Utter newbie so this will be a jumble of things I've been stewing over for the few months I've lurked. I'm just going to list them and any questions I have. Hopefully it won't be too rambling.
1) I'm planning on ordering a Savile Row 208 from QED to tide me over until(fingers crossed) I get the B&B brush. Read somewhere that QED switched brush suppliers so thought I'd ask if that's worth worrying about.
2) I was watching an Ebay auction that had a Superspeed and a Fatboy but too many people noticed it. Should I be patient or go ahead and get the Merkur HD from QED as well? Twenty-eight dollars so not too weighty a decision. The main concern I had here is the cleanliness of auctioned razors that are not, explicitly stated to be "cleaned", "sanitized", "autoclaved", etc. Without a box full of lab/barber supplies can I clean something well enough to not contract hepatitis or ebola or whatever the hell else may be UPSed to my door?
3) From ClassicShaving, an alum block and I was thinking about <a href="http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522952/203766.htm">this bowl</a> for lathering. But I saw some nice stone bowls at Em's and was wondering if the quality difference was enough to justify the additional cost($12.99 at Classic's vs. $30-$40 at Em's...both w/ soap). I doubt I can go wrong with either but was hoping someone could give me an informed opinion of each.
4) For soap containers I was thinking about small Rubbermaid burp tops--Stainguards(I think...from The Container Store). That should make melting, stacking, storing, etc. easier unless I'm totally missing something which wouldn't be a shock. The Rubbermaids are 1.1 cups volume...is that sufficient enough for the more popular soap sizes? Shouldn't be a problem adding texture to the inside and outside.
5) I was planning on hitting up Scotto for his aftershave and cream samples but wasn't sure what the hell I should get. I'm a virgin in all things non-canned. And I've never used an aftershave.... I'd like to stay away from anything too extreme.
6) I looked all over trying to avoid asking this question but here I am. Scars. I have one(3/4" long...kind of like an extremely flat Y) on the bottom of my chin(1/4" below jaw line...not very noticeable). How annoying will that be with a DE? Am I looking at a daily bloodbath unless I keep the Mach 3 around to mop up the area?
I promise this will be the longest post I ever make.
1) I'm planning on ordering a Savile Row 208 from QED to tide me over until(fingers crossed) I get the B&B brush. Read somewhere that QED switched brush suppliers so thought I'd ask if that's worth worrying about.
2) I was watching an Ebay auction that had a Superspeed and a Fatboy but too many people noticed it. Should I be patient or go ahead and get the Merkur HD from QED as well? Twenty-eight dollars so not too weighty a decision. The main concern I had here is the cleanliness of auctioned razors that are not, explicitly stated to be "cleaned", "sanitized", "autoclaved", etc. Without a box full of lab/barber supplies can I clean something well enough to not contract hepatitis or ebola or whatever the hell else may be UPSed to my door?
3) From ClassicShaving, an alum block and I was thinking about <a href="http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522952/203766.htm">this bowl</a> for lathering. But I saw some nice stone bowls at Em's and was wondering if the quality difference was enough to justify the additional cost($12.99 at Classic's vs. $30-$40 at Em's...both w/ soap). I doubt I can go wrong with either but was hoping someone could give me an informed opinion of each.
4) For soap containers I was thinking about small Rubbermaid burp tops--Stainguards(I think...from The Container Store). That should make melting, stacking, storing, etc. easier unless I'm totally missing something which wouldn't be a shock. The Rubbermaids are 1.1 cups volume...is that sufficient enough for the more popular soap sizes? Shouldn't be a problem adding texture to the inside and outside.
5) I was planning on hitting up Scotto for his aftershave and cream samples but wasn't sure what the hell I should get. I'm a virgin in all things non-canned. And I've never used an aftershave.... I'd like to stay away from anything too extreme.
6) I looked all over trying to avoid asking this question but here I am. Scars. I have one(3/4" long...kind of like an extremely flat Y) on the bottom of my chin(1/4" below jaw line...not very noticeable). How annoying will that be with a DE? Am I looking at a daily bloodbath unless I keep the Mach 3 around to mop up the area?
I promise this will be the longest post I ever make.