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Thousands of men are re-discovering the simple joy of barber-style wet shaving, and it's not hard to see why: A proper razor, brush-applied soap, and old-school aftershave are impossible to beat if you want a close, smooth shave with little or no irritation, and it's far and away superior to the modern-day cartridge and electric razors that most guys are using.
Getting into the world of wet shaving can be daunting to the uninitiated, however. Choosing the right razor, blade, soap (or cream), brush, and aftershave for your unique skin and facial hair takes some time and research, and the sheer amount of choices available on the internet today doesn't make this task any easier. That's why we've rounded up all the shaving supplies you need to make the best shaving kit.
Nonetheless, it's worth taking some time to select quality products for your grooming routine. Think of it as an investment in your skin: Not only will a good kit take your shaves to the next level, but after the initial cost, it'll likely pay for itself over time. Soap and razor blades are generally much cheaper than cans of shaving foam and disposable razor cartridges, not to mention far less wasteful.
A good razor, soap, and aftershave balm are also a practical necessity for men with sensitive skin like me. If you currently use an electric or cartridge razor and suffer from post-shave irritation (bumps, redness, etc.) then perhaps this is an even bigger motivator for you to finally take the plunge into wet shaving.
Whether you're looking for relief from irritation or just want to take your shaves to the next level, toss your cartridge razor and canned shaving foam and read on. We've picked out the five essential items that every man needs in his shaving kit, from a steel safety razor to a manly (but gentle) aftershave that will help you achieve the perfect shave every time and leave your skin feeling as great as it looks.
Here's everything you need in your shaving kit:
Read on in the slides below to check out all the shaving supplies you need to make the best shaving kit.
The best razor for your shaving kit
Why you'll love it: Merkur's MK 23C combines superb German build quality with a long, heavy handle that makes this safety razor the perfect choice for newbies and experienced wet shavers alike.
The first and arguably the most important step of building your wet shaving setup is selecting a good razor, as this is the main tool you'll be using to get the job done. There are several different types — from electric units to classic straight razors — each with its own pros and cons, but our recommendation for most men is the venerable safety razor.
Safety razors are relatively inexpensive, have a small learning curve, and give a great shave without much risk of cutting your face up. Double-edged blades are also superior to modern multi-blade cartridges, doing the job with one edge without pulling and tugging at your whiskers. These blades are considerably cheaper, as well.
Although the Edwin Jagger double-edged razor is our favorite safety razor in our guide, I'm personally recommending the Merkur MK 23C razor here as the longer handle and heavier weight make this one easier to wield for newbies. The extended grip gives you great control, and the added heft lets the Merkur razor do most of the work for you.
Merkur razors are crafted in Solingen, Germany, a town with a long history of world-class metalworking. I've been using a Merkur safety razor for years now and can attest to its superb build quality. My Merkur replaced my old Parker razor, and the excellence of the German-made razor was immediately apparent after the first use. The Merkur's head has a much neater blade fit than the Parker's for cleaner, irritation-free shave when equipped with a good blade.
At $40, the Merkur MK 23C long-handled safety razor is affordable and a solid investment, especially when you consider that the double-edged blades are much less expensive than multi-blade cartridges. The Merkur razor can easily pay for itself within a year or two. And, more importantly, the smooth, close shaves you'll get with the MK 23C will leave your face looking and feeling great.
Pros: Made in Solingen, excellent build quality with a tight blade fit, corrosion-resistant chrome finish, and the long handle provides a great grip and added control while shaving
Cons: The three-piece construction requires a bit more time and care when cleaning
The best double-edged razor blade for your shaving kit
Why you'll love it: There is a ton of double-edged razor blades available, but the US-made Personna "blue" blades stand tall above the rest, delivering a smooth shave time and time again.
Although selecting a good razor is the most important step of your wet shaving journey, the safety razor itself is not what actually does the work of cutting through your whiskers — that's the blade's job. Even the best safety razor will give you rough shaves when equipped with a crummy blade, so finding a good one is step two.
I've probably used every make of double-edged razor blade you can buy, and two brands stand head and shoulders above the rest: Personna and Feather. I use both but recommend Personna blades as they're a bit more newbie-friendly. The notoriously sharp Japanese-made Feather blades may be a bit too aggressive for inexperienced shavers. Plus, Persona's blades are just over half the price at around $15 per 100-count box compared to $25 for the Feather blades.
The Personna blades are still plenty sharp (they're razors, after all), but I found the edges to be much smoother and more nicely sharpened than the many other blades I've used over the years, causing fewer post-shave bumps and redness. Like many other men with fair complexions, my skin is somewhat sensitive, and I rarely get even the mildest irritation on my neck since I started using these with my Merkur razor and good soap and cream.
Note that several manufacturers make different blades under the Personna brand name. The best of these are the US-made blades, nicknamed "lab blues" by wet shavers due to their distinctive packaging. I get around 5 or 6 shaves out a single Personna blade before it needs replacing — your mileage will vary depending on how tough your whiskers are — and at around 15 cents each, it's not hard to see the advantages of these double-edged blades over modern razor cartridges.
Pros: Made in the US, deliver a clean and smooth shave, a great value compared to multi-blade cartridges, and they last longer than most other double-edged razor blades I've tried
Cons: A small learning curve for newbies
The best shave brush for your shaving kit
Why you'll love it: Creating a good lather is vital for achieving a perfect shave, and for this, Edwin Jagger's English-made badger bristle shaving brush is the tool you want in your corner.
To get a good lather and a good shave, you naturally need a good brush and a good soap or cream (more on those later). Shave brushes have been used for centuries, with most being made from some sort of rigid animal hair such as the bristles from a boar, badger, or horse. Our favorite is this fine example from Edwin Jagger, which we named the best badger bristle brush in our recent buying guide to the best shaving brushes.
Badger is the bristle of choice for most wet shavers owing to its softness, great feel on your skin, water retention capabilities, and ability to whip up a dense, creamy lather and apply it evenly on your face. Badger bristles come in a variety of grades, with "best badger" hitting the sweet spot between price and quality.
Edwin Jagger makes high-quality safety razors and its English pedigree extends to its shave brushes as well: This badger bristle brush is made in Sheffield, England, and its excellent build quality and perfect mid-weight hand-feel is apparent right out of the box. The bristles are soft, yet feature enough body to generate a generous lather with most soaps and creams thanks to the dense, wide loft.
The Edwin Jagger best badger bristle shave brush is slightly expensive at around $46, but it's the last one you'll need to buy and should hold up well for years and years of use. The brush also comes with a drip stand, which is mandatory for properly storing your brush and will extend its life even more.
Pros: Made in England, soft and high-quality "best badger" bristles, good weight and hand-feel, comes with a handy drip stand, produces a creamy lather, and feels great on your skin
Cons: May shed some hairs and have a faint animal odor during the first few uses
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