What to buy next...

[The Shaver]

Hi again, I feel like I am spamming this forum with threads. If so, I'm sorry

But I am in a shaving supply decision here and I need some aid from more experienced people. I have 40 bucks (I could take 20 out of my accounts, but that's it!) and I am debating whether I should

1. Get a new brush. Currently I am using the VDH boar brush. It gets the job done, but it's not cutting it for me. The brush barely hold lather and it barely makes it too. It's probably me, but I have wanted a badger brush from the start I was looking at the tweezerman, the Escali or the Kingsley found on Amazon. (That dang AD coming back again XD). If I get the tweezerman or the escali, I'll have enough money to get a cheap 4 dollar block of alum.

2. New shaving cream. While I do like the mentholy-ness of Proraso and CO Bigelow, I am getting rather sick of the smell. I was looking at TAoS Sandalwood cream. Good think is that it's 22 bucks and I can pick it up here in town...and I am very curious at the smell of sandalwood and it's supposed to be moisturizing too. My face was quite red after my first DE shave.

So as of now I am debating which is one is more beneficial. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[Amzimbo]

Get a decent brush first. You can get a great Semogue on your budget and you'll enjoy it for years to come. With the change you can even get some KMF from Whole Foods so you can mix up your creams.

 

[T-Box215]

I'd definitely get an alum block. I started with styptic gel... that stuff is crazy, you get enough on you and you may as well be wearing a mask. I know you probably want to get new stuff, but perfecting your technique and finding the blade for you will yield far better results that anything. So perhaps a blade sampler is in order? If your just looking for some variety to keep the interest then go with the soap. My shave budget is absolutely toast for the foreseeable future. I've bought 3 DE razors, 5 soaps/creams, a multitude of de blades, hand thrown shave bowl, 1 straight razor, 1 strop. So... maybe I'm not the guy to advise you... I just tallied my stuff and I'm over $500 and I just started DE and straight razor this year! Talk about AD! No wonder my wife is irritated...

 

[dcobranchi]

I'd go with a Semogue brush, too. My daily driver is a 1250 boar. Does a fantastic job with soaps or creams. Here's one source: http://www.leesrazors.com/products/Semogue-1250-Pure-Bristle-Shaving-Brush.html I have several badgers and they're nice and soft, but for me they don't hold a candle to a good boar brush.

 

[deruitem]

I would go with a new brush next

 

[shuasdad]

You might look to Garry's Sample Shop for additional soaps to try on the cheap to add variety.

 

[takeshi]

So as of now I am debating which is one is more beneficial. Any input would be appreciated.

Try reading up on lathering tips (see the sticky at the top of the creams subforum) and see if you can improve your technique. If technique isn't the issue and the brush truly is a limiting factor then it seems like it would make more sense to replace the brush first. It's really your call. Which is more of a priority for you? Is the smell of your current cream a bigger issue than the lather you're getting? There really isn't enough info in your post.

 

[FonGu]

Check out the B/S/T section of this forum. For that price, you can get a really high end brush if you don't mind used. As to the Tweezerman's, it was my first brush and I still use it in rotation. It's not the best I own by far, but I like the size and it builds lather very well.

 

[cpeter47]

Try a Franks Shaving badger brush in finest for <$30 shipped or a semogue boar 620,830 or 1305

 

[Mick]

Find a local market that carries KMF and grab a $5 tube of any scent (or unscented).

You will find that your brush will turn into a lather monster using this product.

Stick your zip code into the Kiss My Face store locator to find a retailer near you.

http://www.kissmyface.com/store

These are amazing creams and one of the easiest to lather. They are sold as "brushless" but stick a brush to it and you will have a lava flow of slick, luxurious, lather to use.

It will be the BEST $5 you ever spent on shaving products AND I bet there is a store within a few minutes of where you live so you can hop on over and have it in your shave den within an hour of reading this post.

 

[The Shaver]

Okay, well I managed to increase my funds to 65 bucks. I will definitely go to a whole foods and pick up a bottle of the KMF soon. I am probably pick up the bamboo and green tea. How is that? Hopefully the MasterCard $50 gift card works overseas, which I believe it does, then I'll go splurge at shaving.ie!

 

[Mick]

I will definitely go to a whole foods and pick up a bottle of the KMF soon. I am probably pick up the bamboo and green tea. How is that?

I currently have Lavender, Pomegranate-Grapefruit, Bamboo and Green Tea, and Key Lime.

The scent I like the most is the Key Lime.

None of them have what I would call strong scents

 

[Amzimbo]

I love the KMF mint for summertime shaving. Very cooling.

I currently have Lavender, Pomegranate-Grapefruit, Bamboo and Green Tea, and Key Lime.

The scent I like the most is the Key Lime.

None of them have what I would call strong scents

 

[¢orey]

I'd get a newbie kit from b/s/t. Some excellent deals come up from time to time. You might also consider hanging in with that brush. I had a VDH brush that I didn't really care for, and all of a sudden, it got noticeably softer and significantly easier to use.

 

[dannymayo]

I'd definitely get a brush (hardware) over cream/soap (software). The brush will be in investment and serve you well for years. While I haven't tried Frank Shaving brushes, I have heard that you get a good brush for the price. You should be able to get one for around $40.

 

[The Shaver]

Well after this purchase, whatever it may be, I am hoping I will be set for a long while. I'm am hoping that a MasterCard gift card works overseas, that way I can order a brush recommended here and an Alum block all for under 20 bucks at shaving.ie. I was looking at the brushes and I found a few that seemed to have many kudos for being soft and good at lathering. Here they are

Semogue 1470
Semogue 620

and that's it. I want something soft, not so scratchy as my VDH one is even after 10+ shaves with it! If anyone has any other suggestions for brushes, that would be great

 

[Life Spectator]

I started DE shaving 2 months ago with the VDH kit. One of my first purchasing decisions was a badger brush. And I am dang glad I did it. The difference for me is day and night. I will always be fond of my VDH brush because it was my gateway. However, It wont find it's way into my shaving bowl or onto my face again. I say buy yourself a decent brush.

Here's the brush I bought:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QHYYR0/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00

 

[Kentos]

My tweezerman feels like it pokes needles into my face. Semogue would be a much better investment IMO.

 

[Win2012]

I have this Parker Safety Razor Shaving Brush
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RJC1HC/

I like it very much.

 

[BallisticBurrito]

AOS soap is way overpriced..especially on your budget.
If you want to try a different soap then you could head to Target and try the Luxury version of VDH's soap for like $4. It gets quite a bit of love on here.