I just turned 40 this month and a cartridge lifer. Thinking there has to be a better way!! Have not got my DE yet but gave the gf a list hoping she comes through in a few days . Anyways I've been lurking on several forums for a few weeks and decided this is the one I'd like to join. Hope this will change how I've felt about shaving all these years. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Hope you all have a great Christmas and thank you for having such a great forum.
Welcome! Hopefully you get your Christmas wish. Once you convert, you will never waste your money on another cartridge razor again. You found a great place, with a great group to share experiences. Enjoy.
I know this has probably been asked a million times but when it comes to starting out what's the easiest to learn to make a great lather with soap, cream, stick, or croap? Best brand to start with also? Thank you...
to TSD "TrentRTR" Everyone's choice is different of course and while most soaps are NOT hard to lather, probably creams and croaps would be considered the all around easiest. Two easy to lather, inexpensive and usually locally available products are Van der Hagan Delux shave soap and C.O. Bigalow shave cream.
Welcome to the Den! Let us know what you get for Christmas from a wet shaving perspective. I second a croap or cream when starting. I learned on Proraso (aka CO Bigelow) white. Easy to lather and also a great croap.
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. Cheers. 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
Hello Trent, , and welcome to The Shave Den! I also recommend Proraso shave cream (sold as C.O. Bigelow at Bath & Body Works). Keep us posted as your kit comes together! Merry Christmas to you too!
I will definitely heed your advice GDCarrington. I just want to be able to enjoy shaving since it's something I have to do. I seriously dread and have to pump myself up to do it. The carts just tear my neck up. I definitely hope this will be the answer. We shall see.
Welcome aboard. I was in the exact same situation this past September. I have to shave daily for work and with carts it was a chore at best. I found the creams or soft soaps easiest to lather in the beginning. I started out with Taylor of Bond Street cream in a tub. In the beginning focus on the technique more than the results even if you have to touch up with a cart. As your technique improves you'll be surprised when everything clicks and the results are fantastic. Now I few shaving not as a chore having to be done but a guilty daily pleasure. Good luck and keep us posted. Clint
