Thread: Looking to get started

Agree with the suggestions about Proraso shave cream and an Omega boar bristle brush as fine quality/reasonably priced choices.
You can get a Schick Korona on ebay for about 15 USD. A very mild smooth shaver that will be handy as you progress your shaving technique.
A Gillette Tech is also a great razor for a similar price.

And my two cents are buy a Van Der Hagen brush, about $7 USD. Any of the soaps/creams mentioned are good BUT if you have reactions to ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus and Shea Butter then read ingredients carefully. I'm about three times your age and find that, with time, you will sort out the items, ingredients and methods best suited for you because you will want to experiment with everything in sight.

I'm a fan of the Merkur 34C. I was originally interested in a longer handle, but I love the shorter handle on this razor now. It handles nicely, really doesn't have any parts to break, and I find it to be a pretty forgiving razor. I've used others and received far more nicks. Maybe it just suits my style better, but I love it. Just got 2 more for christmas gifts for a couple of my buddies! You can get a silver-tipped badger brush from whippeddog.com pretty cheap, which is what I'd recommend. I've purchased a few and am very pleased with them. Blades are pretty cheap, you could try a variety pack and see which you like. Soaps, I'd just try one or two from one of the places you order other items to save on shipping. Best of luck!

I'd suggest a Gillette super speed (late '40's to 50's) for a first mild razor--they're really cheap and easy to find (flea bay has many all the time). If you like a new razor, then I suggest the EJagger 89 models--they look great, made very well, easy to master and will last you. You can get a blade sampler pack and probably want to make sure it has some Astras, Gillettes among others. BTW You can always increase the aggressiveness of the shave with feather blades when you get your technique together and see what you like. In any case, enjoy the wet shaving!

I started with the Edwin Jagger DE89 and it was a nice choice in my opinion. It is a nice quality razor at a good price point. After that I would look at the Merkur lineup, they have several nice razors to choose from. Stay away from a slant razor until you get comfortable with the traditional DE razors. And by the way welcome to wet shaving and best of luck with your new found addiction.

Doginal,

I started with an Edwin Jagger DE89 myself and went through many sampler packs of blades until I found a couple that really worked well for me. (Vidyut Super-Max platinum and Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge) A friend of mine uses the same razor and says he gets his best shaves from a brand of blades that I don't care for at all. Send me a PM and I'll send you a pack of each the two brands I named, if you'd like.

Originally Posted by Doginal

Hello all

I've been interested in starting to shave with a safety razor and maybe even a straight razor eventually however I dont have any experience with it and at a bit of a loss where to start. Fortunately with Christmas (and my birthday) around the corner, my gf has committed to helping me out.

I'm looking for advise on what type of equipment we should be looking for.
I understand the basic needs are

Handle
Blades
Cream/soap
Brush

Beyond that I'm at a complete loss. I guess i'm really looking for advice for equipment/kits to buy for a beginner who is looking to try it out.

A little about myself if that helps, I'm 26 and live in Canada. I dont typically shave to often (twice a week) but hopefully with a shiny new razor it'll happen more. I would like to be able to buy supplies easily (i.e. be nice to pick up new blades/cream locally)

My gf found this site and telling me to look at stuff but like I said, I really know nothing.
Fendrihan - Classic Wet-Shaving, Leather Wallets and Straight Razors

Any help/suggestions would be useful.

This was my first safety razor: Merkur 34C HD Double-Edge Safety Razor | Fendrihan Shaving Store

This is my all-time favorite safety razor: Merkur 37C Slant Bar Double-Edge Safety Razor | Fendrihan Shaving Store

No safety razor in my opinion beats the Slant. I had terrible problems with irritation and less than satisfactory shaves with the typical drug store and department store fare. The foam and gel shave cream was a big part of the problem, so it is equally important to get a good quality soap and a nice brush.

I have since moved on to straights because I like them, but safety razors were so much better than what I had been using previously that I think you will be very satisfied. Blades are important too. You should order a sample pack to try various brands and determine what your favorites are.

In case I have confused you (like I was with all the choices when I started) my favorites are:
Razor: Merkur Slant (37C has a 3" handle, 39C has a 4" handle)
Blade: Medical Personna ("Personna Prep Blades") and Astra SP ("Superior Platinum")
Soap: Italian soaps such as Cella in the kilo brick and Proraso in the tub.
Brush:Finest badger. Silvertip badger is the softest but I want a little more "scritch" for working up lather.

Let me know what Santa brought you, and I'll see what I can do about sending him on a return trip if you didn't get something I feel you need to have a great shaving experience.

All of the advice offered so far is good, imo.

My advice...Go with the Merkur 34C HD or the Merkur Progress (Adjustable). Both of these DE razors are readily available and good quality. Add some Astra or Gillette 7 O'Clock DE blades, an Omega or Semogue Boar Brush and some Proraso shaving soap to complete your shaving kit.

I'm in the same boat, just getting started. May use the razor as a suggestion for a Christmas gift. I am thinking the Merkur 34C since it does seem to be popular. Looked at a starter kit from straight razor designs. Thanks to all for the good info

If you're goal is straight shaving, skip the DE phase and you'll save a ton of money. Get a well honed straight and keep your current razor handy. Shave the easy parts of your face with the straight, then finish up with your current razor. Eventually you'll want 2 or more straights, as you'll have to send them out to be honed. If you want to include the DEs into your program, most DE users recommend the Merkur HD or the Edwin Jagger DE89 for newbies. I went the DE/to straight route and bought WAY too many DEs, hah. Now I've bought too many straights. I think I see a pattern here. Don't get me started on brushes!