I ordered a new Edwin Jagger DE89 and just got it this week. So I get up about 15 minutes earlier than usual and got set up. This past weekend I bought one of the Van Der Hagen Sets with the Badger Brush and the nice black mug and soap so I had everything I needed. I was apprehensive at first but once I got going and got the feel of it all I can say is WOW! I can't believe I've been shaving with the $#%# I've been shaing with for so long. I know I'll get the hang of it and improve, which I'm looking forward to, but that one shave was worth every penny I spent. I'm looking forward to improving my technique and trying new things and learning about it all here!
That's a great first time experience....especially considering it only gets better with time! So I'm curious, what made you switch over?
Oh, brother.... you just stepped over the edge. Ain't no goin' back now! Good on yer! Uh... best clear the path ahead on the domestic and financial fronts! That first hit is such a rush that you may impulsively chase after MORE! Follow the sage advice of those who always buy SWMBO a little something with every shaving purchase. It is pure genius! Wish I had started that way! ...and welcome!
Lot's of great advice here maltedmilk! tristanwalker, years ago, someone gave me a soap mug and brush as a christmas gift. I used it for shaving for a long time but only with cartridge razors but at least I was familiar with "wet shaving". I lost it several years ago, I guess in a move, and never replaced it. So, a while back I was looking at buying a new set and ran across some nice DE razors. I had always remembered my Dad using the old Gillette adjustables so when I saw some of the new stuff it piqued my interest. It all is downhill from there! I decided to make the jump and bought an Edwin Jagger DE89 and some blades and now I can't quit buying stuff! I'ev already bought some new Clubman after Shave, a tube of the Bigelow Shave Cream at BBW's, some more VDH soap, etc! Oh well, it's fun!
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
Welcome to TSD! I've got an EJ DE89 too, its a fantastic razor. You'll soon get acquisition sickness.... Just don't fight it and accept it lol.
