Hey guys, I'm new here and considering starting to use safety razors for my shaving and I'm looking for some advice. So what would the benefit to shaving with safety razors instead of the typical 5-blade gillette? Also, it's pretty overwhelming how many different products are out there for safety razor shaving. Where do I even start? I found this page on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Wet-Shaving-list-Safety-Razors/lm/R2761R4PDBGBVJ which seemed helpful. What do you guys think about those products? Thanks guys!
New here, looking for advice
- Thread starter bruner1981jpce
- Start date
Boy did you open a can of worms. Ha. Anyway the benefits to name just a couple are: 1) Lower cost if you don't go crazy buying new products (good luck with that) 2) A better shave ie smooth face. and 3) Shaving like your Dad or GrandDad. I'm sure you will see others on here shortly. Most of those products you listed are pretty good and there are so much more. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.
with me the biggest benefit is i enjoy shaving again. i think this is the biggest part of transitioning from cartridge to safety razor. for years shaving with the cartridge was just a chore, mundane and a burdon. once i discovered DE razors it was exciting again, because then i discovered all the great soaps, and aftershaves i was missing before. sampling new blades, different razors, different soaps, its all part of the fun. i'll take enjoyment over cost any day.
the products on that webpage while good (cept the Merkur blades) don't even scratch the surface of whats out there. browse around the forums and your head will spin, but again thats all the FUN!!
the products on that webpage while good (cept the Merkur blades) don't even scratch the surface of whats out there. browse around the forums and your head will spin, but again thats all the FUN!!
- Thread starter
- #4
Ok, so what would be a good starter blade then. I will go take a look around, but a push in the right direction never hurts
Hi Bruner....
I'm relatively new to the Safety razor as well as wet shaving myself. I've only been at it for about 3 - 4 weeks. Prior to picking up my first DE safety razor on Amazon, I picked up the Van Der Hagen Shave Set at Walmart which included a boar brush, soap and a dish for lather. It was cheap money. I upgraded to a Safety razor because I was originally looking for a more economical approach to shaving. The cartridges for gillette razors are getting too high and I just was not ready to shell out all that money for throw away heads. I ordered my first Safety razor on Amazon (cheapest they had for like $6) and 100 pack of double edge Astra SP blades for about $10. Now if I can ONLY get 3 shaves out of each blade, that $10 investment now provides almost a complete year of shaving. Next, the quality of shave I found is much improved over the typical 3 or 5 blade gillete razor (Mach3 or Fusion). Smoother cut, less nicks and razor burn, and all in all a better shave. Granted, it took some research to build things up. I bought the AoS trial kit for $25 which gave me the pre-shave oil (I also sometimes use the Nivea Pre Shave scrub - $5 wal mart) then later up with the soaps or cream and shave away. And as others have posted, it just makes shaving "FUN" again. The rich warm lather of soap/cream is was enough to make me look for more. Best of luck in your decisions. Everyone here is more then helpful and definately knowledgeable in the hobby. There is a great thread regarding "cheap" products that do a great job of shaving that you should look into!
I'm relatively new to the Safety razor as well as wet shaving myself. I've only been at it for about 3 - 4 weeks. Prior to picking up my first DE safety razor on Amazon, I picked up the Van Der Hagen Shave Set at Walmart which included a boar brush, soap and a dish for lather. It was cheap money. I upgraded to a Safety razor because I was originally looking for a more economical approach to shaving. The cartridges for gillette razors are getting too high and I just was not ready to shell out all that money for throw away heads. I ordered my first Safety razor on Amazon (cheapest they had for like $6) and 100 pack of double edge Astra SP blades for about $10. Now if I can ONLY get 3 shaves out of each blade, that $10 investment now provides almost a complete year of shaving. Next, the quality of shave I found is much improved over the typical 3 or 5 blade gillete razor (Mach3 or Fusion). Smoother cut, less nicks and razor burn, and all in all a better shave. Granted, it took some research to build things up. I bought the AoS trial kit for $25 which gave me the pre-shave oil (I also sometimes use the Nivea Pre Shave scrub - $5 wal mart) then later up with the soaps or cream and shave away. And as others have posted, it just makes shaving "FUN" again. The rich warm lather of soap/cream is was enough to make me look for more. Best of luck in your decisions. Everyone here is more then helpful and definately knowledgeable in the hobby. There is a great thread regarding "cheap" products that do a great job of shaving that you should look into!
a sample pack. thats the best way to go. usually 5-10 different blades. then you can find one that works best for you.
Welcome! The choices can be daunting but don't worry as the saying goes Keep it simple.
Start with a good soap such as Proraso or Cella. Then get yourself a good razor that's a jack of all trades such as a slim adjustable which allows you to dial the shave in to your liking from 1-9. On a newer note an Edwin Jagger will not steer you wrong and the aforementioned razor and the latter will run you around the same. A good brush such as the Berkeley Simpson (a little pricey but regarded as an excellent brush by many for the $$) or go with a boar brush for $12-20. There! You have a nice al a cart menu that won't break the bank.
Boar brush: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Semogue-620-Pure-Bristle-Shaving-Brush_p_1505.html
Badger brush: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpsons-Berkeley-Best-Badger-Shaving-Brush-46B_p_544.html
Soap: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Aloe-and-Green-Tea_p_71.html
Razor: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Edw...dge-Safety-Razor-Octagonal-Chrome_p_1028.html
Slim adjustable in good to excellent condition $20-35.
Oh and forget to get the sample blade pack. This will help you decide which blade is best for you.
Good luck.
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- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks! So what exactly does it mean that I could dial the shave in to my liking? Is that something like how close the shave is?
Yes! Quick learner I see. That has many advantages as you can imagine. For some depending on you a three is to mild while a seven is to others.
- Thread starter
- #10
Ok cool. Thanks for the links too. I'm also looking on amazon right now for some other adjustable razors. So say I was to order a Parker 96R and a Van Der Hagen soap, bowl and brush set, and a sample blade set, would I be in a pretty good standing so far?
With that set up you will be well on your way. I personally own all you have mentioned here... All good starting gear..
Not a bad set up. Also look at what Joseph has at Italian Barber such as these:
http://www.italianbarber.com/25-kits-under-25
Both of the companies I provided links to are wet shaving enthusiasts themselves and will back you 100% be it questions or product. Enjoy!
Don't agonize over all the choices. You've got great suggestions here. You can always make changes later, after you've got the basic technique down and begin to find out what works, and doesn't work, for you.
Oh: do yourself a favor and get some witch hazel to splash on your face after the shave. Even if you go for an aftershave, put on the witch hazel first.
Best of luck!
Oh: do yourself a favor and get some witch hazel to splash on your face after the shave. Even if you go for an aftershave, put on the witch hazel first.
Best of luck!
+1. Don't sweat the equipment too much to start. Take your time and enjoy yourself.
+1
I agree with Jason, I absolutely, positively enjoy shaving and it something I actively look forward to. Good luck and welcome to the Badger and Blade!
I think maybe writing a mission statement would be in order. If you want a hobby, write that down. If you want to save money, write that down. If you want a good shave, well you'll get that and more. So yeah... Maybe a mission statement to keep yourself on track.
- Thread starter
- #17
Took a while but I finally got some extra money to place my order. I ordered a Parker 96R, a 100 blade variety pack, and the Van Der Hagen Luxury set with a badger hair brush, soap dish, brush and razor stand and two 3.5oz soaps. Can't wait for them to get here. Still need to go buy some witch hazel. Thanks for the advice everyone
You've come to the right place for advice! Unfortunately, a lot of the advice people ask for is very much unique to each individual. Preferences for razors, blades, soaps/creams, aftershaves, etc. are all personal preference. But that's what makes this fun!
Keep in mind that anything you're not completely satisfied with can always be sold or traded on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum. So, if you're looking to try something new, you'll definitely be able to get something back out of what you purchase. Or you can find items on BST for cheaper than buying everything new. If you want to try out little bits and pieces, go into the Vendor Forum and look for Garry's Sample Shop. He'll have all sorts of soaps, creams, aftershaves, colognes, and even blades that you can try in small quantities. Lots of good stuff there, too. Just do a Google search, if you're not sure what a sample he has is or smells like.
Keep in mind that anything you're not completely satisfied with can always be sold or traded on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum. So, if you're looking to try something new, you'll definitely be able to get something back out of what you purchase. Or you can find items on BST for cheaper than buying everything new. If you want to try out little bits and pieces, go into the Vendor Forum and look for Garry's Sample Shop. He'll have all sorts of soaps, creams, aftershaves, colognes, and even blades that you can try in small quantities. Lots of good stuff there, too. Just do a Google search, if you're not sure what a sample he has is or smells like.
