Before today/after today pictures of my shaving stuff!

[Lok3sh]

So I went to Pasteurs in NYC today to pick up some DE stuff. Unfortunately the guy that knows the stuff about the blades etc was not there since it was the weekend. But another store person was also fairly knowledgeable and helped me out to an extent. Ended up buying the Edwin Jagger DE 89L which, surprisingly, cost less at the store than what I've seen online! Grabbed that, and an Osma crayon thing (never heard of Osma, seems to be made in France).

After tonight I might have a rough idea if DE is for me or not I suppose. I hope it is! It is way cheaper, and sounds like so much more fun.

Here are some pictures of my shaving gear before and after my recent purchases!











So I have a question for you guys. The guy at the store gave me two random blades to try. One is the Derby Extra and one is the Merkur Super. I don't know which one to try first. If it helps, I usually shave every other day, and right before I shave. This is my beard now, and it looks like this every time just before I shave. I guess this is considered not very thick/course? Or is it? I'm not really sure haha.

Click spoiler for the picture:

Spoiler

 

[chgruver]

In regards to the blade you might get the try one if you don't like it try the other, the other suggestion you will probably hear is to get a sample pack of blades to find a brand you like. I personally do not have any experience with either of those brands of blades and am new to the DE scene also. I will say I have already thought of upgrading my Maggard, which is supposedly similar to the EJ DE89 to an actual DE89.

 

[codecheck]

You will love that razor. I gave up all of my numerous old Gillette razors for that Edwin Jagger razor. Personally, I am not a fan of either blade, but you will find the one you like. My favorite blade in the Edwin Jagger DE 89 is a Feather. Happy shaving. David

 

[Lucidor]

I'd save the Merkur for last. Better get a good shave from a less dull tuggy blade first. Derby isn't bad.

 

[FL shaver]

Merkur>Derby in my experience. Enjoy your gear!

 

[Richie]

Nice choice on getting the DE89L, I used the exact same razor today but with a Gillette 7 0'Clock Yellow blade.

I was in Pasteurs on E. 34th Street this time last year and spent $118.00, I couldn't control myself. That place is truely amazing. I have a daughter that lives in central Jersey so getting into NYC is fairly easy taking the NJT into Penn Station.

 

[mopar440_6]

I tried the Merkur blades that came with my razor and they weren't much better than my Mach 3 had been. It wasn't until another member here offered some better blades that I really got the hang of it.

So, in the spirit of PIF, PM me your name and address and I'll send you a handful of blades to try...

 

[Nadir M]

The de89l is a great razor. Take it nice and slow and avoid applying pressure with the razor.

 

[2Deuce2]

Welcome to a great adventure. I've thoroughly enjoyed the hunt for the right razor and blade combo. Your purchase reminds me of my own purchase a year ago-my guy at Merz in Chicago threw in some Feather blades, and the first shave was good. Maybe you should start with the Derby. Check out the blade reviews here as it has helped to guide me.

 

[Lok3sh]

Thanks for all the input guys!

And a special thanks to mopar440_6! Thank you for being so generous! I'll send a PM your way shortly A few different blades to try would be so awesome right now!

For tonight, I'm thinking of going with the Derby Extra. I'll post how it went shortly, and hopefully I'll still be the proud owner of facial skin haha.

 

[Lok3sh]

Alrighty then! Just had my first DE shave! And...

It was much easier than I expected actually. I didn't really do much damage to my face really. The only reason I got a few (really minor) nicks was because towards the end I decided to really go crazy and did a lot of ATG haha.

Basically my first pass went without a hitch. Absolutely no nicks, but it maybe only reduced my stubble down to 2/3 less than original. Then I did a second pass sideways, and one ATG. The ATG pass was just under my jaw and under my nose. And the few nicks I did get were only under my nose.

My shave is definitely not even, but the parts I went ATG are extremely close! The rest of it is definitely no worse than when I use my Fusion. Which is a good thing because if I managed this on my first try, I feel like it can only get better and even if does not... it is still comparable to my cartridge razor which means I'd rather use this since it's cheaper!

So I guess that was a success! Now to perfect my strokes and try some different blades!

PS: So something that I noticed while shaving was that through most of it, I couldn't really even tell that the blade was doing anything until I looked at how much hair it had removed. It felt like I was constantly rubbing a smooth polished surface against my face. Is this how it is supposed to feel or am I not getting the angle right?

 

[Purplemonkey]

I find that when things are right, you get a little feedback with that razor. He best piece of advice I got when I got into DE was don't think of one pass smooth. Think of each pass as a reduction. Changed my approach.

 

[imthegoal]

Congrats on the first shave. Everyone has already given some great advice. The one thing I will add is that is a styptic pencil by osma. I would possibly look into picking up an alum block in that it will also give you great feedback in how you are doing with your shaves.

 

[chgruver]

Congrats on the first shave. Everyone has already given some great advice. The one thing I will add is that is a styptic pencil by osma. I would possibly look into picking up an alum block in that it will also give you great feedback in how you are doing with your shaves.

And the alum block will be brutally honest with you.

 

[Richie]

And the alum block will be brutally honest with you.

+1
I use mine after every shave.

 

[cheesepiece]

+1 on the alum block.
Some negative reinforcement will soon iron out any bad practice.

 

[ChiefShaver]

You will have tons of fun with your new equipment. The EJ89 is one of the best razors out there (for me).Very mild but very close.I like the Derby blades.Don´t use them too often but when i use the blades i can´t tell anything negative about the shaves.

I have an alum block from Osma.You are right,Osma is produced in France.I like it from time to time using an alum block after i shaved.

So,take your time,enjoy the shave and tell us how you liked it.I think this will be interesting for us here.Your shaves will get better and better from now on...

Kind regards
Thorsten

 

[Lok3sh]

Hmmm... Well I already have a styptic pencil by Osma that I used a bit yesterday. Would the Alum block have been a better option? Should I have an alum block as well as the pencil?

Also while on the topic of these pencils, mine came inside a little plastic tube with a cap. When I wet it, it got totally wet and it seems like it will never dry in the tube. Should I not keep it in the tube? Does it matter if it stays wet the whole time?

 

[chgruver]

The way I understand how an Alum block works is that it does provide some of the same functionality as the styptic pencil (or at least in my case it does) but you rub it all over the shaved area as its antiseptic qualities will provide feedback on how rough your shave was (too much pressure thus raw skin) by the means of a burning sensation, my shave today produced a lot of burning but I was using a new razor that I was not used to along with a lather that was too wet and thin, my previous shave used a razor I had been using for two weeks and a cream I knew I could get a decent lather out of and the alum block had little to no burning sensation.

In regards to your question on the wet styptic pencil, I am not sure as I have never used a styptic pencil (although if I had not gotten an alum block I probably would have picked a styptic pencil up).

 

[Lok3sh]

Ok WOW.

Just had my second shave tonight. Just wow! I cannot BELIEVE how well that went!

It felt ridiculously natural, and I just had the closest shave I have EVER had! I'm finding it hard to stop touching my face in disbelief hahaha!

I did a few things different today, some of which might have contributed.

For the first time, I soaked my brush while in the shower. I also used a lot more shaving cream and I made the lather in a bowl.

It felt like the razor was gliding all over my face!! I felt NOTHING! The first time with the DE, day before yesterday, felt like riding a bike for the first time. But not today.

After my first DE shave I felt like maybe I'd keep my Fusion Proglide in case I don't get the hang of the DE, but today I think I will likely never use the Gillette PG again.

Has anyone else had such a DRASTIC difference between their first and second shaves with a DE?

Also I only had ONE nick today. And that was because halfway through going against the grain on my upper lip I said holy crap out loud because of how well it was going and I cut myself. Ha. It stopped bleeding before I could pull out the styptic pencil.

In case you guys can't tell, I'm extremely excited haha.

Thank you all so much for all the tips, advice and help so far!