muschem
10-07-2006, 01:39 PM
Greetings, Gents...
Recently I stumbled across this forum along with some of the other great online guides (leisureguy's blog, mantic's videos, etc.), and I became enamored with the classic wetshave. After having read many of the stories both here and over at SMF, I find that mine is not dissimilar.
My first shaving experience was with a cheap electric razor, which I quickly gave up in favor of the Sensor cartridges (and later the Mach3) along with some foam in a can. I found the shave from the cartridges closer than the electric, but it also resulted in more razor burn - especially in the neck area. I began to shave every other day to give my face a chance to heal, and eventually I grew a beard to avoid the experience altogether. When I took my current job, facial hair was not an option, so rather than go back to the cartridges with which I'd had such a painfull history, I opted for the latest high-dollar electric gizmo in hopes that the technology had advanced sufficiently to allow a close-comfortable shave that I could do on a daily basis. I found that while the quality had certainly improved since my first experience over a decade prior, I was still relatively unsatisfied with the closeness (or, more accurately, the lack thereof), and I found myself doing touch-up with a cartridge on the areas the electric couldn't get to. That pretty much brings me up to the present, and after reading up on the wonders of wetshaving I must confess that I am excited to give it a whirl.
After doing a fair bit of research and reading, I came up with a starter-kit that I think will allow me to get my feet wet (or, perhaps more appropriately - get my face wet):
Merkur HD razor
Blade sampler from LetterK
Superior Brushes 22mm Super Badger
Mama Bear's shaving soaps
Taylor's Avocado cream
Proraso pre/post
100% glycerin from Whole Foods
Styptic pencil & Alum Block
Nivea aftershave balm (until I find something better)
So, I have a couple of questions while I wait patiently for the items in my kit to arrive in the mail...
On the subject of keeping lather warm - I was wondering if anyone has tried using a submersible heating element either in a scuttle or else directly in the lather (I'm thinking of the type usually associated with aquariums)? I'm not sure if the element would get warm enough to achieve the desired effect, but I know they can be had for relatively cheap amounts, so it may be worth experiementing with unless anyone can forsee a potential problem.
Also, something I was thinking with regards to the alum block - it seems to me that a nice way to enhance the bracing/tingly feeling that alum provides would be to couple it with a cooling sensation. I've read both here and elsewhere that the alum blocks can be prone to cracking and/or dissolving if not properly cared for, so I thought I'd ask if anyone thinks there would be a problem with storing the block (after it has been properly dried) in a cool/cold place (I'm thinking the refrigerator)? It seems to me this would be a nice experience - hot shower/towel and warm lather at the beginning and finishing with a cool rinse and cold alum... any thoughts?
I suppose that is quite enough for now, as this post is already larger than I had intended. Thank you for the wealth of information, and here's wishing you all great shaves in the future.
Mike
Recently I stumbled across this forum along with some of the other great online guides (leisureguy's blog, mantic's videos, etc.), and I became enamored with the classic wetshave. After having read many of the stories both here and over at SMF, I find that mine is not dissimilar.
My first shaving experience was with a cheap electric razor, which I quickly gave up in favor of the Sensor cartridges (and later the Mach3) along with some foam in a can. I found the shave from the cartridges closer than the electric, but it also resulted in more razor burn - especially in the neck area. I began to shave every other day to give my face a chance to heal, and eventually I grew a beard to avoid the experience altogether. When I took my current job, facial hair was not an option, so rather than go back to the cartridges with which I'd had such a painfull history, I opted for the latest high-dollar electric gizmo in hopes that the technology had advanced sufficiently to allow a close-comfortable shave that I could do on a daily basis. I found that while the quality had certainly improved since my first experience over a decade prior, I was still relatively unsatisfied with the closeness (or, more accurately, the lack thereof), and I found myself doing touch-up with a cartridge on the areas the electric couldn't get to. That pretty much brings me up to the present, and after reading up on the wonders of wetshaving I must confess that I am excited to give it a whirl.
After doing a fair bit of research and reading, I came up with a starter-kit that I think will allow me to get my feet wet (or, perhaps more appropriately - get my face wet):
Merkur HD razor
Blade sampler from LetterK
Superior Brushes 22mm Super Badger
Mama Bear's shaving soaps
Taylor's Avocado cream
Proraso pre/post
100% glycerin from Whole Foods
Styptic pencil & Alum Block
Nivea aftershave balm (until I find something better)
So, I have a couple of questions while I wait patiently for the items in my kit to arrive in the mail...
On the subject of keeping lather warm - I was wondering if anyone has tried using a submersible heating element either in a scuttle or else directly in the lather (I'm thinking of the type usually associated with aquariums)? I'm not sure if the element would get warm enough to achieve the desired effect, but I know they can be had for relatively cheap amounts, so it may be worth experiementing with unless anyone can forsee a potential problem.
Also, something I was thinking with regards to the alum block - it seems to me that a nice way to enhance the bracing/tingly feeling that alum provides would be to couple it with a cooling sensation. I've read both here and elsewhere that the alum blocks can be prone to cracking and/or dissolving if not properly cared for, so I thought I'd ask if anyone thinks there would be a problem with storing the block (after it has been properly dried) in a cool/cold place (I'm thinking the refrigerator)? It seems to me this would be a nice experience - hot shower/towel and warm lather at the beginning and finishing with a cool rinse and cold alum... any thoughts?
I suppose that is quite enough for now, as this post is already larger than I had intended. Thank you for the wealth of information, and here's wishing you all great shaves in the future.
Mike