In a sheer fit of boredom, I decided to roam my old threads. I work at a high-school, I'm off for the summer, what do ya expect right???? I went to my first thread ever on this website.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/47960-New-here-not-to-shaving?highlight=
How funny it was reading that I was getting better shaves 8 months in on a Mach 3 with a fancy handle than my Merkur 33c. Of course, I still occasionally use my Mach just for the fun of it but in the last 5 years it's hardly been my go-to razor. Now, I'm not well known here. I occasionally pop in from time to time to say hi to new to the forum wet-shavers, comment on some cool gear and still learn a thing or two. But let me tell you this: I rarely get nicks or cuts, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs. I've got nothing but vintage Gillettes in my stable at the moment but...seeing as how the Merkur was my very FIRST DE, (that I sold I think a few months after that post) I went and purchased another one and am awaiting on it's arrival. I tried/am still willing to try the str8 route. I just haven't found the time and really, just for my personal preference, there's just something about DE shaving that I really enjoy. But that's not without coming back to some personal realities:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/235829-A-little-recap?highlight=
I often find it's the simplest stuff to unlearn because you find a cool brush here, an amazing blade there, and a soap or cream that claims to do it all...and very well might. However, I keep reminding myself of those five things I typed in 2011, almost the same time of the year as now even. (is this a trend???) What are the basics as I've learned them? Simple:
1. Take your time. If you have to speed through a shave because you're late to work or a wedding, do the 5 o'clock shadow or something. Otherwise your face will look worse. Some people don't like whiskers but I've yet to find a job, short of the New York Yankees, that will punish you for having a day or two of growth. I'm not saying those jobs don't exist, I'm not even saying 90% of the people that are here don't have those jobs. I'm just saying, barring an emergency...just slow it up. (notice this was point number two)
2. Good equipment doesn't always trump experience, but it helps. Can you get by with a made in China straight, or a built in your hotel room SE? Heck yes, I've seen it on here. I understand there are budgets so here is what I personally value for the importance of quality equipment: (this is all opinionated and tongue in cheek btw)
a. technique...other stuff is divine but a good blade and cream is worth squat if you give up too early on technique. These tools take a while to learn and even the Mach platform takes a certain small amount of technique
b. Cream...it has to lather well, provide good efficacy, and keep your face somewhat moisturized. If it becomes dry and bubbly on your face...you're probably doing it wrong, but there's a chance that it's just not good stuff. To add a b.2, a good brush to lather cream is really great...but I don't even consider it required though I always use one.
c. blade...it has to be sharp. It can be a Mach, or a Sensor, or a Personna, or a Feather SS, but once you find the blade that doesn't work....stop buying it. Walmart included. You're not doing your face any good that way, doesn't matter how cheap it is. I understand a budget, I get it, it's tough for me even at times. Sharp QUALITY blades will work under almost any condition. Once you've done your homework, stick with works best. Even the 'homework' doesn't cost that much anymore. (see blade samplers)
3. Be willing to be schooled...even now. Like I mentioned, I've still learned a thing or two coming back here. Just because you've been doing it a certain way for 35 years doesn't mean it's the right way. Just means it is the right way for you...so rookies, take what you're being exposed to as a step, or a building block, not law. (that goes double for my posts! lol)
4. You're going to get cut. Thinking you never will is like a UFC fighter going in the ring thinking he won't get hit. He might not that night....but he will eventually. You're using at worst a straight razor with no safety bar and at best a modern plastic wonder. I've heard, been, and seen people cutting themselves with all three. That is O.K.
5. Have fun. This is mostly a hobby. A necessary hobby but a hobby none the less. If you're getting pissed off because you spent $X on shaving gear and you're not getting a BBS, you're thinking about it the wrong way. And speaking about BBS...
6. BBS is an often achievable idea, but shouldn't be pass or fail for a good shave. That's what the other acronyms are for.
I would like to finish by saying thank you to all of those who I've received guidance from, or PIFs, or food for thought on here; Hillbilly, Marco, Dave, Legion, and anybody else I've forgot. Mostly, my biggest thanks goes to the community that is Badger and Blade.
Top notch folks, top notch. 
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/47960-New-here-not-to-shaving?highlight=
How funny it was reading that I was getting better shaves 8 months in on a Mach 3 with a fancy handle than my Merkur 33c. Of course, I still occasionally use my Mach just for the fun of it but in the last 5 years it's hardly been my go-to razor. Now, I'm not well known here. I occasionally pop in from time to time to say hi to new to the forum wet-shavers, comment on some cool gear and still learn a thing or two. But let me tell you this: I rarely get nicks or cuts, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs. I've got nothing but vintage Gillettes in my stable at the moment but...seeing as how the Merkur was my very FIRST DE, (that I sold I think a few months after that post) I went and purchased another one and am awaiting on it's arrival. I tried/am still willing to try the str8 route. I just haven't found the time and really, just for my personal preference, there's just something about DE shaving that I really enjoy. But that's not without coming back to some personal realities:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/235829-A-little-recap?highlight=
I often find it's the simplest stuff to unlearn because you find a cool brush here, an amazing blade there, and a soap or cream that claims to do it all...and very well might. However, I keep reminding myself of those five things I typed in 2011, almost the same time of the year as now even. (is this a trend???) What are the basics as I've learned them? Simple:
1. Take your time. If you have to speed through a shave because you're late to work or a wedding, do the 5 o'clock shadow or something. Otherwise your face will look worse. Some people don't like whiskers but I've yet to find a job, short of the New York Yankees, that will punish you for having a day or two of growth. I'm not saying those jobs don't exist, I'm not even saying 90% of the people that are here don't have those jobs. I'm just saying, barring an emergency...just slow it up. (notice this was point number two)
2. Good equipment doesn't always trump experience, but it helps. Can you get by with a made in China straight, or a built in your hotel room SE? Heck yes, I've seen it on here. I understand there are budgets so here is what I personally value for the importance of quality equipment: (this is all opinionated and tongue in cheek btw)
a. technique...other stuff is divine but a good blade and cream is worth squat if you give up too early on technique. These tools take a while to learn and even the Mach platform takes a certain small amount of technique
b. Cream...it has to lather well, provide good efficacy, and keep your face somewhat moisturized. If it becomes dry and bubbly on your face...you're probably doing it wrong, but there's a chance that it's just not good stuff. To add a b.2, a good brush to lather cream is really great...but I don't even consider it required though I always use one.
c. blade...it has to be sharp. It can be a Mach, or a Sensor, or a Personna, or a Feather SS, but once you find the blade that doesn't work....stop buying it. Walmart included. You're not doing your face any good that way, doesn't matter how cheap it is. I understand a budget, I get it, it's tough for me even at times. Sharp QUALITY blades will work under almost any condition. Once you've done your homework, stick with works best. Even the 'homework' doesn't cost that much anymore. (see blade samplers)
3. Be willing to be schooled...even now. Like I mentioned, I've still learned a thing or two coming back here. Just because you've been doing it a certain way for 35 years doesn't mean it's the right way. Just means it is the right way for you...so rookies, take what you're being exposed to as a step, or a building block, not law. (that goes double for my posts! lol)
4. You're going to get cut. Thinking you never will is like a UFC fighter going in the ring thinking he won't get hit. He might not that night....but he will eventually. You're using at worst a straight razor with no safety bar and at best a modern plastic wonder. I've heard, been, and seen people cutting themselves with all three. That is O.K.
5. Have fun. This is mostly a hobby. A necessary hobby but a hobby none the less. If you're getting pissed off because you spent $X on shaving gear and you're not getting a BBS, you're thinking about it the wrong way. And speaking about BBS...
6. BBS is an often achievable idea, but shouldn't be pass or fail for a good shave. That's what the other acronyms are for.
I would like to finish by saying thank you to all of those who I've received guidance from, or PIFs, or food for thought on here; Hillbilly, Marco, Dave, Legion, and anybody else I've forgot. Mostly, my biggest thanks goes to the community that is Badger and Blade.
Top notch folks, top notch. 
