Thread: Can Anyone Help Start Me on DE Razor Shaving?

Hey guys, some quick background: I'm almost 19 and ever since 14 or 15 or whenever I started I've been shaving with electric razors. A variety of factors have led me to reconsider my shaving routine: first of all, the electric I'm using now is pretty much at the end of its life and I'd need to either find another electric or a replacement (which I hear can be tough) for it, I've been a bit disappointed all along (even when the electrics were new) at the lack of closeness with the shave, I've been derping around on Youtube and have come across some DE razor videos and they have sparked my interest, and I'm the sort of guy who likes unique and classic stuff (main exmaple being I'm a huge jazz fan and despise pop music). The past few days I've been trying out the complementary 18th birthday Gillette Fusion Proglide, but I've heard the stories of how expensive it can get (~$40 for 8 cartridges? No thanks!)

I've been doing a bunch of research but still have a lot to figure out.

The Actual Razor

I don't know exactly how to select one. I was thinking maybe a Merkur or Edwin Jagger but both of those brands have a lot of models. What are the main differences? I have pretty big hands so might it be better to get a long-handle, even though it apparently makes getting the correct angle tough?

The Blades

I think I have the best idea about what to do about this: get a multipack. I've been looking at a $25 multipack that includes 100 blades from like 7 different brands. Probably should be able to find something I like in there.

Soap, Brush, etc.

Okay I'm kind of confused about this as well. Like I said, I've only even used a disposable razor a few times, so I've just been using some Edge gel. Most videos I've seen have had guys using brushes with some sort of soap. How necessary is this? Brushes from what I see can be really expensive ($50 for badger) or pretty cheap ($10 for a boar). Do you guys recommend it? I guess if I didn't stick with DE shaving I could always use the brush for disposable shaving, but do they last a while?


Overall do you think it's worth it? I mean it would be somewhere around a ($50+$25+$50+$15=$140) investment. Oh and add $2 for a styptic pencil haha. Obviously I wouldn't quit after a few cuts, but do you know anyone who has never been able to get the hang of DE shaving?

Thank you in advance everyone

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Been doing a bit of Amazon window-shopping. I've come up with a few products that seemed to have good reviews and prices:

* Edwin Jagger De89lbl DE Safety Razor ($40)
* Escali Pure Badger Shaving Brush ($10)
* Proraso Soap with Eucalyptus and Menthol ($10)
* DE Razor Blade Variety Pack ($25)

Can anyone tell me if these are good products? They have good reviews on Amazon but I'd love some opinions from shaving experts