If there's such thing as Newbie Shave Gear Acquisition Disorder, then I think I've an extreme case of it. Let me explain why...
I've been wet shaving for the past 10 years. For several of those years, I decided to be experimental, so went and bought myself an electric shaver. What I bought was a fairly "high-end" Braun electric (foil) shaver that had its own cleaning and charging dock. That lasted for about 6 months until I got fed up with the rash it kept giving me around my neck due grinding the foil around that area. I also didn't like the idea of constantly replacing the cleaning liquid.
For the most part of those 10 years, however, I've been a Fusion / Mach 3 wet shaver, and my shave cream came out of a pressurised can - "goo" as you guys call it
. Never liked shaving, and conceded that I probably never will. A vibrating Fusion was initially an interesting idea, but the novelty quickly worn off when it kept causing extreme redness and irritation to face. That was partly due to poor technique, and partly due to dragging a multi-bladed razor across a poorly prep'ed face. I hated it 
I then moved onto Mach3 for a little while, and that seemed to work OK. However, I was still getting that dreaded redness and irritation, though to a lesser extent. I also seem to suffer from a bad case of follicle shadow on my upper lip, the result of which gave people the impression that I hadn't shaved (when in fact I had!)
I then accidentally stumbled across one of Mantic's shave videos and became gradually drawn into a world of DE shaving. So much so that I immersed myself in everything DE shaving related, watched all his videos many times over
, and lurked on forums. I then finally took the courage and bought myself a Merkur HD razor with a blade sampler pack. That acquisition slowly followed by several "proper" creams (unlike the goo) and ASBs, and eventually another DE razor - the Merkur Progress.
I must confess now that I absolutely love shaving
, so much so that I actually try to shave every day (even though I have barely enough growth for a consecutive day shave, but who cares??). My shaves are now for the most part BBS with very little redness or irritation. I do occasionally draw some blood, but nothing that couldn't be stopped my overpowering manliness or a Styptic Pencil 
There is, however, a problem. As the photos below will attest, I've developed an incurable addiction of wanting to try each and every cream out there. Over the past 2 months that I've been DE shaving, I bought myself way too many creams (more than I can actually use up in this lifetime I think
) and after shave balms. I love using each and everyone of them. I actually have a tub of Trumpers GFT and a tub of Trumpers Cocnut cream, as well as some Proraso Liquid After Shave Balm, on the way from Ireland. I've bought all these creams / ASBs online and, as you all know, you will generally try to leverage on postage to maximise the value from a single transaction. Well, that's what happened to me, except the acquisitions occurred over many transactions throughout many sleepness nights.
Anyway, that's my story. Just wanted to check in and say Hi!
For all those new to DE shaving, I encourage you to post your shameless shave gear acquisitions 
For all those experienced DE shavers out there, what do you think of my gear? Is there anything else that I should try??
I've been wet shaving for the past 10 years. For several of those years, I decided to be experimental, so went and bought myself an electric shaver. What I bought was a fairly "high-end" Braun electric (foil) shaver that had its own cleaning and charging dock. That lasted for about 6 months until I got fed up with the rash it kept giving me around my neck due grinding the foil around that area. I also didn't like the idea of constantly replacing the cleaning liquid.
For the most part of those 10 years, however, I've been a Fusion / Mach 3 wet shaver, and my shave cream came out of a pressurised can - "goo" as you guys call it
. Never liked shaving, and conceded that I probably never will. A vibrating Fusion was initially an interesting idea, but the novelty quickly worn off when it kept causing extreme redness and irritation to face. That was partly due to poor technique, and partly due to dragging a multi-bladed razor across a poorly prep'ed face. I hated it I then moved onto Mach3 for a little while, and that seemed to work OK. However, I was still getting that dreaded redness and irritation, though to a lesser extent. I also seem to suffer from a bad case of follicle shadow on my upper lip, the result of which gave people the impression that I hadn't shaved (when in fact I had!) I then accidentally stumbled across one of Mantic's shave videos and became gradually drawn into a world of DE shaving. So much so that I immersed myself in everything DE shaving related, watched all his videos many times over
, and lurked on forums. I then finally took the courage and bought myself a Merkur HD razor with a blade sampler pack. That acquisition slowly followed by several "proper" creams (unlike the goo) and ASBs, and eventually another DE razor - the Merkur Progress.I must confess now that I absolutely love shaving
, so much so that I actually try to shave every day (even though I have barely enough growth for a consecutive day shave, but who cares??). My shaves are now for the most part BBS with very little redness or irritation. I do occasionally draw some blood, but nothing that couldn't be stopped my overpowering manliness or a Styptic Pencil There is, however, a problem. As the photos below will attest, I've developed an incurable addiction of wanting to try each and every cream out there. Over the past 2 months that I've been DE shaving, I bought myself way too many creams (more than I can actually use up in this lifetime I think
) and after shave balms. I love using each and everyone of them. I actually have a tub of Trumpers GFT and a tub of Trumpers Cocnut cream, as well as some Proraso Liquid After Shave Balm, on the way from Ireland. I've bought all these creams / ASBs online and, as you all know, you will generally try to leverage on postage to maximise the value from a single transaction. Well, that's what happened to me, except the acquisitions occurred over many transactions throughout many sleepness nights.Anyway, that's my story. Just wanted to check in and say Hi!
For all those new to DE shaving, I encourage you to post your shameless shave gear acquisitions For all those experienced DE shavers out there, what do you think of my gear? Is there anything else that I should try??
Oh well, give it time...a few weeks, maybe?
and it sounds like you're off to a great start, (oh by the way..I love my Merkurs 23C & 38C). Also, it might wise to get a Razor Blade Sampler and many more Brushes to see what blade is a good fit (sharp, dull, ect...), for your face because I cannot see any blades and only 1 brush in your growing collection.
My brush is a Shavemac Silvertip and, although I don't have anything else to compare it to, I've found it to be quite luxurious 
