I just joined this forum and I will be starting my first wet shaving routine this weekend. I have been lurking around this forum for several weeks, and gathering info all over the net. I am in my mid 20's and have never had to shave very often as my facial hair has always grown at a very slow rate. Over the last few months, it has begun to grow in at a much faster rate,and i have been shaving every other day. I have used cartridge razors ever since i have needed to shave. I started with a Mach 3, and have been using the fusion for the last couple years. I only shaved about once a week, and never had a problem with the cartridge razors. After switching to every other day, i quickly noticed two major problems. One, cartridges were getting very costly as i was going through many more each month. Secondly, i began to get a lot of irritation on my face, razor bumps, and dreaded ingrown hairs. I never really took the time to read about cartridge razors, but after doing my research, i realized that the multiple blades, combined with poor technique, combined with aerosol/gel shaving creams were the source of my issues. I began using a brush and shaving soap (cheap ones picked up at the local pharmacy) but still used a cartridge razor. The feeling of the warm lather was so pleasantly surprising, and i realized i had been missing out on this for quite some time. I saw mild improvement in irritation on my face, and decided to go all in and get serious about wet shaving. Today i purchased the following products: Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor, Atra Superior Platinum Blades, a Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush, TOBS sandlewood shaving cream, and Proraso shaving cream, and some Witch Hazel Toner. I figured this would be a good start for a beginner, and i will give it my first try this weekend. Any tips for a newcomer are welcome and are greatly appreciated. I plan to post updated every couple of days to share my experience and to get feedback and questions answered. Looking forward to a much more manly shaving routine!
Starting on my first journey into wet shaving this weekend!
- Thread starter jburton
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Welcome mate,
good set up you got there.
Although Astras are a good popular blade I would recommend a blade sampler just to see if there is a better blade for your face.
I use both of those creams and the witch hazel too
good set up you got there.
Although Astras are a good popular blade I would recommend a blade sampler just to see if there is a better blade for your face.
I use both of those creams and the witch hazel too
Sounds like a solid start. I would also recommend getting a blade sampler. Just remember to take it nice and slow and NO pressure. Map out your face. Mapping out your face is very important and is something guys tend to forget about doing or just don't do it. So just take your time and don't try and push for that BBS! Just get a nice good shave and enjoy the journey my friend!!
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Thank you, yes i do plan on getting a blade sampler in the next few days as well. My biggest concern is adapting to not using the pressure i typically applied with my cartridge razor, as well as getting used to controlling the angle as opposed to the pivoting head of a cartridge razor. I'm prepared for some battle scars along the way, but looking forward to ditching the multi blade cartridge. As for the face mapping, i hadn't taken the time to do it yet, but i will make sure to follow through with that. Thanks for the advice! PS, i take it your a fan of the Busted Stuff album....
The best advice I've seen for the new wet shaver is on the "INFO Post -- WET SHAVING INSTRUCTIONS AND TUTORIALS..." sticky near the top of this forum. Especially the item titled :Starting out: Listen up-This means you!"
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/40751-Starting-out-Listen-Up-This-Means-You!
The gist of the advice is take it slow. Don't be in a hurry for the perfect shave. It will come. Meanwhile, aim for an acceptable, comfortable shave.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/40751-Starting-out-Listen-Up-This-Means-You!
The gist of the advice is take it slow. Don't be in a hurry for the perfect shave. It will come. Meanwhile, aim for an acceptable, comfortable shave.
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Sounds like a great kit to start with. Welcome to the wonderful world of wet shaving. Those are really good blades to start with but a blade sampler will give you a selection to find what works best for you. Enjoy the journey.
Best advice I can give you is to enjoy it. It's not a task it's a privilege. And every answer to all your questions can be found here.
While you're shaving keep repeating Zero Pressure.
I was used to a lot of pressure with my cartridge. Although I'm only a few months into the DE, it is my biggest problem in the morning. Try not to get carried away and revert to the heavy hand. I'm finding it's a tough habit to break, but when I use no pressure I get a much better shave.
Your first few shaves may take a bit longer, but they will be worth it.
Also go slow.
Kelly
I was used to a lot of pressure with my cartridge. Although I'm only a few months into the DE, it is my biggest problem in the morning. Try not to get carried away and revert to the heavy hand. I'm finding it's a tough habit to break, but when I use no pressure I get a much better shave.
Your first few shaves may take a bit longer, but they will be worth it.
Also go slow.
Kelly
Holy cow! Thats pretty much my daily shave setup. I got the 23C LHC and the EJ Best from a PIF here a while back, and I love my Proraso (second only to Williams), and the Astra SPs are amazing and cheap. Great setup. The LHC is pretty mild, but does a good job. I had the same issue with ingrowns, and this setup has done a great job keeping that to a minimum. Personal experience caveat though, PREP PREP PREP. When I'm in a hurry and can't prep, the bumps come back. If I use any blades other than the astra SP or feather, bumps come back. (Of the ones I've tried).
As far as prep, a long, hot, steamy shower can usually be enough for me. Sometimes I'll hand-lather with proraso while I'm in the shower, then throw a wet washcloth over it for a few minutes before I get out and shave. Of course, your mileage may vary, so it's really up to you to find the best method.
You'll figure out what works _for you_. It depends on how tough your beard is, how sharp your blade is, and how tough your skin is.
When I started on this path, I was trying various pre-shave treatments. As my technique improved, I needed less of them.
My current prep (which may, or not, work for you):
. . . If shaving with a straight razor, apply a little "silky" (silicone-containing) hair conditioner to my face in the shower, and don't wash it off;
. . . Lather after finishing the shower, and shave.
I find that DE shaves don't require anything but a wet beard (from the shower) and lather.
.. Charles
PS -- I will sometimes add glycerin to my lather; not necessary, but it improves the glide of the blade.
Welcome to the forum and good luck!
Welcome to B&B. Some good advice above. Be sure to read what John (jtlowe) cited above. It will give you all the information you need for a good start.
Welcome to B&B !!
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I personally like creating the lather on my face. I think it helps get my beard to loosen up because of multiple passes with the brush. Plus, I like the way the brush feels on my face. But remember YMMV.
