I have been to the shop on Rennweg but you will be Switzerlanded. Its nice to go there to look around, get ideas, then buy on the internet. lol
LOccitane Cade shaving soap is very....finicky. And has a very long list of ingrediants, one of which causes me irritation. I would try other soaps first, but some people have had success with Cade. I suggest Dr. Harris, idiot proof. If its good enough for the Prince of Wales then its good enough for me. Other good soaps are Cella, Valobra, Taylor of Old Bond St. Art of Shave (made by Valobra). Avoid Trumpers, they are currently reformulating.
You can buy palmolive shave stick here (in coop or a pharmacy) for 2.50 CHF. Which I then grate the stick into a bowl. Palmolive is one of the best performing soaps out there, but the scent is not.
Soap vs Cream. I prefer soap as they tend to have more glide and lubrication. Or use soap with a bit of cream for überlather. Best of both worlds.
They are works of art are they not? They only problem being a very long learning curve. The saftey razor only took me a couple of shaves before I felt comfortable. The straight will take a tad bit longer, but I am serious about trying it out.
Here. Straight shaving for one year now, getting my stuff either from London (Cavendish on Jermyn Street is just in the middle of wetshaving paradise, with Trumper's and Taylor of Old Bond Street shops within seconds of walking) or www.nassrasieren.ch in Bern. Haven't looked back since.
This subject is a pet quirk of mine. For over thirty years I have been shaving with the 'Bic' razors available for a couple of francs for ten in the Migros. (There are also double-bladed ones available) I use each one every day for a minimum of three weeks before taking a new one out of the packet. I use normal bar soap and form a lather on my face with my fingers. (I always take those small soaps from hotels for this purpose) I get a perfect shave as long as the razor is fairly new - I sometimes have to do a second round once the razor gets on a bit but that's no problem.
No-one has ever said that I'm not clean-or well-shaven and my wife never complained.
Even if you think you have an absolutely expensive and 'perfect shave' within one hour it is all wasted.
Just in case I hear the standard answer: I have a strong hair growth too.
I have also tried these. I get a much better shave from a DE razor and no stubble until the next day, thats how close it is. I know every body is different and what works for one may not work for another. But I prefer to have a steel tool in my hand and drug across my face over plastic any day of the week. I have enough plastic in my life.
I'm with you - everyone's different. If I try to use a "normal" razor and bar soap I have infected, ingrowing hairs within hours. With a proper "routine" (not long or fancy, just the result of some trial and error) and the right razor and soap/foam, I'm (almost) ok.
I used to shave regularly with a safety razor, but I've somewhat fallen out of the habit as I'm often rushed in the morning (and got a great deal on Wilkinson Quattro razor blades at EUR1 each -- they last me about two weeks so pretty good value-for-money).
For those of you who are so inclined, the folks over at http://badgerandblade.com/ are pretty obsessed over every nuance of wet shaving.
My preferred blades are Gillette Bleue Extra:
Available nearly everywhere in France. They're incredibly sharp -- so much so that I prefer them on the second shave than on the first, when they're much less likely to nick.
I will have to give those a try. And beware with Badger and Blade, because of them I now have 7 different soaps with 3 more on my wish list. There is always a better product than what you now have, and they are the best at letting you know which ones you need to have. (on that site there is no difference between want and need.)
I shaved this morning before going to work. It is now 20:21 and I still have no stubble whatsoever and I can grow a full beard in 4 days flat.
Oh, stay away from badgerandblade .... Especially from triple-milled soaps! Quite cheap, a box lasts three years ....... it can start a whole series of acquisition disorders ....
I am running currently on Tabac soap (good for winter months) and about 1810 vintage Sheffield blade straight.
I am afraid that the old barber is a dying breed. But if anyone knows of anyone that is actually GOOD, then please share.
NS. I even check out ebay for vintage Old Spice shave soap and I dont even know why because I have never liked the Old Spice scent. But its THE soap to have. I have Tabac as well and used it on Monday. Today was Dr Harris Arlington. (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that soap) Next up for rotation is Valobra stick (grated into a bowl). Another great soap.
Coiffure cara near sternen oerlikon, a mens only coiffure, offer wet shaves. Since I have not had one there yet, only haircuts, i cannot offer an opinion as to whether they are good or not, nor do I know if they use a straight or not. but if you're in the area you can pop in and ask them.
On another note, been doing searches to get started with the brush and lather system, and am struggling to find anything on amazon or ebay (UK & Germany) willing to send to CH. in CH ricardo only has 1 nondescript brush listed.
Perhaps there someone out there who travels to UK regularly with an address there I can send to, and then grab it off ya when you get back???