Firstly hello to everyone. Here is a bit of info about me. I am 18 years old and for years I shaved with the cheapest disposable razors around with super foamy bottled shave gel. Over the past 3 months I have been using the Gillette fusion proglide, which was a huge upgrade from what I used previously. I've recently read a lot about DE razor shaving and I'm ready to jump in but I was looking for some advice!! I have moderate beard growth, and my skin is sensitive on my neck, other then that I don't have any problems. So I'm looking for a full set up advice; razor, brush, shave cream, ect Money is not much of an issue Thanks everyone!
Welcome man, nice to have you. The options are endless. For razors, you can go vintage Gillette or something modern like Edwin jagger or Merkur or something like that. Creams: those aren't very hard to come by and soaps are just as easy, just have to find which you like better. Brush: You can get Badger, Boar, Horse hair, or Synthetic. They all have advantages and disadvantages. You can also find each style for relatively cheap. Get a sample pack of DE blades and you'll be set. Go slow, take light strokes and just come on here and ask questions on anything.
Here is the advice I received when I started with a DE and so I freely give it to new users. The most important things in shaving are, your skin and technique. All other things fall in line behind those two things and to support them. Since the skin is a given fixed item, the next major item is technique. It is called THE 30 DAY RULE. THE 30 DAY RULE is as follows: Find a razor, then a blade that will not cause issues with your skin (that may take a few different blades in a sampler pack to find a suitable choice or it maybe the first out of the gate) and select a soap or cream that is easy to generate good lather. Once you find those, and it may take a couple of weeks to find this combination, order a quantity of that blade enough for 30 days, and then spend 30 days using nothing else until you build up your technique. (Note that only one brand blade is used for 30 days after each blade in the sampler pack is tested to make the decision on the blade brand to use for 30 days.) The 30 day clock starts when you have the right blade for you. After 30 days, change one and only one variable and work for another week then change another after another week. At that point you should be able to make better decisions because your technique is now in place. This will help you to avoid buying too much gear and stuff too soon without having the technique down to enjoy it all. Oh and one more thing... Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
Welcome, Jake. I mainly use a Rolls (don't ask...yet) but a Proglide is in my tiny rotation of razors. Excellent, excellent shaver that never lets me down, though I'm about the only guy on this board who'll say that outloud. *shrug* Again, welcome.
Oh and I also wanted to ask if an aftershave is really all that important? I Have never used one but I am obviously very open to experimenting at the moment. And thank you all!
Welcome to The Shave Den! My son who is 19 uses the Merkur 34C and loves it! Take your time, and remember use little to no pressure on the razor while shaving! Follow GDCarrington's advice regarding The 30 Day Rule, and your well on your way to a better shave!
I just ordered my first DE along with the essentials. Picking up great advice looking around the forums. Really looking forward to this new hobby
Yeah this forum is great, lots of nice people. Im really excited to start, seems like shaving will become something I enjoy.
...to The Shave Den family! Be sure to stop by The Shave Den "Master Sticky" thread to familiarize yourself with the rules and different areas of The Shave Den!
You've already gotten good advice so I don't really have anything to add except. welcome to the Den Jake
Welcome to The Shave Den! Aftershave isn't just for scent. In general aftershaves have antiseptic qualities, and some have miniaturizing qualities. Aftershave doesn't have to be expensive, either. I would suggest picking some up at Wal-Mart or a similar type store, and just giving it a try.
You may also want to go here: http://theshaveden.com/forums/forums/preshave-and-aftershave.38/ This area is set aside for preshave and aftershave products and you can find good information in the sticky on top.
Hi and welcome to the shave den. yes the Edwin Jagger DE89L is a great razor and look fantastic, as for a brush an Omega boar is what I use 95% of the time inexpensive great brush Semogue do great boar brushes but I am yet to try one, soap and blade you may need to get a few different one to find what you like as the are more YMMV items (Your Millage May Vary). ggo luck with your choice's
You've already had two great responses to this, but I'll add my 2 cents. Witch Hazel is a shaver's best friend. you can apply it just like aftershave and even follow it up with aftershave, but it's one of those little, important things that often gets overlooked when you are faced with all the shiny new toys and the endless variety of soaps and creams. For my advice regarding everything else, refer to the link in my signature.
All I could add is Time,technique,practice and patience are key to a great shave and of course to TSD Jake......
