Reddit reviews Col. Conk Shave Soap 2.25 Ounces (Variety 4 Pack)

Personally, I've had good experience with Col. Conks. personal preference would either be almond or bay rum. Ymmv

Edit: excuse me while I go behind the wood shed and shoot my autocorrect.

Guy here

you want the best shaving cream with the least waste?

Go this route

Shaving Soap

Shaving soap container

Safety Razor it will last you a lifetime and its nothing to be feared. You wont cut yourself if you always shave down and never side to side

almost a lifetime of razors for $9

follow that up with one of these holders

and the shaving brush

I have to buy new soap every so often but after the initial investment you will only ever pay pennies for each shave

I got this Col. Conk 4-pack a while back. Works well enough and isn't very expensive.

What blades are you using?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M712V20/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NL0T1G

They are German-made and available in the US, if that is what you're getting at. Couple those with some Col. Conk shave soap (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071B7XCO/) and you're good to go!

Okay, I guess I can jump in here as I had to shave every day for about 13 years (college and then the Army) no matter the conditions, no matter how dirty or oily my skin was, and with no regard to the availability of electricity or light.

• The first rule of shaving (okay, get the Fight Club jokes out of your systems) is to determine what kind of skin and hair you have.
  
  If you're like me, a white guy with very curly and dense facial hair, you're going to face a lot of the same problems that black guys have with ingrown hairs (it's called Pseudofolliculitis barbae when it's widespread and pervasive - many guys in the military get what are called "shaving profiles" and never touch a razor, only trimming the hair with trimmers).
  
  
• If you're like most guys in the United States, as soon as you registered for Selective Service at 18 Gillette sent you a razor in the mail (I know many guys that this was how they were introduced to shaving). A word of warning about "safety razors" of the disposable kind: more than two or three blades is a gimmick. They usually just strip away more skin, and then you're dealing with other issues.
  
  A good first "safety" razor, and the disposable kind are actually less expensive than the ones you replace the cartridges, is the Gillette Sensor (either the 2 or the 3, referring to the number of blades).
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Sensor3-Sensitive-Disposable-Razor/dp/B001F51QWK/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375152325&sr=1-3&keywords=Gillette+Sensor3
  
  I would stay away from the razors that are hinged at the rear, like the Fusion, as it seems that you need to put unnecessary force on your face to get good coverage, again irritating the skin.
  
  
• If you're wanting to avoid all of this, and get a good electric razor, and I'm talking combat tested (because mine was in Iraq with me and survived bad charging, no blade change, dirty skin and hair, and basically abuse), Braun seems to have broken the code on the "twin foil" system. I currently have a System 5, which I keep as my trimming / travel razor, and you will find that they are both relatively inexpensive and do a good job (as long as you don't have a beard, and then you need a real trimmer, not the little thing attached to the shaver).
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Braun-Series-5-590cc-Shaving-System/dp/B001P5HCKK/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375152622&sr=1-2&keywords=braun+series+5
  
  This is just my opinion, but the multi-head shavers that are supposed to trace the contours of your face are just more hype that doesn't work well. Same with the ones that are wet/dry and squirt what's supposed to be lube on the blades before shaving and then need cleaning after. This is shaving, let's not get too crazy.
  
  
• Now, if you want to step up to my level, and this will cover male grooming beyond your face, you need to be ready to invest in a few different things:
  
  Oster professional clippers (you can trim a horse, sheer sheep, or rid yourself of pesky hair in places you'd rather not mention). I have a set of A5 clippers with multiple blades (the finer ones will cut skin if you're not careful).
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Oster-2-Speed-Professional-Animal-Clipper/dp/B000LRN31A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375153214&sr=8-1&keywords=oster+a5
  
  A true "double edged" safety razor. I've had a Merkur for almost a decade and it's bulletproof. One point in using this: shave in a quiet room so you can hear the "bite" of the blade on the hairs. Additionally, after every stroke, make sure you turn the razor over and use the other edge. For maximum blade life, do not use hot water.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Heavy-Double-Razor-Included/dp/B000QYEK88
  
  Finally, ditch that nasty "shaving cream" that's just gunk and get yourself something real to lather your face with (okay, okay, get the jokes out of your systems): a proper mug, good soap, and a badger brush with make what can be a chore something else entirely.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Col-Ichabod-Conk-Glycerin-Variety/dp/B0071B7XCO/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375153718&sr=1-3&keywords=colonel+conk+shaving+soap
  
  Colonel Conk is good, I'm a fan of their almond and bay rum, but there can be many others found out there if you look (try to stay away from repurposed soaps with no oil in them, they can make the razor "chatter" across the face).
  
  Oh, and don't forget to put the soap inside of something presentable: There used to be some really awesome designs for getting the soap wet, and then letting the water drain out, but because of the lost market we seem to be left with a large coffee mug.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-Traditional-Porcelain-Shaving/dp/B000FIH8XO/ref=sr_1_6?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375154310&sr=1-6&keywords=shave+bowl
  
  Finally, there's the brush to get it on your face (some people say to just rub it on, but using a brush is like having a swarm of butterflies prepare you for a shave, as compared to putting on the goop with a spatula, so you decide).
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Safety-Razor-Bristle-Rosewood/dp/B002ET7AZ8/ref=sr_1_20?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375154994&sr=1-20&keywords=shave+brush
  
  You want a natural Badger bristle brush, but not one that is too soft, or it will just slop suds all over the place. Medium is good, so it's gentle to the face, but soft to the skin, and also holds the suds, seems to be pretty awesome (in other words, paying too much is just a waste).
  
  
• The thing that you'll ask about, so I'd better tell you: the straight razor.
  
  I've owned a Dovo / Solingen straight razor for over ten years and it is both the most useful and useless shaving tool that I own.
  
  http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/dostst4585sa.html
  
  One thing to keep in mind is that you're bringing something that is, quite literally, suicidally sharp against your skin. For this reason alone, a straight razor should give you pause. There are no safeguards, and damaging the edge is very easy, and even if you don't do that, keeping the razor sharp enough so you can shave is a royal pain in the ass.
  
  Now, there are some things that a straight razor does very well. If I have a beard, but don't want to get my clippers out and make a bunch of noise and get hair all over the sink, I get some warm lather going with my brush and soap (usually out of tubes as I'm through my supply of soap bars) and let it sit in my beard for a while as I strop my razor a few times to fold over the remaining imperfections in the blade. By the time I'm done with this, my beard is ready for another lather, as the soad is sort of dried, and I'll start near my ears pulling an inch or so of hair off at a time without making a mess (often having paper towel at the edge of the sink to wipe the blade on).
  
  While this will get most of my beard, it will leave me still in need of a finish shave with a regular razor, but I haven't cut myself with the straight razor, and I haven't made a mess.
  
  Each tool to it's own use.
  
  
• An afterword. There a great many sites out there run by people who just aren't good at web design who sell great products, some of them were invaluable in me buying my gear over the years. Even if you're just looking for rare stuff as a gift, ebarbershop.com can be a great resource (I just wish it was easier to find stuff).
  

The items I got were:

Parker Safety Razor 100% Silvertip Badger Bristle Shaving Brush (Chrome Handle)

http://smile.amazon.com/Parker-Safety-Razor-Silvertip-Bristle/dp/B002UB3BF8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451159349&sr=8-3&keywords=parker+shaving+brush

Parker Safety Razor Handmade Deluxe "Long Loft" 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush with Black & Chrome Handle

http://smile.amazon.com/Parker-Safety-Razor-Handmade-Shaving/dp/B002RJC1HC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451159349&sr=8-1&keywords=parker+shaving+brush

Col. Conk soap

http://smile.amazon.com/Col-Conk-Shave-Ounces-Variety/dp/B0071B7XCO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451159654&sr=8-3&keywords=shaving+soap

I already had the razor, but I got the stand as well.

Im not sure if it matters what model you get necessarily as much as the type of blade you use. I don't have the same skin issues you are experiencing so I can't say for sure what would be best for you. I would recommend getting a decent safety razor $20 - $50 and getting a multi pack of blades and seeing which works best. The great thing about these blades is they are so cheap you can use and toss often. Not using the blades for long could help as well with skin issues as well. Lastly consider using better shaving cream. I will recommend this since I have used it for a long time and loved it. Col. Conk Shave Soap 2.25 Ounces (Variety 4 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071B7XCO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Lo.bzbADWW02B

http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-2801-h-Mens-Shaving-Brush/dp/B000G647Y8

+

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0071B7XCO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?qid=1463034120&sr=8-1&keywords=shave+soap&pi=SY200_QL40

Oh man, especially after a hot shower, you'll be golden. I also find that moisturizing my face at night helps "toughen" my skin and I bleed less.

I tried the whole safety razor thing, and it honestly just does not get as close as my Gillette Mach 3. Even when I did take the 20 minutes to shave with, then perpendicular, and lastly, against the grain.

My opinion is you make your money with the brush and shave soap. YMMV.

You sound like you're talking about me, ha! Same issue - lots of nicking on the neck and I will destroy a razor in a single shave, I suppose because my hair is awfully thick and coarse.

Although even better than expensive razors I found, is using nicer shaving soap - Col Conks. Cheaper, and far far better than any can of foam or gel that I've found. And the cost savings have made up the cost of getting a bowl and nice soft badger hair lather brush, many times over.