Welcome to the club! It gets better as you perfect technique and map the direction of hair growth. Glad to hear it went well.
First DE Shave So I've been hanging around the forum and I figured I'd join since I had my first DE shave tonight. I have to say, after shaving with an electric razor for the past 36 years, this is the first time I actually had fun shaving and feel invigorated. I'm using a Merkur Futur adjustable. It feels really good in my hand and gave me a fantastic three pass shave. I can't say that there wasn't any blood, maybe a pint or so. I'll need a lot more practice but the overall experience was just great. I started with a hot shower, then a hot towel. I then applied Art of Shaving oil. After reading a bunch of reviews, I decided to go with Jack Black Supreme cream, Astra blades and Art of Shaving aftershave balm. All I can say is, thank God for styptic sticks! I also bought a Parker silvertip shave brush. The one thing I'm not happy with is the 4" SS bowl I bought. Way too small, the cream just spills over and it's to small for the brush. Way to difficult to make good lather. Maybe I need more practice with it. Well that's it for now. I'll update as I hopefully make progress. John Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The Futur is a fantastic razor, though tough to learn with. It may take a little more time, but you'll really develop top technique... if you don't bleed out first If you continue getting cut, try a Derby blade, it really helped me when I started with the Futur.
Thanks for the tip, I did purchase a pack of Derby blades a little while ago. Unfortunately for me, I have my sisters wedding tomorrow and I look like I had a fight with a cat. I've been using witch hazel and Neosporin cream frequently and the irritation is starting to heal. To bad just not fast enough. I'm not discouraged, regardless of the cuts and a little pain, my face still felt fantastic and the whole process was exciting. I'll keep the forum posted on my next shave. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hey Guys, So maybe I made a mistake starting with the Futur. Any thoughts on either the Merkur 34c or the Ikon Shave Craft #101 which is listed as mild on their site. Any other advise on a starter DE razor would be much appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'd suggest you start a new thread. Choose a snappy title to catch folks attention. If you mention you need advice or opinions there will be a stampede of messages. Post photos of the gear you a currently using, like in the Shave of the Day thread. Another great place to get instant help is the 30 day Rule/Focus group. It's a "come as you are" ongoing gathering of novice to expert shavers all trying to improve their results.
I started with the Merkur 38C and it is a good razor that is very forgiving has minimal blade exposure and shaves smooth and true as long as you don't apply pressure. While doing as RyX above suggests I saw a post by Roby in the SOTD or Fellowship of Coldwater where he used an Evahs razor. The review of that particular razor caught my eye. I never heard of the Evahs but reading the shave reviews everyday by different members, I reached out to learn more about the Evahs. I was intrigued enough and sought one out on Amazon for $28 or $29 and I bought one. I added a 100 pack of Personna and a 50 pack of Gillette Silver Blues. The Evahs is now my go-to razor. The poor Merkur collects dust. And been used twice since the Evahs Arrival. Someday I hope to add meaningful reviews, but my collection is still growing and I love my Evahs too much to put it down and risk a shave where the 5 o'clock shows up at noon. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Hey thanks for the tip. Sorry that I threadjacked. I'll start a new post. I'm a little impatient and I OCD about things a little. I have to keep in mind, practice, practice, practice. Just wish I didn't butcher myself so badly. I'm cornering the market on Witch Hazel and Neosporin. Cheers! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Have you considered an alum block? It's another post shave astringent & antiseptic. Necroposting happens. Very common for discussion to wander as a thread stretches on. Hardly ever slips to being Godwinned. This was a fresh old thread. I enjoy seeing the early experiences of folks who are now regulars on the forum. Ben @ob1page is distracted by beta test shaving a prototype razor right now.
