So guys I am from Northern Virginia, 42 years young and father of two. In addition to shaving some of my other interests are working out with kettlebells and sandbags, bicycling, pipe smoking, Scotch and Bourbon whiskies (heck all whiskies), German literature, history and war movies.
My History and Current Wet Shaving Routine: I have been wet shaving (in the shower with a mirror) for about 15 years now, roughly when I started white collar employment and needed to look presentable at work. Initially my technique and approaches varied but I have been consistent over the past several years. I now have four different brushes (two inexpensive boar bristles, one pricey badger, and one which I think has some of both). Ill use one a month and then switch to another.
I have tried a number of different shaving soaps, sticks, and creams I am also a full fledged member of the Cult of Arko having discovered their sticks at some Middle Eastern markets by me which sadly no longer carry them. One of the reasons I stumbled upon B&B was from searching for Arko. Alas I do have a tube of their Commando style shave cream but need to order some sticks from somebody. I even make my own after shave (3 parts of Thayer Witch Hazel and 1 part of Dominica Bay Rum).
I have my routine down, pre shave face scrub in the shower with St. Ives Apricot Scrub, then shower as normal and rinse out the face scrub then lather up with one of my brushes. Ive usually done two passes with a Fusion or Quattro. I can usually get a BBS shave this way with very minimal cutting or irritation.
My Predicament and How to Increase Weekly Shave Numbers: However, for the most part I only shave once a week, on Sunday after not shaving for two days. I know from past experience that the more I shave per week the quality gets worse. I think with a rested face, once per week blade shave frequency, relatively thick beard and pre treatment with St. Ives scrub, a good shave is going to happen most times. Since my beard grows slowly, what I have done in between shaves is touch up with an electric or perhaps run a Quattro or Fusion across portions of my face (usually the neck) usually even with no lather (I know this probably gets a lot of criticism and is terrible for my face). I find that I have to do this because the electric razor I use cuts my neck very poorly.
Ideally I would like to move up to shaving with a DE twice, maybe three times a week if needed. I still might have to touch up with an electric in between (especially if only shaving twice a week) but I am fine with that. Ive gotten tired of the cartridges and their expense. One of the reasons Ive stuck with cartridges so long is that shaving only once a week with them I can usually keep them for two months, getting roughly 8 to 9 shaves with them. However, the last few shaves are poor.
Im thinking doing two and potentially three shaves a week with good technique would be possible with a DE. Thats my goal anyway. Two I am quite confident I could do, three would take some more practice to make sure I really have my technique down.
Which DE Razor to Get: So I have it narrowed down to two DE razors, still have not pulled the trigger. I am eyeing the Edwin Jagger DE89L or the Merkur HD 34C. Being a definite German buff and having lived there for a number of years I was initially pulled to the Merkur but having read more about the EJ, Im now contemplating that more. I think both would be fine, heck maybe Ill start with one and then get another in 6 months. Any recommendations, especially on a vendor?
Since I usually shave in the shower, I am a bit concerned about the handle being slippery, perhaps there are some variants on the DE89L that are less slippery? If so, I'd be interested to hear what they are.
My History and Current Wet Shaving Routine: I have been wet shaving (in the shower with a mirror) for about 15 years now, roughly when I started white collar employment and needed to look presentable at work. Initially my technique and approaches varied but I have been consistent over the past several years. I now have four different brushes (two inexpensive boar bristles, one pricey badger, and one which I think has some of both). Ill use one a month and then switch to another.
I have tried a number of different shaving soaps, sticks, and creams I am also a full fledged member of the Cult of Arko having discovered their sticks at some Middle Eastern markets by me which sadly no longer carry them. One of the reasons I stumbled upon B&B was from searching for Arko. Alas I do have a tube of their Commando style shave cream but need to order some sticks from somebody. I even make my own after shave (3 parts of Thayer Witch Hazel and 1 part of Dominica Bay Rum).
I have my routine down, pre shave face scrub in the shower with St. Ives Apricot Scrub, then shower as normal and rinse out the face scrub then lather up with one of my brushes. Ive usually done two passes with a Fusion or Quattro. I can usually get a BBS shave this way with very minimal cutting or irritation.
My Predicament and How to Increase Weekly Shave Numbers: However, for the most part I only shave once a week, on Sunday after not shaving for two days. I know from past experience that the more I shave per week the quality gets worse. I think with a rested face, once per week blade shave frequency, relatively thick beard and pre treatment with St. Ives scrub, a good shave is going to happen most times. Since my beard grows slowly, what I have done in between shaves is touch up with an electric or perhaps run a Quattro or Fusion across portions of my face (usually the neck) usually even with no lather (I know this probably gets a lot of criticism and is terrible for my face). I find that I have to do this because the electric razor I use cuts my neck very poorly.
Ideally I would like to move up to shaving with a DE twice, maybe three times a week if needed. I still might have to touch up with an electric in between (especially if only shaving twice a week) but I am fine with that. Ive gotten tired of the cartridges and their expense. One of the reasons Ive stuck with cartridges so long is that shaving only once a week with them I can usually keep them for two months, getting roughly 8 to 9 shaves with them. However, the last few shaves are poor.
Im thinking doing two and potentially three shaves a week with good technique would be possible with a DE. Thats my goal anyway. Two I am quite confident I could do, three would take some more practice to make sure I really have my technique down.
Which DE Razor to Get: So I have it narrowed down to two DE razors, still have not pulled the trigger. I am eyeing the Edwin Jagger DE89L or the Merkur HD 34C. Being a definite German buff and having lived there for a number of years I was initially pulled to the Merkur but having read more about the EJ, Im now contemplating that more. I think both would be fine, heck maybe Ill start with one and then get another in 6 months. Any recommendations, especially on a vendor?
Since I usually shave in the shower, I am a bit concerned about the handle being slippery, perhaps there are some variants on the DE89L that are less slippery? If so, I'd be interested to hear what they are.
