Well, not really, but figured that would get the most people to open the thread. Howdy. Name's Damian. I just ventured on to here to gather information about shaving and figured I would say hello. I just recently purchased my first safety razor for Father's Day. I got a Merkur Long Handle safety razor, and I am addicted. Here lately, I have been shaving every day just because I enjoy the experience so much, whereas I used to just shave every other day. I should have started this back when I was in the Marine Corps and HAD to shave every day. I only bought the blade to see if I would like it. Well now I am trying to educate myself on all the ways to shave in an old school way. I was using my left over shaving cream, but yesterday I ordered a Van Der Hagen shave set to help me get started with shaving soaps and using a brush properly. I am reading that I should really invest in a better brush, but we just got back from vacation, and I figure if I can piece together my set and spread my costs, it will keep my wife off my back. She is already giving me a hard time, saying I am acting like an old man and she is worried about me. Haha. So this way I can start to work on my technique, and then slowly improve my gear over time. I want to eventually work my way up to a straight razor, but I met a shaving enthusiast on a dad forum I help run, and he had told me back then to start with a safety razor first. I always remembered that, so here I am with my safety razor and having a blast with it. I probably won't post much because I really don't know anything, and I don't even know what to ask, or what I should be asking. I'll just gather information where I can, and thanks for the centralized location of all this information.
Welcome to TSD I, and probably most people that take up wet shaving, also find it to be a relaxing ritual. There's no hurry to get all the "best" stuff, and quite often, it is a matter of opinion or YMMV (your mileage may vary) anyway... As long as you don't suffer from one of the many types of AD (aquisition disorders), you can tell your wife, in good consciense, that you're saving a lot of money by shaving this way. Enjoy your stay!
Welcome! Please post and ask questions. The VDH set it how most of us got our start, so you're in good company. Forget what you read, if it works for you it's good so use it. I still use my original VDH brush, there's nothing wrong with it and it works well!
Welcome to the Den! And you were right, I opened your post do to pure curiosity. You'll fit right in with that sense of humour.
Welcome! One thing encouraged here at TSD is participation by all members, no matter the experience level. We all can learn something from other's experiences, and one of the joys of this forum is the openness, helpfulness and willing to share among the members.
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 - got my first DE along with the VDH brush set last week and I too am enjoying shaving again!
Thanks for the tip, Carrington. I read about the 30 Day Rule yesterday. I will be sure to give each a long enough trial to make a decision. Seems like nothing will happen quickly or overnight, but I'm excited to stick with it, making those small changes and see what works for me. Also excited for that change up, to see how each little thing takes affect on the whole, overall experience. And thanks for all the welcomes.
Welcome from another Newbie! Information is knowledge so share what you learn. There will be more Newbies looking for answers like us, so post away.
