Morning all,
I am new to DE shaving and refuse to give up. Let me list what I am using as it might help with comments/suggestions?
Muhle R89
Merkur Futur
Proraso Green Soap
Arco Soap
Feather Blades
Badger Brush
OK, the brush says it is from the Art of Shaving? With a plastic holder. I don't even remember buying it. My first mistake was mixing the soap to get a lather. I don't have a separate shaving bowl so I have been using a small chrome cat food bowl. You can find them in the grocery store. It seems to work but adding a little water helps to create the lather. I don't seem to have luck going from Proraso bowl to face. Some might do it in videos. I want to try Taylor of Old Bond Street soap. Have fun and try plenty I am sure I will find favorites and do you all really only have two kinds of soaps?
The razors are interesting. Here are the two big newbie questions?
Short Handle verses Long Handle?
Adjustable verses non-adjustable?
And yes I have read the instructions (guidance) and searched the forum. My mind wants to think Long Handle but I don't think it matters. Does one cut you more? I guess it is all in the angle. I am going back to the Muhle short handle today to see.
Adjustable verses Non-Adjustable. There are not too many new adjustable razors out there. Thought about trying a Gillette off eBay. Maybe Fatboy or Slim. But truth be told we find a setting and normally leave it there so again what it the point if you only shave on setting 2 or 3? You are making an adjustable fixed. Unless you change the setting for pass two?
In terms of Open or Closed comb I have just tried the closed ones. And I am sure with practice I can get a good shave with a closed comb. Also was thinking of trying a Merkur Classic. I just want to eliminate the chance of major face damage.
I am too OCD about blade being off and not lined up perfectly. Not 100% sold on the Futur but it does give a fine shave. Some razors bend the blade. Should I be concerned?
With all the stuff I am sure everyone has at least 5 razors and they then form an opinion. I am sure no one has just one razor? Maybe there should be a Top 5 razors all newbies should try? My point in all of this was to save money. In the long run because it is insane to buy blades for my other razor a Mach3.
Some days I do just one pass. Others I can do two passes and I can get as close as a Mach3.
Skin irritation!
Many have this issue. Getting the soap to lather is huge. I also put on Gillette after shave balm. Small blue slippery stuff that you can buy at Walmart for $2.88. And using a warm/hot wash cloth before shaving helps so much. Skin irritation gone.
Blades
I use Feather blades. I want sharp and that does not mean they cut me. But this is not the Mach3 that I can use for a month. I have been changing my blades after every three shaves. They are cheap. If I don't change them I get more nicks or razor burn and skin irritation. I have tried the variety packs as well. What I have learned? Just change them! Comments?
Just some observations from a total newbie. Feel free to comment. I promise I won't take offense and I will read the comments. Just trying to figure it all out. I am sure the above issues are on the mind of all newbies. Been doing this for three weeks. I do see this working and no turning back
What is next? New Brush? Shaving Bowl? Next Razor to try?
Thanks
Bill
I am new to DE shaving and refuse to give up. Let me list what I am using as it might help with comments/suggestions?
Muhle R89
Merkur Futur
Proraso Green Soap
Arco Soap
Feather Blades
Badger Brush
OK, the brush says it is from the Art of Shaving? With a plastic holder. I don't even remember buying it. My first mistake was mixing the soap to get a lather. I don't have a separate shaving bowl so I have been using a small chrome cat food bowl. You can find them in the grocery store. It seems to work but adding a little water helps to create the lather. I don't seem to have luck going from Proraso bowl to face. Some might do it in videos. I want to try Taylor of Old Bond Street soap. Have fun and try plenty I am sure I will find favorites and do you all really only have two kinds of soaps?
The razors are interesting. Here are the two big newbie questions?
Short Handle verses Long Handle?
Adjustable verses non-adjustable?
And yes I have read the instructions (guidance) and searched the forum. My mind wants to think Long Handle but I don't think it matters. Does one cut you more? I guess it is all in the angle. I am going back to the Muhle short handle today to see.
Adjustable verses Non-Adjustable. There are not too many new adjustable razors out there. Thought about trying a Gillette off eBay. Maybe Fatboy or Slim. But truth be told we find a setting and normally leave it there so again what it the point if you only shave on setting 2 or 3? You are making an adjustable fixed. Unless you change the setting for pass two?
In terms of Open or Closed comb I have just tried the closed ones. And I am sure with practice I can get a good shave with a closed comb. Also was thinking of trying a Merkur Classic. I just want to eliminate the chance of major face damage.
I am too OCD about blade being off and not lined up perfectly. Not 100% sold on the Futur but it does give a fine shave. Some razors bend the blade. Should I be concerned?
With all the stuff I am sure everyone has at least 5 razors and they then form an opinion. I am sure no one has just one razor? Maybe there should be a Top 5 razors all newbies should try? My point in all of this was to save money. In the long run because it is insane to buy blades for my other razor a Mach3.
Some days I do just one pass. Others I can do two passes and I can get as close as a Mach3.
Skin irritation!
Many have this issue. Getting the soap to lather is huge. I also put on Gillette after shave balm. Small blue slippery stuff that you can buy at Walmart for $2.88. And using a warm/hot wash cloth before shaving helps so much. Skin irritation gone.
Blades
I use Feather blades. I want sharp and that does not mean they cut me. But this is not the Mach3 that I can use for a month. I have been changing my blades after every three shaves. They are cheap. If I don't change them I get more nicks or razor burn and skin irritation. I have tried the variety packs as well. What I have learned? Just change them! Comments?
Just some observations from a total newbie. Feel free to comment. I promise I won't take offense and I will read the comments. Just trying to figure it all out. I am sure the above issues are on the mind of all newbies. Been doing this for three weeks. I do see this working and no turning back
What is next? New Brush? Shaving Bowl? Next Razor to try?
Thanks
Bill