Thanks to one of the get a free razor threads way back, I've totally switched over to the Gillette Fusion razor. It so easily beats any other razor, electric or not, that I've used. Caswell-Massey makes some really great travel sized shaving soaps and creams and oils. I actually use the same setup at home, just full sized.
But the fusion razor made a significant difference to me, I use to hate shaving and pretty much skipped every other day, it's not an issue anymore.
Plus one on the Fusion
It came with a small pack of blades(2)which is what I carry when I travel.
Good quality disposables have become far too expensive to be truely disposable-and none do that great of a job.
I also carry a small tube of Kielhs White eagle-which can work waterless in a pinch(but better with water)
I simulated what I might take on a one-bag only trip with KOS alpha oil and a disposable bic razor.
I don't think I like it that much. Sure it worked in lubricating my face for the shave, but it doesn't hold a candle to a Tabac shave stick as far as quality of shave. Also, I found it gunked up my disposable bic razor.
I had hoped it would save me the need for an aftershave but I had some skin irritation on my cheeks afterwards.
Now I need to find some small leakproof containers to take some after shave balm in.
Sorry the KoS Alpha didn't work as well for you as for me. Irritation on the cheeks is peculiar. I never get that. For me it's always the neck area. Even men are all different.
As for quality of shave, it is hard to do better than the Tabac shave stick which I also use and which works even better than their cream. It also smells way nicer than the KoS oil, although, practically nothing of the oil smell stays on your skin afterwards.
Look into the Nivea travel set. It's the same thing you got already and the bottle doesn't leak.
I got it twice, once at HEB, a Texas supermarket chain, and once at Target. I have also seen it at CVS but I rarely go there. I think there are actually three products in the package but I forgot what the third one was. Maybe some kind of shower gel or moisturizer. It is the size of three packs of cigarettes and the typical white/blue Nivea design in a cardboard box.
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I decided to try a shave stick based upon comments in the thread. Ordered two Palmolive sticks from Westons in the U.K., which ran about $6.30 US delivered.
Two shaves into the stick, and I'm blown away. Not having a brush available, I rubbed some on my hands, added a little water and just manually applied it to my face. While I'm not sure yet what the proper amount to apply is, yet so far the shaves have been fabulously close. When complete, my skin seems much softer than when using Edge gel.
The packaging is bare-bones, but without any mishaps, a stick should last for a heck of a long time. Great value, even with paying international shipping. Next time I'm in Europe, I'll buy a bunch to take back. AFAIK, they run about the equivalent of a dollar each.
I decided to try a shave stick based upon comments in the thread. Ordered two Palmolive sticks from Westons in the U.K., which ran about $6.30 US delivered.
Two shaves into the stick, and I'm blown away. Not having a brush available, I rubbed some on my hands, added a little water and just manually applied it to my face. While I'm not sure yet what the proper amount to apply is, yet so far the shaves have been fabulously close. When complete, my skin seems much softer than when using Edge gel.
The packaging is bare-bones, but without any mishaps, a stick should last for a heck of a long time. Great value, even with paying international shipping. Next time I'm in Europe, I'll buy a bunch to take back. AFAIK, they run about the equivalent of a dollar each.
Craig, glad you like the stick soaps. Try the Tabac Original soap stick. It's one of the best and smells very nice, too. It can be had in the US online. Of course, you can use any solid shave soap and just wrap it in heavy duty alu foil. This way your options are almost endless. Also consider cutting one in half or even in thirds to reduce weight.
I use the Gilette Fusion Power which I buy when it's on sale at CVS.
For oil, I think Clarins Shave Ease is much better that King of Shaves although the price is ridiculously high, $25 plus tax for one ounce.
If you want to spend on your shave, use the Shave Ease first and then follow with any of the Vichy shaving creams like the Anti-Irritation or the Soapless one. If you're in Paris, this will cost around $5. Unfortunately, they do not export the shaving creams to the U.S. and two or three New York stores that carry it want something insane like $25 a can.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tcook052
I found here in Canada a company called Cromwell & Cruthers that makes shave oil that gets rave reviews from some friends I know ho've tried it so think I'll give it a go. There's a little more about the product here:
Tried it last week-end, needed about 7/8 drops and used it with a new Mach 3 Turbo blade. The result: shave was not bad, I was actually kinda happy about it! However I had to clean the blades really often as the oil just got stuck between them and would not get out even with the hot water fully open. However after only 3 days the blade "Indicator Lubricating Strip" (as Gillette calls it) was totally destroyed (it normally lasts at leat 15/20 shaves).
glad you liked the oil. I just had a Alpha oil shave this morning and it was great.
It is true that the hard washing of the blade uses the lubri-strip much faster. However, I feel it is not really needed anyway. At least for me, there is no difference in result with or without lubri-strip.
For cleaning I use a stiff little brush that came with one of my electric razors. The bristles are synthetic and water will not soften them. I use it to dislodge the hair while holding the razor under warm water. It works very well. This morning I had a good 2.5 day scruff and I needed to clean the razor three times. I use a Schick Quattro Titanium. See my review at the beginning of this thread.
Somersets Shaving Oil. I like it better than K.O.S. And a disposable 3 blade Gillette razor. Works fine.
Somersets used to be available in some stores in the U.S. Now it has to be ordered from the UK. Free shipping if you buy 3 or more bottles.
I use the Heavy Beard formula. Even after 4 days of not shaving, I used the oil and a disposable razor and everything came off smoothly. I use 4-5 drops per shave rather than the 3 they suggest.
Somersets Shaving Oil. I like it better than K.O.S. And a disposable 3 blade Gillette razor. Works fine.
Somersets used to be available in some stores in the U.S. Now it has to be ordered from the UK. Free shipping if you buy 3 or more bottles.
I use the Heavy Beard formula. Even after 4 days of not shaving, I used the oil and a disposable razor and everything came off smoothly. I use 4-5 drops per shave rather than the 3 they suggest.
That's impressive with the heavy beard formula. I will check that out in the future. For now I have so many shaving implements that I need to use some of them up first.
