Hello, from New Jersey! Really new to shaving....

Hello everyone, I've looked all over the internet and used the search function here already.

I'm a total novice when it comes to shaving. So far I have transitioned from a electric razor to a cartridge razor. My electric razor just left too much irritation and much desire left for a better shave. I'm currently using a Gillette Fusion Proglide, which has turned out to be a very pleasant alternative. However, the price of cartridges is way too ridiculous to justify its continued use. And as I've learned after an hour of research, there are even better alternatives.

At the current moment though, I dunno what I should do after my last Fusion cartridge is spent. I do not have facial growth, more so I have a neckbeard, which is not pleasant to let grow. I've read about safety razors and the price for one on Amazon and other sites seem to hover around 40 and above. Not to mention the fact that I would need a lather brush and the cost jumps from there.

I currently only shave every other week (it's a slow growing beard). I don't think the cost of a safety razor and brush can make up for the fact that I don't shave very often. A cartridge razor is too expensive to refill. What are my options? Can someone help a novice with some recommendations?

Thank you!

 

You've come to the right place. There are several low cost options. You can put together a good basic set up for around $30-$50 total.

For a razor, I would suggest either a Lord L6 (under $15, but a great razor), a vintage Gillette (a super speed, flare tip, or tech can be found for under $20), or if you are willing to wait for overseas shipping a Chinese made Sodial, A.K.A. RiMei (under $4, but a good razor).

Any Omega boar brush is a good choice. Most are around $10.

A good soap or cream doesn't have to cost a lot. RazoRock makes some great soaps for less than $15, for example. Pyrate Cove makes some good soaps for less than $5. Van Der Hagen soaps usually cost less than $3 and are excellent. Just look around and find one that sounds good.

Locally:
--Bath & Body Works has C.O. Bigelow shave cream for $10/5oz., this is great stuff and lasts a long time.

--WalMart often has the Van Der Hagen Premium shave kit, which includes a basic boar brush, a puck of Van Der Hagen Deluxe soap, and a lather bowl for about $9 (the soap by its self is only about $1.75).

--Kiss My Face shave cream is often available in health food stores for $5/3.5 oz. tube or $10/11oz. bottle.

--Sally's Beauty Supply will have cheap DE razors for about $10, but I would suggest buying a vintage Gillette off of eBay for a few dollars more.

--The Body Shop has a synthetic brush for about $12 and Maca Root shave cream for about $16.

--Antique shops will often have razors, but you may have to do some searching to find a well priced, functional one.

On-Line:
--eBay is a great place to buy vintage DE razors.

--Pyrate Cove Soapworks makes good, low cost soaps and has excellent customer service: http://www.pyratecovesoapworks.com/index3.htm

--American Shaving Company has free shipping, good prices, and excellent selection: http://americanshavingcompany.com/

--Connaught Shaving is based out of the UK, but they have fast shipping and excellent prices: http://www.connaughtshaving.com/index.html

--West Coast Shaving is efficient, well stocked, and quick: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/

--Men's Direct has free shipping, is well stocked, and has plenty of sales: http://www.mensdirect.com/category/shave

--Bull-Goose Shaving has the best customer service ever and super fast shipping: http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/


Good luck with your search, and welcome aboard.

 

Double (well done, jabberwock!)

Welcome to the Den!

 

Welcome, nice to have you. Sounds Wock has you squared away.

 

Hi mate & welcome to TSD! Seems Jabberwock has given some sound advice.Take it easy, you'll do just fine. Happy shavings!

 

Welcome....and after the initial cost witch by the way is only a few dollars more than the new cartridge pack, it sounds like this could be very very low cost to you. You said you only shave once a week if thats the case a pack of blades might last you a loooong time. But if you try it youll probably start spending like the rest of us

 

Take the advice of TSD vets and build yourself an inexpensive kit. I was able to get a razor, brush, cream, alum stick and a 5pk of blades for LESS than $40. Now, I'm a recent convert from the cartridge world and my last pack from Costco was right around that price. But like DE Dougy said, if you only shave once a week, a 10 pk of blades will last you a fairly long time. My local Fred Meyer and Rite Aid both sell their own brand of DE razors for less than $3/10pk. You do the math. Take a look at www.italianbarber.com because they have a ton of pre-fixed kits for less than $25. That's where I got my stuff and I am very satisfied.

I only caution 1 thing though, about wet shaving...it's addicting. Seriously, each shave, whether good or bad, leaves you wondering how your next shave can be even better. Not to mention, there are some great vendors selling all sorts of products to distract help you. I say, shell out the money for an inexpensive set up. And if you end up not liking wet shaving/DE razors or whatever you choose, you'd hardly be in the hole and it's still cheaper than a big box of cart refills.

I hope you find what you're looking for and welcome aboard!

 

Wow, thanks for all the warm welcomes. A very big thanks to Jabberwock for putting so much info and helping me get some idea as to where and what kind of prices I should expect.

The next thing I am wondering about is how to shave my neckbeard correctly? Coming to the cartridge razor was already an unnerving experience (I thought I would cut myself on the first try). However, it seems with the DE razor, I will more likely then not cut myself. There really aren't any videos that show how shave neckbeards, more so the checks and sides.

 

You shave your neck in same way that you would shave your face, but with the caveat that the hair on the neck tends to be more stubborn and can often grow in odd directions. Map out the pattern of growth on your neck, use a light touch, take care with the adam's apple, and worry more about technique than a perfectly smooth shave. Good technique and patience will lead to smooth shaves with a little bit of practice.

 

Check out this link http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/08/09/10-tips-for-a-better-shave-on-your-neck/

 

Would something like this be a good brush/starter kit to start with?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A3HPT0/?tag=thshde-20

 

Yeah, that's the same kit that I mentioned for sale at WalMart. The brush is so-so and takes a little while to break in, but it works. The soap is one of my favorites. The bowl is a good size and easy to use. It's hard to beat that set for only $10.

 

Found a video on Youtube re: neck shaving He uses a cart razor, but albeit any DE shaver will tell you that you can achieve the same shave (if not better) with a safety razor. Hope you find it helpful.

Over and out.

 

to TSD Choi.........I hope you enjoy it here........

Seems jabberwock has pretty much covered everything for starting you out...Time,Technique,Practice and Patience will get you where you want to go....I'd like to add go for comfort and not BBS..The close shaves will come with time,also YES you may cut yourself a time or two at first,but don't worry about it,it actually doesn't hurt that much usually..I'm on some serious blood thinners and I haven't bled out yet....

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to The Shave Den! You are starting out on a wonderful journey.

 

The jovial tone mixed with the somewhat serious statement just makes me laugh. Thanks for the reassurance

 

I hope I'm not asking too many questions.

I'm just wondering how much better a Gillette safety razor is to the L6. The L6 seems to have rave reviews (on Amazon at least) There are many DE Gillette razors on eBay, but being used, a little bit pricier and with so many different types, I dunno which to even start with! X_x