Question:
Originally Posted by Joedy Trumper's Coconut Oil shaving cream (which ironically smells more like coconut wood and not the sweetened coconut pulp) is one of the most unique shaving experiences that you will encounter.
And ironically as well, the Trumper's Rose shaving cream is a very masculine, traditional English scent that not only offers a great shave, but also offers the positive effects and healing qualities of rose essential oil.
Give the Slant Bar DE a try. If you're impressed with the Merkur HD, the Slant will impress you even more.
-joedy I tried a sample of Trumpers Coconut - wow, really smells exquisite, even more so than Violet ! I gave Sandalwood a try today, and it smells sweet - sort of like the cologne really (I am not a big fan of it), but it lathers good.
I am also loving the minty classic Proraso - lathers well, but I feel its not as moisturising as the Trumper creams.
Next on my list to try are:
Musgo Real
Taylor's Avocado
Taylor's Rose
Truefitt & Hill West Indian Lime
Salter's Citrus

Answer:
Love my Merkur DE. I'll try a slant blade one of these days.
Sorry mochi227, your thread has been hijacked.

Answer:
Originally Posted by MadScientist Love my Merkur DE. I'll try a slant blade one of these days.
Sorry mochi227, your thread has been hijacked. No problem! Thanks for the replies. Actually, I'm rethinking the Panasonic wet/dry shaver for the BF. Now I'm thinking I might just get him a gift certificate for a shave at The Art of Shaving (which conveniently enough is located here in NYC, he could go after work or on the weekend). I think that might be a more impressive gift/experience. He will be treated very well, be ministered to, and it might get him interested in DE shaving. It would be too big a leap to just get him a DE or anything wet shaving related as now he uses hair clippers on lowest setting to trim his whiskers. This leaves him with a pretty smooth shave, but not BBS.
I have already bought him several frags (and some minis for stocking stuffers), some clothes, socks and underwear (stocking stufers) so may do the Art of Shaving as just another stocking stuffer. What do you guys think? Would you like to receive a gift certificate for a luxurious, albeit new/untried/potentially scary, wetshave experience?

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is it one of those old fashioned shaves where the barber uses a huge blade to do it?
cuz if thats so, that'd be SO COOL.

Answer:
I guess it would sound funny coming from a guy who spent around $3000 on cologne this year to hear that I can't afford the super high-end shaving products, so I guess I'll compromise at "not yet having decided that the added price is justified".
I'd like to bring up a point or two. I found some shaving sites like that, and consequently researched some of the products mentioned. Some of them are incredibly well-made, classy, and beautiful, but seem to have designs that don't use the things we've learned through the insane amount of research done by the major companies (gillette, schick, etc.) such as the angle and pressure at which you use the shaving device. I recently saw a documentry that detailed this on the learning (?) channel called "A Close Shave". (really interesting!)
I plan on getting a set/stand that includes a badger bristle brush and a nice mug, but besides that, I prefer to trust the vast amount of engineering that goes into the high-end consumer-level razors. Cream I am willing to experiment with, but I love and use:
Zirh Shave Gel or Nivea Sensitive gel (when I'm out of Zirh)
Zirh Pre-Shave Oil (I HIGHLY reccommend trying this!)
Shick Quattro TITANIUM - the blades are incredibly expensive, but provide the closest shave I've ever attained.
Nivea Sensitive Balm (aftershave lotion) and I'll probably never switch
and as a lotion, any one/combination of: Nivea Protective, Zirh Correct, and Zirh Rejuvenate
Just yesterday, I treated myself to a Norelco SmartTouch XL (the blue, silver, and orange one with the tilting, flexing 3-head face. It was $150, and I don't really have any basis for comparison, but I can tell that the quality is very good and the engineering is incredibly considerate. I used it today for the first time, as I plan to alternate wet shaving and dry shaving to save face, or just touch-up in between wet shaves. My face felt what I can only describe as not-quite irritated, but it knew something was going on that hadn't before! The "not-quite irritation" lasted maybe a half-hour, but is fine now. At 9:00 pm, I have a slight "five o'clock" shadow - that's not too bad.
I've seen three-hundred dollar shaving brushes online, and unless I make it (REAL) big, I'll probably leave those for people who have more money than they know what to do with. Then again, who needs $3000 worth of cologne?

Answer:
Another couple of good shaving sites are ShaveMyFace.com...to me a little bit more mature than the guys over at Badger and Blade, and StraightRazorPlace.com if you are ever interested in trying your hand with a cut throat razor.
Good guys (and a few gals) one and all on these sites.!

Answer:
Electric razors never really worked for me, although a rechargeable Braun was my go to for years. More than 2 days worth of stubble though and it was nearly useless.
Last year I was ready to change my shave routine and tried the brush, soap and razor (Merkur HD) approach, what a difference.
Dave.

Answer:
Originally Posted by greyhueofdoubt ...The only drawback is that I cannot shave more than once every 48 hours. It seems that if the hairs are not long enough, the razor tends to drag them or tear them (and the surrounding skin), which is very unpleasant. The resultant rash is more noticeable than the stubble that would have been there had I simply not shaved.
Good luck in your endeavor
-ben Sounds like you should try a different blade in your DE. I use Feather Blades and they are amazing. They last about a week and are the sharpest blade available. Any drag you are experiencing may be due to technique. On me, Feathers cut through anything with ease. You may also want to consider trying a different cream or even a soap.