Which items would allow the fastest way into DE shaving?

[WindyShaver]

While for some of us, the journey of discovery is part of the adventure. For others, they're just looking for a better alternative to cartridge shaving.

If you could create a kit to get folks quickly up to speed based on what you have learned, then what would be in that kit? I've brought in a buddy through a kit such as this and my father is also converting to DE shaving.

This is what I would do if I were to send out another kit for a good friend:

1. Edwin Jagger de89 razor - great razor for starting out and eventual bbq shaves
2. Two 10 blade variety packs: derby and astra
3. Homemade preshave oil (1/2 grapeseed, 1/2 sunflower seed oil)
4. Trumpers coconut shaving cream in a bowl - the easiest and fastest way to get a luscious lather for someone new to DE shaving
5. Nivea sensitive post shave balm - great inexpensive balm that would balance out the cost of the shaving cream
6. Inexpensive Kingsley badger brush

Maybe I'd throw in some Thayers witch hazel to help out as well. Made a difference for me.

I'm very interested to learn what others would put in such a kit.

 

[Coler]

I think other than personal preferences on some items, you pretty much nailed it. That would be a great set for any one starting out to receive.

All I could add would be a card with some guidance on how to use the DE, or even just links to places like this.

 

[Occams_Razor]

A cheap Gillette Tech for a travel razor?

 

[ChiefBroom]

Your kit sounds good to me, except I'd dump the Derbys.

Also, I know nothing about new razors. Started with a Merkur Futur (bloody experience), but switched to a Fat-handled Tech after two shaves and quickly went off the deep-end into vintage Gillettes. A great starter Gillette, IMO, is the '58 TV Special. That's what I gave my son.

 

[gearchow]

• razor - a large variety - I only own one modern razor (that I know of)
• blades - a large variety
• soap - lately been using what I find in old shave sticks or mugs.
• brush - new to vintage to restored
• alcohol aftershave -DURU

This is what I use everyday and if I were to make a DE introductory pack, it would be:

• Gillette Tech
• Astra blades
• some soap from one of our vendors
• B&B 2012 Essential Brush - a very nice boar!
• DURU

-jim

 

[volleymh9]

I found raiding an experienced de shaver's collection for my first shave to be a great introduction becuase personal preferences vary as far as scents go. i'm looking forward to visiting my best friend in a month so i can bring my stash for him to choose from for his first shave. if this isn't possible, then i think you hit the mark on the selection, i may only send 5 each of the razors and add two more varieties (swords, bics, red personnas)

 

[cubfanbob]

I'd substitute a Lord L6 for the EJ DE89, especially if the key here is to make it an inexpensive entry to DE shaving.

 

[maxman]

I would also ditch the Derby blades.
Sharks might be a better fit or Lord.
Proraso is a good soap to start with too.

 

[musicman1951]

It looks good. The Derby blades (which I would not purchase) come with the razor, so that's no biggie. The cream is fine, but there are many other choices as well. A tube of proraso would fulfill a future need - you can't be on this forum and not own a tube of Proraso.

 

[jamesspo]

I'd go with a shave stick for face lathering rather than a bowl soap. Face lathering with a stick I think is the most fool proof lathering technique.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

I would swap the EJ with any Merkur

 

[Masterkova]

I think the Schick Krona may be the easiest razor for a newbie to use. It has the longer handle that most are accustomed to, and it's pretty difficult to nick yourself with it. They're also readily available at reasonable prices.

Proraso would also be my first suggestion for a cream - readily available, reasonably priced, and an excellent performer.

 

[barneykiller]

This is what I would do if I were to send out another kit for a good friend:

1. Edwin Jagger de89 razor - great razor for starting out and eventual bbq shaves

Can you send me that razor. I would love bbq shaves

 

[BarbaGnosa]

Great question. Here's what I'd give a newbie for whom I really wanted a top quality at best value experience. Cost $80.

• RAZOR: Cadet Open Comb -- the more exposed blade provides clearer sense feedback of the blade's location and performance on the hair and skin, thus more awareness and control. As soon as I shaved with it, I realized my Merkur 180 couldn't compete with its smooth, close shave. I get fewer nicks, less irritation, a closer, ultimately more comfortable and better shave with my Cadet OC. I might as well have started with an OC, and the Cadet is 2/3 the price of the Merkur 180. The quality of the Cadets are great - solid brass handle, gorgeous styling, thick glassy chrome, and only $20. If you'd really prefer a safety-bar razor, ShaveABuck Sabi T-1 and T-2 have been getting raves, reviews similar to the quality of EJ89 or Merkur HD for a fraction of the cost: $24.
• BLADES: Personna Reds, Feather, Astra, Sharks, 5-pack each, provides a reasonably diverse assortment of current leaders. Should last you a couple months, time enough to get technique down and be able to make an informed choice. Recent bad experience with Derby blades makes that an avoid in my book.
• PRESHAVE: Noxzema -- same great performance as Proraso PreShave Green, delightful mentholated cool-rush tingle, classic fresh fragrance, natural trusted ingredients, at 1/5th the price. I also mix a small dab into my post-shave balm, to get that leave-in tingle, scent and soothing, disinfecting, healing benefits.
• CREAM/SOAP: Proraso Green or Red Soap in a tub -- lather up fast and provide top of the line performance and scent pleasure at a fraction of Trumpers costs. Ditto Proraso creams.
• BRUSH: Omega or Semogue boar. I love boars: they lather fast, lather tough-to-lather soaps better, face lather better, provide better exfoliation, and they don't suffer the manic fetishization and inflation as the badgers. The Van der Hagen $5 brush is fine for newbies. For top quality, many of Omega's most loved are under $20, as are some great Semogues.
• AFTERSHAVE: Thayers witch hazel with aloe vera + Cucumber or Lemon.
• ALUM: make sure to get potassium hydroxide, not aluminum hydroxide. Alum helps with occasional irritation, which happens to everyone occasionally, especially at the outset, and also does the job just fine in most circumstances in place of styptic.

COST: $80
RAZOR = $20-24 Cadet or Sabi
BLADE SAMPLER = $15
PRESHAVE = $5 Noxzema
SOAP/CREAM = $10 Proraso Soap or Cream
BRUSH = $15 Omega or Semogue
AFTERSHAVE = $10 Thayers w/Aloe & Scent
ALUM = $5

 

[WindyShaver]

Can you send me that razor. I would love bbq shaves

Ha! Had bbq on my mind. Just did a couple packer briskets.

 

[Egmont]

I think your list makes sense. I would make some minor changes to simplify and keep cost down initially ... small tube of KMF or Proraso instead of Trumpers, Lord L6, maybe synthetic brush. I agree with where you've gone with your list though.

 

[Shutterbug57]

Find a Gillette Super Speed Flair or similar at an antique store - clean it up so it sparkles - $7.00 plus elbow grease
5 Personna Lab Blues from my $100 pack - $0.65
Pack of Wilkinsons from Wal-Mart - $2.00, est.
Semogue 1470 - $13.50
Tube of Poraso green - $10.00
Tub of Poraso pre/post cream - $13.00
The infamous B&B/Wal-Mart Salsa Bowl - $1.28

Total out of pocket - $47.43

If I was feeling in the mood, I would swap out the Poraso stuff for Tabac and add Taconic pre-shave oil. That would bump you up another $16 or so.

 

[hillcpa]

I just started wet shaving within the last two weeks, and this is what I pulled together to start (with a lot of help from the B&B search function):

40's Gillette SS off of ebay ($20)
VDH "luxury" starter set ($35)
Pack of Wilkenson's from Walmart ($2)
Pack of Dollar General house blades ($2)
Already had some Nivia AS balm

That got me off to a good start. Have a blade sampler pack and some Thayer's Superhazel on order, to top it off.

 

[JeffOlson]

I just got my brother-in-law an Edwin Jagger razor and some Kiss My Face lavender shave cream for his 60th birthday. Bullgoose Shaving threw in some different blades with the razor. My brother-in-law has already used it and enjoyed it.

I don't think it takes much more than a DE razor, some blades, and a decent cream to help someone start on the path. Brushes and everything else can wait...

 

[Gary H]

I am also new and my advice to you is keep it simple. Do not brainwash yourself into believing that a good DE shave should take 20 minutes with the use of 9 different products. Super simple is this if you have super sensitive skin go to Walmart and buy Shave secret a small bottle will last you a long time, put on 4 drops before shaving, pick a cream, shave rinse and done. Also if you are happy with your current razor stick with it otherwise the "I have to find a razor that gives me a BBS shave everytime" will make you go insane and leave you very disappointed. P.S I too use a cheap badger brush and it works just fine.