Hi all, I thought it would be nice to sign up here and introduce my self. I have been browsing around the site for a week or two, but just signed up. My name is just like the Nickname, Misha and I am 23. I live in the Netherlands, DE and single blade shaving are not too popular here so i had to resort to other means of getting information. So my shaving history. I am a wet shaver by nature. I never shaved electric (well tried once but just 1 stroke, then stopped because it was rubbish). But I always was a cartridge shaver, however I alway had a very irritated skin from it. Started with the M3 then the M3turbohypergalactic, but always had massive irritations on my neck and jaw line, bumps/redness/zits. Tried everything, from special aftershave balsams to all kinds of canned shavingfoam etc. Nothing worked (for like 4 years). Then I started looking for a single blade shaver, just because it looked interesting etc. Couldn't find it so I gave up, until my sister gave one to me for my B-day. It was a DOVO Shavette with the long blades. But using it was a right ...... My face was all cut up, massive razor burn etc. etc. Couldn't shave for a week, and I looked like I was attacked by a knife carrying Leprechaun in my sleep. So i put that to rest. I tried it a few more times over the years, but with the same results be it less intense. So I learned a few things, first I have a very sensitive skin, second ATG passes: I definitely can't do, third most shaving foams/-gels are terrible (Gillette's actually give me irritations and zits without even shaving, I experimented ), forth I have a really sturdy beard (like a metal wire brush ) So I started looking for better lather. Most stores here (from grocerystores, to supermarkets, to pharmacists) carry "De Vergulde Hand" shaving line. So I bought a tub and an el cheapo brush from Omega (a synthetic one). But it kinda worked Ok so i finished the tub, and tried some shaving foams again, well that was not as nice. But it was handy and quick. And that was kinda important at that time. An following B-day (2005) I got a great gift from my parents. A shaving set from Mühle. It included a chromed stand and a beautiful hefty razor handle with a M3 head and a really nice (synthetic) brush. (it is a great brush that holds water extremely well and builds a beautiful lather in under the 1 minute mark) Then the Fusion came and that was a relief, withing a week of using it the irritations were almost gone! However the shave was definitely less close. And every once in a while the irritations came back. The worst thing was that my 4 o'clock shade was there at like 11 am. A friend tipped me off on the battery powered one so i got the Fusion Stealth Powersuperintergalactic megavibratingthrustengine one. Well, that was a load of you-know-what of a bull. And by this time, the irritations started to come back. Then I came across a post on a completely different forum (clubstogie.com, yes I love cigars) about DEs and well thats how I got here. Quickly picked up some info on the way. Watched Mantics videos (MASSIVE THANX FOR THOSE!), and started changing my shaving methods. I already bought a new tub of Vergulde Hand a few months ago (and a nice bowl was included ). Stepped back to the regular M3, and hello irritations! Ok, out the window with those. Bought some disposable Gillette Blue II's. No fancy strips, ribs or movements. Just 2 blades thats it. Well that was actually quite good Reasonable shave, no irritations! And I also got some Tabac shaving cream, which is now my favorite stuff! I like the smell, and I lubes great! By that time I had decided to bid on some things on a Dutch kinda craigslist, but kept searching. Decided I wanted the Parker 91R. Then someone responded on one of my bids (advertised as a Gillette Super Speed). And within a few days it was in the mail (yesterday to be exact). Bent, non functioning, wouldn't open, and was not too clean. Don't you just hate the mail sometimes? So i got it fixed, fortunately quite easily. And with some elbow grease it almost looked like new! In anticipation I already bought some Gillette blades, Super Silver I think they are. And later that day I looked up the patent number. I figured out it was not a Super Speed but the English made "Rocket". Anyway its a beauty And today, was the day! I had my first DE shave! Built a nice full lather with the Tabac, and started. I was amazed at the ease at which it went. So quick, so smooth, no cuts, no nicks! I did 3 passes. 1 WTG/and across, and 1 full across, and 1 ATG. So, the ATG in the neck and under the jaw was not such a success, the shave was not such a problem but afterwards the burn started coming up, and that was not so nice. It feels like its on fire. I use Nivea AS Balm for sensitive skin btw. But it does feel like a baby's butt! IM HOOKED!
Welcome to The Shave Den, Misha! You need to talk to Rene (username SSLStudio) He lives in the Netherlands and sells shaving products. He'll take good care of you. :happy088
Thanx! I saw his name pas by a couple of times, but did not know if he was a Dutch guy in the U.S. Or just plain and simple a Dutch guy
I, personally, wouldn't use the term "plain and simple" to describe Rene. Don't think Rene is Dutch, not sure, but he does live in The Netherlands.
Thanx for the warm welcome all! It is a bit of a lengthy intro, I got carried away a little :ashamed001
Misha, hoe gaat het!!!! Rene is one of my dearest, and closest friends, and he most certainly will take good care of you. He lives in The Netherlands, and has taught me a lot about wetshaving. Welcome to our group, and by the way, I LOVE De Vergulde Hand shaving soap!
Welcome Misha! . Quick info! I shipped out something to Netherlands ... JEJE . We hope you have a great shave! Dark!
