Hi All: After experiencing another burn with a cartridge based system I'm done. I was wondering what DE setup the knowledgeable base at the den would suggest? I know it can be very subjective but one aspect to keep in mind is that i have sensitive skin around the base of my neck. If you could suggest a started setup that would be very helpful. Again totally new to wet shaving. Thanks all!
Welcome to TSD! Please sign up for the Newbie Give-Away HERE Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89 or a Vintage Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed Blades: Sample pack, it will have a good selection of different ones to try out. Brush: You have Boar, horse or synthetic. You can pick up a nice boar for $10. Soap: Arko, Taylor of old bond street, TSD Shop Again welcome! Kerry
Omar, welcome to The Shave Den! Kerry's suggestions above are great. Please join us on the 30 day focus thread, and we'll help you develop your shaving technique. We're all there to learn and have fun.
Vintage Gillette SuperSpeeds can be found cheap on eBay. The Razorock Plissoft is a great synthetic brush that needs no break in or soaking to work great and its a steal at $10. Proraso soap or cream is inexpensive and very easy to use with great performance. Tryablade.com has a top ten sampler that has a good mix of popular blades. Get at least 2 and shave 2 days on a blade for 4 days with each blade type. After that pick your favorite blade, buy 15 or so and stay with the same setup for 30 days to dial I technique before switching things around and trying new things. Have fun and welcome to the den.
Thank you all really appreciate it! Kerry i will def look into your suggestions! Charlie i will def join once i pick up what i need. DDuckyMark really appreciate it!Thanks for the directions on the blades. I have seen pre shave application, shave applications and post shave applications. Trying to make sense of it. Again coming from cartridge this almost reminds from driving automatic to stick shift
quote="clint64, post: 953692, member: 12929"]Welcome to TSD.[/quote] I didn't mean to hit "reply" Clint, but now that I have your attention, how are you?
Don't worry buddy, I was a cartridge shaver for 27 yrs and have only been DE shaving for 4 to 5 months or so and I've learned tons from these helpful gents. Their advice has been immeasurable to me. Take your time and above all have fun!
Pre shave is something else. some guys love it some don't use it. I usee a hot towel held on my face for 5 min or so or I take a shower. I have tried preshave oil but it didn't improve anything on me. Some guys love it. Plain coconut oil from the grocery store is a low cost low risk preshave oil if you would like to try it. just smear it on and lather over top of it. Post shave is another thing thats very diverse. Sometimes I use an Alum block sometimes Witch Hazel, Sometimes a post shave balm, sometimes a splash, Sometimes I use 2 of those or even 3. Thats something you'll have to experiment with to find what works for you. I'm an odd duck having started shaving with a straight razor then switching to Carts for a bit when I was in the Army and growing a beard after that. I never went for the canned foam either. Its a fun thing to decide what products to use. I understand why why fiance spends so much time with scents and products now. I do the same thing with aftershaves and soaps now. After you get your kit together head over to the 30 day rule/focus thread and all of us over there will help you dial in your technique. We have a saying that "Technique Trumps Tools" or "TTT" With few exceptions, the way you use something is more important then what you use. Start out slow, focus on comfort and closeness will come all on its own. I started out with DE razors getting a Super Speed and a Fat Boy. I had a few samplers from tryablade and my Grandpa's brush I had been using since I was 15, and a few partial pucks of new Williams I had started years ago. I found this site, started using a better soap, a better brush, and focusing on how instead of what and now I am a self-proclaimed lather master, and I can get a Baby Butt Smooth shave most everyday of the week.
