Hi all. I've been looking at wet shaving for the past few weeks. Tired of over priced cartridges and looking for something more traditional. I love the classic look and design of saftey razors and have heard great review on the shave you get with them compared to cartridge types. I have a very small budget and any recommendations on a good start would be appreciated. I've been looking at wet shave club, any thoughts?
Welcome aboard! Glad to have you beginning your journey with us. My usual recommendation, and you'll get several, is to get the Micro Touch One or Van Der Hagen razor from Walmart or Target and the Van Der Hagen shave kit (the one with the brush, green bowl and soap) and start there. Total cost to get in is about $35. You'll get a few blades with the razor, not the best (for most of us) but you can get a blade sampler from westcoastshaving.com or order a few from tryablade.com. I'd recommend Voskhod (you'll get to know that's my normal suggestion) or Derby isn't bad to start with either. Actually, I'd be happy to send you some Voskhods to help out....just send me a private message with your name and address. Our resident shaving encyclopedia @GDCarrington will be along soon with several links and resources to help you get started. There will be other suggestions for a starter kit too so take it all in, make your choice and come on along for the best shaves you've ever had! Yes, it takes practice but you'll soon be a pro! Welcome again and don't be shy about asking questions.
Welcome! You've come to the right place. TSD is great place for wetshavers! Cheers! - RT Garry's Sample Shop has an inexpensive starter kit and a simple way to get samples while you begin the hunt for your favs. I used it when I started in May.
Welcome to the Den! There are a number of lower cost razors available to you. Short of finding a bargain at an antique shop or thrift store, you could look at Cadet razors, or there is one on Amazon called a "Silvertone Razor" that is less than $3 and is actually not a bad razor. I have one I use as a travel razor. Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI?tag=thshde-20&creativeASIN=B0050HO9MI The Van Der Hagen brush and bowl set comes with a puck of shaving soap that is decent to get started with. Eventually you'll want to upgrade, but these are some inexpensive options to get started. I'm sure there will be some other good recommendations from others shortly.
Welcome to TSD! I started with a Razorock Mission razor from ItalianBarber.com. $20 and includes a small blade sampler with 20 blades. I found it to be a decent razor and helped to minimize the start up costs. The one mistake I made when starting was buying a cheap badger brush off of Amazon. If you don't go with the VDH kit mentioned above, I would recommend looking at either Omega or Semogue boar brush to start.
to TSD "Medicdad417". Are you EMT? I hope you enjoy it here. I also started on a budget and have found much of the "cheap" stuff works as well for me at least, as the in many cases, much more expensive stuff. While your YMMV my razor recommendations for a bullet proof, solid performing, reasonably priced safety razor would be an EJ89, Merkur, Cadet or a vintage Gillette "FAT" handle tech from ebay. A large blade sample pack is also a must. The more different blades you can try the better, in order to find the best blade/blades for your face. I'd also be happy to send you a few blades to try out if you'd like. The Van der Hagan shave kit(brush, ceramic lather bowl and boar or badger brush) is also a good starting buy. You can usually find these kits locally(drug store, Walmart, etc.) and many times on sale. VDH soap is inexpensive and really good. Ziploc small storage containers work wonderfully for soap storage. They are easy to find, cheap, stack well and seal well. I use Corn Huskers Lotion as my preshave and Nivea sensitive for my post shave. Time, technique, practice and patience are key to a close irritation free shave. I think your going to be happy to decided to give "traditional" shaving a try.
Welcome. Another beginning route to take is to grab a starter set from Garrys Samples He sets up a decent, shave ready vintage razor with some samples of soap and other stuff. Pretty cool deal. http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/p/special-starter-kits-buy-it-now.html?m=1
Welcome to the Den. Lots of good advice here (above). There is a learning curve with DE razors, take your time, watch Mantic59 videos on YouTube. This way of shaving turns a chore into something enjoyable.
I third Garry's. That's where I got my '46 - '50 Gillette Tech and Omega brush that I use most days. Also where I got my first stick of Arko. He also sends a certificate for a free exchange if you don't like the razor he sends or want to try something else.
I am a full time paramedic working in rual Missouri. Our closest real trauma center is 150 miles away, with most patients transported the 45 minutes to a local hospital.
Wow! you guys have given me a lot to look at and think about. Thank you all so much. Looks like I have some more research to do....
Glad that you landed here at TSD, @Medicdad417 . I'm sure you will fit right in. Join us on The Shave of the Day thread. It is fun, and you will see all kinds of products. And please Mark YOUR location on the TSD map - instructions here.
One thing you can be certain of here at The Shave Den is everyone is willing to help or offer recommendations to those just starting the wet-shaving journey. We've all been in your shoes at one time so I hardily recommend reading up on a number of the topical threads here. Oh... And welcome!
welcome to TSD!! a cheap starter kit is the Van Der Hagen shaving set. I have the cheaper one that comes with soap,bowl, and brush. decent DE razors can also be found at local beauty supply stores if online purchases are not an option.
