Thread: New member introduction from John (jwy77)

Hello all my name is John. It is really nice to see that there is a forum for good shaving and grooming tips. I am 38. I have neglected my own shaving needs for too long and have only used brand name and cheap supplies. My birthday was January 19th and my older brother had mentioned to me that he has been going to a local barber shop and maybe I should try it out. I got a GREAT straight razor shave by a true barber and have been shaving daily since. For me personally it is not self absortion but self respect. I am currently using Razo-Rock XXX, and an inexpensive boar hair brush. I am also finishing out the cheap (by cheap I mean crappy not price) razors. I have ordered an Edwin Jagger DE89Lbl, and a sample back of blades from West Coast shaving. My brother did let me try his merkur 34c and it went well. I am looking for advice on shave soaps, blades, razors, hot towels, pomades, and any other advice from those that enjoy the peace and ritual that grooming provides.

Thanks in advance
John

As with most things in life, you won't know if you like it until you try it. You are faced with a plethora of products, ranging in price from inexpensive (cheap to some and they won't try them because of that) to overly expensive (same holds true for this category as well.) My advice is to start on the low cost end of things and slowly try out soaps and creams. There are excellent ones from a Mexican shaving soap puck (under $4USD) to brands in the $30 to $40USD range. Most providers have a sample size of the soaps/creams and DE/SE blades they carry. Cheap way of finding your way.

The other area I want to address is this: If in your doing a hot water/hot lather shave you encounter a level of irritation that is not pleasant consider a lukewarm or a cold water shave. Irritations almost don't exist in those kind of shaves.

And BTW, welcome to SRP, read, ask, read some more and question a lot. WE have as many answers as there are stars in the sky.

Hello, John. Welcome to SRP!
One of my favorite creams right now is Cella so I have to recommend it. Cella is a almond-scented tallow soap. Permasharp, Gillette Silver Blue, and Astra are some good DE blades to check out.

Welcome to SRP

Welcome to SRP

Hi and welcome. Will second the Cella. Just got some and finding it better than some more expensive onesonesI have. Have only tried astra and feather blades and the astra seems good. Only just started using de here and there and mainly use straights.

Originally Posted by jwy77

Hello all my name is John. For me personally it is not self-absorption but self respect. John

Hello and welcome John.
I have not read this line before.
I am impressed how well it describes our nature.
Glad you made it over,........

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

As with most things in life, you won't know if you like it until you try it. You are faced with a plethora of products, ranging in price from inexpensive (cheap to some and they won't try them because of that) to overly expensive (same holds true for this category as well.) My advice is to start on the low cost end of things and slowly try out soaps and creams. There are excellent ones from a Mexican shaving soap puck (under $4USD) to brands in the $30 to $40USD range. Most providers have a sample size of the soaps/creams and DE/SE blades they carry. Cheap way of finding your way.

The other area I want to address is this: If in your doing a hot water/hot lather shave you encounter a level of irritation that is not pleasant consider a lukewarm or a cold water shave. Irritations almost don't exist in those kind of shaves.

And BTW, welcome to SRP, read, ask, read some more and question a lot. WE have as many answers as there are stars in the sky.

Thanks for the response. I am a welder, In a few more years I will Master welding. The only reason I am even close to weld master is because I have learned from better welders. Thanks for not treating me like I am stupid just because I don't know everything about shaving yet. You might just be on to something with the luke warm or cold water shave. Haven't tried it yet, but that might be an option for the skin irritation. Are you using that as an option?

I just read a little about Cella. Thanks for the reply!

jwy77, only a fool would judge another person stupid. We all start somewhere to get to another place. That's what education is all about. This forum is not for judging people but to help them learn about wet shaving. As you read in the forum you will see we do not tolerate any bad manners, language or attitudes. We are all here to share what ever we know with each other.

This person: Durhampiper (Durham) is listed on our Local Help list as someone in your area willing to meet and help new wet shavers. PM if you want to and want to set up a session or two for a face to face session. If you look over the various sections we do have one devoted to DE shavers. I'm sure if you interact in that section other DE shavers near you will respond and can also give decent advice if asked and be willing to meet with you. Depending on the area there are mini-meets on and off during the year in various areas of the country. Not sure about yours, but that will surface if there are any.

Do read all you can in the Library. Good info there. ANd of course, you can ask any question on the forum. There will be many answers for you.

Before I forget, I am a cold water shaver. No irritation and very refreshing, especially in the Summer and bracing in the Winter.