Thread: Testing the waters

Just to be clear - there are no rules, just results lol. That's why we always say YMMV. Sure 99.9999% of us are going to want to wet shave but I bet there is a dude out there who doesn't... I can't imagine it, but statistically there has to be one guy! That guy might be you lol.

I love how the founder (Lynn) signs off with "have fun" on most of his posts. I think it's because he's been around long enough to know we are all going to do dumb stuff here and there - might as well have fun lol!!

What does YMMV stand for? Yes I am a newbie. LOL> I would like to try a shave soap, but I do not have a brush. Do you know where I could buy a brush, or do I have to order it online? Also, what soap are you talking about? I am not familiar with KC MI. Does KC stand for something?

PS-I like the no rules, just results....and I totally picture you saying it like a coach or a seargent.

Sorry - truly lol. Acronyms are only good if others know them lol. There is someplace on the wiki that has all the "code" but I can't find it so here goes lol.

YMMV - your mileage may vary. As in it works for me but who knows what'll happen for you... just saying it works for me .
KC MI - Kansas City Missouri. As in, that part of the city that's not in the right state lol!

You can get a brush at Walgreens, Walmart... you know a Wal-something. They are cheep, and one day you'll get a better one and wonder why you didn't buy a badger on-line right from the start... that is until you get a stubborn soap or cream and decide to give old "cheapo" a go again. They all do different things and you might find you'll never want to get a better one - that is for sure a YMMV thing .

If you want to have a look at the ones that are offered on-line - click on any of the sponsors links in this site... they'll have em for all kinds of coin!

Ha Ha....I just thougt it was a newbie thing. I figured everyone knows and I wanted to find out before I use it in the wrong context! I will more then likely thorw some money into this hobby once I am sure it will become a hobby for me. I do not want to spend a TON of money on it until I know for sure. I alreaddy find myself wanting to purchase numerous straight razors, yet I do not know if I will ever use them! I have a feeling that I will become addicted and have to start a SRA (Straight Razor Anon)!!!

Originally Posted by mj232k2

Ha Ha....I just thougt it was a newbie thing. I figured everyone knows and I wanted to find out before I use it in the wrong context! I will more then likely thorw some money into this hobby once I am sure it will become a hobby for me. I do not want to spend a TON of money on it until I know for sure. I alreaddy find myself wanting to purchase numerous straight razors, yet I do not know if I will ever use them! I have a feeling that I will become addicted and have to start a SRA (Straight Razor Anon)!!!

It's a disease... of epic proportions! It affects countless members!

I don't know if you know what a sunk cost is - but sunk cost my...!!! I am too cheap! After all the cash I dropped on this hobby, there is no way I am turning back now .

Actually, it was that thinking that got me over the hump! Or at least the first couple of times I sliced my ear! To be quite honest, I can't go back - I tried! It's like getting out of your Ferrari to enjoy a ride in your old Hugo... Yeah right LOL!!

MJ,
Sorry to have missed you.
Soap - Most of the chain drug stores (Walgreens, CVS) will have Williams shave soap (in a puck form) for a buck or so. It is a passable soap. These stores will sometimes carry a brush as well. You can also try "Target," I have heard decent things about their Van der Hagen brush and soap kits. If you have a "Whole Foods" near-by you could find the "Kiss My Face" product line for creams, they are very good (other health food stores might carry it). EDIT: Kroger in Flatrock is listed as a carrier of their product. I use KMF every shave day.

Brush - Check out the drug store or Target for the Van der Hagen brush, or Tweezerman, or Omega. They are serviceable. I have seen them as well at Meijer. I would contact Larry at Whippeddog he sells brushes too!

Yes you can use canned goo but I found out some of my wife's works better than the store brand/Schick/Gillette. I had better luck with the much maligned Williams. Keep in touch and we will get together soon!

I actually just bought a whole set from Walgreen. It is a Van der Hagen set that came with a badger brush, a mug, and a neat little holder...oh and a disk of shave soap. I'm already practicing building my lather ha ha. I don't even have my razor yet!! It should be here today though. I can't wait I'm going too check out Kroger later today. It can't hurt to have a few different soaps right? I'll definitely keep in touch...I don't know what I am doing lol.

Originally Posted by mj232k2

I actually just bought a whole set from Walgreen. It is a Van der Hagen set that came with a badger brush, a mug, and a neat little holder...oh and a disk of shave soap. I'm already practicing building my lather ha ha. I don't even have my razor yet!! It should be here today though. I can't wait I'm going too check out Kroger later today. It can't hurt to have a few different soaps right? I'll definitely keep in touch...I don't know what I am doing lol.

DO NOT STROP the RAZOR. Larry generally strops the razor before sending it out. Get that lather thick and creamy. I start off soaking my brush while I shower (it also helps the shave soap to have a little bit of water to soften it up.) Before starting to make lather, I rinse the brush with hot water and shake out all of the water. I load the soap for a while (this part varies with the soap). After that I slowly add water to the brush - build lather in a mug - add water - build lather. I continue swirling and chugging the brush and add water a little at a time until it is a great consistency. During the shave I might need to add some more water and swirl/chug some more.

On to the shave:
Start near the sideburns or the cheek and shave with the spine of the razor on your face. I generally start my shaving stroke backwards to get a little shaving cream on the underside of the blade, and placing the razor on my face is the most likely time for me to cut myself. If there is no stubble in your lather, try raising the spine of the razor off your face a tiny bit (maybe a spine width or two). I find I need to have the spine further from my face when going WTG. When I go ATG I keep the spine on my skin. Watch some videos and take the advice on the wiki. The advice is to just start with the cheeks WTG. I couldn't stop there but maybe you have more resolve. The hardest part starting out is figuring out how to hold the razor and position your arms and hands. Remember to STRETCH your skin!

Afterward, clean off your razor, dry it and then you will need to strop it before shaving again.

OOf. Shave 2 this morning. Cut my darn chin and side of neck a bit. Saw the chin coming from a mile away.

Gents....I finally have an actual shave set. This is a picture of the whipped dog razor and strop that I bought. He actually threw a few extra goodies in there! I was pretty excited to check it out. Also, the Van der Hagen set that I bought. Is it normal for the badger hair brush to lose strands as I use it? It was a good chooice to just go with the badger hair one because I bought an 8 dollar one from Walmart and it did not compare! Just thought I would show you all my set....I am super excited. Anyone know what kind of razor that is?

Ahh....the same pic uploaded 2 times. It was supposed to be one of just the razor.