100% Foreign to These Realms

[Sharp Poynt]

Hi all,

I joined today as you can probably see. I've been reading about and researching as much as is possible the subject of 'proper' shaving and am pretty delighted to see that how possible it is to try traditional ways of shaving.

I have absolutely no gear but am quite determined to embark upon a journey of freedom away from the corporate strangle hold over the rights to my face. I have been thinking for years now that there must be something else. An epithet which I have heard and read amongst many of my peers.

Anyway, I'm 'checking-in' as that seems like good etiquette here. I'm in the Toronto area, originally from the UK and am looking to slowly work my way up to using a single blade razor. I have a plan to start off with a safety razor, I'm sure some will have thoughts about this approach.

I look forward to making the most of this site and all your advice!

[mretzloff]

Welcome to Badger & Blade. If you want a newbie kit, look at the BST.

[82R100]

Welcome aboard.

First, bear in mind that this is a "wet shaving" forum and that is actually the most important part. You need to find some shaving cream or soap made to be used with a brush and you need to find a brush. One of our Canadian brethren would be better qualified to suggest what you might find in your local pharmacies, etc. (Does Canadian Tire sell shaving soap?)

How do you shave right now? Do you use a multi-blade razor or an electric?

- Chris

[5seconds]

I'm in Canada too, and I started out recently by going to a Shoppers Drug Mart, where I got an Omega Boar brush (#50005, I think) and some Real Shaving Company cream. They have Proraso too, which I think I will pick up soon. (I also got some Kiss My Face Mint shaving cream from London Drugs, which is my favorte cream at the moment)

I have yet to find any blades in local stores apart from the Gillette Stainless, which are going for $13-$15 for 10, which is terrible of course. So I just bought some blade sample packs from eBay.

I recomend getting a vintage Gillette from the Buy/Sell/Trade section of the forum, or on eBay. I bought a Weishi when I started, and while it's fine, I have since bought an Adjustable Slim and a 50's Rocket (like the Super Speed), each for less than the Weishi, and both are superior.

I have only been shaving with a DE for 2 months, but it has really grown on me, and I check in with this forum a couple of times a day. It's been invaluble.

[htownmmm]

Welcome aboard! You have come to the right place- and remember:


RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-alien003.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)


marty

[mretzloff]

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

You should make that your custom title :biggrin:

[TimMechEngr]

You're 100% Welcome here!

[O.G.]

Welcome to B&B. Ive learned alot about wet shaving by combing through the post on here and my shaves have improved greatly. Expect success in your shaves, take your time, do not forget about how important PREP is to softening your hair no matter what you shave with, and have fun - people only see your face first.

[Gruder]

Glad to have you here! Stick around, post often!

[English]

Welcome.

If you had been born 100 years ago, you wpuld have borrowed your Dad's straight and soon learnt how to use it.

if I was you, I would just jump straight in there. The rest is just wimping out on what you really want.

It's like learning to ride a bike.

The electric razor is like using water wings.

The DE razor is like having training wheels on you first bicycle.

The straight is your true bicycle.

Your choice.

[ProphetNoir]

Welcome to B&B!

[Wingnut]

Welcome to B&B, and to shaving freedom! (...and to all of you out there with various AD's, just ignore that last part!)

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[mdunn]

welcome aboard, mate

[Tzar]

Welcome to a fellow Canadian :001_smile

If you are looking for shavins stuff, you might want to drop at a Crabtree & Evelyn store since there are quite a few Crabtree & Evelyn stores in malls in Toronto: http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com/eng/stores/country/Canada.

C&E sell nice shave soaps, creams and brushes. I personally use the Nomad shave cream, which I really like.

[gerwen]

I'm a couple of hours up the 401 from ya, near London. +1 on hitting up Shoppers. You can get a decent starter brush there, and likely a tub of Proraso soap, or tube of cream. I also recommend the little container of Proaso Pre-shave balm (also called pre/post). It has a wonderful cooling effect used after your shave. If one Shoppers doesn't have this stuff, try another. You can also get Williams shave soap at Walmart. It's dirt cheap, so there's no reason not to try it. It's oft discussed around here as to whether it's great or garbage, with plenty of fans on either side of the argument.

Hit up the b/s/t part of the forum for a Vintage Gillette razor. Grab a blade sampler pack from one of the online retailers discussed around here. I like West Coast Shaving. Their shipping to Canada is cheap and fairly quick.

[Sharp Poynt]

Hi all and apologies for my so far lax approach to replying. I'd forgotten for a moment about how these forum thingys work.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice so far. I'm pleased to hear that shoppers stocks some things as they are like dog poo...everywhere/ubiquitous.

82R100:

I'm currently using gillette , three blade, disposables because they were on sale a while ago (ouch I hear you all scream!). I resolved then that as soon as I'd finished with them I would start shaving properly! Before then I always used Wilkinson Sword/Shick Quattro. I learnt to shave using single blade Bic disposables and only defected to the electric razor whilst at university (one bathroom, six blokes = shaving in a bedroom.

Otherwise, I'm actually thinking a single blade razor is where I want to be but need to save up a bit (and spend money on things like paint, fiance's orders!). That's another reason why I want to get a safety razor first.

Anyway, I shall be heading to shoppers very soon!

Cheers again guys!

[5seconds]

Also check out well.ca . It's a Canadian online drugstore that has free shipping to Canada, no minimum order. They sell some good creams (Kiss my face) and some aftershaves etc. (Even a cheap boar brush). I haven't bought from there yet but looks good.

[Alacrity59]

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I'm currently using gillette , three blade, disposables because they were on sale a while ago (ouch I hear you all scream!). I resolved then that as soon as I'd finished with them I would start shaving properly! Before then I always used Wilkinson Sword/Shick Quattro. I learnt to shave using single blade Bic disposables and only defected to the electric razor whilst at university (one bathroom, six blokes = shaving in a bedroom.
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Hi and welcome. Maybe save the disposables for travel and start in with the good stuff ASAP?

[THECHEBB]

Lots of great info and people here to help ya out!

[Tzar]

Also check out well.ca . It's a Canadian online drugstore that has free shipping to Canada, no minimum order. They sell some good creams (Kiss my face) and some aftershaves etc. (Even a cheap boar brush). I haven't bought from there yet but looks good.

Well.ca have almost the entire Thayer's Witch Hazel line. I ordered from them the Thayer's Non-alcohol with Aloe Vera... Shipping is fast and there is indeed no shipping costs in Canada, whatever the amount you are ordering.

[DSB]

Welcome!