Supplies for a beginer?

[drasagon]

I'm a total begginer at shaving. Infact I just started to shave today. I was refered to some videos by maniic, and I've watch most of the beginning ones. I think that I will totally skip over the M3 and cartridge razors and go straight for the double edged ones. I see that on this forum lots of people are trying to transition from the multibladed razors to the single bladed doubled edged ones, so I'm just trying to totally avoid that by not using a multibladed razor in the first place...

To start I was thinking of getting this kit:
http://www.amazingshaving.com/page/amsh/PROD/gis/cc243

and this razor:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1778

What do you think of my choices?

Are there better kits out there for that much money ($50-$70)?

Is that a good razor for a begginer? If not what do you reccomend?

Also what aftershave do you reccomend?

I want to start off right so I really want a double edged razor, so If you guys could reccomend a good one that is around $20-$50, that is relativly easy to use, that would be awesome!

 

[Left Coast DJ]

The Merkur HD (34C) is what most people started with. However, I like the slight handle length and build-quality of the Edwin Jagger DE89 series better. The price of the Merkur and the E&J are almost the same. But Merkur HD is a great razor too though.

 

[matt0852]

I have no experience with the kit. It seems ok, but you could easily get a better brush and stand separate for a cheaper price. The HD. That was and still is my go to razor. Started with it and tried other razors, but always go back to it. The HD gives great results and is excellent for a beginner. I highly recommend. For an aftershave, all I have ever tried was Aqua Velva Blue Ice and I think it's great. It's also cheap, around 4 or 5 dollars and it will last a long time. For my brush I got a best badger from knife center I believe online. 20 bucks and it a great brush. You can find better for more depending on your budget. I do recommend a badger though (the kit has a boar) Even my badger brush is a little stiff. It is all personal preference though. Good luck and Welcome to B&B.

 

[opliko]

For your price range I would say go get the brush and shaving soap at wal mart to try out and develop your skills, and pick up a Merkur HD or similar razor. You can always add a good badger brush later. You could also order a puck of Col. Conk's shaving soap, its a great product for a few dollars, or get some cream, CO Bigelow Proraso from bath and body works for $10 if you don't want to mess around with soaps right away. My advice is to stick with it and don't get discouraged.

 

[techdog]

cheap boar brush
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=28_39

good soap
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=187
http://www.fragrancex.com/products/_lid_T-am-pid_1248M-am-cid_Cologne__products.html
OR
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.p...tion=1&keyword=Col.+Conk+World's+Famous+Shavi

razor - yours was a great pick
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=29

blades
http://cgi.ebay.com/100-DERBY-EXTRA...in_0?hash=item29ff839aa2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

bowl - go to walmart

brush stand - not completely necessary right now

Total cost: ~$70

Good luck and welcome.

 

[rm71]

If you are a total beginner, check out our very own B/S/T forum. You can pick up almost everything you need(vintage Gillette,used Mekur,soaps, creams and brushes regularly come up for sale). As a newbie, you'll often find giveaways. You'll save big $$ this way. Hope this helps.

 

[michiganlover]

I'm a total begginer at shaving. Infact I just started to shave today. I was refered to some videos by maniic, and I've watch most of the beginning ones. I think that I will totally skip over the M3 and cartridge razors and go straight for the double edged ones. I see that on this forum lots of people are trying to transition from the multibladed razors to the single bladed doubled edged ones, so I'm just trying to totally avoid that by not using a multibladed razor in the first place...

To start I was thinking of getting this kit:
http://www.amazingshaving.com/page/amsh/PROD/gis/cc243

and this razor:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1778

What do you think of my choices?

Are there better kits out there for that much money ($50-$70)?

The kit you have picked out is not worth the money, for one the included Boar brush is likely of very low quality. Secondly, it includes a Gillette Trac II style razor that is of no value to you.

Here is quality kit assembled by one of our preferred vendors, that includes a Merkur HD:

Scoll To Bottom Of Page for Complete Newbie Kit

The only thing missing is some shaving cream/ shaving soap, which you can acquire locally if you like:

-VDH Deluxe soap is available at Wal-Mart. $1.50
-C.O. Bigelow Premium Shaving Cream (aka Proraso) is available at Bath and Body Works. $5.00
-The Real Shaving Company Shaving Cream is available at Rite Aid. $5.00

Alternatively Shaving Essentials sells a sampler of all 11 TOBS scents, which includes 11 huge 1/2 samples for $20.00. Taylor of Old Bond Street is an excellent top quality shaving cream. The sampler kit has enough cream for about 50 shaves.

 

[michiganlover]

Here is another quality alternative for you:

Merkur HD/34C $30.00 through Bullgoose Shaving

Vulfix #2006 Pure Badger Brush $18.75

Bullgoose Thrifty Blade Sampler $5.95

Proraso Shaving Cream $9.00

Total of $63.70.

Blade samplers are an essential item, as not every blade works the same for every person, however, in general the Derby blades are considered good for newbies just getting started.

My above choices don't include a brush/razor stand, but they are not essential, and are more for aesthetics. Should you really desire one, some of the best value, and best quality ones are available here:

Custom Stands from ssilcox

 

[houlejames]

I started with the Merkur 23C. I like a longer handle and it isn't as aggressive as the 34C, HD. Have tried 12 different razors, the 34C being one of them, all Merkurs and Gillettes, and the 23C is still a favorite. The one I like the best now is the long handle super adjustable Gillette. It is like the 23C but adjustable for closer shaves and it's easier to change blades. Only trouble is you have to buy them used and have to be careful as to the condition.
Also instead of a kit I would get individual parts. I started with a Tweezerman badger brush and moved on to a Vulfix old original. The Tweezerman is a great starter brush for the money, $13.50 at Amazon, and I have had no shedding with it and makes great lather. Going to keep it for a travel brush. The VanDerHagen deluxe VDH, is a good inexpensive puck soap and the bowl you can get with it works good. Also I like to use the shave secret, at walmart, for a pre-shave oil. Makes your razor really glide nice and doesn't interfere with the lather. Last I have had good luck with the Walmart personnas, at about $1.49 for 10 blades they are very cheap to buy and work well. Anyway that has been my experience and have enjoyed it. Shaving has become a hobby instead of a chore. The choices are over whelming but fun. And the best part, it isn't very expensive, and you can always pass on, sell, the items you don't like to other people on the forum. Hope you enjoy the DE shaving experience. Jim

 

[michiganlover]

The VanDerHagen deluxe VDH, is a good inexpensive puck soap and the bowl you can get with it works good. Also I like to use the shave secret, at walmart, for a pre-shave oil. Makes your razor really glide nice and doesn't interfere with the lather. Last I have had good luck with the Walmart personnas, at about $1.49 for 10 blades they are very cheap to buy and work well.

If you just want to get started, and not dedicate a lot of funds to start with, you can simply purchase the Mekur HD/34C, and the $8.00 Van Der Hagen (VDH) soap/brush/bowl combo from Wal-Mart. Throw in a 10 pack of the Personna blades from Wal-Mart, and you will be all set to go.

The Van Der Hagen Deluxe soap is a very good quality product, that is available locally, and will provide you with many wonderful shaves.

Alternatively, if you are not 100% committed to buying a new razor, vintage Gillette Tech, and Gillette Superspeed razors can be had for $10-$20 in our Buy/Sell/Trade forum; these razors were built like a tank, and will continue to serve you for many many years to come, even though they are 50+ years old.

In my opinion, a vintage Gillette will outperform anything new being sold today.

 

[NeverOne99]

I have given a lot of people DE razors. In fact, I gave out Merkur HD's to all the men in my family for Christmas last year only to see all of them on New Year's with red faces. What I have found is that the HD may be too aggressive for shaving noobs because everyone converting from cartridge razors will have the bad habit of applying pressure. I would recommend a Gillette Tech from the B/S/T forum here because it would be much cheaper than the HD and much less aggressive. You could then work your way up to an HD if you saw the need.

 

[MAK]

Many good suggestions. I would agree that kits often have cheap brushes. With that said, if you pay the price you can get a decent brush in a kit.

 

[Bertilak]

To repeat what has been said earlier, that kit is not of any use.

THINGS YOU DO NEED:

• Razor.
• Blades. Get a sampler pack.
• Soap. (or cream, but I recommend soap)
• Brush.

There are several choices for most of those listed in other posts. West Coast Shaving has several blade sample packs to choose from along with some recommendations.

THINGS YOU DON'T NEED (but may someday want)

• Bowl. Many like to build up a lather in a bowl but about as many, maybe more, prefer to lather right on the face. Since there is no reason for you to assume you will prefer one way or the other, start with the simplest choice -- no bowl.
• Brush and/or razor stand. Set the brush and razor out on the counter. There is no consensus that a brush dries better in a stand. Recommendations for a stand come from those who sell them. They often want $20 or more for a piece of plastic or some bent metal wire.

Your soap does need some kind of container but that is not the same thing as a lathering bowl. And yes, you can get soap cheaper without a container and use your own -- many do this. But for now, buy soap that comes in its own container.

 

[talibeard]

Forget about that starter kit; you don't need the razor, any bowl will do and the brush might be ok but I would start with a quality boar and any Omega is just that.

+1 on houlejames on the merkur 23C; it is more forgiving and easier to use than the 34C (HD). On a budget? Check this out. Shave is just as good but it has a friendlier price tag.

For soaps/creams I agree with other posters that you should start with what you can get locally; you can upgrade later if you whish.

For blades you should get the biggest sampler pack you can lay your hands on! There is no way to save money there since this is really about YMMV. With blades one man's heaven is another man's hell so advice here is pretty useless; you will have to find out for yourself!

 

[douglask]

I'm a total begginer at shaving. Infact I just started to shave today. I was refered to some videos by maniic, and I've watch most of the beginning ones. I think that I will totally skip over the M3 and cartridge razors and go straight for the double edged ones. I see that on this forum lots of people are trying to transition from the multibladed razors to the single bladed doubled edged ones, so I'm just trying to totally avoid that by not using a multibladed razor in the first place...

I started out with the Merkur HD myself and it's a good razor. I've recently gotten a Merkur Progress. I routinely use Derby Extra blades and C.O. Bigelow shave cream. My brush is a badger brush from a local store.

Here's a pic of my 'daily use' setup:


Hope it helps out...

~~Douglas

 

[michiganlover]

On a budget? Check this out. Shave is just as good but it has a friendlier price tag.

I will second the "Lord Smart". It is a great quality razor. This razor has a head that is very similar to the one on a Merkur. It will likely shave very similar to the Merkur as well.

I have one of them (except with a metal handle), and it is currently part of my daily setup (I pick from 3 razors daily). I have 14 razors in my collection, so I wouldn't be using it, if it were not a high quality razor.

 

[gerwen]

I'd say your best bet would be to go to the BST area here and post in the WTB forum that you're looking for a setup for a newbie. I'd almost guarantee that you'll get a complete setup for much less you'd spend in any store. Add a blade sampler pack to that and you're set. I wish i had done this when i started.

 

[rth97601]

+1 on the VDH brush and soap. It'll do to learn with, and you can pick them up today for only a few bucks. I'm still using the VDH brush, and probably will until X-mas (the wife is already asking questions that make me think a brush will be under the tree, so buying a new one beforehand could be a really bad move).

I bought a Merkur HD off e-bay, and I love it, but that $12 Lord looks and sounds like the budget-conscious way to go (don't be tempted to buy a Chinese knockoff on e-bay--I did that at first, and it was horrible). The B/S/T forum may also be a great way to go.

Oh, and I use an old mug, and just melt soap into it.

But most importantly, save money on the kit if you can, b/c you'll easily blow the rest of your shaving budget on soaps, creams, balms and splashes ...

 

[fleshdunce]

I started out with the Merkur 34C HD a few weeks ago and although I haven't tried any other razors yet I am very happy with the HD so far. Gettin DFS everytime already with few to no nicks each time. Lovin it.