Newbie Shopping List - How Does This Look?

[ShaverRaver]

Hi there,

Having done a lot of reading I'm now putting together my shopping list.
I'd be grateful if anyone could cast their eye over what I have come up with so far.

Razor - Merkur Progress + 5 Derby blades.
Shaving Scuttle - found a nice UK supplier of bespoke bowls and scuttles
Brush - I'll probably go for a higher end boar hair brush to start with.
Proraso Shaving Cream - the menthol one strikes my eye here.
Alum Block - guess I'm going to need this, at least for a while.

As far as I can gather (but I am a total newb remember) these are the 'essentials' from what I can see.
Is there anything I am missing here?
I would welcome any feedback and/or suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[icedoverfire]

Not a bad way to start. I would add a blade sampler so you can find one your face agrees with.

- ice

 

[sanuginz]

A Nik Stick will come in handy and also some aftershave

 

[ginantonix]

Excellent list!

The only thing I would really stress is to order a sampler pack of blades rather than just one type. I've never used the Progress, but (as you see over and over again with respect to blades) Your Mileage May Vary - everyone has a different favorite with different skin types, shaving style, etc.

Otherwise, looks like a great list! Good luck, and keep us posted how it's going.

 

[høvel]

For the razor I would look for a Gillette Tech or Super Speed on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum.
Shipping from the US to Europe is very cheap for a single razor, so that's not going to be a problem.
If you really want something that's new and shiny, I think a non-adjustable razor might be easier to start with.
You'll be tempted to keep it on the lowest settings, which at least for me meant I didn't get the technique right.

Like others have said you should definitely get a blade sampler instead of just one pack, I'm glad I did.
I got the Choice sampler from westcoastshaving.com, but there are others.

You don't need a scuttle or anything fancy like that, you could use just about any bowl you have lying at home, or just your face or palm.
I would actually suggest that you use your palm the first two or three times. I do that when trying new creams or soaps to get a feel for how much water I need, how slick the lather is etc.
If you want something that's just about perfect for building lather, the 365+ bowl from IKEA is great. I use it myself.

For the brush you're on the right track. I would recommend a Semogue boar, but as I have only tried the 1470 I can't comment on which one.

I have no experience with Proraso, but I've heard it's very easy to lather correctly.
If you want something a bit more fancy and still a lot cheaper, I would give a soap from Pirate's Cove Soapworks a try.
It was about $7 incl. shipping to Norway, I'm sure it's the same or less to the UK.
It's not my absolute favorite, but for the price it's REALLY great.

When getting an alum block you should make sure it's made from potassium alum and not ammonium alum, I've heard the latter will sting more.

 

[TheVez2]

I'd add a puck of soap too. Try both soaps and creams to see what you like best. You can also mix the two to get superlather.

 

[workingdog]

You cant go wrong with good old Palmolive shaving cream (about £1.50 a tube from most supermarkets).

I found that I needed moisturiser when I started DE shaving and now use ASB daily.

 

[JJMontague]

For the razor I would look for a Gillette Tech or Super Speed on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum.

I second this! Either of these would be a forgiving yet efficient razor, and much cheaper than the Progress. I would also suggest an after shave splash or balm, rather than just using an alum block. The alum is for when you have irritation or bleeders, not for everyday use. I keep a styptic pen handy while shaving, but only reach for it when needed. If all goes well, you won't need it at all!

 

[goby]

Hi there,

Having done a lot of reading I'm now putting together my shopping list.
I'd be grateful if anyone could cast their eye over what I have come up with so far.

Razor - Merkur Progress + 5 Derby blades.
Shaving Scuttle - found a nice UK supplier of bespoke bowls and scuttles
Brush - I'll probably go for a higher end boar hair brush to start with.
Proraso Shaving Cream - the menthol one strikes my eye here.
Alum Block - guess I'm going to need this, at least for a while.

As far as I can gather (but I am a total newb remember) these are the 'essentials' from what I can see.
Is there anything I am missing here?
I would welcome any feedback and/or suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help

You MUST get a blade sampler. There is absolutely no way around it. None what so ever. In fact, it is about the ONLY thing 100% of us agree on here at B&B. There is no blade that 100% of us love.

You're in England, so I would suggest an Edward Jagger razor. After trying 10 razors or so, it's my only razor. I like the Tech and SuperSpeed suggestion, too. Both are great for newbies and veterans alike.

And since you're in England, I would also suggest Trumper soaps and/or creams. Great quality. Same with Taylor of Old Bond Street creams. BTW, even I just typed that, Proraso is amazing and the only cream I use (and I've used them all from Arko to Acqua di Parma)

I would get suggest a cheaper badger rather than a boar. A high end boar brush is really a specialty. I don't know if boar and a scuttle mix. I used badger for 10+ years, but now I'm 100% boar (Semogue). Although boar has it's fans (like me), I think more people use badger. Plus, I face lather, and I think most boar users face lather. Getting a nice scuttle and a boar just don't mix IMHO.

Oh, one last thing.....make sure you get that blade sampler.

 

[media]

ditch the scuttle, it's a luxury item that isnt needed. Also, +1 on getting a blade sampler. Your razor choice is good, adjustables are great for newbies since everyone like a different aggression level on their razor.

Oh, I also wouldnt go for the alum alone, get a good aftershave balm like nivea from a local store. The alum is going to burn your face off.

 

[Luc]

+1 on the razor blade sample pack suggestion.

 

[gearchow]

I second this! Either of these would be a forgiving yet efficient razor, and much cheaper than the Progress. I would also suggest an after shave splash or balm, rather than just using an alum block. The alum is for when you have irritation or bleeders, not for everyday use. I keep a styptic pen handy while shaving, but only reach for it when needed. If all goes well, you won't need it at all!

+1 on the after shave splash. I prefer an alcohol based one, YMMV.

The Proraso cream is wonderful stuff, but you may want a non-menthol one to switch with, eventually. I bet there is an Indian grocery near you, get some Godrej if you see it.

-jim

2K posts here.

 

[ShaverRaver]

Guys....many, many thanks for your help and advice.
A sign of a truly great forum that a humble '2 poster newb' gets such a response; thank you

A blade sampler seems a must....makes total sense really.
I understand your points on the scuttle, but I have some Christmas gift requests to make...so I think I'll still get one of those; we'll see.

The Progress razor is already ordered, but it is funny that a couple of you should mention the Super Speed as I'd picked up on it from my reading and I'm bidding on one I found on ebay

goby - after looking around this afternoon I think a badger hair brush is the way to go. I've found a few that look good value, but I think I'll be starting pretty close to the bottom with my brush.
Thanks also for the pointers on soap.

Points noted on balms/aftershave/styptic pencil.

Thanks again for your help folks, I feel right at home already

 

[BCatl]

I put in a vote that you do buy the alum block. They don't cost that much. You can use a round stick alum deodorant in a pinch with no problem. I always wet my alum a bit even if my face is wet but that's up to you. Apply it lightly. If you want you can rinse if off after a while. You can use alum instead of AS or with AS. In the beginning, I see no problem with using just alum. You'll get some antibacterial properties out of it.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

+1 on the Progress and the Blade Sampler. Be sure you include Feathers in the sampler, but don't start out with them.

You don't need a scuttle, any reasonably ceramic or even plastic bowl (about 5") will work for building lather. Get on puck of inexpensive soap Van der Hagen here, Erasmic perhaps in the UK.

I like my alum block, but a styptic pencil might be more use to a newbie.

You could scuttle the scuttle for a good badger brush, maybe a Simpson Col.

 

[jsrdrnr]

Looks good...I agree with the blade sample pack.

 

[Kiwishaver]

You could skip on the scuttle and get the proraso in a tub instead then invest the saving on a badger brush from Taylor of Old Bond Street.

 

[gearchow]

+1 on the Progress and the Blade Sampler. Be sure you include Feathers in the sampler, but don't start out with them.

You don't need a scuttle, any reasonably ceramic or even plastic bowl (about 5") will work for building lather. Get on puck of inexpensive soap Van der Hagen here, Erasmic perhaps in the UK.

I like my alum block, but a styptic pencil might be more use to a newbie.

You could scuttle the scuttle for a good badger brush, maybe a Simpson Col.

Well call me a newbie because my styptic pencil is pretty useful to me!

They really serve two different functions:

Alum - ShaveWiki

I've never had good luck in stopping a weeper with my alum block.

-jim

 

[ShaverRaver]

Okay....more reading and research done and this has me with a somewhat revised (and longer ) list.

I've dumped the scuttle idea for now - as someone pointed out, this gives me extra ££ to spend on other things, mainly my brush.
I've swapped the scuttle for a simple bowl.
Added to the list is a puck of D R Harris shaving soap (Marlborough) and I've found a nice badger hair brush that doesn't cost too much.
I'm also going to try some Arco and Tabac soap as they don't cost the earth and it's nice to have a little variety.

I am ordering a nice blade sampler from West Coast too - the UK retailers don't seem to do the sampler thing.

Again, many thanks for your help.