Wow! Two weeks into this and I have donated enough blood to start a blood bank! I have no excuses -- I watched my dad shave with a Gillette DE, and it's what I actually learned to shave with about 40 years ago. Now, years into shaving with Sensor Excels (and evidently learning LOTS of bad habits), I've gone back to a DE. After looking in local antique stores and not finding anything worth shaving with, calling my dad (now 80 years old) to see if he had any left in an old junk box - all without success - I finally ordered one online. Unfortunately, I hadn't done quite enough research and I ordered a Parker 90R and a pack of Merkur blades. I should have ordered a Merkur for about the same price, but I have the Parker for now. So far, I'm still "fooling myself" into thinking I'm transitioning and "on the way" to a straight razor. We'll see... The first morning with the DE and canned goo, I had blood all OVER the place. 'Couldn't find my styptic pencil so I did the old toilet paper bits all over. I looked like a paper mache' pinata! I went back to the Sensor Excel for a couple of days to heal, read some more (especially about razor/blade angle), and went at it again. Not QUITE so much blood this time, but still had blood running down my chest. Thank God my wife didn't walk in. I'm still working (slowly and carefully) at it. Hell, I'm 54 years old, and you'd think I was 15 and learning for the first time! I've now bought some shaving soap and ordered a badger brush that hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully, that will help too. Thanks for providing a place to get tips, sympathy (well, sor of ;-) and to just read about others who have my re-found passion. R
Welcome to The Shave Den R! We're glad to have you here and we've all been there. There are many of us about your age that have come back to wetshaving. Be sure to explore the forums for advice, ask questions and contribute where you can. Be sure to read Michael's (Leisureguy) beginners guide here. Also available are Mantic's videos on YouTube here, well worth the visit. Sit back, relax and enjoy your shave!
As long as you avoid arteries you should survive. I remember my first bloodless DE shave. After I finished I was surprised that I still felt stubble. Then I realised that I didn't have a blade :ashamed001
Welcome to the Den!! Leisureguy's guide and Mantic's videos are superb. Mandatory DE material I believe.
Thanks for all the encouragement. My Tweezerman "pure badger" brush arrived in the mail today. I know it's a low-end brush, but at least it's badger. It's very strange -- I can't WAIT to get in there and try this thing! I ordered Shavemac's olive oil soap and have been staring at its beautiful crudeness for a week while waiting for the brush. I'll let you know in a couple of days what I think of it (newbie opinion as it will be). Something you should know - Shavemac lists it for $7 on their Web site. That's true, but it's also $14 shipping (Germany to U.S.). That said, it's approx. twice as thick as any other shave soap I've seen, so assuming it's OK, the price still isn't that bad ($21 including shipping). Again, I'll let you know the old-newbie's opinion in a few days. I ordered it because I tend to like old-fashioned "rustic" things that are hand-made. No logic there, just nostalgia.
Welcome to TSD!! Ouch!! It does take a while to get the hang of it again, doesn't it? There are a number of us here who've gone through similar experiences (though I had irritation only, not much blood other than a nick here and there). I would suggest you check out the TSD store for shaving soaps. Outstanding products and very inexpensive. All made by our very own Queen of Blades (that would be JoAnna). She also has Crystal DE blades which might be suitable for you. Or, you could try Lee's method and just not use blades at all. I don't think JoAnna sells styptic...but she DOES sell towels!! :rofl Good luck, bud...don't give up on it yet!
2 Things: 1: Learn your grain 2: Shave WTG (With the grain) ONLY for a cuppa weeks Then we can add difficulty to your shaves.
Just in case Rick is talking about learning the growth direction of your stubble. Use a lot less pressure during the shave and get some other blade as soon as you can. Crystal's aka Israeli Personna's are a good starting point. A blade sampler might be in order so you can try different blades. I hear the Parker's are okay so you are just going through a period of adjustment. Beard prep is also very important. Be patient and ask us questions. Welcome to The Den!! Raf
I use the the Tweezerman brush and am very happy with it. I know that there are better brushes out there but this brush does a great job of making lather. When you get ready to try different soaps/creams, I'd recommend The Gentlemen's Quarter. Colleen makes all of her stuff herself from the very rustic setting of the mountains of West Virginia You'll find that there are many great soapmakers around that'll give you a great product at a great price. Just search the Den or ask when you're ready.
Old Newbie Phase II Got to shave with the brush & soap this morning -- first time with no (Ok, just a little) blood! The Shavemac olive soap didn't really lather all that well - partly a function of my newbieness, I'm sure. It did work well though, providing nice slipperiness. It's Sunday, so I could take my time. Showered, shampoo'd (including beard), used conditioner, soaked face in good hot water, lathered up, and started. It took three passes, lathering in between. I think I've already decided that it isn't ALL me - I'm not all that crazy about the Merkur blades. They seem to "grab" a little. I'm going to take the good advice here and order a sample pack to see what else might work better for me. I admit that I did use the Sensor to get in the crannys around my nose where I just couldn't quite navigate the DE. I'm sure that will come with time. Already, my wife is making fun at all the "stuff" I've accumulated (and I don't even have a good start yet!) ;-) Anyway, Phase II does seem to be better, and I'm looking forward to more. Thanks again for the welcomes and the advice. Randy
roflGood one, Randy!!! Poke around the Gallery and look at some of the stashes some of us have. Show her what a good boy you are (all the while ASSURING her that this could NEVER happen to you!!!). rofl http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=561 http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=480 http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=395 http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=287 [One of these days, I REALLY have to figure out how to do that here thing! ] Here's mine (some of it anyway)...
Old Newbie Phase II Michael, Ok, I saw the cabinet and that makes good sense; the razor collection, and I admit I thought "wow" does this guy like razors or what? But THEN, the cabinet full of brushes! OMG! Especially knowing that they're never really cheap (except for the $10 Tweezerman I bought), you sir, have a few bucks invested! So far, I haven't really spent all that much. I looked at various shave mugs, and all those I liked were pricey in the antique stores. The victorian scuttle I like and have my sights set on, is $100. That'll have to wait a while. Instead, I went to Target looking for Proraso stuff (they didn't have any), and bought a small footed white china soup bowl for $3. It actually looks kinda nice, almost like an antique. I also bought a small bronze bowl for $10 that also looks nice, while providing a good lathering bowl. It sits nicely in a sink of hot water and transfers the heat well. I have $35 invested in the Parker and blades; $21 for the olive soap, and after scraping (and cutting) the heck out of myself, I bought some Nutrogena (sp?) after shave balm. So, Ok, I have maybe $75 in this so far. Not too bad I think, but I already see it headed for more. ;-) BTW, the Tweezerman brush was $10 with FREE shipping from BeautyRose.Com -- definitely the least expensive badger brush I could find. Instead of a rack for my puny little collection, I put some river pebbles in a small globe-shaped vase. The brownish rocks look "manly" instead of fufu, and I just jab the handles of the razors, combs, tooth brushes, etc. down into it. It's easy & convenient, costs basically nothing, easy to clean, and if it gets broken, it's no big deal. Like I said, I see this whole "saving money" thing going downhill soon. <grin>
Don't remind me!!! However, my cash outlay is NOTHING compared to that of DrP (the 4th link above). That pic represents about a THIRD of his 150-160 brushes. My hero!! :1respect Some collect stamps.....
If you don't take care of yourself no one else will. Most of your razors will at least hold value if not increase. I can't say that about my house at the present. Consider it an investment in yourself. That's how I just justify it anyway !
