Newbie and interested in DE shaving
I'm tired of the old aerosol can and throw away blades,so recently I bought a cheap boar brush and C.O. Bigelow shave cream made by Proraso and OMG what a difference it made.I love the smell and the feel of my skin when I get done but I want to take the right of a good shave one step further. I have looked endlessly at websites devoted to shaving but would like some personal input on how or where to start.As a beginner I don't want to spend a lot o cabbage not knowing how my skin,or myself in fact is going to do with this . Any info will be greatly appreciated
Newbie ideas...my expeirence
Great job on trying a DE! I'm using a Merkur razor and have fallen in love with it. Some days when I'm in a hurry its not so smooth, but when I take my time and do WTG, CTG and ATG shaving, its great. Even trying different soaps is fun- and its not expensive.
My main reasons for going to DE shaving:
1. Its much greener than tossing out plastic all the time into landfills as well as those shaving cream cans.
2. I'm cheap! Buying a box of Merkur blades if $5 and they lst me several months. I'm even on the look out at local stores for a blade sharpener to reuse the blades again- less trash, "cave time", and economical in the long run.
3. With small kids and my wife walking in the bathroom all the time I cut myself on a straight more than I cared for. I just wasn't up for more scars.
4. Cheap thrill- again its not expensive to tr a few new soaps here and there. Brush upgrades and DE upgrades are simple things that can fill Christmas stockings from family members and they are good birthday gifts too, or at least that's what I'm hoping.
Keep up the DE shaving. Try new soaps and start dabbling in aftershaves and creams- you'll have fun and be smooooooth too.
Newbie and interested in DE shaving
Gentlemen,
Amazon is a good source for blades. I have not had the opportunity to buy from West Coast Shaving, but I understand they are good people and reasonably priced.
I have bought most of my blades from Paul at Connaught.com in England. I found the prices reasonable, as well as the shipping rates when using the "small package" option. Paul is a good person and has a big variety of blades.
Now I use only the Feather and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow packs), all of which I bought from Connaught.com. In the past few years I went through the usual blade trials — Derby, Crystal, Irridium, Astra, Bic, Wilkenson, Personna, and many others. I found the Feathers and the Gillette yellows to work best for me.
Although I use a straight razor, once or twice a month I still use a DE just to keep up my skills, or when in a rush. I have sold most of my double edge razors except for: EJ Chatsworth "barley," EJ Chatsworth mock ivory, Cyril Salter, and a Merkur travel. I just refurbished a Gillette Super Speed, and she's a beauty. I am thinking of only keeping the EJ "barley" and selling the rest, since I don't use them, as well as selling some of my blades.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Regards,
Obie
Newbie interested in DE shaving
My dear Rob,
The DE has its own technique. As in the straight razor, one of the most important points is to use light pressure. Also, with the DE, try not to go over the same spot excessively. Those blades are sharp and it is easy to get razor burn or a dose of skin-scraping.
I use some of the same technique for the DE as for the straight. Although you don't have to stretch as much with the DE, I do. Why? Force of habit, I guess. Also, go slowly. What's more, it is easy to get become cavalier with the DE — and then zap, a cut.
I still use a DE once or twice a month, as I mentioned in my previous post, just to keep up my technique, and also when pressed for time. As a rule, I change blades every three shaves, even with the Feathers. I like my blades sharp. The DE has its own benefits, but it lacks the romance and the craftsmanship that comes with the straight.
Regards,
Obie
