Some encouragement for my fellow Newbies!

**Pumpkin** · 01-21-2010, 01:59 PM

Hi, my name is Peter and it's been 62 days since I used a cartridge!

I've been shaving for over 25 years. However, it's only in the last couple of months that I made the transition from multi-blade cartridges to "traditional" DE shaving. These last 2 months have been a great experience and I now enjoy what has always been a chore

I can't claim to be an "expert" (there are plenty here) but I'd like to share some observations and my experiences. I've only tried DE (straights scare me) but I think it's pretty general.

You'll find lots of information here.

Take the time to read through some of the threads...particularly the "stickies". There are links to lots of excellent tutorials. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, I've had nothing but great answers...even when I've asked the same stupid questions that hundreds of other newbs ask.

Don't expect instant results.

We've all put up with years of "adequate" shaves and I know I'd got loads of bad habits from using tools that were very forgiving. Be prepared to keep practicing your technique...some areas of your beard will be simple to shave, others (especially your neck) will require more effort. That doesn't mean "keep going over the same patch until it's smooth"...that just leads to razor burn and irritation!

Be prepared to make do with an OK shave at first. Additionaly, it's going to take your skin a little while to get used to the new experience.

Your face and beard are NOT average!!

The various multi-blade cartridge systems have had MILLIONS spent on them...however, most of that money has gone on designing something to suit as many people (i.e. customers) as possible. This means that, by their very nature they will suit the "average shaver". In the real world, your face and mine are different (along with everybody else's with (possibly) the exception of identical twins). You'll see lots of posts with YMMV (your mileage may vary) in...this is to highlight that whilst Tom may get a good result with product X, Dick and Harry may have totally different views on the same item. Be prepared to experiment a bit.

Your beard is a wild and natural thing!

You might think you have a nicely manicured lawn...in reality it wants to be a wild forest! I was surprised to find out just how many directions my stubble grows!

Try skipping a shave and then rub a cotton ball (or your fingers) over your face...if it snags, you're going ATG (against the grain). Like me, you probably got away with shaving in any direction with a Fusion. DE blades tend not to give you that luxury.

Restrain yourself.

You'll find the allure of the various AD's (acquisition disorders) to be very tempting. By all means, buy the razors/soaps/brushes you want...but take the time to get used to one basic set-up. Experiment a bit more widely with blades though as they can give very different results for different people. Most guys here will recommend getting a sampler pack. Try one type for a few shaves then feel free to switch. Please note though, that even two blades out of the same pack can have differences. They're designed to be disposable and they're a damn sight cheaper than cartrdges, so try a different one if you're not happy with your results.

Your skin is (probably) not as "sensitive" as you think.

For years, I would find both dry and oily patches on my face. Nowadays, I'm finding that my complection is much better than it's ever been. I put it down to treating it a lot better than when I used "goo in a can" and just shaved in the shower.

Enjoy the experience.

You'll find most of us now extolling the virtues of such much needed "me time"

Yes, it takes longer to shave now than it used to, but it definitely counts as "time well spent"!

Participate.

This is a forum of like-minded individuals. It's fun to contribute to other areas of B&B. You might not know how to shave yet, but you're bound to know other stuff! Take the time to personalise your profile, your location is particularly useful if you're asking about purchases.

YMMV!

This is just what I've discovered over the last two months and is only my opinion. I'll happily admit that I've still got LOTS to learn, but I'm definitely looking forward to the journey

**orchestrion** · 01-21-2010, 02:03 PM

I just read through everything, great advice for a newbie like me. Especially the part about the ADs but we'll see how I manage.

**Defend Tacoma** · 01-22-2010, 09:23 AM

Great post, Peter! All very good points, and words I'm trying to live by. Much appreciated!

-J

**winkydink** · 01-22-2010, 10:29 AM

Great post Peter!

**Luc** · 01-22-2010, 01:01 PM

Great post mate!

However, this is not Shaver Anonymous (SA)... We like it and it's not a problem!!

I guess whoever goes to those groups say the same... nevermind...

**MedicBill** · 01-22-2010, 01:02 PM

nice post, plenty of nice gents here to help out.

**Pumpkin** · 01-22-2010, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Luc

Great post mate!

However, this is not Shaver Anonymous (SA)... We like it and it's not a problem!!

I guess whoever goes to those groups say the same... nevermind...

I never said it was a problem!

**Luc** · 01-22-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Pumpkin

I never said it was a problem!

My mistake...

**mdunn** · 01-22-2010, 04:00 PM

great post, mate

**brianw** · 01-22-2010, 04:43 PM

Fantastic Post!!!!! Great insight from a person so new..... Welcome

**sffone** · 01-22-2010, 04:57 PM

"You'll find most of us now extolling the virtues of such much needed "me time" Yes, it takes longer to shave now than it used to, but it definitely counts as "time well spent"!"

I shave every day of the week with a straight razor and it takes me roughly 30 minutes to shave, but it's usually the best 30 minutes of my day. I've been wet-shaving for 45 years and can't imagine starting my day with a can of shaving cream and/or a disposable razor.

**saltypete** · 01-22-2010, 05:44 PM

Great post, lots of useful info.

Pete

**Drubbing** · 01-22-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Pumpkin

Your skin is (probably) not as "sensitive" as you think.

For years, I would find both dry and oily patches on my face. Nowadays, I'm finding that my complection is much better than it's ever been. I put it down to treating it a lot better than when I used "goo in a can" and just shaved in the shower.

Too true. How many new posts start off with that statement? While some do have reactions to product ingredients - a quick smear of goo, 3 blades, and a rush to get it over with, probably has more to do with it for most people.

**MWS** · 01-22-2010, 07:32 PM

Great post, thanks!

**cheerwind** · 01-22-2010, 10:18 PM

Neat post. Have fun!

**SRock** · 01-22-2010, 11:36 PM

Excellent post, Peter.

**Pumpkin** · 01-23-2010, 05:31 AM

I've enjoyed every shave with my DE's (even this morning's http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=129007).
Shaving used to be a chore and I was glad I didn't have to shave every day....now I'm willing my beard to grow faster, so I can shave more often!

**Bogframe** · 01-23-2010, 06:21 AM

When I succumbed to my first ATRA razor, Shaving was something out of a Frank Zappa song: "Well I thought it was a razor and a can of foaming goo." A few years ago, I went back to my Gillette Adjustable DE after being butchered by some five-bladed monstrosity, and life was better. On my 48th birthday, my wife got me a straight razor BBS after she saw that I had bought a few opens on eBay. I have since dispensed with the cans of foaming goo, I rarely touch my DE and almost exclusively shave with my open razor and a puck of Burma Shave in a mug. Life is good.