Newbie checking in to say Hi.

[Fixingcars]

Good afternoon everyone. I've been lurking for awhile and joined awhile ago and decided to post for the first time. I'm 55, had only ever used Gillette cartridges or disposables. Switched to Harrys a few years ago and haven't been happy with them. I started looking around for other options and was about to spend $20 on a safety razor at CVS or Target and found this forum. Did quite a bit of reading for a few weeks and then started cruising Facebook. I knew I wanted something adjustable and I came upon a Gillette Slim adjustable that seemed to be in pretty good shape, $30 for that $25 for a blade assortment from Amazon and I am off and running.

I'm pretty happy so far, there is definitely a learning curve, especially after using cartridges for my whole life. Some days my shave is great, other days, not so much. If I shave every day, the #2 setting seems to work well, if I don't shave for the weekend then I have to bump up to a 4 or 5 setting. The GEL shaving cream I always used was way too thick, I found I can use it but have to do so sparingly if I want a decent shave. I did grab some Van Der Hagen Shave Butter at Target and that seems to work much better. I've also found that I have to use something on my skin after shaving with this razor. I'm using up my Harry's post shave balm but will need to find something to take it's place.

Anyways just wanted to say Hi and thanks to everyone for all of the posts that are up that helped me make my decision to go double edged safety razor.

 

[Lightcs1776]

Welcome. Slims a great razor.

 

[Jaybyrd]

Anyways just wanted to say Hi and thanks to everyone for all of the posts that are up that helped me make my decision to go double edged safety razor.

Welcome to B&B! I still consider myself new so I won't offer much advice other than it gets much better! Things start out a little rocky at first but when you get that ahh moment, or that damn near perfect shave, it really makes it all worth it. Stick with it and there are plenty of resources on this forum that have guided me to some great shaves and a great hobby! You have a very nice razor there by the way.

 

[Phoenixkh]

Welcome to the B&B community..... from Gainesville, Florida. I've only been at this for 2.5 years or so.. and I started my later than you did... I was 68 when I started.

 

[blethenstrom]

Welcome to B&B and the wonderful world of Wet Shaving. We are so glad that you decided to join us. Greetings from Raleigh, NC. Looks like you are off to a good start. Once you get into this before your know it you will test and try all kinds of things. Your have come to the right place if your have any questions. Please do not hesitate to ask. We are a very friendly bunch of folks.

 

[wldecker]

Welcome!

If you're looking for a relatively cheap balm, check out Nivea post shave or poraso. Both can be had for just a few bucks. Poraso gives some scent options while Nivea is more neutral.

 

[Eric_75]

Hello from Nashville, TN.

Welcome to B & B!

 

[Dave himself]

Hi and welcome to B&B.

 

[cryhavoc]

Welcome to B&B!

 

[JCinPA]

Welcome! Sounds like you are off to a great start, and you did your homework, and got a great razor!

My advice (unsolicited, sorry) is if you got a blade assortment, start with the most popular on this forum and shave with one tuck of blades at a time, in other words finish 5 of the same blade before going to the next set. Switching blades with every shave is probably the worst thing you can do. It takes a while to get used to a blade, and unless your technique has developed over at least a year, maybe two, swapping blades is not a good idea, IMNSHO. After that, switch razors and blades at will.

Hard to talk about the post shave as we don’t know what type of beard/skin you have or any potential skin conditions, but the proper subforum will be a wealth of knowledge for you. I have skin like a lizard and can’t stand balms. But that’s me, may not be you.

 

[JustJames]

Welcome from western North Carolina. Glad you decided to join. I'm not as experienced as a lot of the great people here, but I would offer the advice that was given to me when I started. "Take your time, work slowly and gently - it will take a while, but you will get there."

 

[BigJ]

Welcome aboard!

 

[dmshaver]

Glad you've joined, welcome!

 

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to the forum !!

 

[WhiskerLess]

Welcome to B&B.
Glad you join us here.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Good afternoon everyone. I've been lurking for awhile and joined awhile ago and decided to post for the first time. I'm 55, had only ever used Gillette cartridges or disposables. Switched to Harrys a few years ago and haven't been happy with them. I started looking around for other options and was about to spend $20 on a safety razor at CVS or Target and found this forum. Did quite a bit of reading for a few weeks and then started cruising Facebook. I knew I wanted something adjustable and I came upon a Gillette Slim adjustable that seemed to be in pretty good shape, $30 for that $25 for a blade assortment from Amazon and I am off and running.

I'm pretty happy so far, there is definitely a learning curve, especially after using cartridges for my whole life. Some days my shave is great, other days, not so much. If I shave every day, the #2 setting seems to work well, if I don't shave for the weekend then I have to bump up to a 4 or 5 setting. The GEL shaving cream I always used was way too thick, I found I can use it but have to do so sparingly if I want a decent shave. I did grab some Van Der Hagen Shave Butter at Target and that seems to work much better. I've also found that I have to use something on my skin after shaving with this razor. I'm using up my Harry's post shave balm but will need to find something to take it's place.

Anyways just wanted to say Hi and thanks to everyone for all of the posts that are up that helped me make my decision to go double edged safety razor.

Hello there and welcome to B&B.

A nice early Slim adjustable you have there! It's an I-4 so it was made between October and December 1963. It may have been in use and it's owner listening in to the news of the asassination of JFK that morning. I find the possible lives of vintages and what their owners saw as a crucial part of DE shaving and its magic for me.

Get yourself a brush! A good synthetic can be got for under $10 and it will hugely improve the quality of your shave. I hear than VDH make a very respectable shaving soap puck so maybe pick one up. A good lather will transform your experience.

I'm sure others will chime in on brushes and lather, but good luck!

 

[Vittoria]

welcome my new old mate

 

[Garry357]

Welcome to B&B. A Vintage Gillette Slim is a great razor.
Cream/ soap like Proraso are really good quality and great value.

I have 5 x Vintage Gillette TTO all give great daily shaves.