Hello, gentlemen! I haven’t written in a while, as this summer has been quite busy for me. I’ve been exploring many new things in this journey I’ve embarked on, and I wanted to share my experiences, lessons learned, and opinions in the hopes of helping fellow newbies.
A bit about me: I live in New York State USA and I’m in my mid-50s with coarse black and gray hair. I only shave every third day or so. For the past 30 years, I relied on an electric shaver, occasionally touching up rough spots with a cartridge razor. I eventually switched to Harry’s razors for those touch-ups and began wet shaving a few times a month with it for that smoother shave. However, my coarse hair often clogged the cartridge razors, making them frustrating to use.
Earlier this year, with my wife taking my Harry’s supply and the costs rising, I decided to take the plunge after seeing an ad for Henson razors on Facebook. Since then, I’ve jumped into the world of wet shaving headfirst and haven’t looked back. Now, I exclusively use a DE razor, though I still keep my Panasonic electric razor handy for occasional touch-ups (I can’t avoid them entirely). On some days, I don’t bother with the Panasonic at all.
First thing is that this community is awesome, and I love the conversations, the opinions and insights. I'm not sure how far this journey would have taken me without the internet and B&B. There are no stores where I live that sell any of these supplies. As far as Blades go. Walgreens and Walmart offer only 1 or 2 brands.
I hope my insights will be helpful to others navigating this journey!
Let’s Start with B&B: First off you need to be here. There is plenty of advice. So much so that one thing I will not discuss here is technique and what to do with a razor when you are new. That is covered in detail with this forum and by more qualified people.
YMMV (Your Mileage May Very) holds true with everything wet shaving including this document. BUT, what helped me the most are the opinions, reviews, and experiences shared by those that also mentioned the type of face they have. For myself. The ones that mentioned they have coarse hair, gray hair, and sensitive skin had more weight with me. I wish this description could be used as members' signature lines. As of now, there isn't enough room. I tried. As you research blades this becomes more important to help you narrow down which ones to try. In fact. If you share this description, you will do better with a sharper blade. It doesn't need to be Feather or Kai either. Make sure your sample pack covers the sharper spectrum.
Let's Start with Blades:
What made the cut for me (pun intended)?
7 O'Clock Green (ok Blade for me), Kai &Feather (sharp, pricey. Not needed all the time. I will keep 1 tuck ea. on hand), Gillette Minora Stainless (ok blade for me I swear this is a Silver Blue re-packaged), Gillette Nacet, Gillette Platinum, Gillette Silver Blue (ok Blade for me), Perma Sharp, Personna Med Prep, Personna Comfort Coated, Shark Platinum, Superinox Bolzano (a suprise one for me), Voskhod Teflon Coated (a favorite). In many cases the blade will depend on the razor/plate I use and how far along my growth is.
I swear there is an employee or member of management that owns a razor factory laughing at all the reviews, comments, and opinions of blades and many are the same with different packaging. I wish someone would just come forward and admit this. I'm sure some are the same, just different names depending on the market they are sold in. Just own up to it. Your product will still sell!
I started with Proraso Red in the tube and fell in love with its scent; it’s specifically formulated for coarse hair. However, not all of their products perform equally. I enjoyed the green variety, but I found it wasn’t slick enough for my taste. Luckily, I discovered PAA’s (phoenix shaving) Awesome Sauce, which has the same scent and offers a consistently great formulation across all their products. I am a fan.
In contrast, Taylor of Old Bond Street’s offerings vary significantly. Different scents I've ordered, like OUD, Sandalwood (which doesn’t quite smell like sandalwood), and Eaton College, have all performed differently. So, buyer beware! My favorite is Mr Taylors. I also love Cella Red. It is a great cream and has a great scent.
Ultimately, I’ve settled on the Razorock Game Changer with .68, .72, and .84 plates, which I absolutely love. My second razor is the Muhle R89, and I plan to stick with these two.
When researching razors, I can’t stress enough the importance of checking the manufacturer’s website. Many YouTubers and reviewers provide vague descriptions, like saying a razor is “about 4 inches long” or “weighs maybe this many ounces.” Do your due diligence! Additionally, there are many negative reviews about the Edwin Jagger DE89 regarding the slipperiness of its handle. However, if you look at the Edwin Jagger website, you’ll find they offer a variety of handle options. To me these descriptions are misleading and unfair to companies like Edwin Jagger who have a reputation for quality.
Remember, you can sell a razor that doesn’t work for you, and always include the manufacturer’s site in your research.
Lastly, it’s frustrating to see razors labeled as “beginner” as if you’re expected to outgrow them. Many people, including those with the Merkur 32C, Muhle R89, or the EJ DE89, use these razors exclusively for years. While they may be considered mild, that doesn’t mean they’re temporary. If you find they aren’t giving you a close enough shave, consider beefing them up with trying sharper blades to enhance your experience. Again, there are many qualified people on B&B that can guide you with trying your new DE razor and getting started with Wet Shaving.
The Online stores I like and shop with that are not Amazon: PAA: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Handmade & High Quality Shaving Goods - https://phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com, Maggard's, Shave nation, Stirling Soap, and The Italian Barber: Italian Barber - https://www.italianbarber.com/ (Rozorock Razors made in Ontario Canada), Wet Shaving – Bolzano, Gillette, Personna Double Edge Razor Blades - https://www.razorbladesclub.com/. Make your own Sample pack and great prices.
I hope you enjoyed spending a few moments on this and I appreciate any feedback you may have. Shave on!
A bit about me: I live in New York State USA and I’m in my mid-50s with coarse black and gray hair. I only shave every third day or so. For the past 30 years, I relied on an electric shaver, occasionally touching up rough spots with a cartridge razor. I eventually switched to Harry’s razors for those touch-ups and began wet shaving a few times a month with it for that smoother shave. However, my coarse hair often clogged the cartridge razors, making them frustrating to use.
Earlier this year, with my wife taking my Harry’s supply and the costs rising, I decided to take the plunge after seeing an ad for Henson razors on Facebook. Since then, I’ve jumped into the world of wet shaving headfirst and haven’t looked back. Now, I exclusively use a DE razor, though I still keep my Panasonic electric razor handy for occasional touch-ups (I can’t avoid them entirely). On some days, I don’t bother with the Panasonic at all.
First thing is that this community is awesome, and I love the conversations, the opinions and insights. I'm not sure how far this journey would have taken me without the internet and B&B. There are no stores where I live that sell any of these supplies. As far as Blades go. Walgreens and Walmart offer only 1 or 2 brands.
I hope my insights will be helpful to others navigating this journey!
Let’s Start with B&B: First off you need to be here. There is plenty of advice. So much so that one thing I will not discuss here is technique and what to do with a razor when you are new. That is covered in detail with this forum and by more qualified people.
YMMV (Your Mileage May Very) holds true with everything wet shaving including this document. BUT, what helped me the most are the opinions, reviews, and experiences shared by those that also mentioned the type of face they have. For myself. The ones that mentioned they have coarse hair, gray hair, and sensitive skin had more weight with me. I wish this description could be used as members' signature lines. As of now, there isn't enough room. I tried. As you research blades this becomes more important to help you narrow down which ones to try. In fact. If you share this description, you will do better with a sharper blade. It doesn't need to be Feather or Kai either. Make sure your sample pack covers the sharper spectrum.
Let's Start with Blades:
What made the cut for me (pun intended)?
7 O'Clock Green (ok Blade for me), Kai &Feather (sharp, pricey. Not needed all the time. I will keep 1 tuck ea. on hand), Gillette Minora Stainless (ok blade for me I swear this is a Silver Blue re-packaged), Gillette Nacet, Gillette Platinum, Gillette Silver Blue (ok Blade for me), Perma Sharp, Personna Med Prep, Personna Comfort Coated, Shark Platinum, Superinox Bolzano (a suprise one for me), Voskhod Teflon Coated (a favorite). In many cases the blade will depend on the razor/plate I use and how far along my growth is.
I swear there is an employee or member of management that owns a razor factory laughing at all the reviews, comments, and opinions of blades and many are the same with different packaging. I wish someone would just come forward and admit this. I'm sure some are the same, just different names depending on the market they are sold in. Just own up to it. Your product will still sell!
Shave Soaps:
Not all shave soaps are created equal, and it’s time to toss the canned stuff! There are many excellent shave creams available, often boasting wonderful scents. While some can cost over $20 for a tub, they last a long time. Plus, you can customize your lather to your liking with the amount of water you are using, you save money in the long run. Unless you go OCD with it and buy dozens of different scents and products.I started with Proraso Red in the tube and fell in love with its scent; it’s specifically formulated for coarse hair. However, not all of their products perform equally. I enjoyed the green variety, but I found it wasn’t slick enough for my taste. Luckily, I discovered PAA’s (phoenix shaving) Awesome Sauce, which has the same scent and offers a consistently great formulation across all their products. I am a fan.
In contrast, Taylor of Old Bond Street’s offerings vary significantly. Different scents I've ordered, like OUD, Sandalwood (which doesn’t quite smell like sandalwood), and Eaton College, have all performed differently. So, buyer beware! My favorite is Mr Taylors. I also love Cella Red. It is a great cream and has a great scent.
Razors: Finding the Right Fit
You don’t need to spend over $100 on a razor unless you really want to. Choosing a razor is a personal journey. I’ve bought and sold several, including the Henson Mild, Henson Medium, Rockwell 6C, Fatip Gentile, and Merkur 42C, each for various reasons. For instance, I found the Rockwell head too large and felt it was just okay at best. In one forum, I read about a guy who bought and sold the same brand of razor three times before giving up on it altogether. He came to the conclusion he fell for the marketing they had. It is not the end of the world if you decide to move on for a razor.Ultimately, I’ve settled on the Razorock Game Changer with .68, .72, and .84 plates, which I absolutely love. My second razor is the Muhle R89, and I plan to stick with these two.
When researching razors, I can’t stress enough the importance of checking the manufacturer’s website. Many YouTubers and reviewers provide vague descriptions, like saying a razor is “about 4 inches long” or “weighs maybe this many ounces.” Do your due diligence! Additionally, there are many negative reviews about the Edwin Jagger DE89 regarding the slipperiness of its handle. However, if you look at the Edwin Jagger website, you’ll find they offer a variety of handle options. To me these descriptions are misleading and unfair to companies like Edwin Jagger who have a reputation for quality.
Remember, you can sell a razor that doesn’t work for you, and always include the manufacturer’s site in your research.
Lastly, it’s frustrating to see razors labeled as “beginner” as if you’re expected to outgrow them. Many people, including those with the Merkur 32C, Muhle R89, or the EJ DE89, use these razors exclusively for years. While they may be considered mild, that doesn’t mean they’re temporary. If you find they aren’t giving you a close enough shave, consider beefing them up with trying sharper blades to enhance your experience. Again, there are many qualified people on B&B that can guide you with trying your new DE razor and getting started with Wet Shaving.
The Online stores I like and shop with that are not Amazon: PAA: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Handmade & High Quality Shaving Goods - https://phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com, Maggard's, Shave nation, Stirling Soap, and The Italian Barber: Italian Barber - https://www.italianbarber.com/ (Rozorock Razors made in Ontario Canada), Wet Shaving – Bolzano, Gillette, Personna Double Edge Razor Blades - https://www.razorbladesclub.com/. Make your own Sample pack and great prices.
I hope you enjoyed spending a few moments on this and I appreciate any feedback you may have. Shave on!
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