Hello all From Maine

Good day all.. I found this site while in search of a new safety razor. I am sick of paying $1k for razor blades once a month and still getting a crappy shave.

I plan to start with a good safety razor and also get a straight blade to start to practice with.

What are the best brands to go with or stay away from. I have been looking at the Merkur long safety and maybe a Dovo or Art of shaving blade. I have been using Maca Root shave cream from the Body Shop and really like it. Will that also be ok to stick with.

Thanks in advance ,

Brian

Merkur makes a good safety razor. I have the progress and the slant by Merkur. As far as the brand of blade, everyone will tell you to get a sample pack from your vendor. Double edge razors have different coatings and different grinds, so you need to sample at least half a dozen to determine which are your favorites. As far as choosing your straight razor, check out the links on the homepage (upper left corner) of StraightRazorPlace. There is a lot of good information that will assist you in your decision making. Also, check the classifieds here, you may save money by getting a used shave-ready blade. Enjoy the journey.

Welcome to SRP!
The Maca Root cream will do the job. I have used it with a straight and was happy with the performance.
i have never used a DE so I can't help there.

I'm use a vintage Gillette DE when I need a day off from a straight razor and Astra Platinum coated blades. Many other brands, some old, some contemporary. It's a YMMV situation. +1 on the classifieds for a moderately priced straight razor shave ready. Maca Root is par t of my almost daily uber lather. Very good lather and cushion for the blade.

A lot of people seem to think a DE is difficult to use. Learn the right angle to hold the razor at and you can compete with a straight shave most days.

Hello & Welcome !!

Hello! Lots of great information and people on this site, so read a bunch before you purchase anything and then after you purchase your stuff...there are a lot of veterans to help you through the rough spots!! Never used A DE but started SR shaving for the same reason as you!! I've been at it for 4 months and I now look forward to my morning ritual of shaving and not buying cartridges every month for a crappy shave....however if you are like most of us you will soon be looking (and buying) a bunch of stuff and be constantly looking for the holy grail of razors, strops, hones, shave soaps, creams, pre-shave oils, aftershaves, hones ect, ect. Take it slow, don't get discouraged and most of all have fun!

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I have been up late last night and reading most of the morning doing research and watching videos, what a wealth of info on here. Last night I purchased a Merkur long handled safety razor with an assortment pack of blades. This am I finally found a T-L in stock ( seems they are out of stock everywhere for a decent one ) Ended up with the Thiers Issard Spartacus set with a 3" strop and some accessories.

I shaved the beard off this am and will do my last couple s**t razor shaves this week while waiting. Cant wait to try the straight sunday :)

Hi and welcome to SRP. Those are some good brands to work with. Maybe try a sampler pack of blades as was already suggested. That way you can figure out which ones work best for your face. Good luck! :)

Welcome Mainiac! You've come to the right place for suggestions, encouragement, and comeraderie centered on wet shaving. I don't have much more experience at this than you, having returned to DE shaving in Dec '13, and SR shaving in Jan '14. I'd used DE and a shavette in my mid-twenties, but switched to cartridges in the late '70s. I've had a remarkably good experience in the transition back to wet shaving, with both the DE (E Jagger 89) and the SR (Dovo 5/8" best). IMO, the more experienced men and women on this site have a lot to do with how well newbies will pick up the necessary skills for a smooth transition. The advice, the videos, and the shared experience all contribute to a most enjoyable learning curve. Congratulations on joining the club, and enjoy, my friend!

Hi and welcome. Make sure your SR was honed otherwise the blade might not be truly shave ready. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.