I missed this particular forum and have already been posting in others. Sorry for the breach of protocol. Happy to have found The Shave Den, great place to hang out and chill, and great guys, too! As way of introduction, I started with a Norelco (I think) triple head electric. Never gave me a close shave and was horrible down around the bottom of my neck. Never really liked the smell of the dead hair that accumulated in the head, either. Yes, I know, all hair is dead. Then Gillette came around to my college campus and gave away their twin blade to all comers. Looking back, it was pure genius! Because they don't make much money on the handle, it's all about the consumables, as they say in the computer printer industry, where they make their big money, that is, the blades. Anyway, I thought it was great and soooo much better than my electric. And I was sold on their theory of the first blade pulling up the hair for the next one to cut it off. Then on to to the Sensor when it first came out and stuck with that for more years then I would like to admit. Stuck with it even after the advent of the 3 blade, 4 blade, 5 blade, not really sure what number they are up to now. But I'm sure they will keep pumping them out, especially after their patents expire, to keep ahead of the competition and, more importantly, to keep sucking us in. I did try my son's, I don't know what, but it has 5 blades. Oh, and the one that vibrates, what is that about? Anyway, his 5 blade felt like I was using a paddle so, once was enough. Although I grew up watching my father shave with a brush and DE. BTW, it wasn't called "wet shaving" back then, just shaving. He had some sort of Gillette TTO which I thought was kinda cool (wish he handed it down to me), have no clue as to the brush but, knowing him, it was some sort of cheapo from the drugstore. Soap to him was a bar of Ivory, only because that's all my Mom bought for all of us to use around the house. I would be surprised if he even knew there were real shaving soaps out there in the world. I have only been wet shaving for about 2 years, and only after reading about it online and figured that I had to see what I was missing. And missing was right! Started with the Van Der Hagan kit that came with a pure badger brush, mug and their "Luxury" soap (love the scent, BTW). Great price, all for $30+ on Amazon. Also got myself a Jagger, and history was made. As others have said, it immediately became a Zen-like experience, a sort of luxurious indulgence, a time-out sort of therapy, without the high price usually associated with luxurious indulgences or therapy (and I know). An indulgence that those who don't wet shave can never understand. And, to sum up, thanks for another session of "keyboard therapy".
I probably have enough to do that, with all of the sample packs I bought. I probably have enough blades to last the rest of my life! It's kinda sad, since it hold me back from buying more blades that I read about.
That is ok. You are still welcome. I never saw my dad use a brush or shaving cream. He would wash his face and then shave with a Gillette New Improved DE razor. Just water and his razor. I still don't know how he could stand it.
Welcome Alan. I'm not sure anyone cares if you broke protocol. We more care that we can get to know you.
That's exactly how I got hooked. Welcome aboard. Come on! You know that isn't true. He only has to send them to members that live in Ohio or Florida.
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
Welcome to The Shave Den, Alan! It is great to have you here! I also remember my dad using a Gillette TTO and whatever bar soap my mom bought. Herm didn't specify a blade preference, so I would recommend sending him some rusty lawnmower blades.
to TSD "Alan H" from another "Grumpy Old Man"... Your dad was probably using a Super Speed. Please, please don't let the fact that you already have a mere lifetime supply of blades stop you from buying more blades to try. The more different blades you can try the better.
I wish but, that razor was long gone when he committed sacrilege by switching to those all plastic razors that come by the dozen in plastic bags!