Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    2
    Thanked: 0

    Default New to DE shaving. I like it!

    OK to start off with, I have been looking at everyones posts for a while and at first I thought I would go with the straight razor. But after reading about strops and "shave ready" and 30 degree angles I decided to go with the safety razor. Now, which razor, which blades, which soaps yada yada yada. After reading a many reviews I chose the Edwin Jagger DE89L. It came from a source mentioned here many times and it included 3 packs of various razor blades. I also purchased Feather and Merkur blades. I bought a Simpson "Chubby 1" baddger shaving brush. To start with my soaps I got the Edwin Jagger soap and their after shave balm. Just this week I also ordered two different soaps from Mama Bear.
    The best advice I have put into practice is "to let the razor do the cutting without pressure". I have experimented with short strokes and lond, and with the growth of the beard and against. It is soothing and something I look forward to at least while it's new to me. I have got my 23 year old son involved and he is going to try it this weekend.
    I am still reading what you folks have tried and liked and I want to expand my knowledge and experience of this new shaving technique. Thanks for all the help I have recieved here. I am open for suggestions on soaps, balms, blades, razors etc. so bring it on. Please include where I can find what you mention.

  2. #2
    They call me Mr Bear. Stubear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Alton, UK
    Posts
    5,715
    Thanked: 1683
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    Glad you're enjoying it..!

    Check out Connaught Shaving as they sell DE blade sampler packs, so you can try out a whole bunch and see what you like best. Heres their address: Welcome To Connaught Shaving

    In terms of soaps, there are more than you can possibly imagine! JMHO, but check out Trumpers, Tabac, Mitchells wool fat, Mama Bears soaps and Castle Forbes. I have products from all of them and they really are great!

    Good luck and keep us posted!

  3. #3
    Senior Member sebell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    928
    Thanked: 144

    Default

    Welcome to SRP! Stuart gave you some great recommendation
    for soaps and cremes, hard to go wrong with those brands. As
    for after-shave preparations, I like Thayer's Alcohol-Free Toner
    (witch hazel based).

    - Scott

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to sebell For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-16-2010)

  5. #4
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default I like it

    Hello, Crazylegs:

    Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

    From what I gather, you are starting with good products. The Edwin Jagger 89L is a sweet double edge razor, and one of the best, I might add.

    You have the idea right: let the razor's weight be the only pressure to add. Shave in passes and don't rush.

    Stuart has given you a fine line of soap and cream recommendations. I will add two more soaps: Provence Sante Verlain and Truefitt & Hill. They are great soaps.

    Connaught, also Stuart's recommendation, is an excellent source for razor blades, among other shaving products. Paul, the owner, is a good man and offers great prices and excellent service.

    For razor blades, it is a good idea to try many. I have through the years and finally settled on Feather and Gillette 7 'O Clock Sharp Edge (yellow packs). These are top of the line blades, both sharp and smooth. Others will have their own favorites. Often razor blades become a matter of individual fit and preference. You will eventually settle on yours.

    So far you are doing great. Keep at it and good luck.

    Regards,
    Obie
    Last edited by Obie; 04-16-2010 at 03:02 PM.

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Obie For This Useful Post:

    Stubear (04-16-2010)

  7. #5
    Senior Member alabamalawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    Posts
    431
    Thanked: 2210

    Default

    Looks like you have very nice setup. The new EJ razors are excellent. There are so many creams and soaps, that you can get recommendations on those for days. For very good and inexpensive products, check out Cella and P.160. I pretty sure Connaughtshaving carries both of them.

    If not the checkout superlather.com or shoeboxshaveshop.com for them. Both soaps are semi-solid and can be molded into any shaving bowl or mug very easily. The P.160 can be bought in 100-125g "sample" sizes. I bought two of the "samples" and molded them into a wooden bowl. You can check out the P.160 in my SOTD pic from this week and see how it easily fills the bowl.
    Last edited by alabamalawyer; 04-17-2010 at 06:51 PM.

  8. #6
    Senior Member Arrowhead's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Yorkshire, England
    Posts
    307
    Thanked: 96

    Default

    I concur with pretty much all the above, and in particular about Connaught: Paul's a very helpful gentleman indeed. What may not be so well known is that he runs a samples service: little bottles of aftershave and cologne, and small servings of cream to enable you to try products without incurring much of an outlay. If you email him he'll explain how it works.

  9. #7
    Well Shaved Gentleman... jhenry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Indianapolis, IN
    Posts
    3,860
    Thanked: 3760

    Default

    Welcome to SRP...

    From your description, it sounds like you have a nice shaving setup there. EJ DEs and Simpsons brushes are really nice tools of the trade. EJ shaving soap is not a bad choice either. I personally like the Sea Buckthorn.

    Be careful with those Feather blades, though. They have a reputation for being really sharp and in the hands of a new or inexperienced DE user can deliver a nasty nick or cut.

    As for soaps, I would recommend trying the Valobra Soft Shaving Soap. It comes in two fragrances--Almond and Menthol. It can be pressed easily into your shaving mug and creates a really nice lather.

    Take care--and smooth shaving.
    "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain

  10. #8
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,736
    Thanked: 5016
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    I use the EJ barlycorn and like feather blades but this time I tried Wilkinson and its a great combination. I like Castle Forbes Cream and really any of the English Milled soap like trumpers and Harris. Thayers witchazel is great stuff especially the superhazel.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  11. #9
    Member MadAussie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Lexington VA / Melbourne AUS
    Posts
    36
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    The ej89L is an excellent razor! I don't like the mama bear soaps much, the scent is super awesome but I find the glycerin based soaps dont have the cushioning that cream soaps like proraso have they also dry out and fade quicker imo.

    Find a blade you like thats not super expensive and stick to it.

  12. #10
    Senior Member Vekta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    191
    Thanked: 24

    Default

    I started out with a straight razor and then went to a DE. The cost to get the proper honing equipment and restoring razors was getting a tad steep. I completed the razor I was working on then picked up a DE razor.

    They're simple, cheap to maintain (no whetstones to buy) and they shave just fine with good technique. The blade selection thing is one piece of advice to really take in. No matter what reviews say about a particular blade you just won't know for sure until you try it.

    Crystals and Red Pack IP's for me.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •