Christmas presents. Argh!

[watfordjc]

Hopefully none of them cheat by Googling 'watfordjc Christmas 2012'.

I need some advice as I know very little about DE shaving. I'm planning on getting my brothers and Dad some shaving gear this year.

I use a Dovo Best straight. AFAIK my Dad uses an electric, my 26 yo younger brother either an electric or Fusion (guessing), and I don't know if my youngest brother (teenager) has started shaving yet.

What I've decided upon are super badger brushes, brush stands (of the plastic variety), TOBS sandalwood creams, DE razors and blades, and alum blocks. I did have an imitation ivory Mach 3 in the basket for my youngest brother but thought "he'll be getting piles of those over the next few years".

I need to pop to Tesco for the other item... Would 50 balloons each be enough?

As I've never used a DE, only used soap so far, and still use the brush I originally bought, can someone help me with the following please?

How does a small super badger (TOBS, 9.5 cm, #S2233) compare to a medium pure (Vulfix 660?)?
Is shaving cream a lot easier (and faster) to lather than shaving soap?
Is the TOBS "original safety razor" (nickel, #15300) any good?
Are the TOBS "safety razor blades (#15350) any good? Only getting them 10 blades each as "best" is subjective.

Thanks,

John.

 

[Niles]

I can help with one of your questions. Shaving cream will be quicker to lather than soaps. It's softer than soap, so it would probably be easier and quicker for someone new to wetshaving.

 

[saintpat]

Don't know anything about the TOBS original safety razor. But if I were getting a safety razor for a newbie I'd probably go with an Edwin Jagger DE89 / Muhle R89 or perhaps a Merkur HD.

Creams are easier and quicker to lather but soaps are more fun IMO

Sounds like a great gift!