Hello From an Ex-Lurker!

[4and20blackbirds]

Hello, gents. Thought I should quit lurking, which I’ve been doing for a few weeks. I’ve been shaving for, oh, about 25 years or so, multiblades, electric, back to multis, and then, for the past 4 years, a Norelco, which has been okay, but just okay. I’ve always been stymied by irritation on my neck, regardless. I stumbled across these forums a couple of years ago IIRC, but put the thought on hold, coming back to it a couple of months ago when I knew I needed a new blade for my electric and thought, what the heck, let me go find that DE information again.

After reading Leisureguy’s book and browsing here, I’m just about ready to order my shaving kit, which will initially consist of a Merkur HD, blade sampler pack from West Coast Shaving, QED shave stick and soap, some ASB and a splash of some sort, alum bar, My Nik is Sealed (y’know, just in case), Taylor’s Coconut Cream, Proraso in the green tube, and a couple of other items. Of course, the brush is missing, but I haven’t made up my mind about that one (serious analysis paralysis on that issue)—will be posting some questions in the shaving brush section. It may be a bit of overkill for starting out, but I’m curious to try the different lathering agents. Also, it may be pared down once I actually sit down and add up the cost of everything! :blink: Great forum here, and thanks to all the contributors for, well, your contributions!

--Tom

[Jim]

Welcome Tom!:biggrin:

[daniel]

Welcome to B&B Tom. It looks like you've got your bases covered and are set up for success.

[KWE]

Welcome!

[Limey]

Tom - welcome to B&B. Start with a cheap boar brush and work up from there. You won't get as much lather with the boar as you would with badger but the start up cost for the boar are a fraction of the badger. Good luck!

[galpman]

Tom, Welcome. Great to have you with us.:a14:

[analog_kid]

Welcome Tom!

[Ticman]

Welcome Tom,

Post enough questions/answers and you won't be an Ex-Lurker for long.

Enjoy the journey--it's been fun for me.

Mike

[Kmitch]

Hi Tom,
Welcome, glad you found us.
Happy Shaving

[Duggo]

Hi Tom,

Welcome to B&B!

I love my HD. Really nice choice. You might want to consider Thayers Witch Hazel (White Label) instead of the Alum. I found the TWH to be more soothing to my skin (type: fair) because it has Aloe Vera in it also. :001_tt1: I find it more effective than Alum at stopping the weepers, (tiny cuts) as they are called here at B&B.

[hatton305]

Hi Tom,
Welcome to B&B! Glad to have you as part of the 'family'!
John

[navy_shave]

Welcome to the crew, Tom!

Wow! A very impressive start. I suppose it's useless to warn you against the various ADs. . .:biggrin:

As for me, I try to keep my kit costs shaved down as much as possible. If you're looking for a good brush, the inexpensive Men-u boar brush (barbiere) is excellent. I also have a Men-u synthetic brush. Very good and not very pricey compared to most badger brushes, but I still use the boar brush more often. Tried all the major blades, but supermarket brands work just as well for me. Same with soap, although I recently splurged and bought ONE tub of Col. Conk. Good stuff, but I find it's not appreciably better than Wilkinson's shave soap at half the price. And last but certainly not least...Aqua Velva--my only AS.

I'm not cheap, I just hate spending money.

[4and20blackbirds]

Thanks for the warm welcome, tips, and suggestions, guys! This is a great forum and I look forward to participating! :thumbup:

[Leisureguy]

Welcome, Tom. If you're still in doubt about the brush, a good start would be to get one of these (http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi/@cEdwin%20Jagger%20Best%20badger%20shaving%20brush es@b) ($30.50 + shipping).

Very pleased that you read the book. Once you actually get into shaving, let me know your thoughts about the advice in the book---indeed, post a review on Lulu.com (http://www.lulu.com/content/769757) so people can see whether the book works as described. :)

[4and20blackbirds]

Michael, I'd be happy to leave a review. First DE shave is scheduled for tomorrow a.m. (my razor should be here today). I plan on re-reading your book this evening and re-watching Mantic's videos in preparation.

P.S. I did end up with an EJ Best from The English Shaving Co. in faux horn, medium--thanks for the suggestion! I love the looks of it and look forward to using it!

[Leisureguy]

Cool. Let us know how your shave goes.

[Buzz]

Welcome from another resident of Nashvegas!

[early30sguy]

Welcome, to one Tom from another.