Greetings from another newbie and former lurker. Used a safety razor in my teens but I nicked myself often enough that I was happy to switch to cartridges. However, as I've aged, I've become tempted by the older tech (and more annoyed at rising Gillette prices). I also found that the multi blade cartridges give me a close shave but tended to abuse my skin when I shaved everyday. I have been alternating shaves with electric shaves but want to go to all razor. Now -- many, many years after my last DE experience -- I'm getting back in the water. I have a vintage Super Speed on order, a sampler pack of blades, and made a deal with another shaver on a different forum to buy several of the brushes and soaps he doesn't need anymore. I have sensitive skin and light hair growth. And I'm also kinda impatient. But I have really enjoyed getting a shave at a good barber and I thought I could replicate some of that pleasure with DE shaving at home. I also suspect that the rather worn out and beat up razor I used decades ago (my Dad's) and the crappy blades we were buying may have had something to do with my poor experiences. I figure that given the choice of blades I can get, as well as all the paraphernalia now available to indulge us, I should be able to find a routine that is both pleasurable and efficient. Or at least I hope. Worst case, I can switch back and forth between all three alternatives at will (DE, cartridge, and electric). I've learned a lot by lurking on the forum and look forward to learning still more now that I've come out of the closet.
Since you are coming back to the Double Edge world after a long absence, here is the advice I received when I started with a DE and so I freely give it to new and returning 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
Thank you GDC. I plan to do most of that although I wonder if I'll have the patience for a full 30 days. I also plan to occasionally go back to the cartridges with the new brush/soap regime to compare that as well. In my view, if DE after sufficient time can't beat cartridges with either canned gel or good brush/lather, then it's not for me. And if it only works after (for example) a shower or when using some rare Scottish-Italian cream that must first be warmed in clay ovens under a pyramid, then it means that DE is a nice luxury but not something I can count on for a daily routine. But I plan to find out all about this for myself. Hopefully, it'll all seem easy and natural after a month. And future shaving will seem like a month of Sundays.
Welcome to the Den! Looks like you're off to a great start. I found that when I combined a 3 pass cart shave with a brush/soap, I got a much better shave than with canned goo. However, my DE shaves are much better with a lot less irritation.
to TSD "cournot" I think you'll find that while "traditional" shaving, specifically DE shaving in this case, does have a slight learning curve and does take a tiny amount of patience especially in the beginning, not only is it worth the effort as far as shave quality and comfort, it's actually interesting and fun to do. Also I think you'll find that with a small amount of effort, not only will you be able replicate the closeness and comfort of a barber shave you can easily surpass it.
Welcome to the den. I did cart shave with a brush and soap before I started De shaving, and that alone was an improvement for me. Now I enjoy so much the different hardware and software involved in my traditional wet shaves that I shave nearly every day - because I want to! And the result is far better; my skin looks and feels better, and I'm not bothered by bumps and irritation, nor ingrown hair and acne as I was plagued by before. Just my .02 worth I know you'll find your way to enjoy your shave. And it'll come along so much easier with all the help from the guys and gals here, I don't know how I'd have gotten on without it!
