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EndlessFields
12-23-2011, 10:21 PM
Hello everybody! Stumbled upon this forum while looking into safety razors. Spent the last week reading and watching videos on different types of razors, different styles of shaving with them, techniques. I am a little overloaded with information right now and it's hard to sort through. Let me explain my current "shaving" system and why I'm looking for a change. I have been using multi-blade razors since I started shaving 10 years ago, yes I'm still fairly young. I got to the point where I hating having to go buy more cartridges for them at ridiculous prices. I then switched over to an electric razor with the three blade heads. I would spend 5-10 minutes shaving and still be left with stubble on my face. Then somebody recommended a flat foil type electric, bought one, tried that. It was better than the other one but I still was not happy with the quality of the shave. I ended up going back to the newest multi-blade razor and that is what I've used up to this day. It gives me a good shave but I get some awful burning and bumps on my neck afterward that I can't seem to avoid. Somebody on another forum I frequent mentioned DE safety razor shaving and I thought I'd look into it, and I'm hoping it's the final answer to my decade long shaving quest.
Here is my question though. I don't know where to start with some basic supplies. I've been doing a lot of reading on forums and watching of videos and there are so many options/choices out there. One thing I have heard pretty consistently is that the Merkur 34C is a good place to start. I don't know about blades for it, I read that a sampler pack from somewhere would be the best choice for test driving the different options out there. I know nothing about brushes except that there are two types of hair, boar and badger. Boar is cheap but doesn't hold water as well. Badger comes in different qualities, from regular to silvertip being the best. I know less about my options in soap/cream. Desperately in need of some advice as to what I should purchase and from where. I'd prefer to purchase from a trustworthy online store. I'm looking for a complete starting package, razor, blades, brush, stand, soap, and any other accessories that would be good to have when starting out.

Sorry for my long winded first post, just hoping to find some answers so I can start down this path.

Sledgehammer39
12-24-2011, 03:56 AM
Welcome Aboard!

Optometrist
12-24-2011, 04:19 AM
Welcome to B&B!:thumbup1:

The Merkur 34HD or an Edwin Jagger EJ89(L) are both excellent razors to start with. Yes, a blade sampler is definitely the recommended way to go as different blades in different razors suit different people. Brushes are subjective, boars being the most economical. I prefer badgers and although the silvertips in particular can reach high prices, they don't have to. I began with an EJ Best badger until like most of us here, the acquisition disorder (AD) struck. Even silvertips that are now my preferred hair grade, do not have to cost a fortune. Soaps and creams are again in abundance, and creams are easier to learn with as they generally lather with more ease. Soaps require a litttle more experience although the Italian soft soaps such as Cella, Valobra, Razorock lather pretty much just looking at them!!! You also then have the choice of face lathering or using a bowl to create lather. Hope this gives you some useful information to get you started. Good luck in your new found hobby which it certainly will become!!:001_smile:thumbup1:

NickCutlip
12-24-2011, 10:50 AM
Welcome to B&B !!

chuckr9
12-24-2011, 11:01 AM
Welcome to B&B! Merkur 34D and a sampler pack is good way to start. See Vendor area for Bullgoose - a very good vendor with several blade package options.

coyotewhisper
12-24-2011, 11:15 AM
Welcome aboard to B&B.

Dennard
12-24-2011, 01:56 PM
Welcome! I second the Merkur HD and blade sampler.

ackvil
12-24-2011, 02:58 PM
Welcome.

droth455
12-24-2011, 05:21 PM
I've only been doing this a month and had a very similar experience before. Get a good 3 piece razor, any brush, any soap/cream, and just about any blades. No matter what you start out with, the experience will be 1000% better than anything you've previously experienced.

just remember, get a good lather and let the razor do the work.

EndlessFields
12-24-2011, 07:09 PM
Thanks for the welcome everybody. I'm looking forward to my stay. I went ahead and purchased Geo's starter set from Shavenation. Loved his product reviews and instructional videos on YouTube and he seems to have put together a nice starter set for somebody wanting an easy way into the world of fine shaving.

GDCarrington
12-24-2011, 07:23 PM
Welcome aboard the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage. :thumbup1:

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

Artistik
12-27-2011, 06:52 AM
Welcome 2 B&B!

demaro
12-27-2011, 07:52 AM
Welcome to B&B !!

Shave A Buck
12-27-2011, 07:26 PM
Hello and Welcome