Oh yeah, I know a lot of folks are here to find out about lots of great stuff to try. And that's awesome and lots of fun. But some folks really are trying to save money and want to avoid trying lots of things and want to get right to the best value. So B&B members, what would you say is the set up that provides the best shaving experience for the lowest cost?
My submission:
Get a decent Omega boar brush. The pro is on Amazon for like $11. Learn how to break it in, care for it, and use it.
Go with soaps. They give me more shaves per dollar than creams, I think. And you can buy kilo bricks of some Italian soft tallow soaps like Cella or p160 that will last you a very long time. Just pull off a piece and stick it in the bottom of a mug and lather it up. There are many good artisan soap makers all over that people love. I like Mystic Water because they are local to me in DC and I can get it from the farmers market.
Get an Edwin Jagger double edge razor from Amazon. Learn how to use it and take care of it. When the threads eventually get clogged up with soap residue, loosen it with pliers and WD-40 and keep it clean instead of buying a new one.
Once you know what kind of blades you like, buy 100 packs of them online.
Use lotion based after shave from any supermarket, like Nivea or Every Man Jack.
If you absolutely must get a badger brush, try any of our fine B&B members here who will sell you a resin handle and knot to glue into it. It will cost much less than any brand name brush and perform just as well.
If you want creams, exploit anyone you might know who is travelling overseas and can get you tubes of that country's creams. For example, I'm Indian so I always have some relative who is travelling to India. I've gotten tons of creams for a matter of a few cents each, while they would cost much more in the US. British creams cost about the same in Britain so that might not work there but Italians have gotten Italian products cheaper than the US.
If you don't have a credit card to buy things online:
Kiss my face is a good American brand that you can find at many organic food stores. Some ethnic stores will sell their country's shaving products.
There are double edge razors and blades to be gotten from Target or Walmart, but also check antique stores or flea markets for decent vintage razors.
Also watch Mantic59's videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Id57M5-xA for good tips.
So experienced B&B members, share your value setups if you were to lose everything and start over.
My submission:
Get a decent Omega boar brush. The pro is on Amazon for like $11. Learn how to break it in, care for it, and use it.
Go with soaps. They give me more shaves per dollar than creams, I think. And you can buy kilo bricks of some Italian soft tallow soaps like Cella or p160 that will last you a very long time. Just pull off a piece and stick it in the bottom of a mug and lather it up. There are many good artisan soap makers all over that people love. I like Mystic Water because they are local to me in DC and I can get it from the farmers market.
Get an Edwin Jagger double edge razor from Amazon. Learn how to use it and take care of it. When the threads eventually get clogged up with soap residue, loosen it with pliers and WD-40 and keep it clean instead of buying a new one.
Once you know what kind of blades you like, buy 100 packs of them online.
Use lotion based after shave from any supermarket, like Nivea or Every Man Jack.
If you absolutely must get a badger brush, try any of our fine B&B members here who will sell you a resin handle and knot to glue into it. It will cost much less than any brand name brush and perform just as well.
If you want creams, exploit anyone you might know who is travelling overseas and can get you tubes of that country's creams. For example, I'm Indian so I always have some relative who is travelling to India. I've gotten tons of creams for a matter of a few cents each, while they would cost much more in the US. British creams cost about the same in Britain so that might not work there but Italians have gotten Italian products cheaper than the US.
If you don't have a credit card to buy things online:
Kiss my face is a good American brand that you can find at many organic food stores. Some ethnic stores will sell their country's shaving products.
There are double edge razors and blades to be gotten from Target or Walmart, but also check antique stores or flea markets for decent vintage razors.
Also watch Mantic59's videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Id57M5-xA for good tips.
So experienced B&B members, share your value setups if you were to lose everything and start over.