Your most essential or consistently used shaving item

[possumbelly]

Many of us like to change things up but I’ve been wondering if people have an item that they use extremely consistently - i.e. almost every single time they shave.

It may be a specific type of blade or a pre-shave or post-shave item, a razor, or something else. Maybe a specific brand of soap (if not the same fragrance).

For me, it’s definitely my Alum block. In the last 2-3 years, I’ve probably used it after just about every shave. Seems essential for me. This means I never reach for “astringent” items like Thayers or Myrsol Metilsol or Antesol any more, even though they are great too.

 

[itsonlybarney]

I'll admit I'm very much the same at the moment.

Although I seem to use the same razor (Razorock Lupo Aluminium), same brush, and same alum block for all my shaves. Its only the soap that changes.

 

[Holiday]

I try to share equally among all products but a few that have stood out recently are:

Straight shaving:
Brush:- Vie-Long 22mm Brown Horse Hair
Soap:- GEO.F.Trumper's - Spanish Leather
The GFT has a similar scent to Tabac but so much slicker

Most often reached for:
Troycraft (@TroyTools) Kakadu Gold brush - customised 24mm fan

 

[Rhinehoth]

I consistently use a shaving cream if in a hurry or a soap if not. I have (like a lot of shavers in this forum) a lot of soaps, creams and razors because I like variety in my life. Truth be told, if my only shaving soap was MWF and my only razor was the PILS then I would be satisfied.

 

[Chad]

Rockwell 6s. Out of my 30+ razors it's the only one I use for head shaving.

 

[possumbelly]

I consistently use a shaving cream if in a hurry or a soap if not. I have (like a lot of shavers in this forum) a lot of soaps, creams and razors because I like variety in my life. Truth be told, if my only shaving soap was MWF and my only razor was the PILS then I would be satisfied.

You got me started! If I had to pick:
One brush - an Omega Boar
One soap - Mikes (or Saponificio V)
One razor for heavy growth - Muhle R41
One razor for daily use - Merkur 34cHD
One blade - Gillette yellows
One AS - Myrsol Green C
One fragrance - Creed Vetiver
and some Alum of course

 

[Gargravarr]

Beyond all dispute: Blackland Vector SS.

 

[TomG]

For me, prep is essential, so:
Valobra Glycerlanolina soap; and
Myrsol Emulsion

 

[TomG]

I try to share equally among all products but a few that have stood out recently are:

Straight shaving:
Brush:- Vie-Long 22mm Brown Horse Hair
Soap:- GEO.F.Trumper's - Spanish Leather
The GFT has a similar scent to Tabac but so much slicker

Most often reached for:
Troycraft (@TroyTools) Kakadu Gold brush - customised 24mm fan

Beautiful brush .

 

[Holiday]

Beautiful brush .

Thanks Tom - I cannot praise @TroyTools enough for making this brush to my exact requirements and the pour exceeded expectations

 

[MrPeanut]

Favourite brush is the apparent platypus/pig lookalike heritage brush by @TroyTools
Rocca R94 with Gillette 7 o’clock super platinum
Both used just about every shave, only use the other stuff when I feel bad for it once a month or so

 

[possumbelly]

I’m getting a good list of things to try out here. Thanks for everyone’s “top picks”.

 

[TroyTools]

Rockwell 6s. Out of my 30+ razors it's the only one I use for head shaving.

Yup, 30 razors here too, but if I'm pressed for time and going out soon after shaving, Rockwell 6S with the 3 plate is my go to. Guaranteed no nicks, cuts, blood, rash or burn. And a good smooth shave too. Under-rated razor I reckon.

And a big thank you for the kind words on the brushes fellas, really lifts a guy up when reading such nice words about my work.

PS Spoiler: I've got wood stabilizing equipment now!

 

[nav1]

Merkur Progress is by far my most used razor. I'd never be without it.

Muhle/EJ silvertip fibre brushes. These are the only brushes I use now.

Polsilver, BIC, Nacet blades are the only blades I use.

MWF is the only soap I'll never be without. All my other soaps are nice-to-haves.

 

[rbscebu]

I have a few to choose from but for well over a year now, I have only used my Chinese guaranteed genuine pure best badger hair synthetic brush.

This brush is not liked by some on P&C as it is cheap, however they have never tried it.

 

[possumbelly]

….. guaranteed genuine pure best badger hair synthetic brush.

I’m trying to work out if there is any badger in there! Sounds like there isn’t.

I’m going to revisit some of my synthetics. They are quite different but also a nice change.

 

[rbscebu]

I’m trying to work out if there is any badger in there! Sounds like there isn’t.

I’m going to revisit some of my synthetics. They are quite different but also a nice change.

My Chinese badger is very synthetic. Synthetic brushes (even the cheap ones) have come a long way over the past few years. I have/had 3 badger, 2 boar and 3 synthetics costing from under $5 to over $200.

 

[Holiday]

Chinese guaranteed genuine pure best badger hair synthetic brush

I just love how deceptive the name is: Chinese guaranteed (badger) genuine (badger) pure (badger) best (badger) badger hair (badger) synthetic (or is it synthetic ) brush

 

[Ozwhisker]

I just love how deceptive the name is: Chinese guaranteed (badger) genuine (badger) pure (badger) best (badger) badger hair (badger) synthetic (or is it synthetic ) brush

Reminds me of a visit to the Roman ruin of Ephesus (fantastic, highly recommended). Rather than walk up the hill, we caught a cab outside the main entrance that took us to the top of the hill so we could walk down. At the top of the hill was a shop with a very large sign that stated "Genuine Fake Watches". My daughters thought it was hilarious. We then debated various interpretations: genuine watches, fake watches, fake fake watches, genuine fakes etc.

 

[Razor Burn]

I have a few to choose from but for well over a year now, I have only used my Chinese guaranteed genuine pure best badger hair synthetic brush.

This brush is not liked by some on P&C as it is cheap, however they have never tried it.

The more I see this brush the more it reminds me of the budget offering recently found at Colesworth which by all accounts does a good job.
Personally not for me as previously bad experiences using super cheapo brushes that fall apart way too easily but YMMV...