Hi everyone! I'm putting the band together; questions await inside :)

[duddits]

Hi,

This seems to be the place to come to. I have been trying to put together all that I will need to begin shaving DE. I would like to shoot for best quality without breaking the bank. I am coming from disposables and am making the switch. 61 years old and beard is medium I guess you'd say. I vowed to never use another Gilette product again after their insulting woke toxic masculinity commercials. I have always been interested in using a razor so it's a win win.

I have been navigating Amazon reviews and purchased Viking everything. By the time it all arrived I had decided to go with the Merkur 34C.
From reading comments here I don't think anyone would suggest otherwise. I am leaning toward Derby Extra blades or a sampler pack, I have read to start with a mild blade. Can anyone recommend blade sampler packs?

Now, onto a pre-shave application, brush, and stand. What are good choices gentlemen? I have read that regular Noxema works great for post shave. I have always used coconut oil for my face after a shave. Thank you in advance for your informed advice!

One more thing, any New Years/end of year sales that anyone know of?

 

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B.

 

[FoolishMortal]

Welcome!

If you’re put off by Gillette, the Derby blades will be good for your start.

Pre-shave for me is a hot shower with a good soaping of the face, letting it stay there for a while to hydrate the beard before rinsing. Shaving happens with face-lathering on a still-moist face.

I think an Omega 10066 brush is a great start. Boar, not expensive, wonderful when broken in. No need for a stand, just shake well and set it on its handle base to air dry.

For after-care, people use Witch Hazel, Lucky Tiger Face Tonic, alum blocks, aftershave, face balm and a host of other items. Find a few that interest you and try combinations to see what works for you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[RigelDust]

If you insist on a preshave and wanna go simple, straight up pure jojoba oil is excellent.

 

[Atlantic59]

Welcome. You could win a sampler pack in a giveaway.

PIF: International New Year Blade Sampler

A new PIF for a New Year! Two people will each win 20 high quality DE blades for 2020! A blade sampler is a great way to try out some different blades to see what works well for you. This PIF is open to all wet shaving newbies worldwide, with these eligibility guidelines: - One year or less...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[duddits]

If you insist on a preshave and wanna go simple, straight up pure jojoba oil is excellent.

I am just trying to go with suggestions as I read up. I am not sold on a pre-shave if not needed.
Do you agree with FoolishMortal?
"Pre-shave for me is a hot shower with a good soaping of the face, letting it stay there for a while to hydrate the beard before rinsing. Shaving happens with face-lathering on a still-moist face."

Thank you for your help!!

 

[duddits]

Welcome!

If you’re put off by Gillette, the Derby blades will be good for your start.

Pre-shave for me is a hot shower with a good soaping of the face, letting it stay there for a while to hydrate the beard before rinsing. Shaving happens with face-lathering on a still-moist face.

I think an Omega 10066 brush is a great start. Boar, not expensive, wonderful when broken in. No need for a stand, just shake well and set it on its handle base to air dry.

For after-care, people use Witch Hazel, Lucky Tiger Face Tonic, alum blocks, aftershave, face balm and a host of other items. Find a few that interest you and try combinations to see what works for you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Thank you for your suggestions! When you soap in the shower do you mean shaving cream or regular soap? I am checking out your other suggestions now.

 

[duddits]

Welcome. You could win a sampler pack in a giveaway.

PIF: International New Year Blade Sampler

A new PIF for a New Year! Two people will each win 20 high quality DE blades for 2020! A blade sampler is a great way to try out some different blades to see what works well for you. This PIF is open to all wet shaving newbies worldwide, with these eligibility guidelines: - One year or less...

www.badgerandblade.com

Done! Thanks Fingers crossed

 

[BigJ]

Welcome aboard! Making the switch to DE is a great move!

In answer to your questions:
1. The Merkur 34C as an excellent razor in the mild/moderate range.
2. I suggest you purchase a blade sampler or two. The B+B vendors offer a number of good options. Some like them, but Derby extra are not a personal favorite.
3. For your first brush, I suggest a good boar or synthetic as these offer the best performance for the $. Pick one of the reliable vendors that you will see in the brush forums.
4. I would save some money as you don’t need a stand for your razor or brush. Use the $ for added hardware and software once you have a bit of experience.
5. My preshave prep includes a warm shower, followed by a good glycerine soap face wash. Occasionally, I will add a warm towel. Some like preshave oils and other products, but I have found little to these products.

Finally, read through the Wiki and watch a few videos.

Hope this helps!!

 

[ajkel64]

Welcome to the forum. I would get a few different blade sampler packs to try. Most shaving websites will have them. I found that once I improved my technique and was game enough to try a Feather Blade, the Merkur 34C or G gave me excellent shaves.

 

[RigelDust]

I am just trying to go with suggestions as I read up. I am not sold on a pre-shave if not needed.
Do you agree with FoolishMortal?
"Pre-shave for me is a hot shower with a good soaping of the face, letting it stay there for a while to hydrate the beard before rinsing. Shaving happens with face-lathering on a still-moist face."

Thank you for your help!!

I do use a preshave oil sparingly. A clean face and good shave soap doesn’t really need a preshave. I just have it as part of my ritual and enjoy my own way.

 

[Stubblebum]

I agree with FoolishMortal, an Omega 10066 boar is a great budget brush (it is my daily go-to). It would be hard to find a better value.

Merkur 34c is a quite mild razor, so you might consider a sample pack of blades that includes some sharper blades as well as the milder blades (start with the mild ones and work your way up).

For soap- Haslinger, Fine, and Tabac all lather very easily, as do many of the artisan soft soaps.

 

[pk_]

A few things. Glamazon has some good deals and I get the appeal when you have a gift card. But consider selecting one of the shaving vendors rather than feeding the big machine. These vendors have great deals and a much better selection with reviews from experienced wetshavers. These vendors rely on people like us to make an honest living.

I don’t use a preshave of any kind but my favorite part of the post shave is splashing my face with Thayers witch hazel, I like the lavender scent but there are several to choose from. It is a skin toner and a mild astringent. It smells and feels great and it’s super cheap.

Plus one on that omega brush, it was my first and I still use it regularly. Good luck and enjoy your shaves!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[duddits]

I agree with FoolishMortal, an Omega 10066 boar is a great budget brush (it is my daily go-to). It would be hard to find a better value.

Merkur 34c is a quite mild razor, so you might consider a sample pack of blades that includes some sharper blades as well as the milder blades (start with the mild ones and work your way up).

For soap- Haslinger, Fine, and Tabac all lather very easily, as do many of the artisan soft soaps.

Great info, thank you

 

[duddits]

Thank you pk, you are right. I am looking at some forum sponsored shops now.

 

[duddits]

I agree with FoolishMortal, an Omega 10066 boar is a great budget brush (it is my daily go-to). It would be hard to find a better value.

Merkur 34c is a quite mild razor, so you might consider a sample pack of blades that includes some sharper blades as well as the milder blades (start with the mild ones and work your way up).

For soap- Haslinger, Fine, and Tabac all lather very easily, as do many of the artisan soft soaps.

Stubblebum, I appreciate your knowledge as well, some soaps to look for really helps.

 

[Alacrity59]

I like the advice you have been given. I really like Proraso shaving cream.

Now . . . prediction:
Your first, second, third shaves will go pretty well. Likely you will be doing it all wrong but it takes a bit of time for the damage to accumulate to the point where it hurts. You are likely to conclude that you have the wrong blade or razor and want to change something in your setup. That might not be the best idea.

You might want to concentrate on three things. 1) Prep. 2) Angle of your razor. 3) lightness of touch.

1) For Prep search for Kyle's prep (or lather up and then put a washcloth with hot water on it over your face for a minute. Especially important for the neck area. The soap and water will swell up and soften the whiskers even more than the shower did. This makes them easier to cut and not tug . . . add some more lather and start shaving)
2) Angle . . . as close to perpendicular as you can and still be cutting whiskers . . .over time you will figure out how to change the angle as you go over your jaw to your neck.
3) Lightness of touch . . . you don't want to be pressing . . . just the weight of the razor should do.
4) Try not to obsess about feeling perfectly smooth. Nobody is getting that close to you that they can see something you don't . . . with your glasses on of course. Perhaps limit yourself to with the grain passes. (now this is very very hard advice to take. I didn't take it and I lived. Do what your face allows you to do without pain)

Welcome to the club and best of luck.

 

[FoolishMortal]

Thank you for your suggestions! When you soap in the shower do you mean shaving cream or regular soap? I am checking out your other suggestions now.

Regular (quality) soap. I am partial to Stirling and SWMBO likes triple-milled milk soaps.

 

[djh]

Four whole fried chickens... and a Coke.

 

[ShaverAZ]

Everyone has their pet razor & brush brands and models. Some get argumentative when "cheaper" or non Name Brand alternatives are offered. I've been shaving for several decades, and I began with my Grandpa's (now 100 year old) Ever Ready Boar brush. It's small and cheap by todays' standards, but it will produce lather to rival that of a $100 brush. Paying more for a brush only leaves you with less money to buy soap and blades.
Don't get caught up just yet in that 'Badger vs Synthetic' argument; both work just fine. I have a cheap Chinese $6 synthetic that produces the same excellent quality of lather as does my more spendy, floor-mop sized knot Badger brush.
Pre-shaves: Proraso is the brand standard that works. You mentioned Noxzema for a post shave - Noxzema (I use the Walmart generic brand) works great as a preshave. For post shave, I have my own formula. Nivea Post Shave Balm is good stuff, but there are hundreds of alternatives - pick one ...
Razors? Don't become entangled in that Gillette shunning BS, since the Vintage quality Gillette razors were produced in an era predating the current controversy, where sensitive, politically correct content would have been poorly regarded. A Vintage Gillette Tech can assure you an easy-to-learn close, smooth shave with any number of types of blades made today. Techs are available at E-Bay and Etsy in many styles and physical conditions. A showpiece quality Pre War Tech may cost more than its' more worn counterpart, but it will still give you an honest shave. Before deciding on that spendy, hand machined Smegfish 6000 Titanium razor, get a Tech, or even a Schick Krona. Both will allow you to quickly build the skill to do an excellent daily shave; you can always spend more on "better" razors later, since, few DE wet shavers have only one razor. Same with brush. My cheap synthetic will lather any soap made as well as the best premium brush made from the genital area fur of a certified virgin badger. It's best to start cheap and decide what you want later, than blow the wad on expensive gear & regret it later.
Blades? Astra Superior Platinum are pretty mainstream, and only the meanest, snobbiest wet shaver will deny that they give a smooth, honest shave. A sample pack will give you weeks of blade trials; once you find what you really like, check Amazon for prices on 100 packs, then look on E-bay where you can sometimes get cheaper prices and free shipping.
Everyone has their favorite soaps. I began with a Williams puck long ago. You don't need to go thru any elaborate soaking, blooming or voodoo to make it work. Rub a damp brush around on a dry puck, add a few drops of water to a bowl, then stir it up. Add more water until you have an excellent lather. Too much pride to use a cheap, pedestrian soap? Taylor of Old Bond St. soaps are proven performers. Get a little lathering mileage under your belt before you go on to more exotic Artisan soaps made of monkey tallow,real mothers milk, hemp oil and such. Start lathering with a bowl - any bowl will do, from Coffee cup to any wide, shallow plastic or ceramic bowl will do.
Learn what 'Beard Mapping' means, and how to do multiple pass shaving. It never hurts to watch some instructional shaving videos, and here's one:

Look, too, on Youtube for SinatraLennon, Kensurfs, Kevy Shaves and a multitude of others who post videos about vintage and modern gear, brushes, soaps and techniques.