Thread: Poll: Lathering vs canned aerosol gels for straight razor users

Thanks RezDog, yes I did cover a couple of the basics as I've been shaving with safety razors a good 10+ years now. I used the Arko sticks quite a lot when travelling, as they lather very easily in a hotel coffee mug. I've tried silvertip badger brushes etc, but with soaps like Mitchell's and similar that I use, I far prefer using boar bristle, or inmy case I discovered mine weas a synthetic boar brush - that stiffer backbone just works easier with soaps in my opinion. Traditional shaving equipmen lasts so long, it's not worth just comnpromising on buying super cheap either.

Originally Posted by Danie

Thanks RezDog, yes I did cover a couple of the basics as I've been shaving with safety razors a good 10+ years now. I used the Arko sticks quite a lot when travelling, as they lather very easily in a hotel coffee mug. I've tried silvertip badger brushes etc, but with soaps like Mitchell's and similar that I use, I far prefer using boar bristle, or inmy case I discovered mine weas a synthetic boar brush - that stiffer backbone just works easier with soaps in my opinion. Traditional shaving equipmen lasts so long, it's not worth just comnpromising on buying super cheap either.

Synthetic boar? I never heard of that. You can buy a boar for twenty bucks or less it makes no sense to make a synthetic boar. Maybe just synthetic period.

I didn't answer the survey but I would be shocked if anyone here said they use any canned stuff on any ongoing basis. 50 or more years ago I did.

Yes this one specifically at https://www.mantality.co.za/doubloon-shave-brush.html - you'll see it is not styled like an artificial Badger brush, but has the stiffer bristles like a boar brush.

Originally Posted by Danie

their claim is that most straight razor users make use of aerosol gels or creams and very few actually lather with soap or cream.

As opposed to people shaving with cartridge razors who use........... what?

If the tool is disposable, it creates garbage and requires continuous purchases, which requires continuous manufacturing etc. If the tool is not disposable, the same does not apply.

Hay Holli!

I see and can appreciate the point of the text. I do firmly believe that we should be good stewards of our resources if for no other reason than to prevent our own miserable hides from swimming in a sea of garbage which we now have to mine because we have used up some of the raw materials we need.

That notwithstanding that is not my primary motivation for using a cup, puck and brush or a straight razor. My motivation is that it's cooler. I still have several heirlooms from my Dad, one of which is his shaving mug: a Hazel Atlas milk glass mug. It is not fancy or valuable monetarily but to me it is invaluable because it reminds me of him. Every time I use it and the brush makes that "clink, clink, clink," sound it takes me back to being a little boy and watching him shave. That to me is more moving than any other reason....oh, and by the way, I would sooner shave dry than use that can-o-funk crap, not for "the planet" and some imagined moral superiority but because it SUUUUCCCKKKSSSSSSS!

Originally Posted by Danie

Yes this one specifically at https://www.mantality.co.za/doubloon-shave-brush.html - you'll see it is not styled like an artificial Badger brush, but has the stiffer bristles like a boar brush.

I think that brush is a Boar Brush not synthetic at all.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think that brush is a Boar Brush not synthetic at all.

Yes exactly what I thought - but click on the "Other Info" tab and all is revealed. The give away probably was the lack of real boar hair smell.

Agreed I doubt many went into straight razor shaving specifically for the environment, but it's a plus, and pretty devious for anyone trying to present the opposite view (not being most environmentally friendly). I started out to save money off cartridge blades, and then the bonus for me was no more ingrown hairs.

Just a few of the many reasons to use a straight.