I'm brand new. I picked up a VDH (boar) brush and some Williams soap from CVS on a whim a couple weeks ago, but have been using a cartridge. Have since upgraded to Proraso (white) and would like to get a razor. Unfortunately, I have read too many threads and am suffering paralysis by analysis. I'd like to get a good value pack -- not necessarily the cheapest, but something that I could use for a long while. Of course, I've never even tried a DE razor and I'm terrified that I will cut myself to no end. I was thinking about buying the Lord L6 and also heard good things about Omega brushes, so I considered this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Shaving-Kit-LOR...577?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a661d93c9 I figure that if I like the Lord, I could always use it for travel and buy an upgrade like a Jagger? Or do I just buy the Jagger now? Of course I REALLY like the looks of the Merkur Futur... Somebody please just tell me what to do (usually my g/f fills this role, but not sure she can help). Thanks.
Get a Single Edge (SE) razor and don't worry about the umpteen million blade choices for DEs. Easier to learn and great audible feedback to let you know if your angle is right. Plus the razor are very cheap and will last multiple lifetimes. Of course, YMMV but I found SEs pretty quickly and highly prefer them over the DE. I've only been enjoying the wet shaving experience now for about 2-3 months. So I'm definitely a newbie but already getting great results. To be completely honest though, any DE or SE you get will very quickly if not immediately provide you much better shaves than your cartridges do. Good luck and if you need any help with SEs, then just let me know. I know much more about them than the DEs, but there are plenty of people around here that will gladly help fuel any and all ADs (acquisition disorders) that you may/will develop.
Hi! Welcome to the Den. Don't know if I'd recommend an SE to start only because they can be more aggressive than a DE. Not always, but I've found that to be true in most cases. I'd say come to the SE after you've had some time to work on your technique with the DE. The kit you link to looks pretty good. I've tried the Lord and got fantastic results. I have two Omega brushes. Love 'em both. Omega just may be the highest touted boar brush here at the Den. Have you been here yet? Check out the fourth and fifth links. Those may help with what razor to buy. A blade sampler pack is a MUST. Blades are perhaps the one item that has the most love 'em/hate 'em opinions out there. The only way to know what will work best for you is to try them yourself in the razor you own. Here's the one tip that you absolutely must remember when starting with either the DE or SE - NO PRESSURE. Let the weight of the razor do the work. Folks coming off cartridges have a tendency to compensate for lack of weight by using pressure. It's a habit that must, MUST, MUST be broken, or you're going to wind up with bad razor burn, blame the razor, and give up on what, for many folks, has become a "get to" rather than a "have to" when it comes to shaving.
I stated DE shaving this year I started with the Merkur HD34c mainly because i got it at a good price on ebay, but I wanted a heavy razor because of the advise above NO PRESSURE. I wanted the razor to do the work, it worked for me buy everybody is different, although I had been using a straight razor for over a year so my prep and shaving skills where fairly transferable and helped me alot with the transition. (but most of all THE SHAVE DEN was my source research,advise and inspiration to take up DE's)
That kit is a good start. I've read lots of positive reviews for the Lord (check it out on Amazon, where the Lord is also sold). I agree with the advice to get a sample back of blades (you'll find plenty on eBay and Amazon).
Quite a few guys have started traditional wetshaving using a Merkur 34C or an Edwin Jagger DE89 razor. Both are good quality and will last a lifetime. A blade sampler is a great idea, as it allows you to try a variety of blade types. As others have noted, different blades can give very different shaves. Which ones work best for you? The only way to find out is to try them. Although some online vendors do sell samplers, you can also create your own simply by buying a collection of individual blade packs. The importance of using a light touch with a safety razor cannot be overstated. Unlike a cartridge razor, double edge razors require no extra pressure to do their job. Let the weight of the razor alone provide any required pressure and it will shave as it should. Using extra pressure will result in nicks and irritating, uncomfortable shaves. Practice your wetshaving technique a bit and your efforts will be amply rewarded for the rest of your life. In addition to the forums, the book Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving is an excellent reference. Mantic's videos on YouTube are another fine resource.
The set that you linked to will likely serve you well, although the Bluebird blades might be questionable. I just ordered the Lord L6 for BG from the same seller. The Omega Boar will be a good brush and the Shark blades from what I remember are good blades. For sure get yourself the largest blade sampler you can afford. As for the rest of your requests; The Edwin Jagger DE89L is a great razor, as is the Merkur Futur. Hang around here long enough and you will soon own one of everything! Happy Shaving! Welcome to TSD! This is the best wet shave board on the planet!
Your present gear is good. The brush is inexpensive, but it'll make great lather. A better brush at this point is meaningless. Concentrate on the basics and no the gear. I use vintage razors so can't help you with current production. I would buy a vintage razor before any modern ones, but the extremely expensive ones however are worth having, figure close to and exceeding $200, my opinion. I won't spend more $ for a white metal razor with plating when there are so many inexpensive vintage razors in circulation. Vintage razors are every bit as good as the current production and they are made better IMO. In SE a GEM Featherweight is one of the mildest, it's lightweight as the name suggests and will yield a BBS when you're up to it. I learned on a FW and I still use it. The same shave head is on a G-Bar, but it's a heavier razor due to the solid metal handle. SE razors have an added advantage, as long as the blade isn't a hardware store blade it will give a good shave. You can pretty much forget about a blade sampler. Ask about SE blades and we can tell you their characteristics. They are great shavers. As previously stated, they give great audio feedback when you have it right. I'd start with a SE too. They're just incredibly easy to use. Just stay away from the aggressive ones and stick to the ones I mentioned. There may be others , the more modern ones are the mild ones. In DE (vintage) a Tech or SS is a decent noob razor. When you gain experience the ultra sharp blades will yield BBS shaves and no blood. For a noob they're fairly forgiving, but you might figure out a way to see blood. I hope you don't but noobs can't help but put pressure on the gear, and as previously stated... NO PRESSURE! Of course you have to get the angle right for it to cut hair or nick skin. If the angle is screwed up you'll cut nothing and see no blood, I guess that's a good thing, but it doesn't get the job done.
Just so you know opinions vary, I prefer a DE razor to the single edge ones being suggested. Not by much, but enough I'd suggest a DE if being asked. Either way, you'll be getting a better shave, so don't stress over the decision too much.
I'd like to echo Erik and Steve's sentiments about the DE first over the SE. Not to discount SharpSpine's love for the SEs though but I used my Gem 1912 just yesterday and realized how much my technique with DEs has helped save me blood and irritation on my SE shaves. Not saying that you can't learn on an SE but I think that a DE is a bit more forgiving initially and will help you get the feel of traditional shaving a bit easier initially. This is only my opinion though, YMMV. As far as the L6 goes, it is a great beginner's razor but for just a few more bucks the EJ 89 could very well be the last razor you ever buy. Good luck with that concept though.....
I must say that I have benefited from using both SE and DE, with each contributing technique knowledge to the other. I concur with other posts that SE will be more aggressive than most DE, however if you stick to the Ted Pella Coated blades, use a light touch and avoid too many passes, SE will serve most well. Within 3 months of beginning serious wet shaving I had both DE and SE in my rotation, and still do. DE may be better for a pure newbie, but it will not be long until you are ready enough for SE.
