Just got my first DE... Parker 96R

**Smokeface** · 12-29-2009, 08:11 PM

My wife surprised me this X-mas with a Parker 96R. I have never used a DE before, but now I am hooked! I can't believe I made it this long with the cartridge models, I was missing out.

The store she bought it at recommended Feather blades, so she got me a pack. I have been shaving every day since, and (knock on wood) haven't nicked myself yet.

I was a little scared going into it, but found that I picked up the angle pretty quick, and was able to do a decent job on the first shave.

So today I got a cheap brush and several soaps to try out. Does anyone have any recommendations on shaving creams?

And I have been doing great with Feather blades, should I stick to what works? Or is there a better blade out there? I do not have a thick beard, if that has anything to do with it....

It's great to find a website like this one, and I look forward to bugging all of you with plenty of questions...

**grump** · 12-29-2009, 08:37 PM

Welcome to B&B.

I would recommend Taylor of Old Bond Street or Proraso/C.O. Bigelow.

**Venom** · 12-29-2009, 08:44 PM

Congrats!!!!!!! Now you need to expand your collection!!!

**SRock** · 12-29-2009, 11:57 PM

Congrats and welcome!

**CCMphysician** · 12-30-2009, 12:40 AM

May I ask what soaps you are trying out? I am looking for some myself.

**curtis909** · 12-30-2009, 05:56 AM

You might have hit a Grand Slam on the feathers

Hard to beat them for sharpness. As far as creams that is kind of a personal choice. My fav's are Aqua di parma, along with Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet and there is always the stand by Proraso. That is just my two cents i am sure you will get lots of suggestions shortly here.
Good luck in your search.

**lvsc10** · 12-30-2009, 06:33 AM

Congratulations and welcome to the site. It sounds like you are off to a great start. And feather blades too boot! I would stick with the same setup for at least several weeks. Practice your technique (blade angle) and get your prep work down. Then, if the spirit moves you, experiment. Purchase a blade sample pack (westcoastshaving) and try a different blade. You might find that there is another blade that works as well if not better than feathers. But understand, blades like soaps and creams are a personal choice. What works well for one individual does not work for well for another.
Good luck and keep us posted.

**bob.e** · 12-30-2009, 07:48 AM

I love my 96r it's a nice shaver welcome to B&B

**JPM** · 12-30-2009, 09:41 AM

Congrats! Welcome to the group!

**jadam318** · 12-30-2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by grump

Welcome to B&B.

I would recommend Taylor of Old Bond Street or Proraso/C.O. Bigelow.

+1 on those two creams. Those are very well reputed ones around here and the two best I've tried.

As far as blades go, I am 100% sold on Feathers. They are the sharpest blades I've found, and consistently so. If you want to try some others (yes, I fully understand AD's and the need to see for yourself

) look to Red Pack Personnas, Gillette 7 O'clock, and perhaps Astra or Derby. www.westcoastshaving.com has some great sampler packs that would be worth looking into, but you won't find anything as sharp as those Feathers.