Quote :

"Ernie's post on page 1 made LOL. "

agreed...the onion is indeed amusing: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930

[Edited on February 16, 2010 at 7:58 AM. Reason : link]

2/16/2010 7:58:28 AM

my TABAC soap and aftershave came in the mail today!

can't wait to use it tomorrow morning

2/18/2010 2:02:37 AM

Something I've been meaning to do after working on getting a better shave out of cartridges for a while now so I ordered up supplies. I even gave up and went for disposables a year or so ago - which I can get a ton of mileage out of now - because BJ's coupons makes them really cheap. This looks like a good hobby - cheap, easy to do with the interwebs, and probably something I can figure out how to make a few bucks at with minimal effort. I also have to shave 6 days a week so anything to make it interesting is good.

- Went with the Merkur 38c after too much time reading about razors
- Mid-tier an Omega brush. Just have to start somewhere on these and figure I'll be buying another at some point, but it seems dirt cheap isn't the way to go on any of this stuff
Picked up some Proraso green tea and aloe soap. Sounds pretty mild and functional

I'm going to ease into some of the other products since I get some irritation/dry spots (crappy razors and shave gel are probably partly to blame is what I think I'm going to find out) so I don't want to go too nuts with the variables until I'm sure how I'm going to react.

Just waiting on the mail...

[Edited on February 22, 2010 at 10:57 PM. Reason : .]

2/22/2010 10:56:45 PM

just watch out when you put a new blade in the DE...i got myself pretty good the other day b/c i forgot i changed my blade the night before.....mine is adjustable, and i start blades out on a medium setting, and then switch to more aggressive as the blade starts to dull...

2/23/2010 1:27:54 AM

^^good set up. the Merkur classic and proraso was my very first set up when i got into DE shaving a couple years ago. In fact, I just shaved off my beard this past weekend and what was the setup i used after not touching a razor for nearly 5 months? Proraso green, Merkur Classic. Great combo, and super easy.

2/23/2010 8:07:05 AM

Quote :

"Merkur 38c"

i know everyone loves this razor...but after using a friend's for a week, i missed my 11c...i don't think i'll ever use a razor that isn't a stub

2/23/2010 8:17:15 AM

33c is the one i was referring to above. The short handled classic.

Man, after having a beard for all these months i was really dreading getting back into the shaving routine. Especially after my first shave over the weekend was subpar. But i just took a shower and had a nice slow shave using Taylor Eton College. It was a decent shave even with the cream being a little on the drying side. Just had to take my time. A big splash of Aqua Velva is a feeling and smell i have missed all winter. I love the way it makes my face feel. Best aftershave ever.

2/23/2010 7:29:17 PM

Ok. I'm seriously considering buying a DE shaver, but don't want to spend too much. This thread has been helpful for a start, but I'm a little indecisive on what to start with.

[Edited on March 1, 2010 at 3:14 PM. Reason : ingrown hairs]

3/1/2010 3:13:59 PM

The 33c (Merkur Classic) and 34c (Merkur Hefty Classic) are probably the most popularly recommended razors for new DE shavers. As i've said numerous times, i still use the 33c quite often as it's just a smooth forgiving razor and it's very easy to learn on. Blades are tricky, but the best way to decide what is right for you is to buy a sampler pack. http://www.westcoastshaving.com has affordable sampler packs that include all of the popular brands.

as for cream or soap...creams are easier to lather and a simple boar brush from cvs will suit you just fine until you decide you are ready to move up. Order some Proraso in the tube from westcoast shaving, or go to Bath & Body works at the mall and pick up a tube of "C.O. Bigelow Green". It's the exact same thing as Proraso. It's extremely easy to lather, easy on the skin, and smells nice.

3/1/2010 3:24:41 PM

Excellent! I'm gonna go that route then, thanks dude.

3/1/2010 3:43:06 PM

http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

spend an evening watching this guy's videos. It's easier than it may seem, but still watching his videos will give you a big head start. Plus they are actually well done.


and then if you have any further technical questions go to http://www.badgerandblade.com . You can sign up and ask the most n00b questions, even ones that are asked right below you and you will get good honest answers and zero flaming. but it's still general courtesy to search and read first.

3/1/2010 4:18:58 PM

There use to be a barber shop close to the library on hillsborough that I went to a couple of times. After the haircut the guy used a straight razor to give me a shave. Straight razors are kickass, plus its awesome when someone else does the work.

3/2/2010 5:49:13 PM

^ I bet it was Man-Mur

3/2/2010 10:41:24 PM

there's a barbershop back home that i used to go to that shaved the back of my neck with a straight razor....if you've never had a professional straight razor shave...its awesome...

3/2/2010 11:23:21 PM

yeah but it's a dying art and you find someone that doesn't truely know what they are doing it can be one of the worst experiences of your life.

3/3/2010 8:04:49 AM

Just got my 33C in the mail....now I'm waiting on everything else and I'll be on my way to DE shaving.

3/5/2010 1:15:42 PM

Got all my stuff. Wife is amused I've declared tomorrow spa day so I can spend a lot of time playing with all the gear.

3/5/2010 7:57:05 PM

Well, I got a 33c (Merkur Classic), a tube of C.O. Bigelow Green and a cheep Tweezermans brush. After the first shave I can definitely tell a difference with a closer shave. I had a few cuts, and don't have a styptic stick, but I'll get one.

Overall it's a better experience from the first go around. Much appreciatied!

3/6/2010 4:58:23 PM

one thing i recommend is to avoid doing a full against the grain pass during the first few months of shaving. for one, you will avoid a lot of cuts and two you will let your skin get used to this style of shaving and the blade. Hell, i still rarely do a true against the grain pass when i shave. I usually do three passes, one with the grain N to S, then two across the grain E to W and W to E. That usually does it for me. Obviously if you are a true wooly man then you will need the against the grain to get a baby butt smooth shave.

slow and steady wins the race. Welcome and enjoy. Now it's time for my shave

3/6/2010 5:58:32 PM

Quote :

"I've declared tomorrow spa day so I can spend a lot of time playing with all the gear"

shaving like a man, huh?

3/6/2010 7:43:17 PM

gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

3/6/2010 8:07:52 PM

^ it's okay, we'll let you post in our thread anyway

3/6/2010 8:32:46 PM

Quote :

"I've declared tomorrow spa day so I can spend a lot of time playing with all the gear"

yeah...I'm thinking a better term is needed...how about SLAM day?

3/7/2010 8:12:32 AM

on an unrelated note...I've been using the TABAC soap, aftershave, and deodorant for two weeks now and I really like it

it was the first soap I purchased, and I've noticed I can control the thickness of the foam a lot better than I can with the creme....so when I get back from S. Korea, I'll have to check out some more soaps.

3/7/2010 8:15:43 AM

I've found this thread to be extremely helpful and informative, hell, I've taken the plunge into DE shaving on it's account. But for some reason, this is my favorite post:

Quote :

"what is this shit? seriously... I just, you know... fucking shave... what's wrong with you people? "

Fucking funny!

3/7/2010 1:48:53 PM

what are you guys using as a shaving cream lather bowl?

3/8/2010 10:27:52 PM

a large ceramic cereal bowl.

3/8/2010 10:41:09 PM

at first, I was using an old ship's coffee mug, but it was too deep, so I found a ghetto aluminum dish that I used...

then I went to target and bought one of those quiche dishes

for christmas, I got a sara bonnyman moss scuttle that I really liked, until I bought the TABAC soap and use the dish it comes in

3/9/2010 2:35:21 AM

ohhhhhhhh snap. Just got the rest of my stuff in the mail.

It's on.

3/9/2010 4:18:02 PM

ouch my neck.

crystal israeli on it's third shave tore that bitch up. Red pack israelis are the better of the two.

3/9/2010 7:49:50 PM

In my experience, the best way to shave and avoid any kind of irritation or cutting is to shave two or three times in various directions, but when you shave on a pass, never go over it more than once with the blade, even if you clearly didn't get it close enough. Don't worry about not getting a close shave, just wash off, relather, and get it on the next pass. I think far to many people will take three or four short strokes to clean up an area, not realizing that the lubricant was removed almost entirely on the very first stroke.

Also, be careful of pulling skin around the chin, mouth, and neck area TOO tight. A lot of people say you want it as tight as possible to get the hair to stand up, but be aware, by doing that, you give your skin no room to move and respond to the blade at all, and since it will never be completely flat, that means that you will have redness and irritation in areas that are not perfectly smooth to begin with.

3/10/2010 11:06:08 AM

yeah i know all of that. This was mostly blade performance as my neck hair grows in all different directions so i always have to pay extra attention.

that being said, alls well and good this morning. Nothing a healthy dose of Pinaud Clubman couldn't smooth over.



i'm about to the point where i'm finished blade testing. I've used over a dozen brands but continue to swap them out so i dont feel like i'm wasting. I know which ones work and which dont' so i'm thinking of canning the rest and just sticking with my red packs and feathers. I wish I knew someone close by to give these randoms to.

[Edited on March 10, 2010 at 11:14 AM. Reason : add]

3/10/2010 11:12:09 AM

^where are you? I just used my DE for the first time this morning and would love to try out some different blades. I just used the Merkur blade that came with it today. I do have a pack each of feathers, Personnas, and Derbys.


I just made 2 downward passes this morning, and will likely continue this for another few days before making a 3rd upward/sideways pass. Not baby smooth yet, but by next week it should be, haha.

3/10/2010 12:18:58 PM

I'm in charlotte. I'll take a look at what i have left when i get home and see if it's enough to maybe mail to someone as a sampler pack.



^The Merkur blade is a rough shave. You will definitely find a better experience with the others you've mentioned. Derby's are good. In my experience i've always gotten smoother shaves with the Derby on shaves 2 and 3. The first shave seems to always be rough for me(I throw out blades after 3 shaves, too cheap not to and risk cuts)

3/10/2010 12:48:08 PM

Quote :

"I know which ones work and which dont' so i'm thinking of canning the rest and just sticking with my red packs and feathers. I wish I knew someone close by to give these randoms to."

Wel shit, I'm back in Concord at the moment.

[Edited on March 10, 2010 at 4:49 PM. Reason : .]

3/10/2010 4:49:30 PM

Ok, so all this crap does make a huge difference. Glad I switched.

Takes about 7 minutes end to end to do two downward passes so it's only an extra 2 mins to make lather - better shave than I've gotten in years and the lather from the shave soap is a lot less irritating than the can stuff.

3/10/2010 9:47:50 PM

Sooo....I just broke out the DE and made 2 downwards passes, and an upward/sideways pass.

Cut myself about 30 times on that last pass...looks like I shaved with a lawnmower. But dammmnnnn if my face isnt smooth

Thank goodness for Styptic pencils. I need to get an aluminum block.

[Edited on March 13, 2010 at 2:25 PM. Reason : .]

3/13/2010 2:22:11 PM

more blades really does shave better, I don't know why but it does. I also don't shave till my beard like 5-10mm so maybe thats why.

3/14/2010 12:16:33 PM

^have you read this thread at all?

3/14/2010 4:03:15 PM

lol wtf

3/14/2010 4:10:04 PM

Update: the manliest way to shave is to not shave at all

3/14/2010 5:02:37 PM

Feather blades and the Merkur 33c is such an awesome combo.

3/16/2010 8:46:18 PM

The manliest way to shave is with a big Bowie knife, using a cold, still pond as a mirror.

3/16/2010 9:29:57 PM

Dear GOD I cant keep my hands off my face. I made 4 passes with my 33c and a Feather blade. 2 down, 1 sideways, 1 up. Not even the slightest hint of stubble. I'm hooked.

3/20/2010 2:07:32 PM

~

3/21/2010 11:45:51 AM

put away the 33c yesterday and brought the red tip back out. I haven't used this one in months since i had the beard, and started back with the less aggressive 33c so i wouldn't butcher my face.

man i forgot how much i loved this thing. It's a heavy razor, has an aggressive angle, but shaves so effortlessly.

3/24/2010 9:48:59 AM

anyone want to swap some feathers for some derbys?

i haven't used feathers on my new razor, and i don't want to buy a bunch and not like them (i chose the derbys over the feathers months ago, but with my parker, not my merkur)

3/24/2010 9:53:41 AM

I've started one down one up passes. I'm still amazed by the difference.

I am curious how you people cut yourself - lather maybe? I'm just going at it with reckless abandon and haven't gotten myself, but then again I've only managed it once in 15 years of using a razor.

3/24/2010 8:33:10 PM

lather is probably the biggest issue. that with blade quality can rip you apart.


I don't cut myself, but if i have a bad lather or rush a pass i will irritate my neck in heartbeat. That's why i take my time when i shave. it's like meditation

3/24/2010 9:01:01 PM

I've never really cut myself either, and in the beginning I was using the starter kit from wall world, which makes shit for lather.

The most noticeable increase in the quality and texture of my lather came when I upgraded to a larger shaving mug - it's about the size of a small soup bowl/large coffee cup and I picked it up @ some craft event @ the farmers market for <$10.

3/25/2010 3:32:39 PM