, or make my own, I find the Neutrogena to suffice, although creams like Arko, Derby and Nivea provide plenty of slickness by themelves. I've read that some on the various forums have even used the Neutrogena cleansing bar as a shaving soap in an emergency! BJ's has them in a quantity purchase for a reasonable price and Walgreen's frequently runs a buy 3, get the 2nd three pack for 50% off sale.
Geo - you have a pretty thick, coarse beard like me, except my facial hair continues growing down my neck, almost to the collarbone! I also have fine hairs growing along the sides of my upper cheekbones from the eyebrows to the sideburns!
As you can guess, I also have a few extra hairs right up to the openings of the nostrils that have to be trimmed. Sometimes my DE gets them all but other times I've taken your advice from a previous video and have gone back to the single blade side of my Fusion for the complete, close under the nose trim.
When I decided to change to wet DE shaving after about 4 decades of cartridges, it was your 3 pass shave tutorial that got me started, so thank you for the videos!
+Shave- a-thon
Thanks Much! Nice tip about using the Neutrogena bar as a pre-shave. Same idea, just a different method of application, which is probably cleaner than my method which gets shaving soap all over the fingers. My hair does grow down further, but I sometimes shorten it up so I don't get shaving cream all over my shirt during the video.
Woh! 40 years of cartridges, $$$.. Glad you jumped off of that merry-go-round! I'm happy I was able to assist! Be well.
Good advice if you don't have a preshave with you. That said, it seems like geofatboy hardly ever uses the Simpsons shaving scuttle that he sells and I'm curious about that as I bought one from him based largely on his review.
Nice Video, Geo.
Old and nice.
Better tips, man.
Congrats! 👏
Thanks Nathan!
hey I want to buy my very first DE razor, I was thinking about buying the EJ DE89 who's apparentl great. It's already 5 years old, isn't there a better DE razor for less than 40€ as we are in 2015 ? Thanks you really much,
+JiggyJinjo
Here are some great choices:
DE89-www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303_1_6&products_id=111
HD34C-www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303_1_27&products_id=14
Muhle R89-www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=303_1_101&products_id=338
Hair conditioner also makes for a great preshave! I use a Merker 34c HD and Wilkinson Sword blades. Love your videos, they taught me how to shave! lol
+Richard Glenn
I agree Richard.
When I'm in the shower, I always apply the conditioner to my hair, then my beard, rinse, then hop out and get to shaving! I think it's better with a softening conditioner as opposed to a strengthening or thickening conditioner.
Thanks for the props btw!
I like this suggestion! I'm going to try this next time! 👌 Thanks!
I like the proraso pre shave but I don't like spending the $10 for a little container.
I tried to shave with a single edge razor and I tried all the tricks....warm water, hot towel, scratching the water and soap into the beard etc. I just can't get as close as my tried and true Gillette Mach 3. The SE razor just tears my skin up when I keep going over the areas it didn't get close. Not to mention my skin is too sensitive to go as fast with the SE as I can with the Gillette.
I think it’s the angle, with cartridge razors you don’t have to think about it. That might be the issue just takes a bit of time to get out of the old habit of the Gillette.
Hi geo how are you I'm using a shaving cream out of a can quite cheap compared proraso shaving soap it's quite expensive online I buy my shaving can at the $2 dollar store and my de blades at the $2 dollar store also.
Enjoy!
@@geofatboy have a great day and have a great shave ✌️
Great to see this published! I do this on most of my shaves and works really well
Great!
as always great tip geo, it not only helped in softening beard, but helped in the dollar sense, no expensive post shave lotions or oils!
+Eddh Jimenez
I think you mean pre-shave oils or lotions, but I catch your drift. Thanks Eddh!
Hey geo great video I have been using my Parker shavette for 3 months now and it's great and I can shave with it with zero nicks or cuts thanks to your videos
+Richard Manns
Nice going Richard!
See, Practice Makes Perfect!
Terrific video as always I've learned everything from your vids and I've been doing that with the bloom water for every shave and it does help get a better shave I also saw that on Nick Shaves videos
+Barry Leader
Great Barry, I'm glad I could help!
Tried this last night, it worked perfectly. Better than when I use a pre shave oil.
+Jaser Armstead
Nice, Thanks for posting.
Awesome tip! Going to try it today. Thx
Hey Geo,you seem to take an awful lot of shaving cream and whiskers off with one side of the blade very quickly. as I am a relative novice to safety razor shaving I tend to take a lot less off with lot less speed. I also have a problem with going all the way down to my Adam's apple with the grain as you do because the hair seems to grow in a different direction half way down my neck so I go against the grain coming up from there because I'm afraid I'm going to open up my throat if I keep going against the bumpy bits. Is this normal for some men or do I have to persevere and go with the grain all the way down my neck until my face gets accustomed to the blade? I realize that you have been shaving this way since you were a teenager so your face must be practically like leather and completely resistant to any type of Blade including the straight razor :-) currently I am using a derby razor blade because I do not want to use anything sharper than that in case I do some real damage thanks a lot for all your videos and you're fantastic assistance over the years! Cheers from your Irish buddy in Ohio!:-)
Do whatever works for you.
Great vid yet again Geo
Glad you enjoyed it
Another tip is to use olive oil, works great as a pre-shave and doesn't cost a fortune.
what do you think of kai, since you mentioned feather
Do you leave your soap in the bowl uncovered?
I even tried using nivea skin moisturiser after washing my skin and then use moisturiser and then shaving soap/cream on top to help give the razor more glide ability
Great tip! I found softening your beard before your shave to be the biggest step to a great shave.
+James Lester
Agreed James. That along with a good razor and a sharp blade.
I overlooked the obvious. Of course you're right. I like Feathers but have a hard time getting past the first shave, after that they work great! I tend to use Persona and Astra. Thanks for all your videos.
How do you like the slant razors? I heard theyre very good especially in the jaw line areas where it's difficult when using a regular razor.
+Derek S Slants, flatbars, open combs, They are all great shavers when used properly. A slant isn't any batter than the others on the jawline.
I’m 27 years old and I’ve been using a CV razor for since I was 26 and it’s the best shade I could have one the razor itself is not that bad it’s about 24 or $25 and it’s our pretty cheap and pretty good too but I can get a sample pack for 10 bucks and it has 10 different razors blade Yeah it’s pretty expensive for the razor but it’s $25 but it’s good that you get $25 down and then you spend life with 56 dollars for razor blades better to buy a lot better than the 15 $16 refill kits that come with only like five or six razor head
Do this bur with Cream instead. Rub a minimal amount of Cream in my hands with warm water . Works better for me than any pre shaved ive tried. Or perhaps the Pro razo pre shave works as well but no point with a separate pre shave If it isnt better than pre shaving with the Cream.
I use regular face soap for my pre shave. I use Pears, I think it's better to use a glycerin soap like Pears because it's not brittle or crumbly like some soap. the whiskers really pick up the soap and you can then massage it in. I have tried TOBS too that also works well but Pears is 60p per bar (90 cents) and TOBS £10 ($15). You do the math as they say!
+David Evans
Thanks David, FYI Colonel Conk is a glycerin based soap as well. www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_322_81
A good tip, works well. Thank you, Sir.
Thanks Vlad!
Hi Geo! How would you rate the Rockwell blade?
Worth giving it a shot. I've been using Proraso products for a while and love their pre-shave ointments. And +10 for Feather double edge blades--they are awesome!
+pensfan718766
Agreed, Proraso has been around since 1926-time tested and barber shop favorites around the world:www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=9 and Feather blades are among my all-time favorites!
I just tried it few minutes ago and that soapy water really makes a difference. Great tip! By the way, in my opinion the Astra Superior Platinum (green packaging) are way better than the SS (blue ones), I'm pretty sure GeoFatboy used the SP here (judging by his comment).
+Daniel Lugo
You're right Daniel, I was referring to the Astra blades in the Green pkg, although I forgot to mention it. It's in the captions though. The Astra provides a nice smooth irritation free shave. And they are very reasonably priced to boot: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=17
2:55 I normally shave 🪒 my face upward to make a smooth face without missing spots.
I like my 38c . It is good with a lot of blades.
Hey Geofatboy, I need a cheap but good Strop any suggestions? Thanks man keep up the great work :)
+Laquati Chante' Here you go, choose a 3 Inch Strop: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=328_22_152
Great video Geo. I love doing that and it works extremely well for me. The only time I don't do it is if I'm showering before I shave. For me I like the Perma-Sharp DE blades. They're sharp as a Feather DE blade is, but smoother than a Gillette Silver Blue is. I'm really waiting on my straights to get back. A friend of mine is putting a jnat edge on them.
+Steve Davidson
Thanks Steve! I haven't shaved with the Perma-Sharp blades in a while, I'm going to give them a go again and check them out. I hope your straights come back in perfect form :)
+geofatboy I'm looking forward to shaving with them. I've never shaved with a japanese natural water stone edge before and people have been telling me that I'm in for a treat when I do.
+Steve Davidson
Let's hear how they work out for you Steve.
+geofatboy right on bro. Hey do you offer a honing service with straight razor purchases?
+Steve Davidson
FYI: Both Dovo and Boker reps have told me in person that all razors are shave-ready from the factory. Dovo razors warranty is void if someone else hones one of their razors before the customer gets it. Most all of my videos are done shaving with the razor right out of the box!
Unfortunately not at the moment Steve, but any "honemeisters" in the Chi-Town area should contact me and we can work something out for re-honing service! I'm too busy running and growing Shave Nation to start honing razors for others.
If I'm using a puck of shaving soap or a shaving stick, I start off by using a bit of cream from a tube------Just about enough to cover the head of a toothbrush will do-------Wet the hands----rub them together and then into the face------Makes a great pre-shave without having to worry about oily compounds affecting plumbing--------Just remember not to confuse the shaving cream with toothpaste!
the soap is a good preshave
Yes- it can be!
Hi Geo, thanks for this video. Do you have a tip for me? My neck area is very sensitive. I can make two passes as a maximum. The it becomes a red area and I cant shave anymore. But until this it is not a BSS. Thanks Werner
+Werner S
Warm it up, shave after a shower. Use a preshave (the technique in this video will work). Let it soak in thoroughly. Use a new/sharp blade. Shave WTG With The Grain, 2 passes if need be. What razor, blade and cream are you using?
+geofatboy Hi Geo, thanks for the quick response. I use a Parker TTO and several blades. Feather, Astra platinum and currently Shark. My shaving creams : Proraso pelli sensibili, Valobra Almond and the Bodyshop shaving creme. you are right with the shower. After a shower and washing the beard with conditioner it's the best result.
+Werner S
Which Parker TTO are you using? 22R 99R ?
99R
+Werner S Have you tried a bit more aggressive razor? Merkur HD34C, Edwin Jagger DE89, Muhle R89? Might help you remove your stubble more efficiently with less passes.
Like the head covering
bit.ly/HeadGearSN Thanks!
Thanks Geo, I must credit you, along w/ Mantic, for starting me down the road to "saving money by Wet Shaving". Bahaha! Always great tips! Some more Straight Razor videos would be Awesome! I (like others I'm sure) have been on the fence, while having a strong collection for DE shaving I'd like to "start w/ the [midrange] basics". Razor: (does it need to be sent off for honing when bought new? Any suggestions to not break the bank other than GD's?) Strop: Best type to buy that will serve you for years or until you're bitten by the SR bug, etc... Thanks again and keep up the excellent work! Congrats on all your successes!
+James Lansdale
Thanks much James. Greatly appreciated. I will come up with some new straight razor vids. Keep on "saving money" by SR wet-shaving! The Man's shave den becomes larger and larger until it spills over onto the ladies side! That's how we roll!
+geofatboy haha! Yes, I've taken over an entire bathroom (now den) and a walk in closet lol.. Thanks again my friend!
+James Lansdale
Same, I can definitely relate!
+geofatboy Hey geo I tried that this morning and thank you for sharing and it worked out great.
+Eliot Jones Awesome Eliot!
Great tip, my friend and thank you for this!
Thanks Anthony!
Hi, what is your brushes suggestions for beginners?
+Bu Jammy Thank you, I took Omega 48 boar and pretty happy with it
Hey I'm having problems with my jaw line any tips I'm new to safety razor shaving
+Casey Davis see his tutorial here at th-cam.com/video/ThH3EWRHUZI/w-d-xo.html
Sweet thank you
+Danie van der Merwe
Thanks for covering for me in my absence Danie! I couldn't have said it better myself!
Super cool save
So was the sudden appearance of stubble at the beginning of this video deliberate or an editing error. Either way it looked really good.
Definitely intentional. He's a funny man
Is the 38C a 2-piece?
Awesome tip as usual Geo
+Anthony Bean
Thanks Anthony!
you should totally do some live shaves on Periscope! (I'm assuming you're aware of it that app?)
Very helpful video thank you
Worked for me! Thank you!
Great tip!!!! Congrats by the Chanel from Brazil!!!
What is your favorite brush that you use in your videos.
Great information gofatboy
Mineral Oil a.k.a. "baby" oil can work in a pinch. Use a beard bush to work it under the beard hairs!
Thanks for sharing
what soap was used in this video?
+Luis Flores Melted in my Shave Nation Stoneware Bowl for this video was Colonel Conk Glycerine Shaving Soap. I believe it was almond scent: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_322_81
Can you do a review on the dorco de blades! Your opinion matters greatly to me!
+Spyder
Red or Blue?
The red one sir that is the one I use! I'm Luis C Ortiz on your Facebook friends by the way!
I thought they were the same blade, the blue and red haha.
Sir I really like your videos!!
Ive done this without giving it any thought but its a great tip, i think NickShaves does something similar with his soaked pucks leftover water/broth AND i love the quote 'do what you can with what you have, where you are' ~ ill give that and your video a shout out on my next upload. Love shavenation videos geo, your a legend!
+Steve thedailyshaver
Thanks Steve! Love the thumbnail, Telly with the Tootsie Pop! FYI, I may have borrowed that quote from Eddie Van Halen. But I do live it!
+geofatboy 'Great men stand on the shoulders of giants' after all, Elbert Enstine
+Steve thedailyshaver
Einstein/Genius!
Ok, you dont watch my videos geo if you think im a genius, i make more noob mistakes than i can count (and at my age thats pretty high too)
Thank you for the tip, I am getting better results following your advice.
Awesome tip
Lol @5:16, great video. Thanks for the tip, I'll try it.
+TheDyNamiteT
Lol! Thanks... I had to go to the 5:16 mark to see what you were referring to. Now I get it!
Great video.
+Kids Room
Thanks Kids!
good tip, thanks
+Tom Messig
Thanks Tom!
awesome vid!
Beard appears at 0:20
My face and coarseness of hair simply doesn’t allow this speed of DE shaving...
USE BOTH FINGERS.....then laugh hahaha
Thats called blomming the soap
+Michael Petersen
Thanks Michael. Clarified further below by Mason.
+geofatboy oh did not see that
+Michael Petersen
Here is the link to Colonel Conk Glycerin based Shaving Soap (used in
the video) In case anyone wants to pick some up and give it a try: www.shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_322_81
+geofatboy Thx Geo, always wanted to try it but too pricey for me...
Col. Conk gave me crappy protection and got a lot of cuts with it! Not great quality imo!
i liked it :)
My problem is my damn sharp chin, I always get cuts
What about dry shaving?
Dude you are Scraping your face off stop using soaps you need Taylor of old Bond Street
Dude, I guess you haven't seen too many of my other videos!