First DE Shave EVER last night

[Rez90]

So i recieved my package from leesrazors last night which consisted of a Markur 23C, a Simpsons special brush, Stand, blade sampler and D.R. Harris Arlington Soap.

This was the first time i ever even held a DE razor and touched shave soap with my own hands.

I think I need some practice/advice with the soap but eventually i got a lather together.

regarding the actual shave though.....outstanding. I only made one pass as i have very sensative skin and i wasn't trying to push my luck. But i used a personna red blade and took it nice and slow. No cuts. A nick on the neck (which was always par while cartrage shaving) but the most amazing thing......NO PAIN.

For the last decade of shaving every time i EVER shaved it was horribly painful. I have very thick facial hair and it's always felt (even with a brand new cartrage) like the hair was being ripped out of my face.

Thanks for all of the help and advice. This forum has been a lifesaver.

I would still love some advice on proper technique in using shave soap, but overall...i see a new light for my shaving future.

Thanks again.

 

[BlkKnight]

Congrats!

The way I practised with lather build was to keep adding water gradually until the soap solution collapsed / won't stay on the brush.

Then try again, stopping just before it collapses - which should be roughly right.

 

[gearchow]

Awesome!

With soap, my preferred usage now is face lathering. With a fairly dry brush, load the brush with soap (shouldn't get any bubbles or foam) then I paint on my cheeks. Your using your brush as a shave stick, essentially.

Dampen the brush a bit more and start face lathering, spreading the lather out as it builds. I wish I could describe it better, but I bet there are videos folks here could point to and - I know there is - some links to a better description.

I love face lathering, with the right brush it seems to massage my face and by the time your done doing it, my medium weight whiskers are softened just fine.

Good luck and know that there will be days of "oh damn, this isn't working". It all evens out with gained experience.

-jim

 

[newboy]

regarding the actual shave though.....outstanding. I only made one pass as i have very sensative skin and i wasn't trying to push my luck. But i used a personna red blade and took it nice and slow. No cuts. A nick on the neck (which was always par while cartrage shaving) but the most amazing thing......NO PAIN.

It's terrible to hear that you suffered pain while cartridge shaving.
Hope you have better results in the future*

* I think you will, while the 23C and the red personna are good, IMHO there's even better out there too. You've got plenty of time to work it out and find them I'm not saying that for nefarious reasons, my first combo was a 23C and derby blades, but I've moved on. My point is, it only gets better from now.

For any tips and hints, at least start with mantic59 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F5u28JfnCM

 

[Slivovitz]

A slightly belated welcome to B&B, and congratulations on discovering classic shaving.

The Merkur 23C was the first DE that worked well for me, too, after a brief experiment with a cheaper brand. I moved on and tried out other razors, but if you decide to stop right here, it might be the only one you ever need. Maybe try out a couple of other brands of blade just to be sure you've found the best one for you, and you're right, practice getting the most out of your soap. Once I learned to face lather, it only got better.

Enjoy the shaves.

 

[Laz]

Congrats - and remember, it will only get better

 

[jin]

Very cool. Remember to keep taking it slow. I let confidence build up too quickly and have had some not-so-fun shaves, but every time I slow back down, it goes back to being great.

 

[Blue58]

So i recieved my package from leesrazors last night which consisted of a Markur 23C, a Simpsons special brush, Stand, blade sampler and D.R. Harris Arlington Soap.

This was the first time i ever even held a DE razor and touched shave soap with my own hands.

I think I need some practice/advice with the soap but eventually i got a lather together.

regarding the actual shave though.....outstanding. I only made one pass as i have very sensative skin and i wasn't trying to push my luck. But i used a personna red blade and took it nice and slow. No cuts. A nick on the neck (which was always par while cartrage shaving) but the most amazing thing......NO PAIN.

For the last decade of shaving every time i EVER shaved it was horribly painful. I have very thick facial hair and it's always felt (even with a brand new cartrage) like the hair was being ripped out of my face.

Thanks for all of the help and advice. This forum has been a lifesaver.

I would still love some advice on proper technique in using shave soap, but overall...i see a new light for my shaving future.

Thanks again.

Welcome to B&B, The key to any good shave is relax, go slow and enjoy. But I think you have already figured this part out. As for the soap... practice, practice, practice. As for your blade... you may want to try the Astra Super Platinum blade, they are very sharp and will cut that very course beard hair very easily. Just go slow and pay close attention to your technique.

You will have some bad days as we all do, but for the most part they will be very good days.