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View Full Version : First DE shave EVER (newbie posting!)



xivex
03-02-2010, 06:57 AM
Hi,

Hello Everyone!! I'm a newbie to this forum and have been reading for the past week. After some consideration, I ordered my basic DE setup based on the advice and reviews of this forum. Yesterday I received my special package of goodies from UPS containing:

1) Merkur 38c HD Barber Pole Chrome DE Safety Razor w/ Merkur Super Blade (they threw in 15 Lord Blades of varying types as well when I purchased this)
2) Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush with Ebony Handle (21cm)
3) Colonel Conk Chrome Razor/Brush Stand
4) Proraso Pre Shave
5) Proraso Shave Soap - Menthol & Eucalyptus
6) Proraso Aftershave (the green liquid -- not the cream)

This will be a huge change from the Mach 3 I'm used to shaving with..plus the savings on blade costs!

After reading thoroughly and even watching several videos (google and youtube)....I decided to get my feet wet! I was stoked to try this out and was nervous about the results as well....I had figured my technique would suck and I would most likely cut myself....

Here's the process I used for my first DE shave ever:

1) 3 mins of hot towels on the face neck alternating hot towels every 30 seconds or so..soaked the brush in hot water during this process
2) Applied Proraso pre shave cream
3) 30 more seconds of a hot towel
4) Built and applied lather from Proraso shave soap
5) Began shaving short N-S strokes on my cheeks while trying to best figure out the 30 degree angle and "no pressure" touch of the razor
6) Re-lathered and tried to get a better shave on pass 2 (N-S strokes again)
6) Cold water rinse
7) Applied Proraso aftershave

THE RESULTS:

The results seemed decent for my first shave. I didn't cut myself once, which was impressive...I figured I'd butcher myself. I didn't get the best shave ever though (not surprised since it was the first attempt at this)...the shave was decent but I did leave a few patches in the undersides of my neck..the really hard to do place for someone who's never done this before! :)

My face did feel a bit sore afterwards...not painful, but seemed a hair raw. Perhaps I put too much pressure on the blade? Not sure on this...chalk it up to inexperience. I would have liked to have spent more time attempting to clean up my neck area but I didn't want to shave the same area over and over and over...as it stood I easily made 4 passes on certain trouble spots to try to clean them up..

Overall I was very pleased with this new man ritual and look forward to my beard growing back so I can get more practice and eventually get a BBS shave!!

Thanks for everything! Comments appreciated! :D

How long should I wait before I shave the 2nd time? I'm really itching to try again? Is 2 days enough time to let my face "recover" and try again, or should I wait 3-4 days? Thanks to everyone!

blackfoot
03-02-2010, 07:36 AM
Welcome to B&B! Looks like you are off to a great start. As far as how long to wait, I would at least wait until you have hair on your face again. :biggrin: If it doesn't irritate your face, every day is great.

sodajerk
03-02-2010, 09:51 AM
Welcome!!

With what you have, a little experience and adjustment time will probably take care of everything.

For me, lather and pressure are the two big ones. Make sure the lather is wet enough to be rich and slick, and, keep reminding yourself about light because it's so easy to forget.

KeNd0
03-02-2010, 09:58 AM
Welcome!!

With what you have, a little experience and adjustment time will probably take care of everything.

For me, lather and pressure are the two big ones. Make sure the lather is wet enough to be rich and slick, and, keep reminding yourself about light because it's so easy to forget.

+1
Congrats on the shave.

mrbear
03-02-2010, 10:00 AM
Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you have a nice kit. Enjoy your shaves!

xivex
03-02-2010, 10:38 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone! :)

I admit I am already addicted..I had so much fun with my new shaving kit yesterday that I'm already ready to shave again today for more practice! I've NEVER EVER felt this way about a normal cartridge mach3 type experience.

And to top it off, my addiction is growing...I thought I had everything I needed, but I decided I needed to try another product or two! :) Just bought the following supplies from WCS:

1) Colonel Conk Chrome Shave Bowl (for building my lather in!)
2) Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood shave soap in wooden bowl
3) Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Aftershave lotion
4) Thayers Alcohol-Free Cucumber Witch Hazel w/ Aloe Vera Toner
5) DE Blade Sampler Pack, Extended
6) Pacific Shaving Nick Stick (hopefully won't ever need this! :D)

After more reading I decided I wanted to try OTHER razor blades as well as the higher-end "TOBS" product line! Thanks for all the info guys!!!

XiveX

NickCutlip
03-02-2010, 12:46 PM
Welcome to B&B !!

wimbouman
03-02-2010, 01:04 PM
Hi,

Hello Everyone!! I'm a newbie to this forum and have been reading for the past week. After some consideration, I ordered my basic DE setup based on the advice and reviews of this forum. Yesterday I received my special package of goodies from UPS containing:

1) Merkur 38c HD Barber Pole Chrome DE Safety Razor w/ Merkur Super Blade (they threw in 15 Lord Blades of varying types as well when I purchased this)
2) Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush with Ebony Handle (21cm)
3) Colonel Conk Chrome Razor/Brush Stand
4) Proraso Pre Shave
5) Proraso Shave Soap - Menthol & Eucalyptus
6) Proraso Aftershave (the green liquid -- not the cream)

This will be a huge change from the Mach 3 I'm used to shaving with..plus the savings on blade costs!

!


Hello and welcome to Starship B&B.
Enjoy your flight, it is nice.

You have a nice set up to start with, Proraso is great and so is the Merkur I heard. You might wanna consider some feather blades as reviews on the Merkur blades are not too enthusiastic.

Your brush might be a bit on the large side ;-)

Keep us posted!

wvu_law_dawg
03-02-2010, 01:06 PM
Congrats on the shave! Welcome to the world of DEs!

troy1979
03-02-2010, 01:11 PM
Welcome...take your time an enjoy.

JPM
03-02-2010, 04:22 PM
Welcome to B&B!

saltypete
03-02-2010, 04:26 PM
Welcome! Glad to hear that your shave went well.

Pete

pauls51
03-02-2010, 05:30 PM
Welcome to B&B mate.. You've got yourself an awesome starters kit there too

ShavelockFoams
03-02-2010, 07:13 PM
Congratulations on the first shave. When I started DE shaving, it took a couple of weeks to break the bad habits, but the shave is soooo worth it.

With a bit of practice, you will be amazed how good a shave can be.

rm71
03-02-2010, 07:13 PM
Hello and welcome!

DunEdinRanger
03-02-2010, 07:24 PM
Welcome and Congrats. It only gets better!