Let's consolidate product recommendations

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05-24-2009, 09:07 PM
pcb01

Let's consolidate product recommendations

All of us enjoy passing on our hard-won wisdom. Technical instruction is widely available. There's a lot of YMMV in terms of products, however.

So let's imagine Joe, 18 years old, a thoughtful young man who wants to get into straights and is willing to put his current "hobby" savings into it -- say, $100 - $200. He needs the cheapest, but serviceable, choices

Then there's Jim, a newly retired exec who wants to enjoy life, and after stumbling onto this thread has been misled into believing that straight shaving would be fun, relaxing and fulfilling. He wants the best of everything, and can afford it.

What would you recommend? I'll offer my suggestions, but would be very interested in what others would tell these two chaps.

Razor for Joe: The cheapest new Dovo he can find already honed. Wapis, I understand, are getting hard to find, and many of the restos have a little too much "character" (read: they are finicky), in my experience. Right now the best shaving razor in my rotation is the cheapest one I ever bought, a Best.

Razor for Jim: Whatever custom appeals to him in terms of style and maker.

Soap for Joe: Easy. Omega soap. Cheap, and tolerates almost any combination with water to make a beautiful lather. Rewet, and it comes back just as it ever was. Easier to use than the creams. Great for a noob.

Cream for Jim: T&H Ultimate. (Unless I get really p.o.'d with Jim for being rich and retired and having a better razor than I do. Then: MWF. That'll teach him).

Strop for Joe: Newspaper over a clipboard.

Strop(s) for Jim: Call TM and ask for one of everything.

Oil/Preshave for Joe: Olive oil, unless he wants to splurge a little. Then, J.R. Watkins Aloe and Green Tea Dry Oil Body Mist. Ideal, in my opinion. Available at WalMart -- 4oz spray for $5 (you have to endure going into the ladies' lotion aisle, however).

Oil/Preshave for Jim: Easy. Castle and Forbes "Le Pre-Rasage." Why should I be the only jerk who paid $40 for this stuff?

Brush for Joe: Again, easy. VDH boar.

Brush for Jim: The biggest, most expensive Rooney he can find. Maybe with enough bristles he can actually get a lather going on that MWF.

Balm for Joe: Nivea extra sensitive,

Balm for Jim: AOS.

Aftershave/cologne for Joe: Aramis.

Aftershave/cologne for Jim: Order a Penhaligon sampler and pick your favorite. (By the way, Jim, I know you are grateful for this advice, and please note the Blenheim can be found in 500ml bottles, and my address is...)

O.K., those are my ideas. I'm sure similar threads are out there, but products come and go and we're always making new discoveries (I found the Watkins oil a couple months ago and been trying to get the word out ever since), so let's put them in one place all newbies -- both well-heeled and not -- can find our suggestions.
05-24-2009, 09:16 PM
thebigspendur

Well I have a swell idea. If you guys have products you either like or dislike do a review in the reviews forum. That way Joel can check out the reviews forum and see in short order what products he should consider.
05-24-2009, 09:24 PM
hoglahoo

The idea is nice but prices, availability, and even quality changes over time. Current reviews are nice to refer to, and the chat room is a good place to get immediate recommendations if one for some reason does not want to research it in the forums

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well I have a swell idea. If you guys have products you either like or dislike do a review in the reviews forum. That way Joel can check out the reviews forum and see in short order what products he should consider.

Who's Joel? :thinking:
05-24-2009, 09:40 PM
chrisxc5

i pretty much am joe lol so heres my 2 cents...
i agree with the dovo "Best Quality" suggestion above and also the Van Der Hagen brush/soap/bowl package is great for the money as for a strop, find a quality site/dealer and buy the one that fits ur budget.
05-24-2009, 10:03 PM
zepplin

Hummmmm! I know this is all in fun, but Arimus A/S - Cologne for Joe? Good stuff, but about $50.00 or so the last time I looked. How about Clubman @ about $6.00 or so???

I like that "bang-fer-the-buck" much better for a college fellow!

Steve
05-25-2009, 04:48 AM
pcb01

You need to move to SC, Steve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zepplin

Hummmmm! I know this is all in fun, but Arimus A/S - Cologne for Joe? Good stuff, but about $50.00 or so the last time I looked. How about Clubman @ about $6.00 or so???

I like that "bang-fer-the-buck" much better for a college fellow!

Steve

Aramis AS is $20 (4 oz) here at WallyWorld.

Anyway, yours may be the better choice. I've never tried it. That's what this thread is about!
05-25-2009, 05:00 AM
BeBerlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well I have a swell idea. If you guys have products you either like or dislike do a review in the reviews forum. That way Joel can check out the reviews forum and see in short order what products he should consider.

All it takes is a slight modification to the review software setup, so that the reviews can be ordered by price and rating.

Or, in the case of Joel Random, "price, descending" would do.

That said, I doubt that this thread will lead to meaningful results, i.e. ones that can be generalised. Skin care in particular is a matter of personal compatibility. I would rather eat dry bread than torture my skin with something from WalMart. Maybe that is why they went belly up in Germany...
05-25-2009, 11:05 AM
dward

I concur with putting product information in the reviews section. As far as recommendations go, much of what you have there is personal choice. Scents, use of creams versus soaps, aftershaves, etc., become a matter of personal tastes and choices. Buy quality first, the rest of it will work itself out for you. :tu
05-25-2009, 02:03 PM
HungeJ0e

Well I'm a newb... but I don't see what the new Dovo's have going for them over a nice vintage from the classifieds. Seems like a lot of people complain about the quality of the new Dovo grinds, while with a good vintage blade you are picking from the best of the industry in its flourish. For the price of a new Dovo you can get at least two shave ready vintage blades... So I would definitely steer Joe towards a vintage blade...

I also don't see the point of recommending boar hair for people when a badger hair can be had for under $15...

Cheers,

- HJ
05-25-2009, 03:13 PM
BeBerlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungeJ0e

Well I'm a newb... but I don't see what the new Dovo's have going for them over a nice vintage from the classifieds.

They are new, and some people like that. They are also excellent razors, and some people like that, too. And if you buy from a reputable source, they come with a warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungeJ0e

Seems like a lot of people complain about the quality of the new Dovo grinds, [...] So I would definitely steer Joe towards a vintage blade...

Some people used to complain, and over in another forum some people still do. I have seen over 300 Dovos in the last 12 months, and I can tell you that less than 2% were "faulty", and none of them could not be made shave ready within a reasonable amount of time by a skilled honer. Dovo used to have QA problems until approx. 3 years ago, and it may well be that overseas vendors still have old stock. But I would definitly not definitly steer Joe towards a vintage blade. It is a viable alternative, but only if it is below USD 80 in mint condition and shave ready. Because that is what you get from SRD, for starters.
05-25-2009, 10:44 PM
HungeJ0e

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Some people used to complain, and over in another forum some people still do. I have seen over 300 Dovos in the last 12 months, and I can tell you that less than 2% were "faulty", and none of them could not be made shave ready within a reasonable amount of time by a skilled honer. Dovo used to have QA problems until approx. 3 years ago, and it may well be that overseas vendors still have old stock. But I would definitly not definitly steer Joe towards a vintage blade. It is a viable alternative, but only if it is below USD 80 in mint condition and shave ready. Because that is what you get from SRD, for starters.

You obviously have far more experience than myself (I've seen a total of one Dovo, and it's a nice razor). I'm only basing that on the reviews people are posting (photos of off kilter spine design, poorly manufactured jimps, etc.). You are certainly correct that some people do insist on *new* in which case they are very limited in their manufacturing choice (outside of NOS). However, a quick review of the classifieds shows many razors under $60 that are advertised as shave ready. That is why I recommend the vintage route for the newbie *on a tight budget* like the fictional Joe... not to mention it seems that case that most newbs spoil the edge one way or another (nicks, improper stropping, etc.) and it is mighty disappointing to do that to a brand new blade... plus if you get two $40 vintage instead of one brand new one, you have a spare while your main blade is off getting rehoned...

If you're not a tight budget, then the new blades certainly become an attractive option...

Cheers,

- HJ
05-25-2009, 10:55 PM
thebigspendur

I'm one of those who feel modern factory made razors are just not as good as vintage stuff. Even the vintage Dovo's and TI's were much better however that doesn't mean the new stuff isn't quality and won't give you a great shave. Its all a matter of degree like what's better a Ferrari or Lamborgini.

Having said that there is just something special about buying a brand spanking new razor and honing her up and putting it to your face. its like putting on a new pair of cowboy boots. Just a great feeling.
05-25-2009, 11:27 PM
BeBerlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I'm one of those who feel modern factory made razors are just not as good as vintage stuff. Even the vintage Dovo's and TI's were much better however that doesn't mean the new stuff isn't quality and won't give you a great shave. Its all a matter of degree like what's better a Ferrari or Lamborgini.

My TI Le Grelot outshaves most of my vintage razors. Lucky punch?

You never know when you might get lucky. Paul and I traded some rather odd (small vs. old) razors, and I am exceedingly happy with them.

Regards,
Robin

P.S. An h after a g in Italian makes the g go hard.
05-26-2009, 03:12 AM
FreyGrimrod

Newsprint has its place... As for make shift cheap strops also a fan of sanding any creases out of a relatively new broken belt (or old one in decent shape) has to be wide enough though.... Or Balsa wood cheap soft don't need that clipboard just a flat surface some folks might argue it needs to be lapped.... (and the piece purchased would likely also have enough extra to get a 4$ package of CrO and have a pasted one also for touch ups before sending out to rehone)
05-26-2009, 03:31 AM
gugi

I don't like recommending the same thing to everybody. Every person has different values and priorities and they can make their own decision based on those.
We're not a place to endorse or push particular products, but to provide good information.
When people are new to this they often just want to be given an easy answer. I don't believe this is a very good thing and I prefer to encourage them to do their own research instead of letting somebody else decide what's best for them.
There is no perfect solution and given the limitations imposed by finances, availability of products and personal differences I don't feel comfortable telling people which option to pick.
05-26-2009, 07:27 PM
jbcohen

Hopefully joe's dad has planned for his son some time in advance and hands joe a already stropped and honed Dovo, a tube of Kiss My Face shave cream, a badger hair brush and a bottle of Clubman-Pinaud and says "this will get you started, everything after this you pay for yourself." This is what I plan to do for my four year old son.
05-27-2009, 09:15 PM
pcb01

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Hopefully joe's dad has planned for his son some time in advance and hands joe a already stropped and honed Dovo, a tube of Kiss My Face shave cream, a badger hair brush and a bottle of Clubman-Pinaud and says "this will get you started, everything after this you pay for yourself." This is what I plan to do for my four year old son.

Gosh, JB, if he's only four, I hope you include a styptic pencil in with the package. :)
05-27-2009, 09:55 PM
igitur55

I think this review consolidation is a good idea, and could maybe grow legs. Certainly, I really have appreciated all of the advice I have read in the various forums here, and it has informed pretty much all of my choices for razors and related products. One thing that strikes me is that newbies hit the website asking more or less the same newbie questions each time. Is there a way to help them more easily access basic beginner info? Or, is it better the way it is, allowing newbs to introduce themselves into the community, and the more seasoned users guide them through some of the beginning steps?