(Part 2) Best men shaving & grooming sets according to redditors

Ill add pictures to help! If you use a razor like https://www.amazon.com/Weishi-Nostalgic-Handle-Butterfly-Double/dp/B00PKHIDRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=safety+razor&qid=1573596649&sr=8-3 or https://www.amazon.com/BEST-Straight-Razor-Japanese-Biblical/dp/B06XY2GY7G
Prince and Dirty are best. They are like shaving lotion, with no soap.

If you use a disposable razor like this https://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Venus-Extra-Smooth-Womens/dp/B000XVSNTQ/ref=sxin_3_af-pna-1_d2c6f193495c58c44229e8cac05cdd79a83edf59?keywords=razor&pd_rd_i=B000XVSNTQ&pd_rd_r=dd2f723a-d83e-473d-b1c2-0cdc4ad898cf&pd_rd_w=H4TlQ&pd_rd_wg=y3B2j&pf_rd_p=5e567722-c416-4b51-89d9-de8c438fe11e&pf_rd_r=S16SE5TB2MJVTASKGMDD&qid=1573596704, FUN moldable soap and D'Fluff whipped shaving soap are great!

Look, I know people are downvoting, because the guy doesn't want to cut the guard bars off - he just wants to use it without a baseplate.

A washer, even bent to match the curve of the top cap will not support the blade enough to give it the correct stiffness and prevent chatter. You need the surface area the baseplate provides clamping the blade to prevent chatter.

Using the washer is a very bad idea. It won't work well, and the correct answer is to cut the bars, or use a razor that comes with them cut already. On a zamak razor like this one, you'll want to melt a little candle wax over the cut part so that the metal doesn't corrode away.

Downvoting the correct answer just because you don't like it won't help OP get the shave he wants.

Here is one that comes already cut.
https://www.amazon.com/STRAIGHT-XS-Stainless-Protective-BBNY/dp/B010KMTM92/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481135705&sr=8-6&keywords=safety+razor+bbny

u/needsmorementhol 's dad's devette was a Tech with the bars cut off, as I recall. There, the bars were sheet metal and not inclined to corrode.

Here's another way to do this: get a bit of PVC schedule 40 PVC pipe that follows the curve of the top cap, and cut it's outer dimensions to match the caps dimensions. Drill it for the cap's center post and blade alignment posts, and use that. Cheap, and easy to cut with a hacksaw blade and normal drill bits. Advantage: it will work way better than any washer.

It’s just a cheap razor/stand/brush combo on amazon

amazon link

TLDR - thinking about getting a new synthetic brush from apshaveco and looking for suggestions!

I'm considering a new shaving brush. I currently have two brushes an Omega boar 10066 (purchased in 2010) and a art of shaving Badger brush that came with this kit https://www.amazon.com/Art-Shaving-Piece-Starter-Unscented/dp/B0758LK6TR (gifted to me in 2014). I start my lather on a soap in its container once generously loaded I move to my face to finish building lather.

I've used the Badger a handful of times and find it scratchy and it collapses too easily when applying pressure to my face/soap puck. I never use this brush and really don't like it.

My boar brush gets the job done. It's good, could be a bit softer and more plush on days where my face is a little irritated already. More than anything I wanted to try another brush just to see if it made a difference.

I was looking at apshaveco due to a wide variety of synthetics, good feedback from the community, and I didn't want to spend too much (~30ish is about right).

I have read reviews of a bunch of knots but I still have some questions.

1. How floppy is the cashmere compared to the AOS brush?
   
2. How do the backbones of synbad, cashmere and tuxedo match up to an Omega boar?
   
3. How soft is the face feel of those brushes compared to the Omega boar?
   
   Thanks

That depends. Where did you get your strop? If you got it from these guys, replace the strop, the razor, and pretty much everything except possibly the brush.

if you spent $700 for a safety razor and accessories, you may want to get checked for down syndrome.

here, $55 for everything you need.

In the event he is a star wars kind of dude- this Darth Vader Bow Tie is pretty badass.

How about a professional Bar Kit? He could make cocktails at home in his down time. Might come in handy when he finds himself another lady friend.


And for a dapper man, he needs a dandy shave kit.

With this Omega brush you'll also get a tube of cream for the same price...

If you can find it, the Weber ARC Razor is the one my wife uses for DE shaving, and she has had an excellent experience with it.

As for cream+brush: http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Bristle-Shaving-Brush-Eucalyptus/dp/B000YSR8TE/ref=sr_1_17?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1347885004&sr=1-17&keywords=omega+brush

Trust me on this one - it's a cream and brush combo, I love it, as does my wife. You use about an 1+2 almonds worth out of the tube per shave. My wife's been using a tube since Easter and barely made a dent in it, and she LOVES the brush (as do many other Wicked Edgers).

ok, lets see...
I use a Parker 96R and used the 7'o Clock (Blue package
badger brush that came with the razor (i.e. this kit )

and Taylor of old bond street sandalwood cream

prep: straight off the shower, soaked the brush in hot water, a bit of cream into a bowl and warm water and whipped the thing till i considered it thick enough and then lathered my face

wtg / xtg passes, in that order
abbandoned ship before going atg xD

and for the record the nicks were mostly near the neck, cheeks/sideburns ended up fine

You don't say.

Gentleman Jon Deluxe Wet Shave Kit | Includes 8 Items: Safety Razor, Badger Hair Brush, Shave Stand, Canvas & Leather Dopp Kit, Alum Block, Shave Soap, Stainless Steel Bowl and Astra Razor Blades https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W9JBS9X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cmLrDbW58QAFE

You've gotten plenty of recs so far, but I wanted to add that The Blades Grim does make a good synthetic satin tipped brush for a decent price. But they may only sell it in the combo with their Smolder shave soap.

The soap smells pretty good, but does not have a very strong or long lasting scent at all. It also does not lather extremely well, but I am happy with it because of the brush.
Here is a link to the kit thing:

http://www.amazon.ca/~Shaving-Smolder-Luxury-Shaving-Synthetic/dp/B011Q28KZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453141517&sr=8-1&keywords=satin+tip

And here is a link to a non-Amazon vendor for the heck of it:

http://www.thehandlebarsupply.com/satin-tip/

Mine does the same. I bought one of these and it helps a lot.

Bam!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PVRRJS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.hD0Bb3KXJQGY

I discovered this here on Reddit https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GFCFXKR

I switched to a safety razor, shaving soap, and Alum Bar. Shit changed my life. I was getting several ingrown hairs per week and had zits constantly due to razor rash. I switched and literally, my skin cleared up in two weeks.

I spent about $120 worth 8 years ago for the Razor, blades, soap, alum bar, soap cup, badger brush, and razor/ brush holder. From that point, I've dabbled in a few different shaving creams/soaps, but I'm still good for several more years on blades. I would have spent five times that in 8 years on cartridge razors alone.

I would highly recommend watching some Youtube videos on how to correctly shave with this setup, as it takes practice. Expect to nick yourself for a few weeks, but the Alum bar will stop the bleeding and kill any bacteria afterward. The badger brush will take some practice to get a proper lather, but works much, much better than the best of shaving creams. And finally, be extremely careful when changing the blades, as this is the cause of many cuts; I have never cut myself, but I use abundant caution and take my time.

Bottom line, It costs way more up front, but you make that money back in a year or two and you feel like a badass for shaving like your grandpa did. If you bought nothing but what I list below, you will be set for the next 3-5 years, barring a refill or two on your soap.

Double Edge "safety" razor

100 pack Feather razor blades

brush kit that includes holder and dish

Tabacc Shaving Soap

Alum bar

There is a "vintage box" offer where you get all three (pre-shave, shaving cream, aftershave) in a box for a reduced price.

https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Vintage-Toccasana-Sensitive-Formula/dp/B01LZB23SN

First off, thanks for the advice. And at the risk of sounding ignorant again, what exactly is NOS? like new as in never used? or new as in new to his listings? And second, is a used SR good to use? or would it be better to get a new one? As I said, not as familiar with all of this as I thought I was. As far as the strop goes, this link is everything i got shipped in minus that razor obviously https://www.amazon.com/Anself-Shaving-Razor-Straight-Leather/dp/B01IT7FCIA/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1482107071&sr=1-10&keywords=straight+razor. Not too sure if its a good enough one or not, seems to be though and the brush seems to do a good enough job as well

DANG.. now i just got done sending my wife a Christmas present request of a wet shave kit :)

Shave kit

Thanks dude! I'm just super into skincare and have a tendency to fall down internet research rabbit holes hahaha. I bought this safety razor like two and a half years ago & I think it's a super great one to start with. Some people recommend using different blades than the ones that come with it, but it seems like more of an upgrade than a necessity. When you do need to buy more blades though, most people recommend trying a sampler set to figure out which brand of blades you like best. If you really feel like splurging you could go for a full set like this one (although tbh this might be a pretty good deal cost-per-item wise).

Shaving with a safety razor for the first time is definitely kind of harrowing, although I found that because I was super nervous I went real slowly & carefully, and consequently didn't have any problems. Just make sure you don't start with a setup that's described as "aggressive," since that indicates more of the blade is exposed & can cause irritation and more nicks/cuts if you don't know what you're doing.There are a lot of great tutorials on youtube or even in the reviews on the razor I linked here to help get you started!

Good to hear. I'm using the 96R combo from SSR listed here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YANPEM/ref=oh_o06_s01_i00_details

The included brush wasn't a silvertip, but I've been happy with it so far. The 96R has been good to me, but it's my first DE so I have no basis for comparison other than cartridges.

I found a stand I like on amazon, I am liking the way it looks. I will be throwing or giving away the included razor and probably the brush.

Any thoughts?