Christmas Shaving

**bside** · 12-21-2009, 09:04 PM

This year for Christmas I will start using a DE safety razor after years of hating to shave with my Mach 3 and/or electric shaver. I'm 27 and have been shaving with the Mach 3 every since Gillette sent me one free for my 18th birthday (what a brilliant marketing technique). I've decided to take the leap into the DE safety razor technique and culture in hopes of not only getting a closer shave, but also a more enjoyable one.

My mom was kind enough to get me a simple set up so that I can change my shaving experience. This year's Christmas will consist of:

From mom:
Merkur Classic Safety Razor #178 chrome
10 Merkur DE Platinum Blades
Tweezerman's 100% Badger hair shaving brush
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream

From grandma:
Aqua Velva Ice Blue Aftershave (because her dad used it)
5 Dollar General DE razor blades (let's hope they're decent)

From myself (because it's okay to give yourself a Christmas gift):
Colonel Conk's Chrome Saftey Razor Stand
Everyman Jack Post Shave face lotion

And my boss is getting a wood lathe for Christmas from his wife and has agreed to attempt to make a shaving bowl for me out of black walnut wood.

I'm pretty sure I have more than I need for a simple set up to get started, but if I'm missing anything critical, please let me know.

Over the next few days I will be reading as much as I can to try to prepare myself for that first week of shaving in an effort to make as few mistakes as possible. The less nicks, cuts, irritations, and burns, the better. This forum looks to be an excellent resource and I'll be checking out leisureguy's blog as well as Mantic59's videos. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

I'm looking forward to engaging in the forum as it's been a long time since I've posted anywhere regularly. And I'm looking forward to a new and better shaving experience. Wish me luck. :)

**TonyH** · 12-21-2009, 09:15 PM

You're doing fine! There are better blades than Mekur, and there are worse. I love Aqua Velva and would use it myself, except that my Dad uses it and it would seem weird to me. I use that Tweezerman as my travel brush and it's really great. WAY better than my starter brush. Sounds like you're in for some great shaves.

**thunderball** · 12-21-2009, 09:17 PM

Wow, that's quite a Christmas haul!

In my humble opinion, I would ditch the Merkur blades and buy a sampler pack from westcoastshaving...they don't cost much and they allow you to find the best blade for you (Merkurs aren't really that highly-regarded 'round these parts...and for good reason...they kind of suck IMHO).

Some blades to try would include Derby, Shark, Iridium, Personna (red pack), Crystals, Gillete 7 0'clock (yellow pack), the list goes on... Other than that, your set up looks pretty good...though I might also suggest an alum block. Good luck!

**beginish** · 12-21-2009, 09:41 PM

Santa came early! Everyone was very generous, and your starting out with a very nice kit. Good luck with the first shave and welcome to B&B!

**mretzloff** · 12-21-2009, 09:45 PM

Nice stuff. Congratulations on the haul.

**13ALPHA** · 12-21-2009, 10:00 PM

Sounds good, nice family!

If it's a little rough don't worry, it's likely technique and will get better, but also the Merkur blades are not known to be the best out there.

Watch the Mantic videos on youtube.

Good luck!

**JPM** · 12-21-2009, 10:07 PM

That's a nice haul! Welcome to B&B.

**joshmpdx** · 12-21-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by thunderball

wow, that's quite a christmas haul!

In my humble opinion, i would ditch the merkur blades and buy a sampler pack from westcoastshaving...they don't cost much and they allow you to find the best blade for you (merkurs aren't really that highly-regarded 'round these parts...and for good reason...they kind of suck imho).

Some blades to try would include derby, shark, iridium, personna (red pack), crystals, gillete 7 0'clock (yellow pack), the list goes on... Other than that, your set up looks pretty good...though i might also suggest an alum block. Good luck!

+1!

**SDraconis** · 12-21-2009, 11:19 PM

Another newb here wishing you welcome! That looks like a great kit there. I'm going to echo those previous suggestions of getting a blade sample pack. I tried to do the same and pre-pick a blade for myself, but you really have to try a few and see.

**Luc** · 12-22-2009, 12:30 AM

Welcome to B&B!

That's a great way to get started!

I would think that you might need a razor blade sample pack, as mentionned above...

**bside** · 12-22-2009, 01:37 AM

I'll definitely look into a blade sampler. The stuff at West Coast looks comprehensive and cheap! Does anyone know of a reasonably priced cream and/or soap sampler that might be available, just to try out different scents or to see which companies give a better lather?

Is an alum block something that is difficult to find or can it be bought at a pharmacy or anywhere else I buy shaving supplies?

**Luc** · 12-22-2009, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by bside

I'll definitely look into a blade sampler. The stuff at West Coast looks comprehensive and cheap! Does anyone know of a reasonably priced cream and/or soap sampler that might be available, just to try out different scents or to see which companies give a better lather?

Is an alum block something that is difficult to find or can it be bought at a pharmacy or anywhere else I buy shaving supplies?

Geo F Trumper has an awesome sample pack!

Check this thread

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=118310

**njpaddy** · 12-22-2009, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by bside

Is an alum block something that is difficult to find or can it be bought at a pharmacy or anywhere else I buy shaving supplies?

I didn't bother with the alum block for the first month or more. I waited until I placed an order for some soap from Mama Bear and added it to the list. There are some great vendors out there waiting to help. Be sure to check them out: vintage blades; bullgooseshaving; classic shaving; westcoastshaving; mama bear, just to name a few that I've ordered from.

**Mpugh77** · 12-22-2009, 06:00 AM

Congratulations in the swag! I know you'll be happy with DE shaving.

**NickCutlip** · 12-22-2009, 08:37 AM

Welcome to B&B !!

**dpm802** · 12-22-2009, 08:43 AM

Welcome to B&B!

Sounds like you're off to a good start ... that's problably one of the most well-equipped starter kits I've heard of. And to think it came from so many different sources, too. Your family hit it right on the money with getting you "The Right Stuff."

Except for those Merkur blades. They don't have a good reputation around here. Merkur makes great razors, but their blades ... not so good. Try 'em out for a few shaves, but don't buy any more of that brand.

As thunderball suggested, send off for a sampler pack of blades from www.westcoastshaving.com ... its kind of like a rite of passage here at B&B.

**Alacrity59** · 12-22-2009, 08:44 AM

Don't toss the Merkur blades. As your shaving improves they become ok to shave with. Not my favourite by a long shot but ok.

**Mr. Scruffy** · 12-22-2009, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Alacrity59

Don't toss the Merkur blades. As your shaving improves they become ok to shave with. Not my favourite by a long shot but ok.

+1

I find that the Merkur blades work best in a Merkur razor. Hang on to them and try them out. You may like them!!

That said, you are correct to make a blade sampler pack your next purchase.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Shaving New Year!!

**michiganlover** · 12-22-2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Alacrity59

Don't toss the Merkur blades. As your shaving improves they become ok to shave with. Not my favourite by a long shot but ok.

I tried the Merkur blades as a newbie, and found them to be absolutely horrid. I tried them again 6 months later, and they are ok blades, nothing special, but usable. Far better blades are available, for far less money.

Get a blade sampler pack from West Coast Shaving, Bullgoose Shaving, or check the vendor forum several vendors sell sampler packs.

**bside** · 12-22-2009, 04:06 PM

It seems to me that while I am first learning and developing my technique, I should probably stick with one type of blade. If I'm changing the type of blade I'm using every 3 or 4 shaves while learning, I won't really be able to gauge which blade is working best for me as (in theory) my technique should be getting progressively better, so each shave should be better even if the next blade isn't necessarily better suited to my needs. How long should I expect the learning curve to take? Two weeks before I start experimenting with different blades? Two months?
Are the Merkur blades so terrible that I should order the sampler right now and not even start wetshaving until it arrives and I have better blades to start with? Or will they be okay to learn with until the sampler arrives, and I'll just find that I like other blades better?