Looking to make the switch to a DE shave

[jraice]

I am 21 years old and have been shaving regularly (every 1-3 days) for just over 5 years. I have dabbled in electric razors but never really got the shave I wanted with my somewhat thick and very curly hair. The feeling of a fresh clean razor shave was just too satisfying.

My routine lately has been to shower, shave using a regular aerosol "sensitive skin" shaving gel and a 4 blade schick titanium razor. I am usually about to get away with one pass, with some areas sometimes requiring a second. I then usually use an alcohol based astringent, sometimes a salicylic acid based one. Then I follow up with a basic post shave moisturizer or salicylic acid based (.5%) moisturizer.

The results are usually pretty good with fairly minimal irritation but I do get a few red marks and ingrown hairs on my cheeks, and some pretty nasty ones on upper neck.

I also get some acne in this area which while is independent, I'd imagine can also be caused by the irritation and bacteria of ingrown hair, no?

I thought about trying a more expensive electric razor but I love a fresh razor shave and recently discovered DE razors.

I am planning to start out with a Merkur 34C HD as it seems like a good safe bet. I also was planning to just get a leather case to store it in, rather than a stand, as I live with 3 others (share the bathroom) and worry they'd knock it over etc... Also don't think I'll need the stand as I wasn't planning to get a brush, for now at least. Is this a big no no?

I am interested in trying a better shaving cream however, even with hand application, but don't know where to begin. Thoughts?

Also interested in advice on a good alcohol free after shave for daily (or bi-daily) use.

Lastly, looking for advice on the best blades to try or the best sample pack to look into?

I'll be ordering soon and plan to watch some youtube videos on technique as well. Hoping this will help maintain my very clean shave while irritating the skin less and promoting a better overall complexion.

Thanks for any advice!

JR

 

[Hunter]

Welcome to the B&B JR! First off I have the Merkur 34c HD, it is a great razor. I really like my stand but it also holds my brush as well. I would suggest either getting into shaving soap or proper shaving cream instead of that canned goo. Once you shave with a lather you made yourself you will never go back. I would suggest going with a sampler pack of blades because you never know what you will like the best, wet shaving is as personal as your fingerprint. I use Old Spice aftershave so I have no idea what a good no alcohol one would be but luckily here on the B&B if one person doesn't know something, 42 other people do. We also have a really good wiki that you can find on the top of the page.

Good luck and happy shaving!

 

[zygalski]

Can I be controversial & suggest you avoid starting out with Proraso cream? I switched to TOBS creams after a few months & ok, they're double the price, but the comfort & protection/moisturising properties they have along with the luxurious feel of rich lather is well worth it.

 

[jraice]

Can I be controversial & suggest you avoid starting out with Proraso cream? I switched to TOBS creams after a few months & ok, they're double the price, but the comfort & protection/moisturising properties they have along with the luxurious feel of rich lather is well worth it.

That is what I had been leaning towards actually! I def want a sample pack of razors but no recommendations on which pack or what to make sure is in it?

My biggest remaining question is how necessary the brush is. I usually use an exfoliating cleanser in the shower which should massage the hairs out and I feel like with a good quality cream even hand application should work great, but perhaps I am wrong there.

 

[jraice]

Also, for my first few times are there any tricks to shave while still allowing existing bumps and irritations to heal? I would likely do single passes, but anything else?

 

[BIGFURM]

Good choice on the Merkur 34. You may have to experiment a little on the blades to see what you like best, so I would recommend getting a sampler pack online with some Astras, Personna Reds, and Feathers. If you are going to get into DE shaving, you will want to invest in a shaving brush. You can pick up some boar hair brushes that are very inexpensive or try a badger brush for a bit more. Maybe pick up a shave stick (i.e. Arko, D.R. Harris, Tabac, Irisch Moos, La Toja, etc.) or a travel shaving soap puck if you want to save space since you share a bathroom. That way you can just build lather directly on your face instead of using a bowl. I personally like bowl lathering, and if you want to go that route, you can just use a large mug, small bowl, etc. with your brush. A lot of people like Proraso products and they make an alcohol free balm, and I also recommend using their pre-post shave cream and tubed shaving cream for bowl lathering. Good luck and have fun.

 

[MrLara]

welcome to badger and blade. Consider yourself lucky to discover wet shaving at 21. I was 29 when i had my first DE shave. don't forget to stop by the hall of fame.

 

[stryker4526]

Good starter razors:
34C
Razorock Classic Hammer (much cheaper way to see if you like it, too)
EJ DE89
Muhle R89
Gillette Tech (not the pre-war ones with the triangular slots, those are more aggressive I guess)

Good starter blades:
Astra SP
Gillette Yellows or Blacks
Personna Red Pack
Feather
Personna Lab Blue

Good starter creams/soaps:
Proraso (unless you don't like the cooling sensation of menthol, then go with red or blue)
Taylor of Old Bond Street
VDH Deluxe
Col. Conk

Good starter brushes:
Tweezerman (plan on replacing this one)
Whipped Dog black badger
Frank Shaving pure badger brush
Omega boar
Semogue 1305 or other boar

The usefulness of the brush lies in whipping up the lather. Technically you CAN make a lather without one, but it is much easier to do with one.

 

[zygalski]

Eurax HC cream is great for getting rid of any skin irritations.
Just apply twice during the day & after 2 or 3 days your skin should be bump-free, providing you go easy on the problem areas during the shave.
I had this exact problem under the jaw-line & this cream works wonders.

 

[jraice]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Thoughts on this set?

http://www.leesrazors.com/products/Ultimate-Beginner's-Double-Edge-Setup.html

Neither of the creams it is available with were mentioned by you guys. Decent brush?

Also which of these blades (likely get a sample kit on top of it).

 

[stryker4526]

That is a mighty expensive starter set, but it does have high-quality kit in it. Don't do the GFT soaps. DRH is considered one of the best soaps. The brush is good. Either of the creams would be good. For blades I'd go with Personnas, personally.
Personally if I were just starting out I'd go with something more like this http://www.italianbarber.com/luxury-complete-wet-shaving-starter-kit
That way if you don't end up liking it, you're not out very much.

Any sample pack of blades is really alright. The more different blades in it, the better, so you can get an idea of what works well in your razor and for your skin.
Here's an example of some good sample packs. http://connaughtshaving.com/samplepack.html

 

[jraice]

Cool I'll look into that, seems like a fairly inexpensive razor and I have never heard of the brand but I suppose it could be a good starting piece and then a Merkur alone isn't too expensive in the future.

Soap verse cream?

 

[jraice]

http://www.royalshave.com/p/407-044/merkur-34c-shaving-set.html

Very similar to the first set I posted but $35 cheaper.

 

[stryker4526]

The Razorock brand razors are pretty high-quality, as are their soaps and ASBs. The fit and finish isn't quite up to EJ or Muhle standards, but then again it's like a third or less of the price. They're made from brass and chrome plated (like vintage razors), whereas most modern razors are pot metal with chrome plating. The only problem with the second set you posted is that I've heard Merkur blades aren't so hot, but I've never used them myself so take that how you will. Soap vs cream is a preference thing. There are excellent soaps and there are excellent creams.

 

[jraice]

http://www.royalshave.com/p/407-032-00/royalshave-beginners-boar-bristle-brush-shaving-set.html

Even better deal, but weird that its so much cheaper and biggest difference seems to be the 33 instead of the 34 (not $60 difference...)

More variety of blades. Stand doesn't hold razor though.

 

[stryker4526]

You don't really need a stand for anything other than aesthetic purposes, just FYI. And yeah, for some reason the 33C is MUCH cheaper than the 34C. I'm not sure why. I think the soap and brush in that set are also cheaper than the stuff in the other set.
I wouldn't be too hung up on getting specifically a Merkur, though. Plenty of other good brands out there.

 

[jraice]

You don't really need a stand for anything other than aesthetic purposes, just FYI. And yeah, for some reason the 33C is MUCH cheaper than the 34C. I'm not sure why. I think the soap and brush in that set are also cheaper than the stuff in the other set.
I wouldn't be too hung up on getting specifically a Merkur, though. Plenty of other good brands out there.

Right on! Had just heard a lot of greats things about the 34C and it isn't outrageously expensive. I'll figure something out, its not the last razor or soap I'll ever use .

Where do you store your razor without the stand in order to keep it from being damaged? Also the brush seems like it'd benefit greatly from a stand.

 

[stryker4526]

Right on! Had just heard a lot of greats things about the 34C and it isn't outrageously expensive. I'll figure something out, its not the last razor or soap I'll ever use .

Where do you store your razor without the stand in order to keep it from being damaged? Also the brush seems like it'd benefit greatly from a stand.

I just store it in a cabinet in my bathroom on its side. For a brush I just shake out the excess water, brush the bristle ends against a towel to dry them off a bit, and then stand it on its end. Capillary action and air circulation does the rest, and I store it bristles up in my cabinet after it dries completely (and I do mean COMPLETELY... never put a brush away that isn't or you risk mildew). Not trying to dissuade you from the Merkur or anything, it IS a good razor. I'm just trying to think of your poor pocketbook. If you've never DE shaved before it's a good idea to get into it with a cheaper set, just in case you don't end up liking it. I know some people end up going back to carts and not liking the razor portion, but I don't think many end up going back to canned goo after using a proper soap/cream and brush. But hey, if you're comfortable spending that kind of money on a starter set, more power to ya, there's definitely not anything wrong with any of the kit in the sets (maybe except the Merkur blades).

 

[BIGFURM]

I remove the blade when I store my razor. I clean/dry it after each use also. It's up to you how you store it. A leather travel storage case is fine to use if you have limited space. Just throw it in a toiletry or DOPP bag. You don't need a stand for your brush/razor. They dry just fine standing up, just rinse and dry it off well after shaving. I like stands though for display/storage purposes. I owned the 38C HD, which is the 34C with a slightly longer handle. I like the Merkur razor heads.

 

[Cerbul13]

I might be wrong on this one, but I believe that you can only get away without a brush if you buy some shaving gel? Obviously you can do prepare your beard with hands but you won't get the same thickness+slickness+consistency, and having your beard warm and wet is the most important thing, so you need to do it properly.
Since I noticed that you are sensible, I suggest avoiding the foam from a can at all cost. It did cause me a lot of problems too, as no one told me that the difference is huge.

Please correct me if I am wrong, avoiding the brush was one of the main questions of this thread. However, the best part of a wet shave is doing your own lather and applying it with a brush. You really don't want to miss this, trust me.