Jumping right in

[oceanjeremy]

Hi, everyone, I'm new to this site. I've just spent about an hour looking around and have already learned some wonderful new tips, I can't wait to try them out on my next shave tomorrow!

As an introduction: I've been wetshaving for about two weeks. I've got a Merkur safety razor, a cheapo Burma Shave brush, Taylor of Old Bond St sandalwood shaving cream and Trumper sandalwood skin food as an aftershave.

So... I'm looking forward to participating in your community here! I'll be back tomorrow to look around some more.


-Jeremy

[Wilpar76]

Welcome!!

[Jim1968]

Ask questions. Someone knows the answer or can point you in the right direction.

[Shane]

Welcome and ask questions.

[oceanjeremy]

Alright. First question: Does the type of brush really affect your overall shave so much? I'm low on cash right now, but as soon as I pay rent I'm buying a better one. Mainly I just get annoyed because the hairs fall out of the Burma Shave brush if you look at them wrong. But I'd like to know how the different types of brushes change the shaving experience, as far as soft, medium or hard bristles, etc.

Second: Is the BBS shave actually possible without discomfort on a daily basis? I still have stubble left on my face after these shaves, it's just not visible. I can feel it with my hands but can't see it, not even on close inspection. Is this just a reality of shaving daily, will I never get the BBS shave without needing to give my face a rest for a few days afterward?


-Jeremy

[luvmysuper]

Welcome to B&B, glad your here!
Don't be shy about asking questions if you have them.
The only bad question is the one not asked.

[Defend Tacoma]

Welcome to B&B! If you haven't already, be sure to check out the mantic59 videos on Youtube. Lots of great tips in those too!

-J

[DSB]

Welcome to B&B!

[luvmysuper]

Alright. First question: Does the type of brush really affect your overall shave so much? I'm low on cash right now, but as soon as I pay rent I'm buying a better one. Mainly I just get annoyed because the hairs fall out of the Burma Shave brush if you look at them wrong. But I'd like to know how the different types of brushes change the shaving experience, as far as soft, medium or hard bristles, etc.

The stiffer brush is usually associated with harder soaps and the softer brush is associated with creams. That is not a rule, and I swap things around frequently to try different combos.
I can't speak for the Burma Shave brush, but the Tweezerman Badger brush is a pretty good starter brush for a really good price, look for it on Amazon. I have a few boar heair brushes as well, from a very very cheap Van Der Hagen to a really nice Omega. There are good Omega Boars to be had for very reasonable prices as well, similar in cost to the Tweezerman Badger.
I'd say start off with these and see what you like before you sink big money into brushes, because if you want to spend a lot of money, it's easy with brushes.


Second: Is the BBS shave actually possible without discomfort on a daily basis? I still have stubble left on my face after these shaves, it's just not visible. I can feel it with my hands but can't see it, not even on close inspection. Is this just a reality of shaving daily, will I never get the BBS shave without needing to give my face a rest for a few days afterward?

The BBS is possible every day, though most don't specifically seek it out, it just happens. Most folks just go for a close comfortable shave and frequently BBS is the result.
It takes a healthy bit of time to develop the motor skills necessary to shave properly with a DE, which is quite different from a cart.
With time you'll find that the shaves get better and get faster.
Be patient with it and it will all come together.

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

+1 on Phil's comment!

[rm71]

Welcome to B&B!

[andrew98]

Welcome to B&B!

-Andy

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[jjjackso]

BBS is possible, but when starting out just aim to enjoy your shave, get zero irritation and feel like a million bucks. If you obsess about every little hair left on your chin you will both irritate your skin and perhaps be unhappy with your shave.

Look around and the software products here soaps and creams. They along with the beard preparation and a quality aftershave really make the shave.

[mdunn]

welcome aboard, mate

[brianw]

Welcome to B&B, ask all the questions you want, there are plenty of experts here.

[bhsher]

Welcome from one newbie to another!

[sodajerk]

I've used a $20 _bay silvertip since I started and love it. I have, however, got 5 restored ones to try! )

After 5 months I have 7-8 hour (before I feel growth) BBS 2 1/2 pass shaves. The 1/2 is three passes on my trouble spots - upper lip and under chin. i picked up on angle and touch quickly but it took learning to make a quality lather to get where I am. It will come together for you!

[oceanjeremy]

Thanks everyone for encouragement! The BBS shave is attainable, someday, on a daily basis! It's nice to know it's OK to relax and not "stand too close to the razor," so to speak, enjoy my shave and let it get closer on its own. Knowing that the shave only gets better is a huge encouragement for me to stick with this.

Out of curiosity, Sodajerk, do you shave daily?



-Jeremy

[sodajerk]

...
Out of curiosity, Sodajerk, do you shave daily?
-Jeremy

Yes - I'm a after-shower morning shaver with what I call an average beard - 5 o'clock shadow so I can't skip days or even shave at night. I guess I could shave at night, but feeling the growth early in the day would drive me crazy! ) Only trouble spots I have are around my mouth - mainly upper lip - and under my chin.

Your stubble problem is, I think, a razor angle or blade problem. Angle you will grasp soon. While there is preferences among shavers, IMHO, any of the "quality" blades would not leave stubble. Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to press harder!

Lather is really important for blade performance and post shave comfort. Make absolutely sure you have a really thick and wet lather. You can make a lather that looks right but is dryer than it should be. As a beginner, don't squeeze your brush dry - just shake it one time to remove some of the excess water but leave it wet. Then, spend more time than you think is necessary to load soap into the brush. You want a ton of soap in the brush to start because it's easier to sprinkle a little water at a time to get it right. Watch Mantic's videos? Notice that as he finishes applying the lather to his face he changes his stokes to straight, side to side "painting" motion? For some brushes, this helps draw or pull the lather out and puts a thicker coat on your face. Also, when you do this you should hardly feel the brush and the lather should feel really slick. Hard to put into words, but easy to tell when you get it right. Get your lather right first so you can rate the performance of everything else. That's what worked for me, anyway. Hope this helps and good luck!!

[oceanjeremy]

Yeah, I've watched the Mantic videos-- it seemed to me that he was using less water than I was to get a lather. I'll experiment, but thanks for the description-- that'll help me get what I'm looking for.

It seems that everyone hates the Merkur blades I've been using. It's just what they carried at the men's boutique I bought my razor from. Should have checked here first. I noticed the deli by my house carries Wilkinson Swords and Personna blades, so I bought a pack of the Wilkinson Swords and I'm about to try using them (like, as soon as I click "Submit Reply"). Once I pay rent I'm going to buy a better brush and a blade sampler pack.

Again, thanks for the advice.



-Jeremy

[oceanjeremy]

Wow. Wow. I just shaved, and tried for the thickest, slickest lather possible and really piled it on my face. I also switched from the Merkur blades to the Wilkinson Swords, and this was by far the most amazing shave I've ever had.

Wait, don't tell me-- it still only gets better, right?



-Jeremy

[sherlock]

Welcome to B&B sounds like you are getting great results already:001_smile

[oceanjeremy]

Welcome to B&B sounds like you are getting great results already:001_smile

I am. I am indeed.

And with this post I'm graduating from Wetshaver Wannabe to In M3 Remission.



-Jeremy

[sodajerk]

... And with this post I'm graduating from Wetshaver Wannabe to In M3 Remission.
-Jeremy

How appropriate! Glad things came together quickly!! )

[grump]

Welcome to B&B, Jeremy.

It sounds like you are well on your way.:thumbup1: