I finally figured it out!

[DeepPrpl]

I am a relatively new wet shaver (since March, 2019 - maybe 5 or 6 months). Over that time, I have watched many videos, read several shaving related web pages, etc. I have experimented with razors, blades, creams, soaps, etc. My final discovery was which shave oil to use. I finally figured it out. The shave oil I now use is... drum roll here... Cremo brushless shave cream. It works amazingly well. Here is what I have settled on:

Razors (in this order): Parker Progressive, Merkur Progress, 2 Fatboys
Cream / Soap: Stirling soap (several flavors), TOBS (Sandalwood, Cedarwood)
Blades (in this order): Personna Lab Blues, Vokshod
Shave Oil: Cremo brushless shave cream
Brush: Silver tip badger (have two or three)
Scuttle: Yes

I'd be interested in hearing what other newbies have finally settled on

 

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to the forum !!

 

[Gryffindor]

Welcome aboard! You've made some great choices to start! I started DE shaving this year, and I've settled on this as my best setup for my face.

Gillette NEW Short Comb
Astra SP
Stirling Soap and Balm

 

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B.

 

[OhioBob]

DeepPrpl so glad you have found what works for you!

I also started in March and went down the rabbit hole. I have four Timeless razors, two EJ89’s, one Muhle R89, 11 vintage Gillette’s, 4 vintage Schick’s ( 3 injectors & one Krona ) two Proraso soaps and four Proraso creams, TOBS Sandalwood and 14 TOBS samples, St James of London Sandalwood, two Proraso pre shave creams and 11 different shave sticks.

I lean towards the 4 Timeless razors with a mix of vintage, I like the Proraso pre shave creams and my favorite used to be TOBS or the St James Sandalwood, but I really am enjoying trying the shaving sticks. I prefer Gillette Platinum blades but still have some from a sampler pack to try.

I guess I am still searching for the perfect shave. My RAD is satisfied after getting the Timeless razors but still searching for the perfect soap or cream.

 

[dmshaver]

Welcome, glad you your way here. Thanks for posting what is currently working, looks like a good setup. Regardless of what you're using, de or se, it is advisable to use the exact same setup for at least 4 weeks in a row. This is known as a Fixed 4 & it allows you to focus on beginning to learn proper technique instead of changing razors, soaps, brand of blade or brush every other shave, or once a week. It takes a consistent setup to remove the variables so you can focus on learning about blade angle, no pressure, to name just a couple of important learning curves to get up. Each time you change one item (razor, soap/cream, brand of blade, brush) you have introduced a variable. Being new we aren't knowledgable to recognize, or even know, how this variable affects our shave.

So as much as we want to run & jump head first into a rabbit hole, I suggest waiting & learning technique. That way, when you are shopping for a new/used razor, you'll know what you like & what you don't like. And more importantly, you'll know why you do or don't like it.

Welcome & enjoy!

 

[xxvaleria]

Welcome to the club. Glad to have you aboard.

 

[ajkel64]

Welcome to the forum, thanks for sharing your experience with us.

 

[BigJ]

Welcome aboard! Congratulations on finding a winning combination/combinations!!

 

[cerda]

Glad you got it figured out.

I settled on a Merkur open comb with a long handle, Persona blues, and a Tweezerman boar brush. All inexpensive yet give me a great comfortable shave. Two passes and i get a really good shave. Three passes give me a very smooth, close shave.

I tried a Schõne razor hoping for a more aggressive, efficient shave and a nicely made razor. After the experiment I decided I was happy with my Merkur razor. I liked the materials of the Schõne razor but the shave was too aggressive. I could manage it with care, and only two passes but I did not find it pleasurable. I'd like a nice fully brass or stainless steel razor but I'm not convinced it will shave better than my Merkur.

So, I've decided I'm happy where I am. I've played with a third razor, a Bakelite slant, it was very inexpensive and fun. I'm not sure when I'd really use it.

I have a scuttle and like it when I bowl lather. Lately, I've been using a shave stick, Arko or Tabac, and face lathering. For aftershave, I have a lot but keep going back to Lucky Tiger. I do like to match soaps and aftershaves by brand or country. It's fun.

Enjoy what you have and I'm glad you found what works for you.


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[Invicta]

Welcome to B&B.