Newbie here...3 months with a DE

[Sharpie McGee]

As stated, I'm a noob here on the forum, although I've been lurking for a while now. I was at my local store one night this past summer and almost shelled out $30 for a measly pack of Fusion refills. I put them back on the shelf and jumped online as soon as I got home. Picked up my first DE razor and a sampler pack of blades from Amazon (by the way, I picked up a 10pk of Wilkinson Sword blades from walmart, and wow! I get the shave I've been pining for since I made the switch!) Haven't made the switch to shave soap yet, but did make a slight change in creams, or goo, as I've read here on these forums. Other than those minor, or major changes, I'm still running the same routine as before, only with much, much better shaves.

Here's what I got:
Merkur 178 Classic
60 pack of blades (Derby, Bic, Dorco (2 different packs), Astra, Sharp)
10 pack of Wilkinson Sword blades from Walmart
Barbasol Yellow (switched from Barbasol Red)

Recommendations for anything I might need or want to try? I'm just looking to get a good shave to keep me clean and presentable at work throughout the day. Nothing too fancy or time consuming. I don't spend more than 6min from start to finish on shaving each morning, so if you recommend a technique and/or product, please keep that in mind.

Look forward to any recommendations.

 

[mandoman]

welcome to B&B you have a nice set up

 

[zameus]

Welcome. It sounds like you have the razor and blades covered. Maybe try some Proraso/ C.O. Bigelow cream (or anything else that interests you) and a shaving brush? It'll take an extra 45 seconds to whip up and apply a lather but it does improve your shave.

 

[grump]

Welcome to B&B and congrats on a better shave!

 

[Sharpie McGee]

Thanks for the welcome, guys. I'll start to look into a soap and brush here soon. I saw a pack at walmart (don't judge, please) that included a cup, bar and brush for nearly $11. Can't remember the brand. Any comments on that item? Seems like a brush alone on Amazon, most likely better quality than the WM brand, was nearly $15. I know it's not about how much you spend, but I would like to know if anyone has used this set from WM.

Thanks!

 

[jakespoppy]

Thanks for the welcome, guys. I'll start to look into a soap and brush here soon. I saw a pack at walmart (don't judge, please) that included a cup, bar and brush for nearly $11. Can't remember the brand. Any comments on that item? Seems like a brush alone on Amazon, most likely better quality than the WM brand, was nearly $15. I know it's not about how much you spend, but I would like to know if anyone has used this set from WM.

Thanks!

I think some have had good luck with it, but I found the brush shed a lot of hair, like 10 to 20 hairs, each time I used it. I discarded it. You could pick up a tube of C.O. Bigelow/Proraso for about $5 at Bath & Body Works, and use it brushless until you get a brush. Another option would be Kiss My Face shaving cream, at about the same price. Most creams can be used without a brush to good effect, you just won't get the same lather as when using a brush. My suggestion would be to save your money until you can get a better brush, and there are some good brushes for under $20. Check out this thread for a great review of an $11 brush available at The Body Shop.

In the mean time, you can read more in this thread about 23 different shaving creams used without a brush.

Good luck!

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

I would recommend reading this page: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Getting_started_wetshaving

 

[noahpictures]

Welcome to B&B.

 

[Sharpie McGee]

Thanks for all the welcomes. One thing I have noticed is that along with the plethora of information on this site, the people here are nicer than I've ever seen on any forums. It's good to know you can ask questions and find answers without the condescending jerk attitude that most other forums tend to attract.

Like said, I'd been lurking these forums for a while getting ideas and such before jumping into a DE. I'm so glad I did. Earlier this week I picked up a badger-hair brush online and it should arrive today along with my tub of Proraso soap. I really can't wait to try it out tomorrow morning. Heck, I might shave tonight just for the fun of it. Thanks for the help y'all!

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Sharpie McGee
Welcome to the B & B
Once you get time....please tell all of us a little about yourself in the Hall of Fame sub-forum

Christopher :badger

 

[grouse79]

Earlier this week I picked up a badger-hair brush online and it should arrive today along with my tub of Proraso soap. I really can't wait to try it out tomorrow morning. Heck, I might shave tonight just for the fun of it. Thanks for the help y'all!

Yep, we've seen that sentence a few times. Hope you've got lots of storage space . . .

 

[Spencer]

A very warm welcome to B&B! As a fellow noob I too have found the ladies and gents on this site not only exceptionally polite, but very patient with learners. If only every forum online was as great as this one.

 

[OkieStubble]

Welcome to B&B!

 

[JAM]

Heck, I might shave tonight just for the fun of it. Thanks for the help y'all!

Those are words that I thought would never come out of my mouth, and yet, here I am shaving 4 times a week because I enjoy it... Oh the irony...

 

[Sharpie McGee]

Jedi - done.

In all the lurking I've done in these forums, I have noticed one pattern - constant acquiring of shaving items. Moderation is key, as I'm sure I'll be acquiring much more as time goes on.