Just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the awesome information, it's kind of overwhelming really! Although I've been shaving for over 20 years it's only been the last 6 months or so I've given up my electric shavers and started using blades. I guess I dipped my toe in the water with Dorco cartridges and your typical shaving cream but am looking for something more fulfilling.
Since you are new to the Double Edge world, 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. This really does work. 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
Thanks for the advice, it's very helpful since I don't have a great deal to spend on anything. I think I may have a soap that will work for me, but since I don't have anything else yet that remains to be seen. Now I just have to find some good value starting options, the blade sampler in the store here seems to be a good option so that only leaves a couple more things.
The stores blade sampler in my opinion is the best valued sampler on the market. You should be able to find a blade that will suit you to buy enough quantity to start the 30 Day rule which would be at the most 10 to 15 blades. As to razors, you can find that the Lord L6 is a very good inexpensive starter razor that many users never steer away from using. http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Safety-Razor-Model-LP1822L/dp/B004N77JVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384744124&sr=8-1&keywords=lord l6 safety razor Now as to a brush you can find good quality brushes starting around $20 - 25. One that I recommend for quality and price is the Kent Infinity Silvertex. It is a really good Generation 3 synthetic brush that is a real workhorse brush. http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Silvertex-Shaving-Brush-by-Kent/dp/B00BG7WVEY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384744313&sr=8-1&keywords=kent infinity Now these are items to look for. There are better prices out there, so it is up to you to do some research, but Amazon does make it easier to obtain these items. In my mind though you can find shaving specific vendors that can get better pricing. I see that you are entered in the November give away so good fortune to you.
to TSD drobert0503........I hope you enjoy it here. What type of razor are you using? Vintage or modern, TTO or 3 piece, Injector or Straight? Heres some shave stuff that will start you out cheap, easy, but good quality and usually locally available..All of these items I'm either currently using or have used..Please remember will all things shaving related "YMMV"... Preshave: Proraso or what I use Corn Huskers Lotion Brush: Van der Hagan boar or badger Shave soap/cream: Van der Hagan hard soap or C.O. Bigalow cream.. Blades: Personna store branded blades(you need to check them if they are ASR made they are Personna) and Wilkinson Sword... AfterShave: Aqua Velva,Mennen,Barbasol,Clubman,Old Spice/Dollar Store Old Spice.. PostShave: Nivea PostShave Balm... You can many times find vintage Gillette DE razors as well as other type razors in antique shops for fair prices though you may need to shop around some...
GDCarrington gave you a thoughtful, well-informed welcome, so I'll just say it's nice to have you! I hope you enjoy yourself here.
Thanks for the welcome. Regarding questions, I'm finding it pretty hard to actually find one that doesn't already have a tutorial or in depth thread!
Welcome, I'm new as of a few minutes. Read the first response and I'm gonna try and do what was said with 30 day challenge.
