Thread: at the risk of being tarred and feathered out of here

If its Nivea its a pleasurable choice. Not bad for a quickie

Originally Posted by khaos

Here's my suggestion. Buy the VDH shave set from Walmart, Walgreens, Right Aid, etc. The Bowl in the set is worth twice as much as the set, so its definitely worth it. The brush is okay for a starter I used it for 4 months. Not as good as the Badger Vulfix I have now, but I think its a matter of luxury more than anything. I can lather just fine with the VDH, it just takes more effort, more learning, doesn't feel as good, etc. but at the end of the process the lather is fine. The soap works quite well for $2/being included in the set. This set costs $10 for brush bowl and soap. Doesn't get any cheaper or better value unless you buy something REALLY crappy that won't work.

that's what i ended up doing. i've got a pretty entry level set up now- $7 brush/soap/bowl + a brush holder i made of a wire hanger (to be able to hang it bristle side down in order to dry), a $25 razor, and $20 strop. i still need to go to the hardware store in order to get a hook i can drill in to my wall at waist level to hold the strop. all in all, i'll have gotten started for under $55
(not counting the very nice $130 razor that I'm saving until I get the hang of things!)
so, i'm ready /enough/ to get started. i've got sunday morning blocked out for shave time, that way I'm not in any kind of rush!


edit: hopefully i can get to british isle store sometime this week (not likely seeing as how i usually don't have free time until after they close, but i'll try on the weekend) to at least gawk at some supplies

Originally Posted by jehan60188

that's what i ended up doing. i've got a pretty entry level set up now- $7 brush/soap/bowl + a brush holder i made of a wire hanger (to be able to hang it bristle side down in order to dry), a $25 razor, and $20 strop. i still need to go to the hardware store in order to get a hook i can drill in to my wall at waist level to hold the strop. all in all, i'll have gotten started for under $55
(not counting the very nice $130 razor that I'm saving until I get the hang of things!)
so, i'm ready /enough/ to get started. i've got sunday morning blocked out for shave time, that way I'm not in any kind of rush!

Pick up some glycerin from teh grocery store/walmart/whatever. Then melt down the vdh in the microwave in bowl/mug/whatever. You will want to do 10-20 burst in the microwave, keep an eye on it.

Once it is in liquid form. pour in a bit of glycerin and mix together. then let cool and solidify.

Really improves this soap.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Pick up some glycerin from teh grocery store/walmart/whatever. Then melt down the vdh in the microwave in bowl/mug/whatever. You will want to do 10-20 burst in the microwave, keep an eye on it.

Once it is in liquid form. pour in a bit of glycerin and mix together. then let cool and solidify.

Really improves this soap.

thanks, i'll give that a try. glycerin would be like right near the rubbing alcohol, and witch hazel?

Originally Posted by jehan60188

thanks, i'll give that a try. glycerin would be like right near the rubbing alcohol, and witch hazel?

I think that is where i found it before.

You can also get some essential oil and add a couple drops if you want to make it smell nice.

Sometimes i just use a bit of soap to make my face slippery a bit.
Slipperiness is the key in regular shaves, IMO not foam. haven't notice any important difference to justify my time spent in making and applying the soap foam.

There is something called a "shave stick" which is like an extra large lipstick tube thingy full of shave soap. You rub it right on your face, then work it over with your brush. I think this makes a lot of sense.... you're getting the skin nice and soaped up, then you are coating it with lather to seal the moisture in.

I personally use regular lather, but as a "preshave" I wash my face with something nice for my skin.

Be ready to stretch open the pocketbook a bit. My best pure badger brush cost $55.00 alone. I started with a $7 boars brush and $1.50 puck soap from CVS. After two days, I opened up the wallet and decided I had enough and bought myself serious performing tools and I am so happy I did. "How little I knew" is all I kept saying to myself for weeks.

Newbies are allowed some latitude when starting out and SRP is here to help you out. If I can suggest the minimum straight shaving tools to get started:

Diane 21 disposable straight with blades - $15.00 (Feather knockoff)
Col. Conk Soap - $5 - $7
Cough, Cough,..... a boars brush $7
Nice waterbased facial skin cream for after the shave $7-$10

It works, but may you be inspired to upgrade the brush.

Good Luck!

Pabster

I mentioned this earlier, but what I strongly strongly recommend, while the budget option is perfectly fine and workable, that you buy the best things you can afford (though I am a firm believer that the ratio of quality to price of a $400 brush and a $40 is way off). I suggest buying a cheap badger brush, Muehle has been reviewed in the reviews section by a mod and he seemed to think it was great for a newbie brush, Tweezerman makes a $13 badger brush and is owned by Henckels, and there are some cheap Vulfixes. Though if you make teh jump and get a Vulfix, I would recommend the London series. Great bang for the buck, and range from $35 to $60 so lots of options.
Colonel Conk is decent soap, you can find it for $3.50 now and then. Lynn and Don just had a sale where I snagged some almond for that price. A nice shave ready straight, or honestly, a nice vintage straight sent out to Utopian or Leighton for free honing, or even another $15 is well worth it. (A $45 shave ready is the same as a $30 +$15 honing....)
I would say if you have a budget of around $75, thats perfect. Get a vintage straight ($40ish) the Philly strop from Kenrup (I think $20?) Tweezerman brush and soap ($15ish). If you has $100 you're a little better off... Same strop, better brush, and a little more flexibility on the razor.