Thread: New member here need help

What size brush and shaving cream is this kit ? I just got back from "the art of shaving" and budgeted about 115 to start

It all depends on what you want to spend. For about $12 at a local pharmacy (Wallgreens, etc.) you can pick up a VDH starter kit with boar brush, soap, and bowl. VDH soap is available just about anyplace that sells shaving equipment and is a standard for me.

Starting with beard prep, stretching, and good lather will do a lot to enhance your shaves with your current implement. You can pick up a vintage DE razor in decent condition for as little as $15 either here on the classifieds, the bay, or a local antique shop. DE blades come in an incredible variety, but two versions are easily had at Wally World or local pharmacies (Wilkinson Swords, & Astras--I think they're Astras, I can't remember).

I picked up a good DE for $2 at a local antique shop, so you could theoretically give DE shaving a fair start for as little as $15.

Everything upgrades from there, in expense if not quality.

Peace,
Jim

Thoughts on weishi 9306G I'm looking for one under 20.00

I was having similar problems to you and since changing to a brush and soap with a straight razor and a safety its all cleared up.

I'd have to recommend any of the Edwin Jagger 8 series I have a 89lbl and it is amazing its around $40 but its so good you'll struggle to find anything better at the moment. IMO its worth a bit extra for it.
Hope that helps

Just used a van dee Hagen kit along with my Schlick hydro after the shower and got razor burn just like any other. I feel like it might be due to not enough lather. It wasn't really filling the bowl like I had expected. I used the brush soaked in water then flicking off about 85% of the water and the scrubbing the brush against the soap bar for about. 20 seconds then proceeding to the warmed bowl for about a min or two

There's an art of shaving about 45 mins away and I figured I'd get a de razor and then a squeeze bottle of shaving cream instead of the soap what do y'all recommend?

It's the technique you learn when wet shaving that carries over and makes even cartridge shaves better (not as good mind you, but better).

The VDH is a work horse, but every horse needs some breaking in. The VDH soap is good, but if you've never made lather before you have to work the learning curve. You started with the right process (though it sounds a little dry IMO--I'd add more water). If you follow this process for three days you'll find yourself making progress. Alternatively, you could sit in front of the TV at night and work up lather in the bowl. It'd break in your brush more quickly, help you learn the lathering process, and soften up the puck making subsequent shaves a quicker process.

When I start a new puck (or switch back to one after a few days) I always pour water on it the night before. The soap softens up and lathers more quickly that way. So long as I'm using it daily the soap stays moist and ready to go.

Learning to wet shave is learning. It's not something that's been over-engineered to be "intuitive" like pretty much everything else on the market today. If you pick up a DE razor you will almost certainly get razor burn the first shave (maybe the second and third too). That's how the razor talks to you when you're misusing it. It's effective though and helps you learn quickly. And once you do, you'll never go back.

Smooth Shaving,
Jim

Originally Posted by BigJim

It's the technique you learn when wet shaving that carries over and makes even cartridge shaves better (not as good mind you, but better).

The VDH is a work horse, but every horse needs some breaking in. The VDH soap is good, but if you've never made lather before you have to work the learning curve. You started with the right process (though it sounds a little dry IMO--I'd add more water). If you follow this process for three days you'll find yourself making progress. Alternatively, you could sit in front of the TV at night and work up lather in the bowl. It'd break in your brush more quickly, help you learn the lathering process, and soften up the puck making subsequent shaves a quicker process.

When I start a new puck (or switch back to one after a few days) I always pour water on it the night before. The soap softens up and lathers more quickly that way. So long as I'm using it daily the soap stays moist and ready to go.

Learning to wet shave is learning. It's not something that's been over-engineered to be "intuitive" like pretty much everything else on the market today. If you pick up a DE razor you will almost certainly get razor burn the first shave (maybe the second and third too). That's how the razor talks to you when you're misusing it. It's effective though and helps you learn quickly. And once you do, you'll never go back.

Smooth Shaving,
Jim

I was actually thinking about making a couple attempts at lathering some up this evening for practice