First D/E shave..Finally

[CJMaxey]

Well my razor finally came in the mail today, it's so beautiful :blushing:

So anyways, I had to wait till after work to give it a try. So got the kids to sleep, hopped in the shower and got ready. When I was done with that, I got my brush out of the mug and tried to start a lather. Let's just say I failed on that a bit. I attempted to get a paste in the bowl then transfer it into the mug. First off I don't think I gave enough time to get a proper paste look, it was pretty watery inside the mug, so then I attempted forming a lather right ontop of the soap, started to look a little better. Finally I just started twirling it on my face and a somewhat decent lather began to form, so I left it at that.

Now it was time to shave, I placed the head against my cheek and lowered it down until the blade touched and used that angle, which seemed to be a good way (thanks stickies) So I made a few short strokes, which turned out nice and proceeded to lengthen my strokes, which also went quite well. So evrything went quite well, I even got some ATG action going on, my cheeks feel bbs like never before. Now my neck, still feels rough, but I assume with practice with the angle in that area it will also get much smoother.

Oh and I wasn't expecting the Nivea asb to sting like it did, but it smells very nice. As for the mug, I think I may give up on that and just lather directly onto the face, there isn't much room in the mug to get good movement.

[Timmy!]

Sweet! Which razor did you get? I am in the same boat you are. I am feeling my way around this new hobbie. Now, I also have Nivea and it stung a bit for me too. Do you think it has alcohol in it? That may be why! If so, I am dumping it! OUCH!

[CJMaxey]

Sweet! Which razor did you get? I am in the same boat you are. I am feeling my way around this new hobbie. Now, I also have Nivea and it stung a bit for me too. Do you think it has alcohol in it? That may be why! If so, I am dumping it! OUCH!

I got the Merkur "1904" Classic
I was kind of worried because I don't see many people talk about having that razor, but I like it.

As for the Nivea, I'm not sure if it has alcohol in it. I tried to check the ingredients but the bottle don't say what's in it. Would the menthol give it that slight sting?

I was suprised with the nice smell, I didn't think it really had much of a scent, until I started applying it.

How about you, which razor you got?

[Timmy!]

I got the Merkur "1904" Classic
I was kind of worried because I don't see many people talk about having that razor, but I like it.

As for the Nivea, I'm not sure if it has alcohol in it. I tried to check the ingredients but the bottle don't say what's in it. Would the menthol give it that slight sting?

I was suprised with the nice smell, I didn't think it really had much of a scent, until I started applying it.

How about you, which razor you got?
That is funny! I tried to check the bottle too and no luck! I think they print it on the box it comes in, but I tossed it! I agree. I like the scent, but it hurts! LOL Hmmm, not sure about menthol. I would think it would give a cool feeling as opposed to a stinging. I picked up a Merkur 38C, long handle. So far, so good. I have only used it twice. I generally shave every other day for the sanity of my face along with making the razor blades last! I will one day hopefully go to a daily regimen, but for now, I will stick with every other. I have yet to buy a bowl as well. Honestly, I am overwhelmed with the selection of these shaving products! One could go broke!

[daniel.boone]

I got the Merkur "1904" Classic
I was kind of worried because I don't see many people talk about having that razor, but I like it.

As for the Nivea, I'm not sure if it has alcohol in it. I tried to check the ingredients but the bottle don't say what's in it. Would the menthol give it that slight sting?

I was suprised with the nice smell, I didn't think it really had much of a scent, until I started applying it.

How about you, which razor you got?

I use the 1904 and love it.

BTW Nivea ASB Sensitive - no alcohol, the regular ASB does.

[ScottyD]

Hey Fellas, Another Damn Newbie here. I started out about a month ago with the DE, and have been having great success with those smaller Tech/1904 size razors. I have even been using a little Gillete travel razor which is pretty tiny but it gives you incredible "feel" for what you are doing wtih the razor. I am relearning to shave after nearly 30 years of Atra/Sensor/Mach3 abuse and nearly decapitated myself with the brand new Feather Popular and blades I regretfully chose as my first DE setup.

[teXmeX]

Hi there, I'm also new to this DE shaving. Been doing it for almost a month now. 24 years old and didn't shave that much before. Only trimmed the beard with a electric hair cutter because I was getting a lot of ingrown hair. Then I got tired of the electric and went Mach3/Fusion road (and what a costly road that was) and still didn't get rid of those ingrown hairs. So one day I read a thread on a computer hardware forum that was about DE shaving and got intrested in it. Remembered seeing my father use one of those things when I was little.

So I watched a lot (ok all) of Mantics videos and fell in love with his Progress. So I got a Progress and packs of Merkur (well was included with the razor) Wilkinson Sword and Feather blades. A friend who also got into DE shaving recommended Taylor's creams. So Lavender it is and the brush is an Edwin Jagger Best Badger (same as C & E Best Badger).

The whole experience is good but I still have problems with the lathering. Seems to get dry on my face. In the bowl it seems nice and rich but after a while it seems to dry out anyways.

Oh and btw, this is my first post. Ex-lurker now =)

[sartoris]

Hey guys,

I just started on this DE thing about a month ago myself. I indulged my RAD/BAD with a new Shavemac silver tip, and the lathering difference is truly amazing compared with the drug store boar bristle I was using before.


The whole experience is good but I still have problems with the lathering. Seems to get dry on my face.

I have been trying soap (I have a Bay Rum Conk now, but some Honeybee Spas on the way) and cream (I started with the Body Shop brand, but also ordered a Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado with my new brush). I read the stickies about lathering (at the top of this forum section), and it seems to me that getting the lather to the appropriate hydration level is very specific to the soap/cream you are using (and I say this only having used three different kinds of soap), and now I would say it also matters how your brush holds water (the silver tip really does hold a lot more than the boar). You can read more in the stickies, but I have found that starting with a brush soaked in hot water, then squeezed or shaken a couple of times is plenty enough water to start that lather going. I have been dipping the tip of my brush in the hot water in the sink as I need (sometimes just once).

Oh, and for what it's worth, I have found so far that producing lather on my face with soap is easier than in a bowl; whereas, it seems easier to get a good cream lather in a bowl. (A stoneware Target-brand rice bowl is what I'm using.)

Anyway, welcome to B&B, guys! I'm looking forward to many more great shaves! See you around!

[Nancy Boy]

Welcome everybody! I'm warning you all now: this place is like a drug.:biggrin: