First time newbie DE Shaver after some advice

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 04:52 PM

G'day! I'm Brad and I'm a newbie at this whole DE shaving thing. For the last 10 years of my life I have used the regular old el cheapo cartridge razor blades such as Gillette and Schick and found them to tear my face up pretty good and proper. Along with using the equivalent Gillette/Nivea/Loreal Shave gels in a bottle, I have never had a good shaving experience at all. It's always been a constant battle to stave away irritation/razor burn/razor bumps/ingrown hairs and all the nasty things that are attached to shaving.

So here I am! Wanting to turn over a new leaf and get a much better shave without having to live a life of torture due to my stinkin sensitive easily irritated skin. So I have been doing A LOT of research on here and across the interweb over the last week and have found some great information out there regarding DE shaving and related products. So far the list of products I have come up with to try first time is the following. I was wondering if you could all have a look at the list below and let me know what I have chosen is great quality stuff and if it sounds appropriate for myself.

1) Edwin Jagger Chatsworth Barley DE Razor

2) eShave Lavender Pre-Shave Oil

3) eShave White Tea Shave Cream

4) Geo F Trumper Violet Shave Cream

5) Taylor Of Bond Street Avocado Shave Cream

6) eShave Lavender After Shave Soother

7) Merkur Solingen - Moustache and Eyebrow Razor

I decided to grab a few different Shave Creams to see which ones I like the best and give me the best shave. I read that a lot of people do this just to test out which ones work best for them. I also need the Moustache/Eyebrow razor because I have style cut facial hair all year round and would feel completely naked if I had to shave it all off!

The last thing I am really stuck on deciding is the Shaving Brush. There are just so many out there and I really don't have a clue what I should be looking for. I wanted to make sure I was well informed with loads of information before going out there and making an expensive purchase, I'm only on a lowly Special Education Teacher Aide wage, so I can't afford to buy a whole heap of stuff at once and then find its no good for me.

What do y'all think of the stuff listed above for a first time newbie? Let me know if there is anything else I have missed that I should have mentioned.

Thanks!

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 04:56 PM

The other thing I should mention about a shaving brush is that I would prefer one that has a decent sized handle on it. I see that a lot of them have very small handles and with my smaller fingers and my Shaving Mug I think I would have a few struggles trying to grip onto it well enough to create a great lather. I have read this forum post here http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ference+grades and it appears that the Best grade seems to be well, the best at giving a great lather without sacrificing quality and the ability to prep your face for a shave. Would I be correct in assuming this? Or could someone else make a recommendation for a great brush. The other issue for me is that I am from Australia and so far have not found many places that stock a lot of great quality shaving gear. Mainly a couple of online shops. If anyone can point me in the direction of some other stores that would be great. So far I have only come across artofman.com.au and mensbiz.com.au

As per the post I found before here is some info that might help you guys point me in the right direction. In regards to a Shaving Brush I have an older Omega Puro Tasso Badger Hair Brush that my I bought recently but I don't know if I like it all that much. I will be using Shave Creams all the time from now on and I have no real experience using a brush so it's all one big learning curve. As I mentioned above I would like a brush that I can have a good grip of when it is wet and may have lather on it as well. I don't really have much of a budget, I'm the kinda bloke that likes to have good quality stuff and I don't mind paying for it. Size doesn't really matter either but I would like a decently sized brush that lathers up well and does a good job. Hopefully this is enough info for the meanwhile.

**mblakele** · 06-13-2010, 05:02 PM

Welcome to B&B!

If you are on a budget, why not cut down on the variety? I believe you could get an EJ L89 more cheaply than the Chatsworth, and you could save a few (aussie) dollars by limiting yourself to one cream. That's also good for your technique: switching creams every day doesn't help with the learning curve. I would pick the Avocado, but I think any of those three would be good. You might also be able to find Godrej if there are Indian groceries in your area.

For a brush, I would look at boars. They really are very good, and much more reasonably priced than badgers. I don't know how available they are in Australia, but an Omega boar like the 81052 or a Semogue like the 830 should do very well. Your compatriots may be able to suggest good online retailers.

What about blades? If Singapore is an attractive ordering locale, http://stores.ebay.com/Double-Edge-Shaving-Place has some blade samplers.

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 05:09 PM

Cheers mblakele! As I quickly mentioned in my second post that I just added, I am the kinda bloke that likes having great quality stuff and I don't mind paying for it if that is the case. My budget is kind of open and easy, I don't mind spending the big bucks if it means that I will have a product that is top notch quality and will last a long time.

**mblakele** · 06-13-2010, 05:16 PM

Fair enough. But you're right that there are a dizzying variety of brushes, so it's difficult to make recommendations. Price can be a good starting point: can you give us an idea how much you would like to spend on the new brush? For a badger I could see anything from USD $50 to $300 (or $500 if you like fancy handles).

You bowl-lather, if I understand correctly? I face-lather, so you may not want to listen to me.

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 05:19 PM

To answer your questions. I do indeed bowl lather, I'm finding it easiest since I've just started with all this fandangle new DE shaving stuff. And pricewise for a brush, I'm happy to spend up to 200AUD or so.

**Aaron W.** · 06-13-2010, 05:26 PM

Welcome!

I have a ej pure badger brush and it works well imo. I would try proraso cream if i were you really good stuff menthol though don't know if that would bother you. But stick with one kind for a while that way you can dial in your technique. Stay away from the oil I heard it could cause acne and mess up your brush. Keep it simple at first then try some new stuff.

**Luc** · 06-13-2010, 05:30 PM

Welcome to B&B!

Also being in Australia, there's some stuff that we can get down under that isn't too bad. The equipment that you listed up here is good.

EJ is a good maker, Merkur such as the Merkur HD is good to start with. The other option is to look for a used razor on the Buy/Sell/Trade (BST) section of this forum.

Pre-shave oil, I think it's optional. This is something that some use and swear by it. I tried it and didn't see a difference at all. You could always try plain olive oil and see for yourself if it add anything to your shave.

I didn't try the eshave white tea but had the cucumber scent. Very easy to work with, nice cream. The TOBS is also very good and nice.

If you want to start with a shaving cream but don't want the high end cost, I would suggest the Palmolive shaving cream available in pretty much all Coles/Safeways/Pricelines... For $2.20, you can't really go wrong. Faulding isn't bad either but not everyone like the scent.

For the AS, I don't know any of the eshave AS. If you are looking for a balm, Nivea sensitive AS balm is very good, lightly scented. I used it for years without any issues. Again, easy to find and cheap.

The mustache and eyebrow razor is something I also didn't try. I have sideburns and never had any issues shaving with a full size double edge razor. Under the nose, it's a bit more difficult but with time and experience, you will develop tricks. I now use a straight razor (usually around 3" long edge) and do not need a smaller blade, I can cut and shape. Many think that Merkur made a gimmick to sell a different razor with different razor blades. Give it a go but if you think it's required but I don't think you will gain much over time...

Finally, have a look at the Great Southern Land social group: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/group.php?groupid=25

This is where all the Aussie hang out.

And, if you are looking for shops where to buy, here's a list in Australia: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...aving_supplies

Edit: forgot the brush. Omega does good brushes. I'm not a fan of the Omega Pure Tasso but I would think that the standard Omega Boar or Omega bristle for ~$10 is nice. I think the Omega brush + Omega shaving soap at the shaver shop is one of their only good deal...

**Uncle Erik** · 06-13-2010, 05:37 PM

Welcome to B&B! If you're willing to spend up to $200 AUD on a brush, there are a number of excellent ones out there. I'd look at one of the Rooney Heritage models or perhaps something like the Ehsan (available at Bullgoose) or one of the Fifty series - I'm close to pulling the trigger on a 57.

**El Judio Bravo** · 06-13-2010, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by mrbard

To answer your questions. I do indeed bowl lather, I'm finding it easiest since I've just started with all this fandangle new DE shaving stuff. And pricewise for a brush, I'm happy to spend up to 200AUD or so.

Hi, and welcome! Mblakele has pretty much made the case I would. You need not spend so much immediately. The things I see on your list are all quality items with more "Ayes" than "Nays".

I'm still sticking with soaps and the glycerin ones seem wondrously latherable. Your selections of creams are popular within the community but I am gathering that the Godrej line out of India is suitable for most shavers and does not cost so much as a European import does, I should think.

Give 'em a whirl and share results here with us!

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 06:06 PM

Thanks for all your input so far guys, very helpful! Not sure where I could find a Rooney Heritage anywhere in Aussie. Can't see it on any online shops.

**Don** · 06-13-2010, 06:10 PM

Welcome to B&B!

You need not spend a whole lot for a good brush. Omega Pro 48 is a very good boar. For badger, Vulfix is, IMO, underrated, with some very well priced brushes.

**El Judio Bravo** · 06-13-2010, 06:16 PM

Brad, are you looking in shops outside of Oz? I mean, you should be able to find something domestically, but certainly you should find most things available internationally, if not inexpensively.

Happy hunting, mate!

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 06:20 PM

The brush I have been reading up a bunch about over the last 2 days is the Edwin Jagger Medium Best Badger. It seems to get pretty decent reviews all over the place and is decently priced over here. Would this be a good brush to start out with?

**El Judio Bravo** · 06-13-2010, 06:30 PM

Well, as we used to say in the 20th century, "If it feels good, do it!" What works for you might not work for anyone else on earth!

Get out there and experiment. In a leisurely manner. Without spending all your hard-won bread!

**Luc** · 06-13-2010, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by mrbard

Thanks for all your input so far guys, very helpful! Not sure where I could find a Rooney Heritage anywhere in Aussie. Can't see it on any online shops.

I would be very surprised if you can find that brush down under... But you might get lucky... Other than Windsor, DaVinci and Omega, the brushes are quite rare...

You could always see the Edwin Jagger here and there and there are some Muhle Pinsel online (still in Australia), Vulfix and I think that's pretty much it.

The Edwin Jagger is good but again, I would invest in a $10 Omega shaving brush to start with and you will then see how you go, if you don't like it, it's just $10.

**mrbard** · 06-13-2010, 06:38 PM

Thanks for your advice there Luc. Just another quick question. I was just looking at the EJ DE Razors. I think I actually prefer the Edwin Jagger Chatsworth DE Razor in the Imitation Light Horn over the EJ Chatsworth Barley in the same range. Looks very schmicko in the light horn I reckon and a fair whack cheaper as well. My question is: Is the head and the top part of the razor exactly the same between the two? Essentially the only difference is the handle?

**El Judio Bravo** · 06-13-2010, 06:39 PM

Luc, you can get an Italian brush for as little as $10 Australian? That's certainly a good deal and I never heard anyone really disparage any Omega.

Brad could surely do worse than an Omega, not so?

**Luc** · 06-13-2010, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by mrbard

Thanks for your advice there Luc. Just another quick question. I was just looking at the EJ DE Razors. I think I actually prefer the Edwin Jagger Chatsworth DE Razor in the Imitation Light Horn over the EJ Chatsworth Barley in the same range. Looks very schmicko in the light horn I reckon and a fair whack cheaper as well. My question is: Is the head and the top part of the razor exactly the same between the two? Essentially the only difference is the handle?

I have no idea on the EJ razor. It's probably fairly similar, you might have someone that knows more about it.

Originally Posted by El Judio Bravo

Luc, you can get an Italian brush for as little as $10 Australian? That's certainly a good deal and I never heard anyone really disparage any Omega.

Brad could surely do worse than an Omega, not so?

Yes, I can't find it on the shaver shop website but they used to have an Omega shaving brush with the Omega shaving soap for ~$10 AUD, which is a good deal IMO. Otherwise, I saw a few independent pharmacy/chemist around Melbourne that sometimes have the brush for $10.

**mblakele** · 06-13-2010, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by mrbard

Thanks for your advice there Luc. Just another quick question. I was just looking at the EJ DE Razors. I think I actually prefer the Edwin Jagger Chatsworth DE Razor in the Imitation Light Horn over the EJ Chatsworth Barley in the same range. Looks very schmicko in the light horn I reckon and a fair whack cheaper as well. My question is: Is the head and the top part of the razor exactly the same between the two? Essentially the only difference is the handle?

All those EJs should all use the same head, which is the new Muehle head. Here are a couple threads that might interest you:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=133106
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=72661