Thread: New Guy tired of wasting money on disposable blades.

You have been given wise advice. Let me refine it some. As BobH said lather is one of the very important aspects of a decent shave, with any razor. Accordingly, you may want to start with one of the SRD kits, which is essentially what I did, one piece at a time (thereby missing the discounts), but I'd also look for a quality (not expensive) brush, which could be an Omega or a Semogue boar or a badger from a reputable manufacturer like those two. Then I would still buy a quality, but inexpensive DE razor and blade sampler pack as a back-up, and as a learning tool. Unless you are THE exception, you won't be getting an ideal shave over your whole face with a SR for a while, and a DE still lets you have SHARP, inexpensively...and gives you a way to know how you're doing with lather.

Originally Posted by BobH

Now that is really good advice. Most shave soaps and shave creams I have tried will do the job if you know how to make lather regardless of price. A properly made good lather will improve any shave no matter the type of razor used. One of my favourite shave brushes is an inexpensive Omega 10066 boar brush. The only thing with boar brushes is that they a break in period of about 2 weeks of every day use to really soften the tips. After that I find them very nice on the face.

Get a good basic, you don't need fancy, shave ready straight razor and learn how to use it. Same goes for the soap/cream and brush. Once you are getting good shaves from that basic combination try different things.

Bob

I have the omega 10098 and it really is very good, the only downside was the wet animal smell for the first 10 or so shaves. Once the smell had washed out it was fine.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I have the omega 10098 and it really is very good, the only downside was the wet animal smell for the first 10 or so shaves. Once the smell had washed out it was fine.

I am blessed with bad olfactory senses so I never noticed that and I am also that guy who wears too much EDT because of it.

Bob

Welcome, and hopefully you'll no longer dislike shaving. Shaving with a straight is a pleasurable experience.

We saved you I hope. No more cartridge razors, that's what is causing your skin problems. Yes try a good quality DE and then move up to a straight. The classifieds on here are a good place. Also you can try Bobs razors.com. He sells vintage razors that he reconditions and he hones a mean blade I must say.

Best of luck.Thank god we found you.

I bought my last cartridge pack in 2006! It's a great feeling to be free of that loathsome bondage.

A white vinegar soak and shampoo with hair shampoo will cut the break in time and remove the smell of a boar brush quickly.

About an oz. of white vinegar in a cup of hot water and a 15 min soak, then shampoo in your hand rinse and repeat if needed. Once dry you will notice the brush will bloom nicely.