To start, I purposefully didn't title the thread "Impressions after 6 months of wetshaving" because I had previously been using cartridge razors and canned cream/foam, which I feel still counts at wetshaving.
Like others, I started using the DE and brush because, although I was getting decent results with cartridges, they weren't great, and as it has been stated countless times, the cost of the cartridges is ridiculous, especially given the fact that they don't last very long, even for someone like me, who does not have a super coarse, wirey, or exceptionally tough beard. This can be a bit misleading though since we all also know that RAD and the acquisition of an arsenal of soaps, creams, and brushes can result in spending much more than we ever would have using cartridges if we aren't careful.
My first couple months was all about experimenting and trying new products. I initially purchased a Merkur HD 34C, then an EJ DE89 (I currently have 2 DE89, one chrome, and one Barley handle) and also picked up a couple of old late 50's and early 60's Super Speeds. I also tried out a Merkur Progress but could not bond with that razor at all, and sold it here on the BST. I ended up PIF'ing one of the SS to my brother who now is also using DE razor and brush and loves it.
I still enjoy the three razors I have now, and for a about 4 months or so just used the EJ DE89's 90% of the time, occasionally mixing it up by throwing in the SS. I only used the Merkur HD for the first few weeks or so, but since it was more aggressive than the SS and EJ, I put it aside, until recently. Using the EJ allowed be to dial in my technique and try things like blade buffing that would always result in nicks and burn with the HD. Just last week I decided to give the HD another shot since I felt like my technique had improved and got things dialed since first staring out. The result was a much closer, and all around better shave than I ever had with the EJ, and no sting at all with the alum block after, and since then have been using the HD exclusively and am currently preferring it over the more mild EJ and SS.
As far as creams and soaps, I have tried quite a few from MWF, to C.O. Bigelow (which used to be my #1), to Mama Bears, Queen Charlotte Soaps, Cade, Kiss My Face, The Real Shaving Company, RazoRock, Taylors of Old Bond Street, and Baxter's Of California to name a few. I tried to give them all a fair shot of at least a week, and used different brushes and techniques of lathering to see which ones I liked the best, and the ones that didn't work out I ended up getting rid of. The preference of which products are best truly is a matter of personal preference, and there really is no magic soap or cream that works for everyone. Of all the products mentioned above and have tried, they are all great products, just some worked better for me than others. So instead of amassing a closet or cabinet full of products I simply decided to keep it simple and only kept what I liked, so I ended up pretty much just sticking to Queen Charlotte soaps Mysore Sandlewood and a tub of Mama Bears Toasted Coconut. I had a buddy give me a tub of Mamabears Vanilla Sandlewood because he didn't like it, and it has also become a favorite, and those are what I have been using exclusively. I also keep a tube of C.O. Bigelow around because I like the scent and it performs great, easy to lather and travels well, but it just hangs around as my stand by cream. I hated the QCS creams at first, but as my technique improved and my lathering abilities got better it has become the best product I have ever used to this day.
In regards to brushes I started with the cheap Tweezerman badger, which I still feel is a really great brush, especially for the price and for a badger it really can't be beat. Once I knew I'd be sticking with this type of shaving I bought a new Simpsons Duke 3, and in all honestly wasn't a fan. For the difference in price compared to the Tweezerman I do not think it was worth it. Sure it whips up a slightly better lather, but it is a lather hog, and just never bonded with the brush. I ended up picking up a few, less expensive Semogue boars, and ended up keeping two of them, the Semogue 1305 and the 830. Once these were broken in they have proved to be awesome brushes. Heck, they even worked well brand new before being broken in. I usually rotate these two brushes to allow them adequate time to dry out between shaves, or use the 830 if I want to face lather and the 1305 for bowl lathering, but in all honestly either brush works well for bowl or face lathering, but the longer handle on the 1305 makes it a better bowl latherer. I keep the Tweezerman for traveling, and have put the Duke 3 up for sale on the BST.
I mean no disrespect by this, but I feel the best thing I did after learning the basics from this site was disappear for a while and not log on! You find yourself always wanting something different and wanting to try something new that you think will be better than what you have, and when you are new you want to experiment, but the best thing for you to do as a newbie is practice and get consistent. There is a fine line between trying new products and finding which works best for you, and at the same time honing your skill and technique. If you aren't using the same razor or product consistently it's much harder to gauge your progress, but at the same time there is no sense in using a product that you aren't happy with or doesn't work for you. That's the dilemma of the newb, at least in my opinion!
I messed around with blades early on and quickly settled on the Astra SP's. I have 4 boxes of them, they perform great for me, and have had no reason to try anything else since. I still have some of the other popular blades that many people like including Feathers, Crystals, Personna reds, and a few others, but have had no need to try any of them.
So for me right now I am sticking with what I have, which is cold water shaving with the Merkur HD or EJ DE89 with with either QCS or Mama Bears with a Semogue boar and Astra blades. I rarely use the SS these days, but still keep it around because it is a sweet looking razor in excellent condition and is a piece of history. Some may think it's boring to use the same gear everyday, but I guess everyone uses the DE and brush for different reasons. Some like the variety of creams, soaps, different scents, razors, brushes, but for me it's simply about consistency and getting a great shave and knowing that the products that I am using will give me great results every time. And now that I have stopped the RAD, BAD, etc. I can say that I may actually be saving money!
Like others, I started using the DE and brush because, although I was getting decent results with cartridges, they weren't great, and as it has been stated countless times, the cost of the cartridges is ridiculous, especially given the fact that they don't last very long, even for someone like me, who does not have a super coarse, wirey, or exceptionally tough beard. This can be a bit misleading though since we all also know that RAD and the acquisition of an arsenal of soaps, creams, and brushes can result in spending much more than we ever would have using cartridges if we aren't careful.
My first couple months was all about experimenting and trying new products. I initially purchased a Merkur HD 34C, then an EJ DE89 (I currently have 2 DE89, one chrome, and one Barley handle) and also picked up a couple of old late 50's and early 60's Super Speeds. I also tried out a Merkur Progress but could not bond with that razor at all, and sold it here on the BST. I ended up PIF'ing one of the SS to my brother who now is also using DE razor and brush and loves it.
I still enjoy the three razors I have now, and for a about 4 months or so just used the EJ DE89's 90% of the time, occasionally mixing it up by throwing in the SS. I only used the Merkur HD for the first few weeks or so, but since it was more aggressive than the SS and EJ, I put it aside, until recently. Using the EJ allowed be to dial in my technique and try things like blade buffing that would always result in nicks and burn with the HD. Just last week I decided to give the HD another shot since I felt like my technique had improved and got things dialed since first staring out. The result was a much closer, and all around better shave than I ever had with the EJ, and no sting at all with the alum block after, and since then have been using the HD exclusively and am currently preferring it over the more mild EJ and SS.
As far as creams and soaps, I have tried quite a few from MWF, to C.O. Bigelow (which used to be my #1), to Mama Bears, Queen Charlotte Soaps, Cade, Kiss My Face, The Real Shaving Company, RazoRock, Taylors of Old Bond Street, and Baxter's Of California to name a few. I tried to give them all a fair shot of at least a week, and used different brushes and techniques of lathering to see which ones I liked the best, and the ones that didn't work out I ended up getting rid of. The preference of which products are best truly is a matter of personal preference, and there really is no magic soap or cream that works for everyone. Of all the products mentioned above and have tried, they are all great products, just some worked better for me than others. So instead of amassing a closet or cabinet full of products I simply decided to keep it simple and only kept what I liked, so I ended up pretty much just sticking to Queen Charlotte soaps Mysore Sandlewood and a tub of Mama Bears Toasted Coconut. I had a buddy give me a tub of Mamabears Vanilla Sandlewood because he didn't like it, and it has also become a favorite, and those are what I have been using exclusively. I also keep a tube of C.O. Bigelow around because I like the scent and it performs great, easy to lather and travels well, but it just hangs around as my stand by cream. I hated the QCS creams at first, but as my technique improved and my lathering abilities got better it has become the best product I have ever used to this day.
In regards to brushes I started with the cheap Tweezerman badger, which I still feel is a really great brush, especially for the price and for a badger it really can't be beat. Once I knew I'd be sticking with this type of shaving I bought a new Simpsons Duke 3, and in all honestly wasn't a fan. For the difference in price compared to the Tweezerman I do not think it was worth it. Sure it whips up a slightly better lather, but it is a lather hog, and just never bonded with the brush. I ended up picking up a few, less expensive Semogue boars, and ended up keeping two of them, the Semogue 1305 and the 830. Once these were broken in they have proved to be awesome brushes. Heck, they even worked well brand new before being broken in. I usually rotate these two brushes to allow them adequate time to dry out between shaves, or use the 830 if I want to face lather and the 1305 for bowl lathering, but in all honestly either brush works well for bowl or face lathering, but the longer handle on the 1305 makes it a better bowl latherer. I keep the Tweezerman for traveling, and have put the Duke 3 up for sale on the BST.
I mean no disrespect by this, but I feel the best thing I did after learning the basics from this site was disappear for a while and not log on! You find yourself always wanting something different and wanting to try something new that you think will be better than what you have, and when you are new you want to experiment, but the best thing for you to do as a newbie is practice and get consistent. There is a fine line between trying new products and finding which works best for you, and at the same time honing your skill and technique. If you aren't using the same razor or product consistently it's much harder to gauge your progress, but at the same time there is no sense in using a product that you aren't happy with or doesn't work for you. That's the dilemma of the newb, at least in my opinion!
I messed around with blades early on and quickly settled on the Astra SP's. I have 4 boxes of them, they perform great for me, and have had no reason to try anything else since. I still have some of the other popular blades that many people like including Feathers, Crystals, Personna reds, and a few others, but have had no need to try any of them.
So for me right now I am sticking with what I have, which is cold water shaving with the Merkur HD or EJ DE89 with with either QCS or Mama Bears with a Semogue boar and Astra blades. I rarely use the SS these days, but still keep it around because it is a sweet looking razor in excellent condition and is a piece of history. Some may think it's boring to use the same gear everyday, but I guess everyone uses the DE and brush for different reasons. Some like the variety of creams, soaps, different scents, razors, brushes, but for me it's simply about consistency and getting a great shave and knowing that the products that I am using will give me great results every time. And now that I have stopped the RAD, BAD, etc. I can say that I may actually be saving money!
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