Hey guys, new guy checking in. Name is Keith Morgan, and as the title states, I'm from Savannah, GA, born and raised. I'm a 23 year old photographer and photography teacher to K-12 students, as well a semi-aggressive Audi enthusiast and an extreme photography buff. My interest in this board came from the issues I'm have shaving with carts, so I figured to get in to the more "manly" blades to see if it made a difference. My father (and his father, and his father, and...) was in the military and used the heavier style blades and maintained an impeccable shave consistently, further piquing my interest. Brief intro aside, I've also been a lurker on this board for a few days and felt the community here seems pretty chill and informative, prompting me to create an account. In my diving the archives, I've seen and learned quite a bit, but I do have a question. I've done a bit of searching, but I haven't any definitive answers... Is there any difference in shaving for different ethnicities? As a black guy (african-american for the politically correct), I do realize I have thicker facial hair, so would that make huge difference in blade choice, shaving technique, etc?
First, WELCOME to the Den! I believe your technique will be no different than that of any one else but blade type is different for each and every one of us. I recommend a blade sample pack which you can purchase right here from TSD or on line from a different seller. Also be aware that double edge razors come in different levels of aggressiveness. I'm quite sure you will be receiving a lot of welcomes and information from many members in the next few hours.
to TSD Keith.........I hope you enjoy it here...... I don't know that there is any difference in ethnicity or rather just each individuals skin/hair thickness/toughness. Everyone seems to have more or less individual shaving requirements..There is no one perfect answer, you just need to try different things out and see what works "BEST" for you and your needs...Thats the problem, the benefit and the fun of "traditional" shaving, the ability through trial and error to get a truly comfortable, irritation free and close customized shave...Time,Technique,Practice and Patience will see to the best shaves of your young life.... One bit of advice I would give you is get as large a blade sample pack as you can..The more different blades you can try the better chance of finding your perfect blade/blades... Please tell you father and his father and.... THANKS for their service....
Welcome, nice to have you here. I hope you have a good time here and figure out what works best for your skin.
Welcome to TSD! Many of my African American friends have had problems with ingrown hairs in the neck area from cartridge razors and all who have tried can now successfully shave with a safety razor. Some had to start with only one pass until their technique was acquired and then worked their way up to 3. You came to the right place, a lot of great people and information to be found here.
Wow, what a welcoming! I'll definitely be hanging out with you guys. And, like FacialCarnage mentioned, I do primarily see irritation under the neck and chin. What do you guys suggest as a good starter combo for semi-steel hair and sensitive skin?
I would recommend a mild razor, i.e. (NEW) Edwin Jagger DE89L, Merkur 33C or 34C, (VINTAGE) Gillette Super Speed, Gillette Flare Tip, Schick Krona, or even a Gillette Slim Adjustable. You can buy the new razors from many online suppliers and the best bet on the vintage ones is to try Ebay or Etsy. I personally prefer the vintage razors. You'll also need a brush and some shave soap. You could start with a Van Der Hagen starter kit which you can get locally at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, etc. There are two types. One comes with a low quality badger brush, soap, mug, and stand. The other comes with a boar brush, soap and bowl. Or you can go online and get anything you may want. Don't forget that blade sampler pack. Just remember to take it slow and easy when you start. Do NOT apply any pressure to the razor against your face. Let the weight of the razor do the work. DE razors are not designed to remove all your beard in one pass. For most people it takes two to four passes to achieve a smooth shave. You will hear terms like WTG (With The Grain), XTG (Across The Grain) and ATG (Against The Grain). You will need to map out how your beard grows on different parts of your face to know which is which. Many people cannot shave ATG without getting razor burn so I don't recommend it when you first start but that's up to you. When first starting out it can be very frustrating. You will need to practice your technique, find the best blade for you, and learn how to make a good lather. Just stick with it. It will get better and better as you shave. Remember, we are all here to support you. Good luck.
Feel like I love you guys already, lol. I'm looking at some of the Vintage 30's style Gillette Short Comb DE, mainly for aesthetics (partial to the different brass/gold look). A little uncertain on how it operates as far as blade replacement, as the other TTO and Injection style blades are more straight-forward. Pointers?
Welcome Keith, As you have already noticed, this is a great bunch of people. Good luck in your shaving journey. A company called Shea Moisture makes some products specifically for bump healing and prevention. It works well for me on my rosacea. Paul
The Gillette 'New' Long Comb & Short Comb razors are my favorite of the 3-pc Gillette razors and the same razor that I use as my daily shaver. They are extremely smooth shavers and well regarded throughout the shaving community. These are 3-pc razors and the handle unscrews allowing the top plate and base plate to come apart. A blade is basically sandwiched between the two and then tightened back together with the handle.
Welcome my friend! Glad to have you, as you can see there is a ton of information floating around. If you ever have a specific question never be afraid to ask!
