Well after about a year of my barber trying to persuade me to try de shaving, I took the plunge. I've been shaving with a de89 for about 2 weeks now. I think i've read everything you can possibly read on this site in that time. I hated shaving, as I have to shave everyday. Now I look forward to shaving which seems pretty weird. I also think I may be a menthol addict. For some reason I really like the cooling effect of it. I look forward to learning more about this new hobby I have. Thanks again Ernie B.
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
to TSD Eborraga.... Hating shaving before DE and loving it after DE is perfectly natural....! I shaved 10-12 times a month with a Trac2 razor for 34 miserable years. I couldn't wait to retire just so I could grow a beard and wouldn't have to suffer through another shave ever again! Then I discovered "traditional" shaving. Now I'm retired and I shave every single day and love it!! Glad to have you aboard...... One more thing, thats a pretty good barber you have there I hoped you've thanked him for giving you a nudge towards the "Good" side of the force....2
Welcome! I was thinking about this very thing earlier today, that shaving used to be a drudgery. I've always preferred being clean shaven, not caring much for the scruffy look, and just felt better when I shaved. But it was still something I endured, and didn't enjoy it at all. Now I get up looking forward to shaving every morning! I was also thinking this might be a little weird to someone that has never tried DE shaving and using a brush. I really regret that I spent 4 + decades viewing shaving as a necessary evil, using multiple cartridge razors, disposables, and 3 different electric razors, although each stint with an electric was very short-lived. It's a real mystery to me that electric razors continue to have any kind of market. A friend recently commented to me that he had terrible facial irritation when shaving and has to use an electric. I thought, man, an electric razor is the very definition of facial irritation! I could tell his mind was made up so I dropped it. He did admit that it wasn't a very good shave.
...to The Shave Den family! Be sure to stop by The Shave Den "Master Sticky" thread to familiarize yourself with the rules and different areas of The Shave Den!
It's nice to know that your barber has your best interests at heart. I would trust that guy to cut my hair.
My barber has cut my hair for about 8 years. Only charges me $11.00, and I get it cut every 3 weeks. He also does straight razor shaves. I've always been fascinated watching him shave people. He also has tons of great stories about the old days. I easily spend a few hours in there when I go. It's something I really look forward too.
