Hello everyone! I've been lurking here less than a week, mainly looking to save money from what I was paying for the Fusion carts. After spending hours reading these forums on Monday, I discovered that there's a lot more to it than saving money.....it can actually be a much better experience. I had gone ahead and ordered an EJDE89L since it was on sale for a great price ($27 shipped). I had about 3 or 4 models on my list but I went with that just to try out. I also ordered a 100-ct package of the Personna Lab Blue blades.
I didn't actually intend on trying a wet shave for a few weeks until I was done with the Fusion carts, but this stuff started arriving and while I was browsing at a department store I saw a Van Der Hagen Shaving Set with the bowl, brush and soap. I decided to go ahead and get it even though I know I want to buy a better quality brush and soap. The anticipation was killing me and I really wanted to see if I could do it!
So tonight, I had my first wet shave. I prepped a little with a hot shower and one of the pre-shave samples that came with the DE89L. While in the shower, I soaked the brush in warm water. Once I got out I tried to work the brush into the soap and see if I could make a good lather in the bowl. I got some but nowhere near what it should be. I'll keep practicing that. I applied some on my right cheek but I never could get it to stay very thick like I've seen on some of the Youtube videos. I ended up abandoning the lather and used the can of Barbasol I had lying around.
I have to say that it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Of course had I not read all the tips on these forums, I probably would've cut my face up, but I made sure to try and get the angle right and not to apply pressure. I did a first pass with the grain, no problems at all. One thing I noticed right away was how the DE does not tug or pull like the multi-blade carts do. I rinsed and re-applied the cream, did a 2nd pass against the grain, still no nicks or weepers. I wasn't going to do the 3rd pass across the face as I'd read that newbies should probably get some experience first, but since I hadn't cut myself yet, I decided to give it a go. I did the 3rd pass and still didn't have a nick or a weeper anywhere. I rinsed off and applied the sample aftershave which stung a little (but in a good way).
Overall, I can honestly say that I now see what all the fuss is about. I don't think my face has felt this smooth in decades. It's wonderful! It did take quite a while as I went very slow (about 20 minutes total), but it was totally worth it. I'm not sure how much money I'm going to save in the long run because now I want to try all sorts of different soaps, brushes, blades, etc. I'm even curious about buying a vintage Gillette at some point.
Anyway, I'm glad to be a part of this community now. My quest to save some money led me to find a terrific new hobby.
I didn't actually intend on trying a wet shave for a few weeks until I was done with the Fusion carts, but this stuff started arriving and while I was browsing at a department store I saw a Van Der Hagen Shaving Set with the bowl, brush and soap. I decided to go ahead and get it even though I know I want to buy a better quality brush and soap. The anticipation was killing me and I really wanted to see if I could do it!
So tonight, I had my first wet shave. I prepped a little with a hot shower and one of the pre-shave samples that came with the DE89L. While in the shower, I soaked the brush in warm water. Once I got out I tried to work the brush into the soap and see if I could make a good lather in the bowl. I got some but nowhere near what it should be. I'll keep practicing that. I applied some on my right cheek but I never could get it to stay very thick like I've seen on some of the Youtube videos. I ended up abandoning the lather and used the can of Barbasol I had lying around.
I have to say that it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Of course had I not read all the tips on these forums, I probably would've cut my face up, but I made sure to try and get the angle right and not to apply pressure. I did a first pass with the grain, no problems at all. One thing I noticed right away was how the DE does not tug or pull like the multi-blade carts do. I rinsed and re-applied the cream, did a 2nd pass against the grain, still no nicks or weepers. I wasn't going to do the 3rd pass across the face as I'd read that newbies should probably get some experience first, but since I hadn't cut myself yet, I decided to give it a go. I did the 3rd pass and still didn't have a nick or a weeper anywhere. I rinsed off and applied the sample aftershave which stung a little (but in a good way).
Overall, I can honestly say that I now see what all the fuss is about. I don't think my face has felt this smooth in decades. It's wonderful! It did take quite a while as I went very slow (about 20 minutes total), but it was totally worth it. I'm not sure how much money I'm going to save in the long run because now I want to try all sorts of different soaps, brushes, blades, etc. I'm even curious about buying a vintage Gillette at some point.
Anyway, I'm glad to be a part of this community now. My quest to save some money led me to find a terrific new hobby.
I just had a great shave in Indy at Red's.
