Thread: Return to DE and need more info...

So Ive been reading articles for awhile, since I found the site, I have been less and less eager to plug in the old electro.

I dug in some drawers and found an old Gillette DE Safety owned by my grandfather dated J 4 (1964 i believe) in really good condition.

I thought that using this would enable to get my face used to the mechanical defoliation of the razor edge.

Ive read the wiki, seen the beginners shopping lists but still think that that info isn't clear enough.


So for the prepwork, please enlighten me...what is truly needed



Brush
Soap/Cream
aftershave

WHat are the steps?
Preshave prep
Lather stage
Shave
Rinse
Aftershave

I told my wife that Im going to have more facial products than she does lololol, but have to say she was liking my BBS shave (what parts of my cheeks actually were BBS lololol).


Is this it? I see lots of product chains like
"Use this with shaving gel; use this also with after cleaning clenser"

So really, im setting myself up for straight shaving, using a DE to make the transition (frankly haven't had this smoothe a shave in years, but won't be content until I get myself a straight because i don't like how the DE clogs) but I see the wiki sending me in the right direction, but when I look at actual product to buy, there still is a myriad of decisions to make.


I wish there was an all in 1 beginners set. Razor Strop Brush Mug, oils and aftershave set so you can order everything from one place.



By the way, Im really about to get the dovo starter set (razor strop) for 114.

Is the SRD affiliated with Lynne and this forum?


Thanks to everyone for your patience with me. Im going to have Pictures of the Engelswerk razor soon...i just might end up snagging it if they still want to sell it. They were kindof rude to me in that place i went.

Eric
Rhythmicons

Here's what I do.

I have one brush, a Col Conk 850 deluxe pure badger, and one tub of Tabac shave soap. I've three razors, a Merkur Futur, a Feather All Stainless, and a Pils stainless.

The first thing is to get hot water up to the bathroom, of course. Then, I set my brush in the lathering mug filled with hot water to soak while I shower.

In the shower, I wash my face with whatever bar soap we have. It's Dial soap for a couple more bars, anyway. I rub that soap around on my face for a minute or two before I rinse it off. I don't dry my face when I step out of the shower.

Walk over the the sink, where my brush has been soaking, and start the sink filling with water about as hot as my hands can stand it. While it's filling, I keep splashing hot water on my face to hydrate the stubble.

When the sink is full, I remove the brush from the mug, give it one squeeze, and load it with soap off the puck for thirty seconds or so. I used to count, but after a while, you can see when it's picked up enough soap.

A couple more splashes of hot water on my face, then I dip my fingers into the hot water still in the mug and drip as much as my fingers will hold into the loaded brush. I then face lather, adding more drops of water to the brush to build lather up as needed.

Lather up, shave with the grain, lather again (wetting the brush a bit in the hot water left in the mug, if needed), shave across the grain, lather the last time, shave against the grain.

Drain the sink, rinsing the brush out in the mug, while running fresh hot water into it until the water runs clear. Then, I shake as much water out of the brush as I can to dry it. This takes a half dozen pretty sharp snaps of the wrist.

Then, I rinse my face off with cold water, pat dry. Apply aftershave (I use Old Spice), use the amount of burn to judge how excessive your pressure with the razor was. A couple shots of L'Occitane Eav des Bavx.

Sometimes, I grab a couple drops of Lubriderm and rub it into my face as the last thing. It feels pretty good.

Go downstairs. Have wife feel face to brag how smooth it is, every time.

For the all in one setup you can purchase a complete package on StraightRazorDesigns site just click on the option for straight razor wet shaving sets.

The steps you outlined are about all you have to do it comes down to what works for you best. This is what drives my wife crazy is I try different soaps and creams to see what works for me both scent and consistency in my shaves. I have cut back in the past few months to work on using up the ones I have before buying new ones.

Originally Posted by Rhythmicons

Is this it? I see lots of product chains like
"Use this with shaving gel; use this also with after cleaning clencer

Is the SRD affiliated with Lynne and this forum?

Eric
Rhythmicons

Last first: yes Lynn is affiliated with SRD as in Lynn and Don is SRD

other: you probably dont want to be using shaving gel so thats not really an issue
Clencer before or after exfoliating your skin with a sharp blade is not something i would recomend

A wet shaving set contain all you need exsept for an aftershave
I would recomend an aftershave balm as atleast while your learning your face may have a tendency to dry out

Thank you everyone for you replies. It seems Im on the right track.

I got some generic brand blades, and a shaving set from the grocery store (boar brush bowl and soap) and some nivea balm.

The wife digs it, it is a bug she can appreciate.

I was suprised that even though i nicked the crap out of my face (my neck looked real horrorshow), when I woke up this morning I still was pretty smoothe. Im used to the 5:00 shadow like an hour after an electric shave lol.

Do you think that the DE usage will help my face get ready for the straight?



Again, I appreciate very much all of your inputs and patience.

Eric
Rhythmicons

It should. I actually jumped from electric right to straights and just recently got into DEs. I found the shave to be much better just because I always received a large amount of irritation from the electrics so when I switched and was getting irritation free shaves ( bbs or not ) I was a very happy camper.

Originally Posted by Rhythmicons

Thank you everyone for you replies. It seems Im on the right track.

I got some generic brand blades, and a shaving set from the grocery store (boar brush bowl and soap) and some nivea balm.

The wife digs it, it is a bug she can appreciate.

I was suprised that even though i nicked the crap out of my face (my neck looked real horrorshow), when I woke up this morning I still was pretty smoothe. Im used to the 5:00 shadow like an hour after an electric shave lol.

Do you think that the DE usage will help my face get ready for the straight?



Again, I appreciate very much all of your inputs and patience.

Eric
Rhythmicons

Shaving with a DE will help you get a lot of the techniques down that will be required for a straight.

Specifically:
1. Beard Prep
2. Lather Building
3. Skin Stretching
4. Direction of beard growth - really important
5. Post Shave Skin Treatment
6. Teach you to take good care of your tools.
7. To a lesser extent - skin break-in.

What you will still need:
1. Stropping - really important
2. Shaving technique and hand dexterity
3. Cleaning a straight
4. Touching up a straight
5. Skin break-in - don't underestimate this one, it takes as long as it takes - you can't control it and it takes typically 4-6 months
6. Patience if you do not already have it.

Don't worry or get caught up in honing right now. It will be a distraction. Learn to shave first.

Best advice I can give is slow it all down. Do not be in a rush. A straight razor shave should be like enjoying a fine cognac - sip it slowly and enjoy.