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Noob Confession

I posted my intro yesterday and have been absorbed in this forum and the Wiki all day. I got zero work done today :D

i have a starter kit on the way but I got super impatient to start this process. Sad to say, there is no place for me to buy a razor locally. So I bought a crappy one last night from Amazon with next day delivery. This morning I went out and purchased the available VDH brush and some VDH soap. I also picked up some Nivea balm and Walmart Wilkinsons.

The razor was delivered at around 2:00. NOT a quality item, but I was impatient. So I popped in a blade. Soaked the brush and worked it a little. Then I followed the tutorials.

I prepped with a shower and a hot towel, worked on my lather for a few minutes and went to work. All I can say is Wow!! Even with relatively sub-par equipment, I had an awesome shave. I took about 30 minutes and loved it.

I had a substantial growth of about a week. Unlike the first time I tried DE safety razors many years ago, I had no cuts, nicks or irritation. I was almost disappointed that I didn't need the styptic pencil that I purchased :O The tutorials on here have been infinitely helpful. I took my time and let the razor do the work. Awesome! I hated shaving with the fusion carts because it was an awful experience. The blades would clog with more than 3 days growth and it took forever to get the hair out. Even with a cheap DE razor, a quick dip in the hot sink cleaned it right out.

A little ashamed that I was so impatient that I went for it, but also encouraged as to what lies ahead with better equipment and products. I'm hooked! Many thanks again to all those member that have put their time and input into the forum and wiki.
 
There is no shame in the game! You 'da man! It just gets better from here. Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your shaves and check in and let us know how it is going.
 
As long as you aren't impatient on your prep, lather making and actual shaving, you will be ok! If you are sad you can't get the sting of the styptic, buy some Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum AS and feel the burn! :bayrum2:
 
I just joined this evening but I haven't accomplished anything either since ordering my Merkur yesterday. Made the mistake of choosing free shipping, so now I wait. :bored: Spent the better part of the day reading tutorials and the Wiki. Hoping my first DE shave goes as well as yours...
 
I just joined this evening but I haven't accomplished anything either since ordering my Merkur yesterday. Made the mistake of choosing free shipping, so now I wait. :bored: Spent the better part of the day reading tutorials and the Wiki. Hoping my first DE shave goes as well as yours...

It's funny how hard this bug hits you. I think it's a testament to just how awful of a chore carts have turned what should be a sublime experience into.

I'm already trying to find a razor from my birth year.
 
Great Name tag.
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We are all impatient, especially when there's new hardware around :) I've got two VDH soaps and the low end boar brush. It's all good, usable stuff and I'd pick it up in a heartbeat if I ran out. Yeah, every tutorial says "take your time" but many of us don't listen. My only advice is if you do run ahead full speed remember where you started. That way if it goes wrong you know how far to back up before you do try it again, the right way this time ;)

Welcome aboard!

Scott
 
Welcome! I was in the same boat as you a few months back when I first got into this - VDH starter kit but I had ordered a Parker 91 from Amazon. Well, the Parker turned out to be sub-par and got returned and the VDH stuff was replaced with higher quality kit, though those Walmart Wilkinson blades are actually pretty good and in the rotation.
B&B is the place to be for us noobs. I can't get enough of the site and am still getting a daily education. Listen to these guys, they know what they're talking about. And enjoy smooth skin!
 
As was once said to me, "Welcome to B&B." (Lol), I should've left while I had the chance, but I couldn't. This place is too interesting to an OCD type like me. So remember going forward... your OCD is your friend. You'll get a lot of enjoyment from the number of different razors, blades, brushes, lotions & potions you'll be buying. Take your time with it. :)
 
Trust me I know the feeling. Once I decided what I wanted, I was jonesing and couldn't wait to it to arrive. And once I had it, I felt stupid for how happy it made me :biggrin1:
 
Gents,

I just wanted to post a little follow up. I used my "Noob Impatient Kit" for a few days and it actually worked well despite the products being on the lower end of the scale.

The starter kit that I ordered from WCS arrived on Saturday and, in the meantime, I have acquired more products. This is a dangerous, dangerous hobby. SWMBO sees the multiple packages at the door each day and, in good humor, teases me about my rapidly growing shaving supply inventory.

In any case, my starter kit was a Merkur 38b and I am loving it. Also picked up a Gillette Blue Tip and my birth year Super Speed. Have been trying a few different blades and I am liking the Astra SP quite a bit so far.

Ordered the Proraso line because I was familiar with it from years back, but have also really come to appreciate the drug store available basics. I have some Aqua Velva Musk, Pinaud Clubman, and Old Spice. I had some of the Clubman on the other day and my wife was really impressed by it. I didn't dare tell her it cost me $4 after she bought me some nice fragrance for more than $100 at Christmas. :lol:

I have been very fortunate so far. I only have about 9 shaves in, but I have not yet broken my skin. Not even a hint of blood or, for that matter, irritation. When I was shaving with Fusion Proglides, I would have a tremendous amount of irritation. I know my streak won't go on forever but I will repeat what I said before - the fact that I have not yet damaged my face as a noob is a testament to the great info that B&B has and is a credit to all of the members.

So that's where I stand so far. My favorite part of wet shaving is the 30+ minutes of peace and relaxation. I put on the classical music station and just really enjoy myself. I have relatively moderate beard growth and could probably shave every other day. Truthfully, I really would like to shave twice a day :scared: I guess that's still the novelty. Every time a new product comes, I want to have a shave.

In any case, I have mentioned this before, I can't say enough about the quality of this forum or its members. Just outstanding. Thank you to all!
 
Welcome to B&B! Outstanding start into the world of more comfortable and relaxed shaving. Amazing to think how much our forefathers likely complained about shaving with straights or safety razors, and how we find it enjoyable and relaxing :blink: .
 
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