Thread: Need help picking out some essentials

What do you suggest? Lets try to get this to a small list if possible.


Brush Help:
Ok I have this badger brush I bought on Ebay some years back and it has been an OK brush but I think my lack of wonderful full lather is that brush so I want to invest in ONE nice brush that will last me a long time and produce nice lather and hold water. Now I have only used that one brush so I think I want something with a soft feel but just a little firmness to get in the beard. I am lazy sometimes and go days without shaving and will have some decent growth.

After Shave:
The only after shave I have used also is Nancy Boy aftershave gel. It was wonderful back in the day of its newness but now I think it has to be 3 years old lol. It lasts a while for me. What do you guys think is a good one that is a LOTION or GEL. I prefer not not to have a splash. Also I don't want alcohol if possible but witch hazel would be good.

Double End Razor:
I just bought the Merkur Classic Safety Razor (I think) and its a very basic model. I will give this guy a while before I decide if I like it or will get one more aggressive. If I do what are some good ones to consider. Something that is not crazy expensive. I think I like the short handle but I have not used a long handle.


If you have to pick just ONE of each of the three items above which one would it be (you can list two if you have to). I will look into the one listed the most and I do plan to buy and hope its all I will need. I have gone some years with what I have and hope to stay simple yet effective.

Thanks for taking the time to answer
Larry

Well, you didn't say if you were flush with cash.

Assuming you can afford nice stuff I would get a Rooney Finest in a medium size if they are available. I understand there is a shortage of this grade right now. If they aren't a Plisson HMW would be next though its very pricey.

Aftershave? Castle Forbes balm. Great stuff and contains no alcohol its witchazel based.

Razor? get yourself a vintage Gillette Fatboy.

From the standpoint of someone who does not have tons of money to toss around, I would suggest:

Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger Brush

Proraso Aftershave Balm (if you need something local, I'd go with Nivea ASB)

If it had to be a DE, I'd go with a Merkur Heavy Duty (HD). If not a DE, I would go with an SE (single edge), like a GEM 1912 (they are very inexpensive, easy to find, and give me a shave closer to a straight than a DE is capable of)

Good luck!

I don't have really any experience with DE razors, so I can't recommend anything in that area.

In terms of brushes I started out with a Vulfix best badger, still use it from time to time and I like it. If money isn't an object then Shavemac makes great brushes.

For an aftershave the best one I have tried is truefitt and hill aftershave balm. Feels great, and they have quite a few fragrances. Some of them have a very strong smell though. If you are looking for a fragrance that is a little milder but still good I would recommend Truefitt's 1805 scent. Smells great but isn't really potent.

brush: i have settled on 2 brushes - one rooney finest and one custom shavemac. so naturally i'd vote for the rooney if you've got the money.

aftershave: the trumper skin foods are pretty good (you used to be able to pick a sample pack from them for the cost of shipping), castle forbes is supposed to be very nice too, and of course trying your local store offerings like nivea is cheap and accessible.

de razor: i use straights and the only de i have around is long handle superadjustable for sentimental reasons

Ok a price range on brush I think $150 should get a nice enough brush. What about Saville Row brushes? It seems the way to go is Silver Tip, but what size knot I wonder.

Well after digging around I found a good price ( I think) on a Shavemac silver tip brush Shavemac Brush*::... and while I was buying from them I got some of the Taylor Aftershave Balm Taylor Aftershave*::... and some Feather blades. Oh and one tub of Taylors Mr Taylor cream. I was thinking of getting another razor but I am going to wait on that and see how the one I have now works out.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well, you didn't say if you were flush with cash.

Assuming you can afford nice stuff I would get a Rooney Finest in a medium size if they are available. I understand there is a shortage of this grade right now. If they aren't a Plisson HMW would be next though its very pricey.

Aftershave? Castle Forbes balm. Great stuff and contains no alcohol its witchazel based.

Razor? get yourself a vintage Gillette Fatboy.

All the suggestions are good, and most are nothing but opinions; of course we know what opinions are, they are like a** holes, every ones got one!

Having said that, I would agree pretty much with THEBIGSPENDER on all his choices.

1. You absolutely cannot beat Rooney badger brushes. They are the best badger brushes(you can't go wrong). I prefer, personally, synthetics for their "scrubby" ways. I use a Jack Black synthetic and I love it to death. -again, just my opinion!

2. I cannot comment on aftershaves, too subjective. Again, everybody has their opinion. - but Castle Forbes, anything, you can't go wrong with. Great products!

3. If I had one DE to take to that desert island to live with the rest of my shaving days, yes, it would be the "Fat Boy".

Great choices, "Spender"!

The aftershave balm I am fond of is Colonel Conk's Almond Balm. It is very soothing and smells great (my skin is even smoother once I have used my facial lotion, post-balm).

The Taylor's Mr. Taylor seems to be a nice balm that works. The scent managed to stick around all day through work and I am sweating and dirty. The brush gave me some decent lather but I forgot to soak it so that didn't help any. I have only used the brush once so I am still optimistic. I does have a nice feel of soft yet a little firm. If anyone gets this brush you may want a big bowl to mix it in