That's what I was afraid of......I wish I could find a starter pack that has like 20 of 3 really good brands.
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Sample-Packs_c_1.html http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/catalog/blade-sampler-packs http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/blsapa.html
I think that I'm going to roll with this package: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z85VJK/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk
What you think about that set I just posted? I'd prefer to just get it all through amazon if possible. I've got everything chosen except for blades. Got my razor, soap, brush and after shave. Thanks for opening my eyes to this.
That would be some good exposure. If you're getting that ED89L then you're going to get a pack of Derby's to practice with anyway. That will get you a full month into it and then you can start experimenting with that sampler.
Some 3, others 7 to 10. Depends on the blade. Listen to your instincts on changing the blade. If it starts feeling horrible, switch to a new blade. 3 is the worst I've ever gotten, 5 is pretty average, and I only know of two blades that could even pretend to get to 10.
Thanks for all your insight. I really appreciate your information. I'll update you guys when I get everything in next week.
I ordered what seems like a pretty decent shave set. I spent right at $100 for anybody looking to get started, and I splurged on a few products. It looks like this hobby will become really cheap once I figure out what blades are best for me. What I bought: Edwin Jagger De89lbl- $29 Escali badger shaving brush- $14 Proraso shaving soap and aftershave lotion(both got great reviews on amazon)- ~$25 50 blade sample pack- $13
I'm pretty nervous about using the stuff. Realistically how many times am I going to need a blood transfusion for cutting myself?
Just go slow. If you're nervous around the throat, just start by doing the cheeks with your new razor then default to your old razor for the tricky areas. After a couple of days, the jawline, throat and around the upper lip area will seem much easier. Either that, or just plan to take a long time on your first shave. Just don't psych yourself out. Like I said before, millions of people around the world have shaved with safety razors for over a century.
I didn't cut myself maybe the first 2-3 weeks I shaved and I've yet to really get anything more than a nick after years of shaving, definitely no gushers. just do 3 things: 1)put the head of the razor on your face, angle it down until you feel the blade touch the skin and keep this angle when shaving 2)do not shave like you did with a cartridge razor. gravity is your friend and does all the work, you don't have to exert any force on the razor to shave outside of just keeping it in your hand. give it a firm grip but not a death grip and just stroke down 3)if there isn't lather, don't shave. if you've hit an area and it still feels rough, resist the temptation to hit the area again like you might have with a cartridge razor. finish up, lather again and have another go. wet shaving is a marathon, not a sprint. if you can make the first 2-3 moves without cutting yourself I think your nerves will drop and then it'll just be business as usual. if you cut yourself you probably need to re-approach how you hold the blade.
With the success folks in here are having (and all of us learning from the internet) I don't see you failing. Unless you sort glass.
Reading over your recommendations for brushes, does this EJ brush seem best? http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-...ef=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1325401626&sr=1-1 I don't want boar, and don't want pure badger if I understand correctly. Will this be fair to start with?
Cool, thanks. For others also starting, here's what it looks like I'm going with: RAZOR: EJ DE89 razor http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RBF1PO?tag=t0896-20&creativeASIN=B002RBF1PO $29.08 BLADES: Razor blade sampler pack http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PZCJC6?tag=t0896-20&creativeASIN=B001PZCJC6 $17.00 BRUSH: EJ Best Badger Shaving brush http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-...ef=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1325401626&sr=1-1 $41.84 CREAMS: Truefitt & Hill shaving cream sampler http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_10103__37.html $10.00 (shipping?) Styptic Pencil (available at local pharmacy/grocery places in shaving section) expect to pay <$2 My last question would be what's a quality moisturizing facial soap? It's time to take care of my face and skin, haha
That looks like a good setup. You'll go through those samples pretty quickly; you may want to consider adding a tube of shaving cream to that Amazon order. The soap I use on my face is this http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_00037__10.html or if I'm out and want to buy locally I get Yardley of London, Dove, or Dr. Bronner's bar soap. Local artisan soaps with olive oil, shea butter, goats milk etc. can be good for the skin, but sometimes they really sucks. I'd go with something known for a while, that way if you try something local and it bothers you it will be apparent that you need to switch back.
Wish I could help you. I've literally tried aftershaves that caused migraines so I don't experiment with many. We had a fragrance thread a while back and there seemed to be some knowledgeable folks around.
the overwhelming majority are flat on the bottom so just turn them upside-down. I don't know about boar hair or low-quality badger hair brushes(no snobbery, just don't own any) but all of my brushes take about 3 good flicks of the wrist after you clean them and they lose 95+% of their water and don't drip at all. or you can buy a little tray of some sort to store your supplies on.
I actually just got this exact sampler for christmas, although I was told it was purchased for 13. edit nevermind: just noticed if you click to the 25 pack it is 13. when you get it, you can just go ahead and throw away the big ben.
I just recently started using baxter of california's aftershave balm. its a rub in, nice cooling feeling, but I'm told it has a bit of a medicinal smell.
I've been wet shaving since May-ish. For those getting started this is a decent package: http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Men...ef=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1325430143&sr=1-1 Soap isn't bad and I think the brush works pretty well, way better than a cheap body shop synthetic I was using before. I've since replaced the soap with Mitchell's Wool Fat. I grated it down and packed it in the mug, keeps things nice and simple. I'm using the EJ DE89 and Gillette 7 o'clock blues are the current blade of choice: Mantic, I'm also a long time fan of your videos and the new Sharpologist blog. Thanks for all you do!
big fan of your stuff. I went this route(per your advice) when I first started it, some of the best advice for getting into traditional wet shaving.
oh for those wondering, my current rotation. omega 63167 stripey pure muhle r41 edit forgot blades. Right now I'm working through the 25 blade sampler posted earlier, but usually I use Feathers when I'm on schedule, and derby's if I'm shaving ahead of schedule. for "cream" either Gold Dachs Shaving Soap Flakes or post shave
I came up to my grandmothers today for New Years, and she has accumulated a good bit of trinkets and other collectivist over the years. I ask her if she still has my great grandfathers DE razors and she says no, but she did have his old army issued brush and an old German made straight razor. Pretty cool stuff.
have a similar story, except not as cool. was at my grandmothers and my mother tried to get me to take bowl but the handle was broken off.
Just got... Going to start out with the Art of Shaving starter kit I already have plus have 75 gift certificate there to spend on more soap/cream. Excite.
You guys got me too. Just ordered these: Told my wife to come here and thank you all in the likely event that I slice into my jugular and bleed out on the bathroom floor.
Check back here if/when you need some help. Let us know (especially those with reservations) how difficult the learning curve is for you. I'm also interested to hear from someone who goes with the Merkur 34C over the Edwin Jagger if they like it. I used mine for the first time in weeks this morning and realized I should use it more often. Also, if anyone wants to get started with a vintage Gillette like NoleNBlue did, that would be a great starting point too. Gillette Techs can be found for $8 or $10 if you keep an eye out. They often take some time to get them clean and they won't be as pretty, but they will certainly shave just fine. The only reason I don't always recommend the vintage ones first is sometimes they are damaged and maybe the blade alignment is off or something isn't quite right. Until you know how it should shave it's hard to diagnose if a vintage model is right.
would anyone be able to post a picture of their face after using say a fusion blade and then a wet shave?
The difference, for me, is more what I look like at 5 p.m. I have more stubble at 5 after a Fusion shave than a wet shave. If I'm going out after work and I've had a Fusion shave I have to do a touch up to look clean. That's not really the case with wet shaving. Also, get few if any razor bumps and burn with wet shaving.