Thread: What makes a Kriegar no good?

Originally Posted by speed_pigeon

forgive the ignorance, but this is what i'm talking about. i have never tried it because i just don't get what a brush has to do with anything. since my warm lather dispenser died (waterproof my ) i used shave gel. now a specific item like shave soap i get, but how does the application tool factor in?

The shave brush lifts the whiskers an massages the skin. it also helps to clean away dead skin cells so they do not get in the way. As to soap in a can, I have not used it since I got my brush, but I personally do not think it is that bad (others on the site will probably throw things at me now). The brush will work even with the prefoamed stuff in a can, or you can use your fingers to work the lather into your whiskers, what is really not good is just slapping it on your face then shaving.

the funny thing is i can't find the steel rating. it's probably basic 420 stamp. i'll bash a few of these things for fun on the stones and strop. what i find so funny is they tell you the size of the blade and scales, as in how long they are. i have never seen a 5/8 or 6/8 etc. sizing.

to tip my hand a little i'm actually looking for a custom Damascus 6/8 spike, (why is 6/8 and up so darn hard to find in a spike!!!!???) still undecided on the scales....... in about a month to six weeks i'll comfortably have cash in hand to front such an in devour. it's gonna be sweet, and big!

Originally Posted by Chander

you can use your fingers to work the lather into your whiskers, what is really not good is just slapping it on your face then shaving.

that's why i use the gel, i actually work it into a lather on my face. and i always shower before the shave, no matter what i shave with.

Originally Posted by speed_pigeon

forgive the ignorance, but this is what i'm talking about. i have never tried it because i just don't get what a brush has to do with anything. since my warm lather dispenser died (waterproof my ) i used shave gel. now a specific item like shave soap i get, but how does the application tool factor in?

Ah... the finer things in life such as a shaving brush does indeed add significantly to a quality shaving soap. It's not the soap alone that makes it shave well, though some soaps are quite forgiving but it is the combination of soap, water and air that brings it all together. A good shaving brush will incorporate significantly more water into the lather while keeping it all together. After all we are talking about *wet* shaving here.

To be honest, it doesn't take an expensive brush to get quality lather... the skill of the latherer can make up for some lack of capability in the brush most times, but the poorer the quality of the brush, the more work it takes to make an excellent lather. Of course, the same can be said about hones, strops and razors for that matter. I think once you hit the $100 range, you are buying what you *want* rather than what you need. Some gents are quite particular in what they want in a shaving brush and are willing to pay for it, others would rather spend it on a Maestro Livi razor even though all they really need is a refurbished $3.00 razor snagged on ebay to get the daily shave done.

I've been enjoying a rather inexpensive but well made brush lately, the Vulfix 660 in super (20mm) which rang in at a modest $65.00 from Lee's Safety Razors which was touted as designed for shaving soaps rather than creams. While it comes with a cast rather than turned handle and the balance seems a bit odd with the cast handle, the brush performs extremely well for me, lathering any soap I throw at it quickly and competently (and any cream I care to use as well.... so much for being a soap brush ). This is in marked contrast to another Vulfix I owned some time ago which had a nicer handle but the bristle bundle was too soft for me... yes, I could use it to make decent lather but it just didn't feel right and I didn't like it. Price was around the same as the 660. Today I have several more expensive brushes and they are wonderful for what I bought them for, but none of them produce all that much better lather than this little 660 and I'd be quite happy using this one brush except that I'm one of those gents who likes a firm scrubby brush in the summer heat, and a large (larger brushes retain more heat in the knot) luxurious super soft but not moppy brush during the coldest part of winter when my skin is dried out and chapped from working outside all day in the cold (-40) air. The rest of the time, the 660 will fit the bill for me.

Those are my thoughts...

Regards

Christian

that's what i was looking for! the air in the brush and quality of bristle bundle. it's not a brush in general, a good brush makes a soap or cream "perform" or reach it's maximum potential. that makes sense. thanks for the explanation! this is something i'm gonna have to try out.

It's sad in a way that Pakistani razors are now so uniformly terrible (actually even THAT wouldn't be so bad, they are in fact uniformly unpredictable as now and then a good one turns up!) when it's remembered that that area could well have been the home of the original Damascus steel and that they were making damned good swords etc. when our lot (UK that is - you lot weren't even there) were running around painted blue and knocking our dinners over the head with clubs. Such is life!

(Kriegars are crap though)

I don't the various cheapo new razors are made in pakistan, most of them say made in China. Plus I have a hard time believing there is great variety in the mass producing of stainless steel razors, especially after watching the Dovo production facility video.

If anyone out there can get a cheapo razor like Kriegar or Zeepek to hone and shave let us know, ty.

For now I will search for good deals on good razors.

[quote=speed_pigeon;175135]i have seen auctions end for 99 cents on ebay and for a buck they can at least serve as sacrifices to the honing gods. hopefully bringing good fortune to me and death to my whiskers. after all, no reason to damage a good blade perfecting my skill. [/quote]

I think I'd rather spend a few extra bucks for a decent razor from the bay or an antiques shop to use to develop honing skills. That way you will know that your edge is good. Using a Krieger to judge that might might totally misleading of it can never take an edge to start with...

Originally Posted by Hayesky

If anyone out there can get a cheapo razor like Kriegar or Zeepek to hone and shave let us know, ty.

For now I will search for good deals on good razors.

I would amend that to "if anyone can get a cheapo razor to hold an edge for more than one or two shaves, let us know"

As long as you don't mind failing a few times, I will add my well wishes to your search. There could be some quality cheapos out there that SRP at large has not yet discovered

Stick with the American brands, they never let me down when it comes to affordability. If you keep at it you can find some nice razors out of the New York/New England area for around 10 bucks. That's about what a double arrow costs and they will have much nicer scales than the Dbl Arrow.

There are too many inexpensive blades out there to settle for a zeepk or krieger to practice on.

Also, it's hard to understand the importance of a decent brush until you've used one. I used a bristle brush from the Mart for a while and thought it was fine until I tried a badger.