It's a common theme - I dont recall how I stumbled across this site, but I seem to be spending more and more time here lately (and yes, I read the Onion article about mustards!). My first purchase was the VDH starter kit a few weeks ago (with boar brush, bowl, and shea butter soap) for less than $10 at Walmart. Ive been pleased with the lather, but continued to shave with a Sensor Excel while trying to decide on a DE.
Last week I watched several of mantic59s youtube videos and continued to work on my lathering and (cartridge) shaving technique, but resisted the urge to drop $50 on a new Merkur. Then I found the Shaving Factory TTO at Razors Direct for $13 and the VDH glycerin soap for $3.50. (Ive purchased Sensor Excel blades from Razors Direct for years; they have the lowest prices Ive seen, and offer a free shipping option.) These items arrived with yesterdays mail, and I picked up a 10-pack of Personnas last night for less than $2 at Walmart. Im all-in at this point for less than 30 bucks.
I took the plunge today and used a DE for the first time, going two passes WTG on my face and neck, plus an XTG pass on my cheeks. Overall Im pleased with the results. The cheeks are close to BBS, and although I could have gotten a little closer around my nose and lips, I wanted to take it slowly for the first week as I work on technique.
Like french press coffee, hoppy beer (think IPA), and very dry, three gorgonzola cheese stuffed olive, shaken Bombay Sapphire martinis, DE shaving has to be experienced first-hand. Theres nothing quite like warm lather (on the third pass, no less!) or the sound the blade makes as it cuts the hair.
Now if I could just decide on a good badger brush
Last week I watched several of mantic59s youtube videos and continued to work on my lathering and (cartridge) shaving technique, but resisted the urge to drop $50 on a new Merkur. Then I found the Shaving Factory TTO at Razors Direct for $13 and the VDH glycerin soap for $3.50. (Ive purchased Sensor Excel blades from Razors Direct for years; they have the lowest prices Ive seen, and offer a free shipping option.) These items arrived with yesterdays mail, and I picked up a 10-pack of Personnas last night for less than $2 at Walmart. Im all-in at this point for less than 30 bucks.
I took the plunge today and used a DE for the first time, going two passes WTG on my face and neck, plus an XTG pass on my cheeks. Overall Im pleased with the results. The cheeks are close to BBS, and although I could have gotten a little closer around my nose and lips, I wanted to take it slowly for the first week as I work on technique.
Like french press coffee, hoppy beer (think IPA), and very dry, three gorgonzola cheese stuffed olive, shaken Bombay Sapphire martinis, DE shaving has to be experienced first-hand. Theres nothing quite like warm lather (on the third pass, no less!) or the sound the blade makes as it cuts the hair.
Now if I could just decide on a good badger brush
