Thread: Newbie from Colorado

Hello, semi n00b myself.

I am actually 5 months in, all of it done on a dovo prima. I am very glad my research pointed me to it, well it actually pointed me to what is on your wishlist, but I went for the prima.

I took a little bit of a chance on the van der hagen set. its pretty cheap and the first brush needed some rogain. A couple quick emails to the company headquarters and the just sent me a new brush, and it has been allright. still drops a hair or 3 each shave. I have gotten decent lather consistely after the learning curve, and I like the smell.

Amazon.com: Van Der Hagen Men's Luxury, Shave Set: Health & Personal Care

as for the strop, same one I purchased. Be prepared to exchange it. I have purchased 2 and the 2nd one came wrinkled. I exchanged it for a body toolz one that was in worse shape, but i like the webbed linen on it vs the lined linen on the fromm. But I still have and use the original fromm strop, nicks and all. Just waiting to get a couple months with no nicks to upgrade the strop.

Hey, welcome from NC, also a Noob, but I got a Van Der Hagen Boar Brush after I had been using a "Shea Moisture Badger Hair" brush that my wife got me for my birthday. It was night and day, sadly for the Van Der Hagen the shea moisture brush was way better. I returned the Van Der Hagen set to Target, and bought another Shea Moisture Badger. ($10). Not promoting the company in any way, I think they sell it at Wal-Mart too, and I found Tweezerman Badger Brushes for $17 at our Local Super Grocery Stores. I don't know anything about those though. (Looks too similar to what I have for me to make the extra expenditure.) I also started with a DOVO Best Quality, and it is still near the top of my favorites. It is, however a 6/8. A friend was good enough to get me started with it, unfortunately I came down with a severe case of RAD and now have more razors than I can use in two weeks, but hey, I have tried them all, and several of them twice or more.

I am originally from Wyoming (Cheyenne), and if I remember right, Centennial is in the metro area of Denver isn't it? I think I had to go down there for some wrestling tournaments in HS. From what I hear, there is quite a wet-shaving community in that area. Good luck with everything, you are doing it right with the research first.

Welcome from noob in AZ. As a newbie the only advice I can give is be patient with the learning curve. I only have a little over a month in but it is slowly coming together. My stropping is getting much better and my shaves are improving as well. I still can't get a bbs with the straight but I can get a complete shave that is pretty darn good. Pay close attention to your stropping and don't be in a hurry.

I will say I have really been enjoying the scents from the creams, soaps, and pre/post shave balms.

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Yochatman

Hey, welcome from NC, also a Noob, but I got a Van Der Hagen Boar Brush after I had been using a "Shea Moisture Badger Hair" brush that my wife got me for my birthday. It was night and day, sadly for the Van Der Hagen the shea moisture brush was way better. I returned the Van Der Hagen set to Target, and bought another Shea Moisture Badger. ($10). Not promoting the company in any way, I think they sell it at Wal-Mart too, and I found Tweezerman Badger Brushes for $17 at our Local Super Grocery Stores. I don't know anything about those though.

How did the soap do in that van der hagen set? And how did it smell? I have heard very good things about the tweezerman brushes (for their price) I picked up either a williams or van der hagen boar brush and really did not like that experience either.

I do still have a puck of Van Der Hagen, as it was 3.99 and with the purchase of the brush it was still a lot less than the 19.99, but I am spoiled, my father-in-law got me some Nomad from Crabtree and Evelyn for Christmas and then I got samples of some of the best stuff from the friend that introduced me to Straights. The soap does really work though, and it is pretty smooth on the skin, it actually left a decent amount of lubrication the few times I have used it. It's not Vito's extra or Tabac, but it works well. Can't ever discount something because it's cheap (or discounted).

I hear that. The van der hagen badger brush has done me well so far. Now that I got everything pretty well down I am starting to experiment a bit more. The soap from the luxury set has put down williams and col' conk (liked the smell but I expected an african shrunken head in the mirror after using). The jury is still out comparing it to a homemade soap from a forum member on here. I still gotta test try the homemade soap with the dovo & the everlasting with the van der hagen before i will make a call on it lol. I wont judge a new soap on a new razor.

Hey Colorado brother!!

First, Welcome!! Glad another local guy is joining in!

Second, where are you in the state?? I'm in a suburb of Denver, and if you are close by, I offer you any assistance you might require to help get you started! There are a few of us around who can hone, so when you are in need of a fresh edge, speak up!!

Also, we often share samples of different things to help keep costs down, so if there is something you would like to try without purchasing the whole batch, also speak up!

Eventually you will need to get your new razor (I assume RAD hasn't hit to bad yet) or want to try out different razors and when that day comes, talk to me! I'll help out any way I can.

Again, welcome to the brotherhood, and I hope to see you at the next Denver meetup if it's something you can make it to.

Good luck and happy shaving!!

Mike

Originally Posted by mjhammer

Hey Colorado brother!!

First, Welcome!! Glad another local guy is joining in!

Second, where are you in the state?? I'm in a suburb of Denver, and if you are close by, I offer you any assistance you might require to help get you started! There are a few of us around who can hone, so when you are in need of a fresh edge, speak up!!

Also, we often share samples of different things to help keep costs down, so if there is something you would like to try without purchasing the whole batch, also speak up!

Eventually you will need to get your new razor (I assume RAD hasn't hit to bad yet) or want to try out different razors and when that day comes, talk to me! I'll help out any way I can.

Again, welcome to the brotherhood, and I hope to see you at the next Denver meetup if it's something you can make it to.

Good luck and happy shaving!!

Mike

Thanks Mike!
Im just south west of Denver in Littleton. My blade and supplies should be showing up towards the end of the week... so this weekend I will give my first beginner sideburn shave a shot and go from there. I'm really getting excited and stare constantly at other blades and how beautiful they look. I wont pull the trigger on another for a bit as I want to get my feet wet first... but its definitely drawing me in. Looking forward to meeting up with everyone too at the next meet.

Thanks again for the welcomes from everyone and I am glad to be a part of the community!

Got my blade and strop wednesday! Thanks Lynn and Don!
Also got my bowl, brush and paraso yesterday... looking forward to finally giving it a shot this weekend. Been watching the videos and posts on everything I can.

Originally Posted by CoreyZ

Got my blade and strop wednesday! Thanks Lynn and Don!
Also got my bowl, brush and paraso yesterday... looking forward to finally giving it a shot this weekend. Been watching the videos and posts on everything I can.

Corey, just remember to take it slow, watch the angles and pressure and only do parts that are 'easy' at first. Man, I can't stress angles enough. Watch your ears, it easy to cut the fronts at the sideburns until you find the spot that is just right. I know, LOL!! I built a few scars starting out, right at the front of the ears, mostly on the left side, cuz I'm right handed.

Good luck, and make it fun and enjoyable, don't get discouraged if all does not go well right off.

That's about all the advice that comes to mind, except, let us know how it goes!!

M