Single Page DE Basics

[Mr Spleen]

Hi all,

I have recently bought the ubiquitous Merkur HD Classic (and a brush) and am really enjoying my shaves. I have found loads of great advice on here that has helped immensely, but I have a question:

I would like to introduce others to the pleasures of wet shaving by buying them a razor and brush as a gift. Although there is fantastic advice on this site, has anyone put together a single page of beginners tips to get someone started? Stuff like "Soak the brush in hot water" "Don't push down on the razor" "Lather between passes" etc. I would like to print something off and put it in the gift package. I can probably put one together myself given enough time, but I am a complete noob to this and fear I could easily miss something "important".

Thanks for any help.

[pbroddi]

Make it easier on yourself: Just send a card with a link to this site, and ask the recipient to do his research on the subject. The whole point of this is that it ain't a rush.

What a good friend you are! :001_smile

[Mr Spleen]

I hear what you are saying - and I think "Don't Rush It!" should be one of the pointers, but I feel it could be a bit of a chicken and egg thing - someone who uses a Mach III may not realise the pleasure that can be derived from the shaving experience until he tries a DE and may not want to put the time in to researching the subject before shaving. If he tries a DE razor and it is not a good experience, it will put him off - whereas if he enjoys it he is more likely to come on here and get extra pointers on technique, creams, blades etc.

There again you are probably right - I am over thinking this thing. I should just give the present, say "go easy with it" and give this site as a reference.

Cheers

[Unknownsoldier]

Top tips for DE shaving:

1.Take your TIME, it is neither a race nor a rush. Enjoy the experience and take it easy and you will get a better result.
2. Don't apply pressure to the DE razor, your touch should be light.
3.Soak your brush well in hot water before shaving. I typically leave mine to soak in my lather bowl whilst I'm in the shower. I also leave my soap out in the warm steamy room, and it seems to work well too.
4. Experiment, if at first you don't succeed, try again, if necessary changing your technique.
5. Remember shaving with a DE is totally different to a Cartridge razor, the angle is different and you need apply no pressure to the area to get great results.
6.Read this site carefully and if necessary print off some of the how to guides for reference whilst shaving (I know I did, with the how-to lather guide.....:blush:)

Perhaps others can comment/alter these so we get an organically great set of basic tips.

Tom

[wchnu]

Welcome and I for one say GOOD FOR YOU.. on wanting to PIF a set for new guys. AS far as starter page thought, the ones listed already are good.

Enjoy the site....


Fuzzy

[Jim]

Try this (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42266)

[studman46]

How many are you buying gift sets for?. You can rack up the $$$ quick. Many scoff at the idea of DE shaving out of ignorance, fear, or laziness. Tell them of your enlightenment first and get their reaction. Agree with above, about leading them to B&B first. It doesn't take much reading of posts, here, to get one hooked.

[Robotack]

I just bought my first DE today. I've been getting great results already using the prep techniques I've learned here with a cartridge. Have to say. I'm scared sh*tless of this thing... I've a mole on my cheek. It's not very high or pronounced but I'm afraid of slicing it off... Are DE's less forgiving for facial oddities?

[jdcoulter]

I think that the best thing for newbies or newbie wannabees is to check out Mantics videos on YouTube. That's where I got started and I haven't looked back since.

[Burtonsnow157]

not hijacking but i saw above and elsewhere, what does PIF stand for

[_JP_]

PIF = Pay It Forward

[_JP_]

Try this (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42266)

That's along the lines of what I was thinking. You could take the parts that seem to apply and print them out to include into the packages.