finally bought a DE razor

[Sabertooth]

Hey guys,

I am new to the website. For those of you who do not know, I recently had to start shaving after having a beard for years because of a new job starting next week. My first three shaves have been awful using a disposable, so much skin irritation. After researching other solutions, I have been led to this forum and the world of wet shaving with DE razors. My grandpa nor dad could remember what happened to theirs, antique shops did not have any and and I am not educated enough to buy any vintage ones. So I made a choice and bought what's recommended for beginners on a number of sites I have read.

I bought:
Edwin Jagger DE89L
Variety blade pack
Proraso shave soap
Muhle HJM brush
Portland General Store Whiskey Aftershave (Splash)- Wanted to try for a while.

Time to watch some more videos and prepare for my first shave of many. I am ready to enjoy shaving once again.

 

[marcallain]

You're going to enjoy it! It makes shaving so much more enjoyable rather than a chore!

 

[Sabertooth]

I really hope so, I will update when everything gets here and I can make my first shave!

 

[DesertJake]

The DE89 and Proraso are excellent choices! I'm not sure I'd want aftershave that smelled like I'd been drinking, but to each his own.

Welcome from another short-timer!

 

[Sfbagger]

Interesting...If it's cheaper than the bourbon I've been using I might give it try....less sting, perhaps...

 

[wamo]

My grandpa nor dad could remember what happened to theirs, antique shops did not have any and and I am not educated enough to buy any vintage ones.

Just go to your favorite online auction site or the marketplace here on B&B and search for "gillette super speed" or "gillette tech".

As long as they're not corroded all to hell you can't go wrong with either of those, those puppies were built like tanks. I've been stockpiling them and I love each one.

 

[Boro62]

Hey guys,

I am new to the website. For those of you who do not know, I recently had to start shaving after having a beard for years because of a new job starting next week. My first three shaves have been awful using a disposable, so much skin irritation. After researching other solutions, I have been led to this forum and the world of wet shaving with DE razors. My grandpa nor dad could remember what happened to theirs, antique shops did not have any and and I am not educated enough to buy any vintage ones. So I made a choice and bought what's recommended for beginners on a number of sites I have read.

I bought:
Edwin Jagger DE89L
Variety blade pack
Proraso shave soap
Muhle HJM brush
Portland General Store Whiskey Aftershave (Splash)- Wanted to try for a while.

Time to watch some more videos and prepare for my first shave of many. I am ready to enjoy shaving once again.

welcome to the forums. Looks like a great beginner setup you got going there.

 

[Sabertooth]

Just go to your favorite online auction site or the marketplace here on B&B and search for "gillette super speed" or "gillette tech".

As long as they're not corroded all to hell you can't go wrong with either of those, those puppies were built like tanks. I've been stockpiling them and I love each one.

Thanks Wamo!

 

[wamo]

My pleasure Sabertooth!

Those old Gillettes were made so well there's still a ton of them kicking around and it's not too hard to land one for a really good price.

 

[ricardo9505]

congrats and welcome.
ENjoy the variety pack. Keep in mind you will be learning more as the months go by and you enjoy your shaves. I completed a whole year de shaving and learned much. I have the same razor in a barley chrome.
food for thought:
- if you're ever in doubt, yes, you need more soap.
- pure badger brushes have a good scritchiness. They need less soap than the denser brushes and aearate the soap well like arko. BUT you have to discover a finest, best or silvertip one day. You will realize why people have more than 1 brush. It did not make sense to me at first.
- take your time at first to develop a steady muscle memory. Like soldiers pulling a rifle, or a cash girl slamming the keys w/o looking. Muscle memory develops with practice.
- let the handle and weight of the blade do most of the work and you'll discover the blades sweet spot and how you adjust for those last few days when the blade is not as sharp. More pressure.
- Enjoy the lather.
- There is no soaps or creams war. Just find what products you like and those that hold well on their own in lather richness & slickness with the blade gliding.
- watch youtube videos and research here for pointers.
- I rarely use my sensitive skin or the good soaps as an excuse. Nine or ten times out of 10 it's my technique and rush.

 

[Sabertooth]

congrats and welcome.
ENjoy the variety pack. Keep in mind you will be learning more as the months go by and you enjoy your shaves. I completed a whole year de shaving and learned much. I have the same razor in a barley chrome.
food for thought:
- if you're ever in doubt, yes, you need more soap.
- pure badger brushes have a good scritchiness. They need less soap than the denser brushes and aearate the soap well like arko. BUT you have to discover a finest, best or silvertip one day. You will realize why people have more than 1 brush. It did not make sense to me at first.
- take your time at first to develop a steady muscle memory. Like soldiers pulling a rifle, or a cash girl slamming the keys w/o looking. Muscle memory develops with practice.
- let the handle and weight of the blade do most of the work and you'll discover the blades sweet spot and how you adjust for those last few days when the blade is not as sharp. More pressure.
- Enjoy the lather.
- There is no soaps or creams war. Just find what products you like and those that hold well on their own in lather richness & slickness with the blade gliding.
- watch youtube videos and research here for pointers.
- I rarely use my sensitive skin or the good soaps as an excuse. Nine or ten times out of 10 it's my technique and rush.

Ricardo, thanks so much!

 

[bettershaves]

Good for you. There is a learning curve. You will have some ups and downs, but it is so worth it. You have chosen some good products. Some guys are down on the Proraso but I really like their preshave and their sensitive skin soap. Whatever you do, be patient, go slow and use a very light touch. It takes longer than disposable but it is rewarding.

 

[celestino]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum!

 

[Dools]

Enjoy that EJ 89! I think it is a Great razor.

 

[PDman]

Hello. Welcome. Enjoy

 

[Chadao]

Great kit. Congratulations.

 

[oldtrout]

Good choices! And congratulations on the new job.
Remember, think "no" pressure and correct blade angle.
As a beginner, I suggest locking your wrist. This should assist in keeping a constant blade angle.
Take your time and enjoy.

 

[buttugly500]

Don't worry too much about getting a vintage razor. I've tried quite a few of the vintage Gillettes and my favourite is the Edwin Jagger. There is just something awesome about that razor IMO. I'm sure once you become more comfortable some nice vintage razors will surface. It's nice to have a mix of old and new.

 

[Leslie145]

Edwin Jagger DE89L
Variety blade pack
Proraso shave soap
Muhle HJM brush
Portland General Store Whiskey Aftershave (Splash)- Wanted to try for a while.

Nice startup kit - looking forward to getting a DE89 myself.

Highly recommend Gillette Slim adjustables, too - you'll get them easily on the bay & if you're lucky at a decent price too (also, check out the BST threads here)

 

[ajmanouk]

Nice startup kit! One suggestion I have would be to purchase 10 or 20 of a blade and stick with it before trying a bunch in the variety pack; you can't assess the blades well until you get your technique down.