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B

bingobango

Hi - with my birthday upcoming I'm thinking of requesting a DE from my other half as a present.

I suffer badly from ingrown hairs, they swell up into big lumps and last for weeks on end. So I've read that using a DE might help.

So basically I'm looking for recommendations, I've read that a Merkur HD 34c might be a good starter - but a lot of places seem to be out of stock? Are the blades that come with it suitable?

Do I need to use a soap or can you use shaving gel?
If you need soap and/or a brush can anyone recommend some or even something I could get as a set?

Thanks for any help :thumbup:
 
Go West Young Man

Go West Young Man

Using a brush and real soap/cream along with learning proper techniques will solve 75% of your problems. The actual razor used isn't as critical.
 
lindcruiser

lindcruiser

Hello and welcome! I have had good experience with the Edwin Jagger De89bl, which you can check out with B&B vendors or you can find it on Amazon.com.
It's reasonably priced and has a nice weight to it which helps me get a good no pressure shave, plus it looks cool. You'll get lots of good advice from everyone here, best of luck to you and happy birthday!
:thumbup1:
 
jin

jin

bingobango said:
Do I need to use a soap or can you use shaving gel?
If you need soap and/or a brush can anyone recommend some or even something I could get as a set?
Click to expand...

I would definitely suggest using soap or cream and a brush. Before I started using a double-edged safety razor, I bought an inexpensive Van der Hagen brush and soap from Walgreens to try out with a Gilette Mach3. I think it significantly improved my enjoyment of the shaving process, and I felt like it improved my shave.

Something about the preparation process of lathering up with a brush instead of canned good makes the whole thing feel more enjoyable. I actually look forward to shaving now.

As far as a recommendation, I enjoyed using the VdH boar brush, but reading some things on the boards, you can order similarly priced, but better quality, boar brushes. I don't have a lot of breadth to go on, but I think anything will be a step up from shaving gel in a can.
 
Shave Cave Dweller

Shave Cave Dweller

+10 on the advise about brush / soap - cream.

I'm fairly new to the DE experience and cut my teeth on a Merkur Long handle and Merkur blades. I did not mess around with other blades for about 6 or 7 weeks (Merkur's daily, changed every 5th day).

You hear it all the time out here Technique, Technique, Technique, so if the mechanical aspect of your shave (DE and Blade) is always the same, you can concentrate on the other area's of the shave (direction, pressure, lathering, etc).

Once you've got it down then the fun begins with experimenting :thumbup:
 
B

bingobango

Thanks for all the advice, I have been looking at this on Amazon (UK):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagge...1_9?ie=UTF8&s=drugstore&qid=1281808886&sr=1-9

Seems like a good price and seems to get good reviews - but can anyone recommend some shaving cream or soap and a brush that wouldnt be too expensive? Preferably on Amazon too.

It would be good if this razor came in a set with brush and cream included :)

Must start learning have to shave properly, I believe there is some good videos on youtube.

My ingrown hairs have finally pushed me over the edge. I always get them in the same place, right on the jawline. I wonder is it how I shave this part - maybe I should shave at a different angle or something. Perhaps the videos will give me some idea..
 
Loric

Loric

bingobango said:
My ingrown hairs have finally pushed me over the edge. I always get them in the same place, right on the jawline. I wonder is it how I shave this part - maybe I should shave at a different angle or something. Perhaps the videos will give me some idea..
Click to expand...

This is my trouble spot too. The hairs on the neck my neck grow more sideways than up and down like the whiskers on my face. Let your stubble grow for a day or so and really take a good look at the direction your hair grows I bet its not up and down there. A good magnifying mirror can be a big help in this. Run your hand over your stubble to really get a tactile feel of what direction feels the most smooth.

Your first pass shaving should be with the gran (WTG) the way it lays down and feels smoothest. This will be in a different direction for different parts of your face, especially the neck. Until you have your technique down avoid going in the opposite direction (the direction that feels most rough). What follows is what works for me, but everyone is different. Read, watch videos, and experiment with different techniques to figure out what works best for your particular face.

Your second and third passes generaly should be across the grain (XTG) i.e. 45 degrees (or even 90 degrees) to the direction of beard growth, but from opposing directions.

Once you have mastered this you can do an against the grain (ATG) forth pass. Though this gives many people ingrown hair, razor burn and irritation, especially if you have a coarse beard. Many wet shavers never go ATG because their skin cant handle it. I can get away with it, but when I do get some razor burn this is the pass is most always come in.

As for shaving soap I cant recommend Mama Bears Shaving Soap and Mitchells Wool Fat (MWF) soap enough. Mama bear soap is very cheap, has many many scents and produces slick lather very easily. The Mitchells is among the most soothing hydrating lathers around and is just a jot to use. It has a very warm soothing creamy scent that is quite nice in its own way. If you are having problems with your skin the MWF is in my experience the best soap for pampering your skin, but YMMV. I use it a lot, but when my skin is beat up its the only one I reach for.

You can find both on Amazon, but to be honest both are cheaper from other vendors.

MWF

Mama Bear

Razor blades are another big factor in getting a smooth shave. I would recommend trying a DE razor blade sampler. I linked a very large one but there are many smaller and cheaper samplers out there. Intuitively it would seem that all razors would be similar but there is a world of difference between them. I personalty suggest Astra Superior Premium Platinum as very inexpensive and smooth blade. Personalty I find Derbys (what comes with the razor you linked too) are very harsh on my face, but again YMMV. Definitely give them a go, but keep in mind there are other options :wink2:

If your thinking about using a soap, I'd also suggest a boar brush to start out with. They are a bit stiffer and pick up hard soap quicker than a badger brush. Omega Boar Brushes run about $15 (as apposed to $25~250 for a badger) and are excellent performers.

Good luck shaving, and I hope my marathon post here is of some assistance!
 
Last edited:
xillion

xillion

Welcome to B&B.

The EJ DE89 is a fantastic razor you will be very happy with it. As for a brush this one is great:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagge...1_5?ie=UTF8&s=drugstore&qid=1281813052&sr=1-5

and the Jagger soaps and creams are also good:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagge...15?ie=UTF8&s=drugstore&qid=1281813052&sr=1-15

But

If you order directly through Edwin Jagger via The English Shaving Company you will get some free samples of their shaving creams and aftershave balms with your order.

And, there is a 15% off coupon available right here.

See the razors here:

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany...nal safety & double edge razors@bEdwin Jagger
 
DFrancis

DFrancis

Another supporter of a good soap or cream. As for a razor, you can pick up a vintage gillette on the BST for under $20 if all you want is something that while may not be too pretty will give a great shave.
 
Shave Cave Dweller

Shave Cave Dweller

Jaw line was a problem for me too. What I do is stretch the skin up. If you pull the skin up towards your eye and (believe it or not) open your mouth the skin that curves around your jaw will now be lying flat on your lower cheek. Shave the flat area of your cheek, let go of the skin and close your mouth, the area that curves around your jaw line should now be done. This works for me with all three passes WTG, ATG and XTG.
 
xillion

xillion

B

bingobango

Hmm - I guess I was going to use the ones that come with the razor - Derbys I think. Someone mentioned they may be a bit harsh?

Should I purchase some other blades to use?
 
xillion

xillion

For me Derby's didn't work so well, but many other member like them.
If you like I would be happy to send you some of my favorite blades for free.
Just PM me your info and I will get them out to you.
 
Last edited:
Uncle Erik

Uncle Erik

Good choices there! The DE89L is a wonderful razor. You might want to look around antique and junk stores - many vintage razors turn up inexpensively. Don't worry too much about the model. I have about 25 different razors and can get a good to great shave from any of them.

You should try a sampler pack of blades. You won't know what works for you until you try them. Blades are very personal. Also, your taste in blades will change as your technique improves, so keep a few spares of each brand as you work through the sampler. You'll want to go back to them after a few months for a second look.

Soaps and brushes don't matter that much, either. As long as you use them properly, you'll get good results.

I think you'll be pleased with the results. I've never had trouble with ingrowns, but got razor burn and small problems regularly. That's entirely gone now. My face has never been better.
 
TheRuckus13

TheRuckus13

Honestly, if I were you I'd get vintage Gillette. Possibly a "Gillette Tech" or a Gillette Super Adjustable of some type. I bought a Merkur 34C as one of my first razors, and it's actually pretty aggressive. Since a Gillette will be a little more mild you'll be able to use smoother blades like Astra's and 7 O' Clocks. This is of course my opinion.
 
Legion

Legion

OTF jewel hunter
Staff member
Looks like you are on the right track. My advice, for what it is worth. Just get something, without getting too hung up on what just yet. Reading this forum makes all the choices seem a bit overwhelming when you are starting out. If you just start with one of the most popular razors (Gillette super speed, most of the merkurs, an Edwin Jagger, etc), a popular cream or soap that does not cost too much (Prorasso, palmolive tallow soap) and a brush, then at least you can get started learning your technique.

When I started out I bought all the most fancy stuff I could find, but my shaves were still lousy because I didn't have the practice. Just pull the trigger and then stick with the stuff you bought until you get great shaves 99% of the time.

Then start experimenting.... :blink:
 
B

bingobango

Still looking at the following:


http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/DE89Ldb5
http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/1FSBbb
http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/EJSC100


For all this its cheaper on Amazon UK by a couple of pounds, but you get a drip stand with the brush - think its worthwhile getting from amazon?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002QI45Z0/ref=pd_luc_mri?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003UV8LR0/ref=pd_luc_mri?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001XPGOII/ref=pd_luc_mri?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
 
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