Y'all convinced me...

[mnealtx]

Hello all,

I ran across the site after seeing leisureguy's blog and started reading....

I'm a 41 year old guy that has ALWAYS had problems shaving. I would either leave small amounts of stubble or would scrape myself raw trying to get a clean, stubble-free shave. I've used probably every disposable razor out there with no real change in results except for a bit less irritation with the multi-edge blades.

After reading through the site for several hours last night, I gave the multipass method a try. After 3 passes with the fusion (N-S, Ear-chin and S-N), I have the closest shave I've ever had and no irritation. I used small amounts of the gel shaving cream and added water once the lather was formed to thin it out. I just now have some stubble showing up, 12 hours later.

I pulled the trigger and ordered a starter kit (brush, bowl, stand and cologne/soap aftershave) and a Merkur HD and blades from Em's place.... wish me luck!!

[ouch]

Great to hear it, and welcome aboard. You won't believe how much better things will soon become.:thumbup:

[TimmyBoston]

That's great! I'm a newbie too. I have been shaving with a Merkur HD for about a week along with a brush and some other preliminary gear. I've had the best shaves of my life in the last few weeks and I actually am enjoying shaving. I don't know if you've seen these videos, but they were very helpful to me. The creator of them, Mark aka Mantic is an avid poster here and a shave guru. I hope they help.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mantic59

He's got six videos, with 4 of them being instructional. I found it easier to see it rather than read about it, at least at the very beginning.

[mnealtx]

Thanks for the welcome, all!

Luckily, Em ships to APO addresses (I work with the military overseas), so I was able to get the starter stuff.

Any other suggestions for needed supplies?

[Jim]

Welcome!:biggrin:

[Christoph]

you've seen what can be accomplished by adding more technique with ordinary drug store bought stuff. Just wait and see what happens when you use high quality products and equipment as well. You will be so glad you did this. One note, however, that I would like to add: I'm sure most people here would agree that sometimes when you use a DE for the first time (or after not having used one for decades) that it can be rough and a bit off putting. Many people report that their first shaves don't go the way they had hoped. But with a little patientce, time, and knowledge, you will soon get better shaves than ever before.

[Dinder1]

Welcome.:smile: It only gets better.
Cheers, DJ.

[Austin]

Welcome sir.

[mnealtx]

Thanks again for the welcome, y'all -

Luckily, my job doesn't *require* me to be clean-shaven, so if I need to take a couple days off from shaving, I can.

Picked up a hand towel, some witch hazel and Neutrogena Razor Defense aftershave balm at the px today, unfortunately, no glycerine or even glycerine soap available.

I figure tomorrow morning I'll try a lather/hot towel treatment after my shower, using the existing shave gel that I already have. Once the supplies come in from Em, I can use the towel to wrap the bowl under a trickle of hot water to keep things warm (no drain plugs in the bathroom conex, unfortunately).

Any suggestions for other supplies I might need (within reason, please - we have a separate bathroom conex, so I have to carry everything back and forth in the mornings) would be greatly appreciated!! I figure I'll get a "blade pack" once I see how well I do with the Merkur blades I ordered from Em.

[catatonic]

Welcome to the wonderful world of wetshaving! :)

You may want to get a basic styptic pencil if you don't have one already. Clubman has one that is found in most US drugstores for $2-3. Since you are overseas, it may involve some legwork, but I'm certain you can find one...heck, the local barbers might have a new one they can part with or sell you.

Styptic pencils are great to deal with the occaisinal nick or cut that may happen.

[jduffy]

Enjoy the ride my friend and BTW what's your name?

This is a first name kinda place. :biggrin:

[ada8356]

Welcome!

With a little patience and practice you'll be knocking out quality shave in no time.

I would guess that if your face can stand up to a multi pass shave with a fusion, you won't have too many problems with the HD after getting the technique down.

There is a wealth of info here to help with all of your questions/problems.

I would strong suggest that you aquire a tube of Proraso Cream (green) and a jar of Proraso Pre/Post. You can thank me after your first shave with them!:biggrin:

[mnealtx]

Welcome to the wonderful world of wetshaving! :)

You may want to get a basic styptic pencil if you don't have one already. Clubman has one that is found in most US drugstores for $2-3. Since you are overseas, it may involve some legwork, but I'm certain you can find one...heck, the local barbers might have a new one they can part with or sell you.

Styptic pencils are great to deal with the occaisinal nick or cut that may happen.

I was lookng for a styptic at the px - no luck. I'm hoping that if I do nick myself, putting on the witch hazel after shaving and before the aftershave balm will keep it from bleeding.

No barbershops in Kosovo that I've seen - I'll ask a couple of our local national employees about a styptic pencil, though - thanks!!

[ada8356]

I was lookng for a styptic at the px - no luck. I'm hoping that if I do nick myself, putting on the witch hazel after shaving and before the aftershave balm will keep it from bleeding.

No barbershops in Kosovo that I've seen - I'll ask a couple of our local national employees about a styptic pencil, though - thanks!!

While not the same as a stypic, I've found that an alum block will stop small nicks/weepers from bleeding very effectively.... if you check out the SOTD posts, you'll see that many folks (myslef included) use an alum block daily. It iis very useful in reducing any razor burn or irritation that may occur.

[Leisureguy]

Very pleased to see that my long post (http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/a-guide-to-the-gourmet-shaving-experience/) brought a shaver to Badger and Blade. If you do see Mantic's videos, note that in the DE shaving video the angle of the Progress razor is VERY sharp---nothing like what you should use with a regular DE razor. Normally the handle would be much closer to parallel to the floor, so the blade is closer to parallel with the skin. The action should be like a scythe, not like a hoe.

BTW, recheck the long post from time to time: I update it several times a week as I learn more or get questions that the post initially failed to answer.

And good luck with your shaves. FWIW, I found the Merkur blades to be dull and rough, but OTOH, some people love them---I just mailed the rest of my Merkur blades to one such person. So if the shave is not totally satisfactory, don't blame the razor. The problem will probably be a combination of prep, technique, and blade.

[mnealtx]

Welcome!

With a little patience and practice you'll be knocking out quality shave in no time.

I would guess that if your face can stand up to a multi pass shave with a fusion, you won't have too many problems with the HD after getting the technique down.

There is a wealth of info here to help with all of your questions/problems.

I would strong suggest that you aquire a tube of Proraso Cream (green) and a jar of Proraso Pre/Post. You can thank me after your first shave with them!:biggrin:

I checked the Target website...no joy. I'll have to keep searching, see if I can find someplace that has it that will bill/ship to APO addresses. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Leisureguy]

Classic Shaving will probably ship to an APO address. Email them: [email protected] They have all the supplies you might want. Check out their Web site (http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html).

[mnealtx]

Very pleased to see that my long post (http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/a-guide-to-the-gourmet-shaving-experience/) brought a shaver to Badger and Blade. If you do see Mantic's videos, note that in the DE shaving video the angle of the Progress razor is VERY sharp---nothing like what you should use with a regular DE razor. Normally the handle would be much closer to parallel to the floor, so the blade is closer to parallel with the skin. The action should be like a scythe, not like a hoe.

BTW, recheck the long post from time to time: I update it several times a week as I learn more or get questions that the post initially failed to answer.

And good luck with your shaves. FWIW, I found the Merkur blades to be dull and rough, but OTOH, some people love them---I just mailed the rest of my Merkur blades to one such person. So if the shave is not totally satisfactory, don't blame the razor. The problem will probably be a combination of prep, technique, and blade.

Yup, it's all *your* fault, Michael!! :thumbup: :tongue: Thanks for the welcome!

I did notice that mantic's video showed a pretty perpendicular handle angle. I figure I'll take the advice of handle horizontal to floor and work from there.

I plan on getting a blade pack in the near future.. I figure I'll see how the Merkur blades treat my face in the meantime.

[mnealtx]

Classic Shaving will probably ship to an APO address. Email them: [email protected] They have all the supplies you might want. Check out their Web site (http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html).


I'll check that...thanks!! Of course, I have next to no clue what to actually get...easy to get confused by all the products out there!

[jduffy]

Check the Reviews tab at the top to get yourself some great info on some of the products. I know it helped me immensely getting set up properly.

Also, don't be afraid to post a question about a product as the lads/ladies here have tried just about everything under the sun and love to give their opinions and then some.

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome!

[OldSaw]

Welcome

[xChris]

There are plenty of vendors that will ship to an APO. Here's a few of them:

QED (http://qedusa.com)
Classic Shaving (http://www.classicshaving.com)
Saint Charles Shave (http://www.saintcharlesshave.com)
Honeybee Spa Soaps (http://stores.ebay.com/Honeybee-Spa-Soaps)
Mama Bear Soaps (http://www.bear-haven.com/page3.html)
Oregon Soap Lady (http://www.soap-lady.com/index.html)

Welcome to the forum, and enjoy your new hobby/obsesssion!

[htownmmm]

Welcome to B&B MIke!

One rule of thumb once you start:

One blade, one brush, one razor, one cream/soap to start. That way you can develop your technique before falling head first into the world of various **AD's.


Resistance is futile- you will be assimilated!

Marty

[Birds]

Mike,

Welcome!

Regarding the Witch Hazel... If you find you are getting in-grown whiskers and bumps after using it, try not using it for a while and instead using a good moisturizure from Nivea for Neutrogena.

While others have good results with Witch Hazel, I found that it closed up my skin too much and that lead to a lot of in-growns and bumps. When I stopped using it these went away.

Enjoy,
Chris

[HairyCarey]

you've seen what can be accomplished by adding more technique with ordinary drug store bought stuff. Just wait and see what happens when you use high quality products and equipment as well. You will be so glad you did this. One note, however, that I would like to add: I'm sure most people here would agree that sometimes when you use a DE for the first time (or after not having used one for decades) that it can be rough and a bit off putting. Many people report that their first shaves don't go the way they had hoped. But with a little patientce, time, and knowledge, you will soon get better shaves than ever before.

I'd be one of those people to report that things aren't going exactly as I had hoped. Until about ten days ago, I hadn't used a DE in 25 years. I am now using a Merkur Classic Long-handle and working on technique. I've had a few good mornings, but also a few mornings of nicks and oozes. I have read these forums and assorted sites for hours, watched Mantic's videos, corresponded with Leisureguy, ordered blades from LetterK, and creams from Scotto. I do think things are getting better, and I know I am having a great time learning. I have enough positive attitude that I am already thinking about how I am going to introduce my three sons into a better shaving experience. I hope you will be reporting the same very shortly.

[guenron]

Greetings Mike and WELCOME to B&B!
Does the Army Airforce Exchange no longer have canteens in Kosovo? While limited, they formerly had American Safety Razor DE blades (Called Exchange Select or some such name) and had been known to have styptic sticks and powder, Mennen's skin bracer (the green stuff in the familiar bubbly glass bottle), and other such stuff. :confused:

[rikrdo]

Greetings Mike !
Thanks for serving.
Give our best to your buds.

[charleton]

... we have a separate bathroom conex, ...

I haven't heard anyone say (or write) "conex" for a loonnnggg time.:smile: Be safe over there.

Gene.
RVN 67-68

[mnealtx]

Greetings Mike and WELCOME to B&B!
Does the Army Airforce Exchange no longer have canteens in Kosovo? While limited, they formerly had American Safety Razor DE blades (Called Exchange Select or some such name) and had been known to have styptic sticks and powder, Mennen's skin bracer (the green stuff in the familiar bubbly glass bottle), and other such stuff. :confused:


Hi Ron -

No canteens , but a PX. All the razors are multiblade disposable, no styptic pencils.. I remember skin bracer - my Dad wore it for years!! :smile:

Courtesy of the g/f, I have a full kit of Proraso (red, green, pre/post, asb and splash), alum bar and styptic on the way from Classicshaving. I asked her to look and see what all they had at Target and she searched it down online instead! She's going to hit the grocery store today or tomorrow and will try to find a small bottle of glycerin and send it with the next "care package".

[mnealtx]

Greetings Mike !
Thanks for serving.
Give our best to your buds.

Thanks, Rick - I appreciate that! The troops are the ones doing the real work (I'm prior service, but over here as a contractor)... I just make sure they've got phones and email!

[guenron]

Mike,
Good luck and hope you enjoy your Em's starter kit.

[mnealtx]

I haven't heard anyone say (or write) "conex" for a loonnnggg time.:smile: Be safe over there.

Gene.
RVN 67-68

Hi Gene -

Well, we *call* them conexes...they're actually 8' x 20' SeaLand containers that have been converted to living quarters. It's cramped, but I've been in worse (as I'm sure you have too!). One of these days, I'll take a pic of my palatial surroundings and post it... :biggrin:

[mnealtx]

Mike,
Good luck and hope you enjoy your Em's starter kit.

It shipped today, according to the email I got... can't wait!!