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Looking to get into DE

N

nate0001

I currently use one of those three headed dry electric. While it does an okay job, I often get ingrown hairs, have to make several passes back and forth in an area which ends up irritating my skin, and some areas I will never get smooth (like under the chin). Some hairs it won't even cut. The problem is my hair grows very fast and it's also very thick and coarse. To put it into perspective, I grew a full beard in about a week. If I want to stay clean, I have to shave every day. Due to my hair type, disposables are out of the question. They pull my hair like crazy. The same with foil/straight electrics.

I'm looking to get a DE. I've been looking around and know what my friend uses to shave with, but I'm not sure what kind I should go with given my hair type. Do I need a more aggressive, a slant, would these vintage adjustable Gillettes be good, etc?

Appreciate any input.
 
K

kongar

So, I'm new - but here's the advice everyone seems to give. It worked for me.
1) Get an Edwin Jagger EB89 or a Merkur 34C
2) Get a sample pack of blades
3) Pick a brush - there are millions. Probably something inexpensive to start. Badger hairs are the best, go from there down
4) Get a little cup or bowl to mix lather in
5) Pick a soap or cream that smells good
6) Watch some you tube videos - geofatboy or mantis

Get to work. Shaves will be frustrating at first - but will quickly improve. Your hair and skin are probably not all that unique - and you'll probably find DE shaving 1) superior and 2) cheaper than carts or electric shavers.

Welcome!
 
seanusa

seanusa

Its nice when learning to have a forgiving razor such as the EJ(Edwin Jagger) DE89 which is the mild side of medium, but I have similar growth and hair type as you and I quickly grew out of the EJ. I have found for me, I need a more aggressive razor such as an adjustable set to 9 or even my Mule R41 but that's not typically regarded as a beginners tool. I am thinking about getting a Fatip or Cadet/ Razorock OC (open comb) razor as these are a bit less aggressive than the R41 and could be a compromising every day shaver for me. It hard to make a suggestion as YMMV(your mileage may vary) is a very true and complicated issue.
Welcome to B&B by the way.
:thumbup1:
 
jeffsf

jeffsf

IMHO, which isn't so H yet, skip the sampler and get 100 middle-of-the-road blades to start with. I don't think that changing something as subtle as blades while you're still getting down technique is going to let you know "which blade is right for me." I'm keeping my sampler pack around and will go through it when my technique for lathering and shaving is a lot more stable.

I was pointed to the Astra blades, which are available through various specialty vendors as well as Amazon for under US$10, delivered. The give me a decent shave, one that I have no complaints about, and one that is at least as good as I was getting my my M3 and in-shower shaving.

On brushes, I ended up with the B&B board brush, through West Coast Shaving. I've repeatedly read that the inexpensive Omega boar brushes are pretty good too.
 
seanusa

seanusa

jeffsf said:
IMHO, which isn't so H yet, skip the sampler and get 100 middle-of-the-road blades to start with. I don't think that changing something as subtle as blades while you're still getting down technique is going to let you know "which blade is right for me." I'm keeping my sampler pack around and will go through it when my technique for lathering and shaving is a lot more stable.

I was pointed to the Astra blades, which are available through various specialty vendors as well as Amazon for under US$10, delivered. The give me a decent shave, one that I have no complaints about, and one that is at least as good as I was getting my my M3 and in-shower shaving.

On brushes, I ended up with the B&B board brush, through West Coast Shaving. I've repeatedly read that the inexpensive Omega boar brushes are pretty good too.
Click to expand...
+1, Astras are one of my go to blades and if you are in the market for a brush you cant beat the value of the B&B essential boar with the omega knot sold at WCS, but hurry as they sell out quick and you will have to wait for the next batch in a different color
 
wimbouman

wimbouman

Welcome!

In your case, I would not hesitate to advice a Fatip indeed (although kogar summed up the usual starter routine perfectly).
Good full brass razor, and very effective.

A good not too soft brush is also a help.
With coarser hair, a two band seems to provide just a bit extra lift or so.
A boar will have the same qualities, so maybe check out our brush-in-residence.

I would also recommend to read the classic post on Kyle's prep here.
It will tell you a lot about the workings of a good prep, which is what youo need for a razor to be effective in the first place.

And finally, for a shave dealing with quite some stubble a god thick soap might be preferred.
Think more MWF or Haslinger or Calani or Tabac than a thinner slicker soap.
 
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ckang79

ckang79

seanusa said:
+1, Astras are one of my go to blades and if you are in the market for a brush you cant beat the value of the B&B essential boar with the omega knot sold at WCS, but hurry as they sell out quick and you will have to wait for the next batch in a different color
Click to expand...

I have a B&B boar from WCS on my wish list but waiting to add some more stuff so that I can get free shipping. Now I'm scared of missing out and having to wait....and green is my favorite color! :001_unsur
 
seanusa

seanusa

ckang79 said:
I have a B&B boar from WCS on my wish list but waiting to add some more stuff so that I can get free shipping. Now I'm scared of missing out and having to wait....and green is my favorite color! :001_unsur
Click to expand...
The B/S/T is a good place to go if you want one of the colors that have passed you by, I managed to successfully acquire the blue and smoke handle that way and have bought the red and green ones from WCS.

Not to derail this thread, back to topic. If the OP happens to want a brush or a used razor to save a buck or two the B/S/T is a good place to look and I believe you can buy at any time and only have to wait to start threads there.
 
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shavious

shavious

ckang79 said:
I have a B&B boar from WCS on my wish list but waiting to add some more stuff so that I can get free shipping. Now I'm scared of missing out and having to wait....and green is my favorite color! :001_unsur
Click to expand...

Pull the trigger. A nominal shipping charge beats regret any day of the week.
 
Bob L.

Bob L.

Your story sounds very familiar. I too used a rotary Norelco, usually twice a day. Ingrown hairs on my neck were always present. BTW - I haven't had an ingrown hair since switching to DE shaving. (Last September...)

I asked around, got lots of advice, and decided to go with a Merkur Futur, a sample blade package, Proraso Cream (red), and an Omega boar brush. As my technique improved I found myself turning the dial down. (Started at 1 ended up at four, tried 5 and decided that was a brain dead experiment, and then went to the EMS side of the house.) I use the Futur at 1 with Crystal Platinum blades.

Found an offer on the BST for an Aristocrat Adjustable. I bought it and use Feathers and keep it set at 2. These two razor/blade combinations are in four days on / four days off rotation.

For me, I found the trick is to find the lowest setting that keeps a large enough opening beneath the blade to keep it from clogging. As always YMMV.

As others have said, work on your technique first.

Welcome aboard...
 
N

nate0001

Excuse the late reply, I've been busy at work today. A lot of the info on brushes, blades, and soap to use my friend already researched like crazy. :D He actually pointed me to this site. He suggested the DE89 but it seems it might not be the best type for me (as seanusa pointed out from his experience).

Glad some other people with similar hair types gave their input.
 
K

kongar

I don't know why a DE89 wouldn't be the best type for you (at least starting out - you can get fancy later)... It was plenty aggressive enough for me with a feather blade whereas blood flowed each and every single time my technique was wrong. For comparison, I get exactly two shaves with each feather blade and then it's duller than a spoon. I don't know why a noob would start out with something super aggressive, and with something that costs a lot of money. The DE89 gets it done, teaches technique, and only costs what, $35 I think brand new from Amazon. Spend a couple of months learning how to do it properly on the cheap - and THEN spend your money on something special.

Anyway - I'll probably move toward a more aggressive razor someday, and get other more expensive stuff. But I don't regret the "normal" reccommendations at all.
 
Wingnut

Wingnut

Hi nate0001, welcome to B&B!

If you'd like to talk about startup gear and all that, why not head over to our Shave Clinic and Newbie Check-In forum? There's a bunch of great guys sharing tips and advice over there.

Also, when you get a chance, please head over to our Hall of Fame (it's located within the Shave Clinic) and tell us all a bit more about yourself. There are links in my signature to areas of B&B of special interest to beginning shavers--perhaps you might like to have a look at them. If you ever have questions or run into problems, don't hesitate to post them up. We're a welcoming and friendly group here, and there's always someone around to offer advice or lend a hand.

Enjoy your time here, happy shaving, and once again, WELCOME!!
 
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