90% of Men would wet shave if they knew about it!! Get the word out!!! I started a few months ago and my razor burn is gone, the cartridge razors and canned shave creams were tearing up my skin!! I was close to giving up and growing a beard. Now I enjoy shaving.
The addiction is real, started with a factory shave beginner set and seven years later too many artisans soaps and aftershave, 15+ razor and 8 brushes and hopefully a new fatboy soon in ....ohhh it is real.
It's a fantastic hobby. I look forward to my shave everyday. It's fun to use different razors, brushes and blades. Certain blades work better with certain razors. And the adjustable razors add a whole different dimension. Tons of combinations.
I really really find your voice soothing. Your videos are really informational and educational; but the voice makes it really entertaining and relaxing.
I am a beginner wet shaver lol My grandma gave me an old Gillette new improved razor that was her grandpa’s and I researched it and it is from the 1920’s and it works amazing and I want to buy a TTO razor now
You might want to try the core razor. It's a bit easier to transition in to from a cartridge style razor. The only down side is the cost of replacing the razors. The fhs-10 blades can be very expensive. I use mine as a travel razor.
I’m a female that has just started to get into DE shaving for my legs and pits. Got myself all the basics and I’m loving it. More time consuming but feels more satisfying.
Most important thing is dont apply any pressure on the razor....never!!! just use the weight of the razor. Ps. Derby razor blade is not for me ... i use Astra blade ( personal opinion for sure..) Thank Ken to do this video for newer in wetshaving.
@@ericknighton5615 The Derby blades for me don't cut enough. If you dont put any pressure and your razor tends to brake on your skin, stop it immediately and switch to another blade. But the blades remain a personal choice for each one. thank you Eric for your comment appreciated. Have a good shave!
My wife bought me the Victory shave kit. Really good razor ( The Godfather) but from there I drifted to the vintage Gillettes. Found a Black beauty RR date code, and I’m in heaven and the addiction began.
Fun fact, I actually learned how to use a safety razor from watching your videos and have just continued to watch since. Being in my early 20s I had never seen a saftey razor before nor had my father ever used one when I asked him. You've really helped turn this into a nice little hobby for myself. Interestingly enough, the hair on my neck grows much in the same way you're does, so I was really able to copy your technique entirely which was extremely helpful to me when I started around a year ago. Side note, are the super thins any good? I tried the super Nacets which were just OK and the super blues which were terrible. I'm about 90% sure they are grinding the super blue blades edge by hand with a crude file at the plant in China.
Ken has one of those soothing voices that just draw you in! Kid you not, I remember just listening to his shave videos one night. I see a late night radio show career in your retirement, Ken! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1lJAhBGk8Wc.html
@@TheGelatinousSnake I have to totally agree with you on Ken’s voice, not to mention the warmth with which he exudes.. Gives me that comforting “dad” feeling I miss myself ( my father passed about 15 years ago ). God bless Ken.. He’s like a dad straight out of the 1950’s I never had☺️.
“You don’t want to cut your lip.” Best. Advice. Ever. I rinse the alum, but I think I might try not. Ken, you are a great teacher, actually. Thanks for the tutorial! -an addict
Kensurfs, once again thank you Sr. I've been wet shaving for two year's now. In fact, within my first few months, I found your channel and used some of your tips. It start for me, because of my son. When asked what he wanted for his 15th birthday, he told my wife, I need Dad to find me a wet shaving kit. He watched me complain and gripe about all the razor's. I had talked about learning how to straight razor shave due to such frustration with the throw away blade's. There cost. The razor bumps. Nothing I tried brand or model was working other than the single blade bic yellow cheapy. So we found the Vanderhagen at the local pharmacy. $9.99 for the razor. $2.99 for a brush and a barbersal can. Off we went learning as Father and Son how to wet shave. My Dad laughed and gave us a few pointers, but disliked wet shaving. And then I stumbled upon your video's! Within a week we were ordering a Parker r22, a shaving mug, a much better shaving brush, a few different pucks of soap all from Westcoastshaving.com AND, and this is all thanks to you Kensurfs, we ordered a 36 pack of blade's! 36 different manufacturers blade's. We almost gave up on wet shaving. Until you brought it up. "Keeping trying different blade's there are just 100's of different blade's out there. Eventually you'll find one that works for you, or try a different razor and blade combo too" My son found Wilkinson's Sword to be the best. I found Persona Lab Blue to be the best. And I'm STILL using the ole cheap Vanderhagen! The other I bought, I just didn't like the feel. Something about the small little butterfly works.
You Sir happen to have a very good sounding, soothing voice, just like a good aftershave balm plus I saw the James Garner picture in the background. = Instant subscription 🙂
I usually wash off remaining lather after last pass and whilst my face is still wet I rub the alum block all over my face, whether I have cuts or not. As I have skin prone to break outs I find this really helps me. I then leave it while I clean the brush, soap container or bowl and razor, then I rinse off my face ready for balm and or aftershave. The alum is also good for rubbing on your fingers to help your grip whilst shaving, both for holding the razor or stretching the skin.👍🏻
Ken, you're the pro! If someone doesn't like your style, well they can just turn the channel. Great tutorial, thank you very much! Also I love the length of your videos. 30 minutes is too damn long, yours are perfect!
It's definitely become an addiction trying new razor blades, soaps, aftershaves, creams, and razors every time I get a new product it's a neat new toy to try out!
Hi Ken! I joined the wetshaving community around a year ago. Before that I'd never believe that such a boring routine like shaving could become such an enjoyable hobby. For me the best part of it is variety, especially the scents of different soaps and aftershaves, so many people I know, including myself, get a bit carried away with all sorts of acquisition disorders, that's something to keep in mind for a new wetshaver. So a sensible amount of shaving supplies for around 5 years is probably enough, lol. Nice video, as always!
In regard to the alum block, works great for cuts and weepers, and leave it on for about 30 seconds before rinsing off, or you could leave it on. But if you start getting itchy skin or a rash, probably should only use it on cuts as opposed to your whole face.
I had an awakening last year and now use a safety razor for my head. Never cut myself as long as you prepare correctly. I use a wilkinson sword classic razor, BIC chrome platinum blades and most important Arko shaving soap
Love it.. "And now the addiction starts". 👍👍👍 Great video Ken..and yeah I am hooked to wetshaving now after 2 years, and I love it. Got blades, different brushes (a custom made brush to😎) and different razors, but... I want more razors. 👍😊😊. It's a hobby, a way of life now, and I thank you Ken for being one of the first wetshavers that got me into this world of wetshaving. 👍👍👍 Greetings Patrik
Awesome video! I love the "weepers" (slight nicks or cuts). It's authentic because that's what's going to happen to us rookie wet-shavers often until we master our razor/blade technique. Bravo sir!
That brush and soap are actually very good, razor doesn't look bad at all. Derby blades aren't the best for me. Its important to know how your hair grows. Everyone is different. My neck hair grows more up than down. If I didn't know that before getting into all this DE shaving, and I just shaved down, it could have been bad. Most RU-vid shavers shave down first pass. We are many and varied. New shavers should map their hair growth. Makes all this so much better. Great kit for the newcomer. Great video, Ken! Good for you for doing this👍👍👍
Agreed Ken, Getting your favourite razor and the perfect blade is the holy grail of wet shaving. I testet close to 60 blades in my ATT Windsor before setteling down with just the Gillette Nacet. Since then I never had the urge to get a new razor or blades. Now I focus on soaps and splashes. Great to see you again doing a video for the newbies.
Jeff Spicoli had me crying! 🤣 Ken Surfs shaves feels like “tasty waves and a cool buzz!” 🏄 Nice economical shave! I rinse the alum off with cold water and follow with Thayer’s Witch Hazel. Request: My Wife Jeanine (also a big fan of the wet shaving community) has her birthday on St Patrick’s Day (March 17). Could you send her a happy birthday greeting during your shave on or about that date? If possible she would be thrilled and I won’t say a word. Total surprise. Happy trails from Texas!
I use my alum block a little differently. Rather than wetting the block, I splash cold water on my face and run the block over my skin. Then, I clean up my gear and rinse the alum off before applying an unscented post-shave balm and aftershave (scented, of course). My face dries out too much if I leave the alum on.
Hey Todd, that is how I use my alum block also. I wet my face instead of the alum block. I hope that Kensurfs gets into Witch Hazel next. I find that it has a very strange duality about it.
Nice entry-level shave. How about doing a few more high-end razor demo shaves if you can. I know we would love to learn more about some of the "Top Shelf" items if you can.
I use the alum block as a routine, that or witch hazel, and I rinse it off after a minute or so as it leaves a residue on the skin otherwise. I have not had any issues that small cuts start bleeding again after using the alum. Note, I use the alum or with hazel always and a near to never have any cuts unless I use a new to me style razor (as I am typically using really old vintage razors).
As for me, I think a good option for beginners would be razors and shaving brushes from Yaqi. But the blades of Derby, unfortunately, did not fit me, in any razor. For myself, I most often use Sputnik, Rapira Platinum or Astra green. As for after shaves, there are wonderful lotions and balms in the mass market. Old Spice, Mennen, Axe, Adidas, Nivea, Cliven etc. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
100% yes. Let's welcome new wet shavers and make it a welcoming environment. Well done, Ken. Also, I had similar results a few weeks ago when I took to pharmacies and department stores looking for gear.
Noobs… you'll love this channel... things to watch out for... #1) Monty the dog barking at the mailman #2) Ken's camera slips off the mirror and into the sink! #3) Ken's camera slips into the sink while Monty the dog is barking at the mailman... #4) Pinball delivery #5) watch check... enjoy Noobs :)
I’ve been wet shaving for almost a year now. I started with your original wet shave beginners guide and the tutorial from executive shaving. I love your videos and i love the ritual of getting my equipment ready, shaving, then cleaning my equipment. It’s definitely one of the best parts of my day. I use a van der Hagen razor and hog hair brush, proraso cream, a vintage old spice mug my daughters got me and a jack daniels whiskey glass to soak my brush. One tip for new guys, have some kind of container to hold used blades in, don’t just toss them in the trash. I use an old glass jelly jar with a slit cut in the lid. Welcome to the good life guys
Another awesome, informative video Ken! Just wanted to let everyone know that on the Italian Barber website, they are having a blow-out sale on DE Blades. Voskhod red 100 pack for $6.99, Gillette 7'ock and Nacet 100 packs for $11.99...etc, etc, etc. Great deals INMYHOP!
BTW....I do not work at RR. I just went over there to check on their beginner kits that Ken mentioned. Came by these when I checked their deal of the day selections.
What your dad didn't teach you about shaving: thank you for yet another video! In Italy, you can find the whole Wilkinson Sword Classic kit with soap, brush and the new metal razor and off course 5 blades for around 15 euros.
Excellent shave and video Ken. Loved the Fast Times at Ridgemont High reference when you forgot to load the blade, it was hilarious. RazoRock is awesome and they are one of the few that make their own razors in house without outsourcing them. I use an old Orange County Choppers coffee cup to soak my brushes in while I'm showering and that brush is an excellent brush too. I usually don't use the alum block unless I have to and I leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Great tutorial Ken! At under $20 anyone reading this and contemplating giving wet shaving a go, just do. It will be the best $20 you’ll spend on shaving. Better for your wallet, better for your skin and better for the environment. Even if you upgrade to a much fancier razor remember you’ll have it for all your shaving life so still the per shave cost is super inexpensive as each blade can give 4 or 5 shaves before it starts tugging. Buy a sample pack of different blades on eBay and you’ll find what works best for you. And newbie tip - don’t put the lid back on the soap puck until the water / remaining lather / moisture has evaporated.
Ideally, rinse the face before and after using the alum block, as long as we let it act for half a minute on the face, that way it will have better efficacy, by the way care the aftershave was about to break. I want one like that I need it !!! Cheers ⚔️💯👍🏻
I started with a Wilkinson Sword kit I found in a local store. I was at the razor isle and noticed that for the price of 5 cartridges, I could buy this kit that had the razor, 5 blades, a brush and soap in a tub. My 1st mistake was lathering in the soap tub, I consumed that soap in less than a month. I bought a shaving cream and lather bowl from Proraso. And from there it went off the rails :D You can either go the economic route, buy blades and general soap or cream, or go the nuts route, where you end up paying $300 on a brush, $1000 or a razor to add to your collection of 526 brushes and 53 razors. And meet a weird guy in a back alley for that really nice, home made shaving soap.
Ken, you may want to try to show the different styles of building up a foam. That was my frustration in the beginning. I now use a scuttle mug with a soap puck rather than face lathering or building a lather on my palm then applying. I prefer building foam in my scuttle mug rather than face lathering
First of all, WELCOME to all the new traditional DE/SE wetshavers out there👍🙂. In response to the allum question, I always rinse after using allum. If I leave it on it gets itchy after a while. If there are any new shavers from the UK I highly recommend starting with the new Wilkinson Sword Classic Chrome razor (approx £12) , a body shop synthetic brush (approx £10) , a blue beards revenge allum block (approx £7) and some palmolive shaving cream (approx £2 from a local supermarket or chemist). All the rest can be sourced from Amazon. I do also recommend a post shave balm to help sooth any irritation ie Nivea post shave balm (approx £3). Hope this helps and enjoy the journey👍
I grew up wet shaving with a razor; but later in life after being on blood thinners doctors moved me to electric shaver. I actually did better with that than I thought. I’m returning to wet shaving and glad to do so, but having to relearn shaving the old way. I still use the electric for first pass and follow with wet shave; so lots of re-learning. These videos are helpful. Lots of folks are recommending not to use after shave and use a skin cream, so lots of confusing information out there. So really appreciate these videos and find them helpful.
Greetings, Ken. A very concise, and personable video, that is filled with pertinent shaving advice/information. My dear father passed away before I started my journey into wet shaving. Like many, I turned to RU-vid for some answers. KevyShaves, PaulHFilms, Friendship Shaving, Matt from Razor Emporium, and yourself have all aided me immeasurably. When I first began wet shaving, ( about 10 years ago), I remember the multitude of products was absolutely staggering. So I would like to extend my gratitude to you, Mr. Kensurfs, for your great videos, and shaving wisdom. Somewhere my late father is saying: "Look at my boy! Shaving with a DE razor, LIKE A MAN!"
I am not the type of person to like a video and especially comment on one, but this video was so entertaining that I wish I could like it multiple times :) thank you so much for the help of getting into shaving keep up the great vids.
Great video. I think the main thing is not to give up after the first try it takes a little bit to get used to it but once you got it down you’ll look forward to shaving and enjoying the new products and eventually you’ll find the right shaving gear and products that work just for you.. I’ve learned a lot from Mr. kensurfs when I first started and a couple other RU-vid gents. Thank you sir and please keep the videos coming. Have a great day.
This will sound weird but, for the last couple years, I'd been wanting a shaving kit. My thought was if I have to do this why not make it an enjoyable experience. Yesterday my wife got me a wet shaving kit for Christmas. This video helped. I thank you. Rick
cheers for the upload. i went for the $30 maggard starter kit and it took me forever to realize its got a stainless steel mr1 handle and 'de89' head which for the money is just incredible. what you picked up is a cheaper baili razor but it's not terrible so the $20 kit is still a great choice.
I learned a lot from your videos I started 5years ago I got the 34c merkur and wilkinson gillette blades from India and I just been trying different soaps I got a Edwin badger brush I just ordered one from your videos tortuga from black ship grooming thank you for your videos and getting me into wet shaving
Hi everyone. To avoid nicks or razor burn and also to get a really good BBS shave I find using a pre shave preparation really makes a difference. Doesn't have to be anything fancy - a glycerine based bath soap works really well. Simply make a bit of lather in your hands and rub it on your face before applying your shaving shaving soap or cream. Here in the UK, Bulldog shaving cream or gel used as a pre shave also gives excellent results and is cheap to buy. Proraso pre shave is also a good product but fairly expensive by comparison. Happy shaving and thanks Ken for the video.
Well Ken, I am starting to see what you are talking about, the “addiction” too wet shaving and collecting. I purchased a few vintage 1955 butterfly razors on FaceBook and continue to look at brushes and necessities needed for a rewarding shave. Started my own Shave Den too. Keep up the great work, we’re watching, learning and enjoying your wonderful videos!!!
@@kensurfs great , been a bit naughty so they have a European ban for two years. I've followed West Ham since 77. My real passion sport wise is Rugby Union.
Enjoyed the vid. Great example of what’s needed to get started. I always rinse the alum off afterwards. Then apply balm or aftershave. I agree with you too, simply a preference.
I know that shipping is not in that 19.99 price but what a value! I own the exact same razor and brush and Paid about the same for both. I've been watching for 15 years and I really love these products as well as so many others from razorrock. I have tried 3 other of their shaving soaps and their fantastic. Highly recommended!
The smoothest and best blades for me are the persona blues. I just love them. And I may never run out of soap since I ordered some samplers and 2 regular pucks from the Sterling soap company. Switched 2 years ago and never looked back. Great job with the video, Ken. Cheers from Germany.
Great video. I really like your way of explaining this stuff. I just got into this hobby and only shave my head. I ´ve got the Muhle R89 and find it nice, if on the mild side. Paired with Derby blades it is a tad too mild and I end up applying pressure to the razor: Not so good. After a few amazing starts, I have quite a bit of burn on my neck. Thinking that a sharper blade will do the trick? No aftershave for me though; doesn't fare well with my head. I see the addiction; Already have quite a few products on my shelf, and looking at all those shave videos makes one want more. Still, lots of fun!
Thanks for your videos, I'm 41 and just started wet shaving in December and loving it. I have the Merkur 34C razor and a variety pack of blades that I'm working through to find what works best. Currently I use the P160 Shaving soap from RazoRock and the Omega 10066 Shaving brush with mock ivory handle. I don't shave every day but I definitely look forward to the days that I do.
Yes. Thats a $5 Baili razor. Cheap zinc but well plated. As long as you don't drop it, mine has lasted a year so far. Very mild, great on my legs and intimate areas. I love it, and for $5 and some cents.. I am so happy Edit: husband hated it for being too mild, needed so many passes so he gave it to me. Its perfect and never cuts me.
@@moonashraf2382 not usually much to clean, but if I see something that rinsing with water fails to get, yes I do. Try to keep everything at least visually clean.
Weird, I always thought of myself as a new wet shaver. I enjoy watching reviews and shaves on youtube to learn and get ideas for supplies. Then I watched this and saw I got my starter supplies In 2014 and realized how far down the rabbit hole I am with 6 razors, 5 brushes, and a medicine cabinet full of soaps.
This was my first de razor it is Rockwell R1, so that is how they call it on their website, sold it later it was too mild for me. Good review as always Mr. Kensurfs love to watch your videos.
Thanks for the lesson! Brand new to wet shaving with only one shave so far. For now I have just an old DE safety razor of my dads. I’m looking forward to learning more and finding what combo of shaver/razor works best for me. Keep the product reviews coming! Thanks.
Nicely done Ken💈💈 I'm sure a new wet shaver out there is thanking you for the demo, every little bit helps right👌 $20 for everything needed is a good deal really, especially just starting out. Getting a sampler pack of blades is also a good idea. Great video as always👍 Enjoy!
Just picked up this kit after watching your video cartridge razors get clogged and don’t get me a smooth enough shave but being in college the price for a whole wet shave setup was a lot of money, But this is exactly what I’ve been looking for thanks for the review!
