Check-In and a Couple Questions

[bumbaclart]

I've been using a DE for about a week now, after watching mantic59's videos on YouTube and buying a Parker 91R. I was surprised to see so many reviews rating that as a very aggressive razor, but I haven't cut myself yet! (I hope I didn't just jinx it :glare:)

Just been using the Shark blades that came with it, but a blade sampler should arrive next week.

I picked up a Tweezerman Pure Badger along with the Parker, and I'm just disappointed with it. It was only $10, so I'm not too upset about it, but it sheds like mad. So, I was thinking about going with a boar brush and I'm looking for some recommendations there.

I'm waiting on a tube of CO Bigelow cream and I just ordered a tube of Proraso sandalwood cream. Any recommended soaps? I've used Col. Conk before (but I was still on a Mach3 in those days). Nothing too expensive and readily available (online or locally) is preferable.

I'm on my second Shark blade. I've got a sampler of Feather, Bluebird, Astra Superior Platinum, 7 O'Clock SS, and Derbys. Any recommendations on the order in which I should try this? Was leaving Feather for last, with Astra behind it (just to make sure I've had the most experience by the time I use the sharpest blade). The sampler also comes with Sharks, but that's what I'm using now so I was going to leave them out of the rotation.

Thanks in advance, this is a great forum and I've already learned a huge amount before posting! :thumbup:

[BeeSeeDub]

First, welcome to B&B!

Brushes: the boar brushes from Semogue and Omega get a lot of good press here

Soap: I think you're off to a great start with the Bigelow and Proraso creams - no need to complicate with additional stuff just yet (that will come for sure)

Blades: I'd recommend sticking with the Sharks for a while - keep it simple in the beginning and focus on your technique and understanding the directions your beard grows.

Other: witch hazel for post shave

[Optometrist]

Welcome to B&B!:thumbup1:

[JoshuaNY]

Welcome to B&B. Good advice from Ben.

I have not used a Boar yet, but the Semogue 620 seems pretty popular with the gents around here. Bigelow and Proraso are great products, I would stick with one of those for now. But if you really want a soap, Mama Bear makes a quality affordable glycerine soap. Plus she has all different flavors so if you get tired of the one you can try a different one without it changing a variable in your shave.

Many will tell you not to change to much when you are first learning, as then you will not know where you went wrong in the shave. I used the same razor, bursh and cream for the first 6 months only changing the type of blade every two weeks. Once your technique is down then it is time to experiment more.

[tinashubby]

I have a Semogue 1438 boar, works well for me. It makes lather that I smear on my face:wink2: (I do not have a badger to compare it to). Seems plenty soft, I've used it about 12 times, and have lost a total of 4 hairs -I'm keeping count. Good Grief! I need to get a hobby! Oh yea, this is my hobby...

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B. As said above, stick with the creams for a bit. After a while you can go to soaps.

[Vlad]

Welcome to B&B!


I love soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap soap

[BigBull]

Welcome to B&B!

Some good advice above! Omega and Semogue get good reviews here...for the value, I think a Semogue Owners Club (SOC) is the best bang for your buck. Bigelow/Proraso is a great cream, stick with it. You've ordered a very good sampler pack of blades as well...as suggested above, I'd stick with the Shark's (great blades) until you've finished them out. It will help you get your technique down. When your ready to switch it up, I'd tell ya to go ahead with the Feather! It'll teach ya what "no pressure" means quickly and greatly reduce your learning curve IMO. Witch Hazel is a great bit of advice...as is some Alum & a styptic pencil if you don't have one. You may not need it, but one day more than likely you will. You may also want to pick up an After Shave like Nivea AS Balm (non alcohol) or one with alcohol if you know your skin type.

Enjoy it! This place is a great forum with a ton of helpful gents for sure.

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to the forum !!

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome to the best shave site going. Enjoy your time here. :thumbup:

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[bumbaclart]

Thanks for all the welcomes!

My Tweezerman brush seems to be nearly finished shedding, so hopefully that'll revise my opinion on that. I got some CO Bigelow shave cream today, wow, what a difference compared to the Nivea gel I'd been using! A pea-size amount really does give a ton of lather.

Earlier, though, I was sitting down at my computer and I accidentally tripped and ordered an Omega boar brush and a few other things from West Coast Shaving. :wink2: I've had moderate success in resisting the urge to start loading up on razors and all sorts of products, but I can't help wanting to experiment a bit, either.

I have both Clubman Pinaud AS and Nivea AS balm, and I usually use a little of both (Clubman first, Nivea second). Wanna try more in the future, but for now I'm going to try to control that impulse to buy every remotely interesting product I come across.

Thanks again, guys!

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to the forum !!

[linty1]

Welcome to the boards!