Thread: Would like to introduce myself and ask a few questions

Thank you both for your replies. I am playing around with the WIKI now and have learned some pretty neat stuff.

I just took my Merkur out from the depths of the medicine cabinet and put on a Feather Hi-Stainless Platinum blade that I just got on eBay. I used my usual cream, technique, etc... and got an amazing shave with almost zero irritation on 7 day old growth. I will try the same set-up tomorrow to see if it will make me be able to shave daily. That would be pretty great! My skin is a little dry now but nothing a good after-shave lotion couldn't help (any recommendations?) and certainly better than the results I used to get with my Fusion. All I know now is that the Gillette Fusion is in the trash.

Also, does anyone have experience with Geo F. Trumper products? I watched a TV show on them and they seemed pretty nice.

Originally Posted by BGAndrea

Also, does anyone have experience with Geo F. Trumper products? I watched a TV show on them and they seemed pretty nice.

I haven't tried them myself, but they have some very ardent fans here.

welcome to srp, brandon.

looks like you already did what i was going to suggest, i.e. give that merkur another try.
At the end of the day it's just a piece of steel cutting hair, so there's no reason the multiblades will be better. they don't offer almost any level of control over the process and that is only detrimental to cutting the whiskers in the best possible way. just use a light touch.

i use the skin foods from trumper and i like them in particular the sandalwood and the coral/rose. i think they may still be offering a sampler of their products, check their website.
i haven't liked any of their colognes enough to justify a buy and i don't remember if i've tried the soaps&creams.

have fun and keep us posted.

Originally Posted by BGAndrea

Thank you both for your replies. I am playing around with the WIKI now and have learned some pretty neat stuff.

I just took my Merkur out from the depths of the medicine cabinet and put on a Feather Hi-Stainless Platinum blade that I just got on eBay. I used my usual cream, technique, etc... and got an amazing shave with almost zero irritation on 7 day old growth. I will try the same set-up tomorrow to see if it will make me be able to shave daily. That would be pretty great! My skin is a little dry now but nothing a good after-shave lotion couldn't help (any recommendations?) and certainly better than the results I used to get with my Fusion. All I know now is that the Gillette Fusion is in the trash.

Feathers were my favorites too, but I've switched entirely to straights now. They are amazingly sharp and give a good shave for me. I'd be wary of trying it again tomorrow. The first time I used a feather, I liked the way it shaved so much, I tried to shave again too soon and had quite a bit of irritation. Especially if you aren't doing anything to your skin post shave. FOr a quick inexpensive fix for that, grab some generic witch hazel and a Nivea for Men AS of some sort. I'm partial to the balm myself.

Welcome to SRD and good luck

Originally Posted by BGAndrea

Also, does anyone have experience with Geo F. Trumper products? I watched a TV show on them and they seemed pretty nice.

I recently purchased a sampler of Trumpers from barclay crocker. I have found the scents to be very nice and the lather to be excellent. Good luck with your studies.

all of the trumpers face foods are great! i get about 4 months out of 3.5 ounce bottle, and i use it every day on my face and bald head! a little goes a long way. and welcome to the club

I always recommend Nivea Sensitive to newcomers to traditional wetshaving. Not only is it very gentle, being alcohol free, but it's very soothing and is readily available at an affordable price at most supermarkets.

After doing some research, here is what I am going to try first:

Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil
Geo F. Trumper Rose Shaving Soap
My Merkur HD with Feather blade
Truefitt & Hill After Shave Balm

In the move to straight razor shaving, I think I am going to get a Dovo Shavette to start with so I can learn proper shaving technique without being able to blame my improper honing/stropping. Later, I would like to get a Dovo Classic or something to learn honing/stropping with.

I have sensitive skin, but not as bad as your skin it would appear. The best advice for me was from mantic59 on youtube: never go over the same spot twice in a row, just once nice stroke and move on to the next spot. Think of it as beard reduction passes. Heard it from him, not sure who said it first

Since switching to the straight and/or DE I have reduced my number of ingrown hairs so much that I can't remember the last time I had one.

Good luck!
jeff