Thanks Mark. I am enjoying your videos and find them quite helpful. I was a wet shaver all my life, most recently using cartridge blades. About 7-8 years ago I got a Braun electric shaver as an anniversary present and used it all the time until recently when I returned to wet shaving. I purchased a Wilkinson Sword Classic TTO DE shaver (perhaps not yet available in the States - I’m in Canada) and after a brief “get acquainted” period am getting along with it quite well. However I’m now curious about the Vikings Blade ‘The Godfather’ razor and am going to look for one. UA-cam has been a source of inspiration and entertainment-yours especially. Thanks again, keep up the good work, and keep posting.
Thanks very much for the kind words.:) Greatly appreciated.:) and I'm glad the videos have been helpful.:) The Chieftain is the razor that brought me back to the Traditional Wet Shave.:) the Godfather was quitre helpful when I needed something milder.:) Since then, I've used a variety of razors from mild to aggressive. Although, I tend to prefer the milder end.:) The Chieftain Jr. is a nice mild razor, as well, and the price is less than $20.00 USD. BTW, the Chieftain is described by Vikings Blade as being neutral. I call it the Goldilocks razor...not too mild, not too aggressive, just right.:) IMHO.:)) YMMV.:)
just got my Godfather.. can't wait to use... it does feel a bit slick in my hands, my fingers may be a bit oily.. I'll be sure to wash hands before using
My first wet shaving experience is with the van de aHegan brush, bowl ,and soap set , with the Sallys chrome de razor forgot the name , the magic shavette black didnt know I had to wash the face with a scrub or soap back the using bumb stop , and my favorite aftershave at the time I have courses hair African American. Didnt know
James, When I came back to the wet shave I also used a lot of Van der Hagen products.:) They were a good middle of the road intro. You say you have coarse hair? Have you seen the Calypso razor from GlobalShave.club? tinyurl.com/v3me5r8 I also did a review: ua-cam.com/video/J0Mf7LXQfe0/v-deo.html
Thanks for the kind words.:) Have a great time with the wet shave and make sure to take your time and enjoy the process!:) Don't be discouraged if you slip up here and there. Keep at it.:) BTW, I do use Noxema as a pre-shave.:) I discovered it recently and it's cost effective and does a great job cleaning off the dirt and oil. As always, YMMV.:) Also, Neutrogena discontinued the after shave balm i recommended in this video. Bull Dog is very good as is the After Shave from Pacific Shaving Co.:) One last thing, as I mentioned, try many different blades, soaps, etc. while you hone your shaving technique. Some may work better than others based on your skin type.:)
Great video! You've got yourself a new subscriber! I'm just really getting into shaving and I've tried Harry's and Gillette disposable razors and I'm thinking I would be better suited with a safety razor. Right now I'm between the Vikings Blade Godfather, the Chieftain, and the Merkur MK 23C. Which do you recommend and why? Also, do you recommend aftershave? If so, which brand?
Rob, Thanks so much for the kind words. And thanks for subscribing.:) Regarding which razor to purchase, I’ve found that it’s much like “The Three Bears.” Depending on your skin and beard, the first might be too aggressive, the second might be too mild, and the third will be just right.:) The three that you mentioned are all great razors. Of the three, The Godfather has always been my goto razor. It’s mild but efficient. I started with the Chieftain which is also efficient, smooth and a tad more aggressive. I’ve not used the Merkur 23C. However, I’ve heard it’s similar to the the Merkur HD 34C which I have used. And I found the 34C to be quite mild. Again, YMMV depending your your skin and beard. My suggestion is to go mild and work up from there. These razors are all rated mild (in my view and the razors I’ve actually used): Vikings Blade Godfather (Mid mild to high mild): amzn.to/2l22bn3 Merkur HD 34C (Low mild): amzn.to/2lDDCja Edwin Jagger DE89 (Low mild): amzn.to/2lJNR2i Shaveology Griffin (Mid Mild to High mild): amzn.to/2l1UVY6 Van Der Hagen Butterfly (similar to Weishi) is mid-mild: amzn.to/2lDGlt6 The Chieftain is just a notch up from these.. I’d rate it as High mild to low aggressive.: amzn.to/2kl8K6Z The RazoRock Mission razor is definitely Mid to High aggressive. In fact, I found it it to be too aggressive for me. I also had some blade alignment issues when I used it: amzn.to/2klcLIH Get a good soap/cream that lathers well and protects. Use a good blade. I use Personna Blue, but Derby and Astra are fine too:) BTW, some guys will use a blade for up to five shaves. Not me. After two or three shaves (the first two for the face, the third for my head), I toss it and slap in a new blade. They’re cheap!:) Get a hot shower, soften the beard, use a brush to whip the lather, take short strokes, and take your time and enjoy the experience.:) Do two to three passes, re-lathering in between passes, and you should be fine.:)
Rob, The really nice thing about the Godfather razor is, the folks at Vikings Blade will stand behind it one hundred percent. It comes with a lifetime guarantee. if anything should go wrong, or you simply aren't satisfied, they'll make it right.
I've heard the same thing about coconut oil. I've not tried it, although, I do use every day. I especially like it in my coffee.:) Google Bullet coffee.:) For pre-shave, I've been using Noxema. ua-cam.com/video/liop-zsdits/v-deo.html I use it in the shower and, since making the video, I use it lightly on my face just prior to lathering.:)
Thanks Mark. I am enjoying your videos and find them quite helpful. I was a wet shaver all my life, most recently using cartridge blades. About 7-8 years ago I got a Braun electric shaver as an anniversary present and used it all the time until recently when I returned to wet shaving. I purchased a Wilkinson Sword Classic TTO DE shaver (perhaps not yet available in the States - I’m in Canada) and after a brief “get acquainted” period am getting along with it quite well. However I’m now curious about the Vikings Blade ‘The Godfather’ razor and am going to look for one. UA-cam has been a source of inspiration and entertainment-yours especially. Thanks again, keep up the good work, and keep posting.
Thanks very much for the kind words.:) Greatly appreciated.:) and I'm glad the videos have been helpful.:) The Chieftain is the razor that brought me back to the Traditional Wet Shave.:) the Godfather was quitre helpful when I needed something milder.:) Since then, I've used a variety of razors from mild to aggressive. Although, I tend to prefer the milder end.:) The Chieftain Jr. is a nice mild razor, as well, and the price is less than $20.00 USD.
BTW, the Chieftain is described by Vikings Blade as being neutral. I call it the Goldilocks razor...not too mild, not too aggressive, just right.:) IMHO.:)) YMMV.:)
just got my Godfather.. can't wait to use... it does feel a bit slick in my hands, my fingers may be a bit oily.. I'll be sure to wash hands before using
Paul, a good trick is wet an alum bar and pass your hands over it. This will make your fingers a bit sticky.
My first wet shaving experience is with the van de aHegan brush, bowl ,and soap set , with the Sallys chrome de razor forgot the name , the magic shavette black didnt know I had to wash the face with a scrub or soap back the using bumb stop , and my favorite aftershave at the time I have courses hair African American. Didnt know
James, When I came back to the wet shave I also used a lot of Van der Hagen products.:) They were a good middle of the road intro. You say you have coarse hair? Have you seen the Calypso razor from GlobalShave.club?
tinyurl.com/v3me5r8
I also did a review: ua-cam.com/video/J0Mf7LXQfe0/v-deo.html
Thanks, good video, I am going to follow your recommendations. First class job.
Thanks for the kind words.:) Have a great time with the wet shave and make sure to take your time and enjoy the process!:) Don't be discouraged if you slip up here and there. Keep at it.:)
BTW, I do use Noxema as a pre-shave.:) I discovered it recently and it's cost effective and does a great job cleaning off the dirt and oil. As always, YMMV.:)
Also, Neutrogena discontinued the after shave balm i recommended in this video. Bull Dog is very good as is the After Shave from Pacific Shaving Co.:)
One last thing, as I mentioned, try many different blades, soaps, etc. while you hone your shaving technique. Some may work better than others based on your skin type.:)
get an Wilkinson sword cassic razor
Thanks.:) I found it at: amzn.to/2jqztg9
Forgot the personna blues Sallys
Great video! You've got yourself a new subscriber!
I'm just really getting into shaving and I've tried Harry's and Gillette disposable razors and I'm thinking I would be better suited with a safety razor. Right now I'm between the Vikings Blade Godfather, the Chieftain, and the Merkur MK 23C. Which do you recommend and why?
Also, do you recommend aftershave? If so, which brand?
Rob,
Thanks so much for the kind words. And thanks for subscribing.:)
Regarding which razor to purchase, I’ve found that it’s much like “The Three Bears.” Depending on your skin and beard, the first might be too aggressive, the second might be too mild, and the third will be just right.:)
The three that you mentioned are all great razors. Of the three, The Godfather has always been my goto razor. It’s mild but efficient. I started with the Chieftain which is also efficient, smooth and a tad more aggressive. I’ve not used the Merkur 23C. However, I’ve heard it’s similar to the the Merkur HD 34C which I have used. And I found the 34C to be quite mild.
Again, YMMV depending your your skin and beard.
My suggestion is to go mild and work up from there. These razors are all rated mild (in my view and the razors I’ve actually used):
Vikings Blade Godfather (Mid mild to high mild): amzn.to/2l22bn3
Merkur HD 34C (Low mild): amzn.to/2lDDCja
Edwin Jagger DE89 (Low mild): amzn.to/2lJNR2i
Shaveology Griffin (Mid Mild to High mild): amzn.to/2l1UVY6
Van Der Hagen Butterfly (similar to Weishi) is mid-mild: amzn.to/2lDGlt6
The Chieftain is just a notch up from these.. I’d rate it as High mild to low aggressive.: amzn.to/2kl8K6Z
The RazoRock Mission razor is definitely Mid to High aggressive. In fact, I found it it to be too aggressive for me. I also had some blade alignment issues when I used it: amzn.to/2klcLIH
Get a good soap/cream that lathers well and protects. Use a good blade. I use Personna Blue, but Derby and Astra are fine too:) BTW, some guys will use a blade for up to five shaves. Not me. After two or three shaves (the first two for the face, the third for my head), I toss it and slap in a new blade. They’re cheap!:) Get a hot shower, soften the beard, use a brush to whip the lather, take short strokes, and take your time and enjoy the experience.:) Do two to three passes, re-lathering in between passes, and you should be fine.:)
Sounds good! I think I'm going to go with the Godfather, as it seems to be well rounded and efficient.
Rob,
The really nice thing about the Godfather razor is, the folks at Vikings Blade will stand behind it one hundred percent. It comes with a lifetime guarantee. if anything should go wrong, or you simply aren't satisfied, they'll make it right.
I hear you can use coconut oil as a pre shave...I use it anyway.. may give it a shot when I get the hang of wet shaving
I've heard the same thing about coconut oil. I've not tried it, although, I do use every day. I especially like it in my coffee.:) Google Bullet coffee.:)
For pre-shave, I've been using Noxema. ua-cam.com/video/liop-zsdits/v-deo.html
I use it in the shower and, since making the video, I use it lightly on my face just prior to lathering.:)
I use it pre and post, it's awesome and cheap.