Hi, Im new and am gonna switch shaving style. help

Howdy folks, nice site. I hadn't realized how seriously some people take shaving.
Anyway, my name is Scott, I'm 50 and I pretty much hate shaving. I've been using a Gillette mach 3 for years and years, I don't even remember shaving without a cartrige razor. I want switch to a DE safety razor. The blades for my mach 3 are just too damn expensive. I don't have a heavy beard and usually shave every other day but I can go 3 without most people noticing. I'd say I have sensitive skin. I don't want anymore than $45. I done some searching and I'm thinking about either a EJ 89LBL or a merkur 38c. I realize this is probably asked a million times but do you guys have an opinion on these two or any others that you might suggest for newbie who is trying improve his shaving experience? Thanks for any input.

 

Welcome Scott. I'm your age and can attest to the fact that you can teach an old dog new tricks. I don't have either of the razors you asked about, but I did give an EJ 89 to each of my sons and they both like them. I have a Merkur 34HD and really like it. I also have a couple of vintage Gillette Techs which are also pretty good for us beginners.

Traditional DE shaving is so much better than cartridge shaving with a can of shaving cream. Look around for a starter kit which includes a brush and soap and start having fun. I understand you might be able to find a Van Der Hagan starter kit at Walmart, Walgreens and the like. Good luck.

 

Welcome to TSD! The Edwin Jagger is a very nice razor. Happy Shaving!

 

Welcome I just started myself and have an EJ DE89L. It has been working fine for me. If you have a Target nearby check them out too. Mine had the Van Der Hagan brush, soap puck and a DE razor for sale as separate items and the starter kit that included the brush and stand, soap and mug. They also had Berts Bees shaving cream in a tube. All of this and no razor blades but from what I have seen you are better off ordering those on line.

 

Welcome to The Shave Den, I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

Welcome aboard. Making the switch to DE shaving when you are over 50 is not so unusual. (The hubby & I both did, & we are NEVER going back.) I also suggest you order s sampler pack of some different brands of razor blades. Blade preference is highly subjective & the only way to know what works for you is to try a variety of blades.

 

Hi! Welcome to the Den.

 

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

 

Hi Scott, Welcome,
I use the DE89 and love it. It is not m only razor, but I would highly reccommend it as a starting point. It is medium aggressiveness and very smooth. The finish is impeccable! It is pretty close to the Merkur 34HD but a bit smoother IMHO. The 38C is just the same with a longer handle. Having tried longer and shorter handles, I prefer the shorter, balanced handles. I find the longer of my 39C (slant, same handle as the 38C) is just extra weight that is sometimes hard to manoeuvre around the face. On the opposite end, to light a handle (feather popular comes to mind) makes you compensate by applying pressure on the razor, which usually leads to irritation, cuts and ingrown hairs. Therefore I reiterate that the DE89 would be the perfect place to start! Cheers, and good luck!

 

Welcome! I just bought 100 blades yesterday for $11.95. You are going to be absolutely amazed how much money you're going to save once you switch over. I switched from cartridges just over a year ago and after a few months of learning I fell head over heels in love with shaving after years of dreading it. Lots of good advice and great people here to help you.

 

I don't know if I saved any money but it's definitely a fun time lol

 

Um..., well..., yes..., ah..., that is to say.... ah... Lots of us started out that way. Cheap shaving and all. Boy, were we fooled / fools (take your pick!)! I've never spent as much on shaving since I started out on DE and later on SE / Rolls / straight shaves! But then again: I've never had as much satisfaction before!

So there ya go: be strong or totally give in! Either way: you're on your way on a terrific shaving journey.

As for equipment: both razors get excellent reviews as do may others. Vintage or new. No matter. Just dive in and try it out. Pick the one which appeals most to you. Esthetically or price-wise. You'll be just fine with either one.

And welcome to TSD! Happy Shavings!

 

to TSD "phatmanswingin"......I hope you enjoy it here...

Your choice between the EJ and the Merkur is actually an easy one(pick the one you like the looks of more) as either razor is a good choice... Both shave heads are well made and shave well...I own and so have used both the EJ89 and the Merkur34C...My vote would go to the EJ only because as a 3 piece it is more customizable than the 2 piece 38C in regards to changing the handle..A handle change I.M.O. "CAN" make a big difference in razor handling and shave quality...

Developing a good preshave prep is also very important..I would suggest you also buy as large a blade sample pack(the TSD store has a nice one) as you can afford..The more different blades you can try the better...You can buy a decent,inexpensive Van der Hagen or VDH "store" branded starter shave kit(brush,bowl,soap) locally from grocery or drugstores...

Time,Technique,Practice and Patience will get you the best shaves of your life....

One other thing I'd like to add using "traditional" shaving methods is cheaper than cart shaving...That said the "collecting" (shaving AD's) part can cost you big time, but it's worth it I.M.O.

 

You've come to the right place. I used to hate shaving, too. Now I love it. Preparation and technique are key to a good shave. There are lots of good starter razors. I would direct you to the RazoRock Mission razor. It won't break the bank, and it is very similar to the EJ89. The EJ89 is a great starter razor.
http://www.italianbarber.com/razorock-mission-3piece-double-edge-de-safety-razor

 

Welcome to TSD!

 

Welcome to a fellow newbie.

 

Scott, welcome! You're not the only one who once dreaded the morning ritual! Other folks here as well garnered no pleasure from the old 'scrape' routine. Double-edge safety razor shaving (i.e. 'wet-shaving') was a wonderful 'renewed' experience for after years of plastic carts & canned goo.

This all applied to me as well (light beard, sensitive skin, less than $50 for a new razor), and I started with a vintage razor (ebay for less than $20), but wanted something new.

I wound up with the Merkur 38c— I liked the heft of this razor and the mild shaving head. It felt great in my hand and the balance was spot on. My son uses an EJ89—and I have tried it several times (when he wasn't looking). The EJ is also a mild, easy-to-use razor; very forgiving—which is why I bought it for him. I happen to prefer a heavier, larger razor, so for me, the Merkur was ideal. Either one will do the job, so personal preference comes into play.
Good luck on your search!

My son's EJ89:

My Merkur 38c 'Barberpole'

 

Welcome, nice to have you here.