Thinking of 'Starting Over'

[gordolindsay]

It's not that I dislike my EJ DE89, but would like something a little heftier, longer handle, and a tad bit more aggressive. Something like a Pils....

Really, I can't stop staring at pictures of the Pils. It's ticking me off.

Also, I would like a new brush my EJ BBB is way too floppy, and can't whip up a soap lather to save its (my) life. Been eyeing a custom shavemac and don't really want to look at anything else.

Tell me I'm out of my flippin' mind and shouldn't do anything different.

Not that I have the money to buy everything all at once, but if I could get one thing, which should I get first...the brush or the razor? I would think the brush, but was wondering what you guys thought about everything.


Ahhh!!!

(edit: wow, lots-o-smilies)

 

[mblakele]

Are you asking whether SRAD or SBAD is more dangerous? I would say SBAD - you can only buy a few razors that cost more than $100, but there seem to be dozens of brushes that cost that much, and more.

And yet... I think your razor is fine. You might try a Rooney Super 3/1, or that New Forest brush.

 

[Luc]

I would change what bothers you the most first. If it's the razor or the brush...

 

[michiganlover]

You say your current brush can't whip up a lather from a soap to save it's life. That points to a flaw in your technique, and buying a different brush isn't going to have any impact.

 

[Dharion]

You don't need to start over. Everyone likes a change in their rotation from time to time.

I can tell that you'd love a Shavemac. Ever wondered how soft and luxurious they really are? I did. Until I got one.

 

[NavyHopeful]

You don't need to start over. Everyone likes a change in their rotation from time to time.

I can tell that you'd love a Shavemac. Ever wondered how soft and luxurious they really are? I did. Until I got one.

.... And I just bought a New Forest. And my sister got me a Plisson from Paris. One Shavemac won't hurt will it?

 

[Pioneer]

It's not that I dislike my EJ DE89, but would like something a little heftier, longer handle, and a tad bit more aggressive

Why not try a Merkur barberpole or Sledgehammer? The EJ is too mild for my liking as well. I'm more of a Merkur man myself (for *new* DEs, that is).

 

[Uncle Erik]

Sure, start over. Others will want to buy your used gear and this is a learning process and an adventure. Might as well indulge your desires and figure out what works for you.

The Pils is a fine razor - I love mine. For a stiffer brush, look at the Simpson Chubby models and I've fallen hard for my large Rooney Beehive.

 

[BlackBard]

You say your current brush can't whip up a lather from a soap to save it's life. That points to a flaw in your technique, and buying a different brush isn't going to have any impact.

A BIG +1

I have the EJ BBB. Mine is not floppy. It does a great job on soaps (I only use soaps). I love this brush!

Maybe you should review some of the lathering tutorials and work on your technique with the brush you have. Of course, if you are just looking for a reason to buy something else, that's OK. Go ahead and buy it, but you are still going to have to learn a better lathering technique to get the most out of whatever brush you use.

 

[gordolindsay]

Ok, I have tried and tried to lather up my soap, but my only soap has been a small puck of VdH so I don't know if that has any impact on it all too.

My brush is quite floppy, at least to me it seems like it is. It will splay all over my face with a little bit of pressure. I can swirl it on a puck of soap for 2 minutes and it won't pick up enough soap to lather up anything worth while.

I have been eying the Merkur 39c also but am hesitant for some reason. I also like the EJ Chatsworth, but that has the same head as me DE89 so I am saving that one for once I make my rounds through the other types of razors first.

I'm sure I don't NEED anything more, but apparently the AD bug has bit me...luckily I can't afford much of anything to let it get out of hand.

Thanks for the input, I will keep trying to lather up some soap, keep researching on what would fit me best as far as hardware goes and if anyone has any more comments and insight, it's always welcome.

 

[mblakele]

If you want your brush to have more backbone, you could try the o-ring or velcro strap trick (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=136875 and http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2159132#post2159132). I put two o-rings on my Penworks STR1-22, and it splays much less than it used to.

 

[michiganlover]

Ok, I have tried and tried to lather up my soap, but my only soap has been a small puck of VdH so I don't know if that has any impact on it all too.

I can swirl it on a puck of soap for 2 minutes and it won't pick up enough soap to lather up anything worth while.

VDH is a good quality soap that is super easy to lather. By the two minute point, you should have a boatload of product loaded into your brush.

I would think your brush must be way too wet, that's the only way I could see working a soap for two minutes, and not having it properly loaded.

After soaking your brush, you should give it a good squeeze, and then a few good shakes. The brush should be fairly dry before moving to loading with soap.

Have you looked at the lather tutorials found here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21136

 

[gordolindsay]

VDH is a good quality soap that is super easy to lather. By the two minute point, you should have a boatload of product loaded into your brush.

I would think your brush must be way too wet, that's the only way I could see working a soap for two minutes, and not having it properly loaded.

After soaking your brush, you should give it a good squeeze, and then a few good shakes. The brush should be fairly dry before moving to loading with soap.

Have you looked at the lather tutorials found here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21136

Yeah, that's what I do. I soak the brush while I'm taking a shower. Then when I'm ready to load it I squeeze and shake before the brush hits the soap. So I'm not sure what's happening?

 

[Blue_2]

Yeah, that's what I do. I soak the brush while I'm taking a shower. Then when I'm ready to load it I squeeze and shake before the brush hits the soap. So I'm not sure what's happening?

In that case, go with an even drier brush and even more product.

 

[mblakele]

Could it be that it's time to clean that brush?

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1653879#post1653879

 

[BlackBard]

Ok, I have tried and tried to lather up my soap, but my only soap has been a small puck of VdH so I don't know if that has any impact on it all too.

My brush is quite floppy, at least to me it seems like it is. It will splay all over my face with a little bit of pressure. I can swirl it on a puck of soap for 2 minutes and it won't pick up enough soap to lather up anything worth while.

As John said, with 2 minutes of "loading" you should be knee deep in lather. The only thing I can say is that you may have a very hard water problem. Soap does not lather as well in hard water.

VDH is one of the easiest lathering soaps I have tried. Although I dislike it for aesthetic reasons (i.e. can't stand the scent), it lathers and shaves well. That said, I have no recollection of using it with hard water. I can tell you, though, that my water conditioner stopped working a few days ago and now I have VERY hard water that has made it more difficult to lather even reliable soaps.

As to your comments about the brush being very floppy, either you got a dud or your experience and expectations have led you to think that badger brushes are much more stiff than they really are. You might try "choking up" on the bristles, as has already been suggested. Maybe that will help.

 

[gordolindsay]

In that case, go with an even drier brush and even more product.

How? I soak it, squeeze it and shake it probably 2 times. Then I put the brush to the soap and it seems after it takes a certain amount, it just stops picking up soap. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what it feels like.

Could it be that it's time to clean that brush?

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1653879#post1653879

It's possible. I wash it about every other month. How often are you supposed to wash it?

As John said, with 2 minutes of "loading" you should be knee deep in lather. The only thing I can say is that you may have a very hard water problem. Soap does not lather as well in hard water.

VDH is one of the easiest lathering soaps I have tried. Although I dislike it for aesthetic reasons (i.e. can't stand the scent), it lathers and shaves well. That said, I have no recollection of using it with hard water. I can tell you, though, that my water conditioner stopped working a few days ago and now I have VERY hard water that has made it more difficult to lather even reliable soaps.

As to your comments about the brush being very floppy, either you got a dud or your experience and expectations have led you to think that badger brushes are much more stiff than they really are. You might try "choking up" on the bristles, as has already been suggested. Maybe that will help.

Yeah, I am not sure if I have hard water or not. Haven't gotten to the point of boiling up some bottled water yet.

I'm also not sure about my expectations of how badger or boar brushes for that matter are supposed to behave. The EJ BBB is the only brush I've ever tried, so I am just going by speculation and what I consider stiff/floppy.

I just got 2 small o-rings to slide on and will try it this afternoon and see if there's any difference.



I appreciate all the help and kind words!! The thread kind of went down a rabbit trail, but that's fine with me!! It's still helped alot.

 

[mretzloff]

I can tell that you'd love a Shavemac. Ever wondered how soft and luxurious they really are? I did. Until I got one.

Außerdem sind sie deutsch

 

[Ignatius]

With my lack of restraint and the price of the PILS razor, I'm glad it leaves me cold.

 

[Hex]

can I have your old "stuff" ?