New guy checking in...

**Groundhog** · 01-27-2007, 12:55 PM

This is really a great forum......I stumbled in here a week or so ago after using Google to try & locate some Proraso (Target's been out for over a month.) I've been a dedicated "wetshaver" (even though I'd never heard the term before) since I started shaving as a teen. I started shaving in the shower in my 20's, and began using brushes and creams in the early 90's after discovering the stuff in the tub they sell at The Body Shop. I was amazed to discover all these guys shaving with safety razors and even straight razors! After a week of reading, I stopped off at the Art of Shaving store on the way home from work and picked up a Merkur and a pack of blades. I showed my wife and she thought I was nuts.

Well, I just finished my first shave, and it was really a pleasure. I let the razor do all the work, and even felt brave enough to lather up a 2nd time and try a little against the grain action. I don't think my face has been this smooth since I was 12! You dudes have created a monster. By this time next year, I'll probably own everything in the Merkur catalog and have 47 different kinds of blades.

**Leisureguy** · 01-27-2007, 12:57 PM

Welcome, and delighted that you are enjoying your shave. I do think it's better to insert an across-the-grain pass between the with-the-grain (first) pass and the against-the-grain (final) pass.

Continue to enjoy, and check the post at the link below my signature. Also, you might want to try using an alum bar. Mama Bear has then at the bottom of this page. The little wooden rack is nice, too. :)

**BroJohn** · 01-27-2007, 12:58 PM

...and probably 30 creams, and 16 brushes, and 40 soaps, and 17 colognes, and...

Welcome aboard!

-- John Gehman

**Bob Dobbs** · 01-27-2007, 01:00 PM

Welcome Aboard Groundhog-

Sounds like you're well on your way. And you're right, you probably will own everything in the Merkur catalog... for starters. Just go with it!

Resistance is futile!

**Limey** · 01-27-2007, 01:02 PM

Welcome Groundhog!

**netsurfr** · 01-27-2007, 01:19 PM

Welcome Groundhog!
Glad to have another member to the forum

**PalmettoB** · 01-27-2007, 01:38 PM

Welcome aboard, Groundhog! Blades, shmades! You'll have twenty or thirty different creams, soaps, brushes, AND blades and razors! *ADs (acquisition disorders) will set in soon! Enjoy!

**Groundhog** · 01-27-2007, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the welcome guys.
Leisureguy, that's pretty much what I did. I've always gone across the grain with my Mach 3 or Sensor....the Merkur was just much closer. I just never knew what I was missing.

I do use alum, just never seen it in bar form. I'll have to get one.

I also think I'll try to find some of these other blades mentioned to see the difference.

**Queen of Blades** · 01-27-2007, 03:03 PM

Welcome to B&B Groundhog!

**chop-chop** · 01-27-2007, 03:04 PM

Welcome, Groundhog!

Are you from Punxsutawney, PA... born on Feb. 2nd... or, you just have a thing for Punxsutawney Phil?

Sounds like you're off to a flying start with everything!

Here's to smooth shavin'!

chop-chop

**Groundhog** · 01-28-2007, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by chop-chop

Welcome, Groundhog!

Are you from Punxsutawney, PA... born on Feb. 2nd... or, you just have a thing for Punxsutawney Phil?

Sounds like you're off to a flying start with everything!

Here's to smooth shavin'!

chop-chop

The 2nd one.
Thanks again for all the welcomes! BTW, I ordered LetterK's blade sampler today....I'm anxious to try out the different types. I've read that some here believe the Merkur blades are harsh; I thought it worked pretty well for my first 2 DE shaves, but then I don't really have anything to compare them to.

As for all the other stuff, I've already been a collector of creams and lotions. I just never knew anybody shaved with anything other than cartridges these days. I may just toss my Mach 3 in the trash.

**Jim** · 01-28-2007, 04:38 PM

Welcome G-hog!

**Leisureguy** · 01-29-2007, 04:56 PM

People's reactions to the different blades really do vary a lot. One guy loves the Merkur blades, where I find them unusable. Try them out in the MIDGE sequence that someone just pointed out here in the forum:

Merkur, Israeli, Derby, Gillette, and Feather (so sharp, he says, that it shaved off the bottom of the E)

**BD1970** · 01-29-2007, 06:29 PM

Welcome.

**galpman** · 01-29-2007, 06:32 PM

Welcome to B&B

**chop-chop** · 01-30-2007, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by Groundhog

The 2nd one.
Thanks again for all the welcomes! BTW, I ordered LetterK's blade sampler today....I'm anxious to try out the different types. I've read that some here believe the Merkur blades are harsh; I thought it worked pretty well for my first 2 DE shaves, but then I don't really have anything to compare them to.

As for all the other stuff, I've already been a collector of creams and lotions. I just never knew anybody shaved with anything other than cartridges these days. I may just toss my Mach 3 in the trash.

I have a younger brother, and a first cousin, who were born on February 2nd... Groundhog's Day! In fact, my mother and my aunt shared the same hospital room. And, my dad and my uncle worked for the same company.

chop-chop