How is this shaving equipment I'm about to buy?

[StanSmith]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A10LZNXDPIZCNZ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A11C50J5I9SKBO

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2PV2CC21BP73I

I've never shaved with a DE Razor before. I've only used Schick Hydro 3, Gillette Fusion Proglide, and Gillette Fusion before. What else do you guys recommend I buy?

I currently have a boar hair shaving brush and that's about it. I use Cetaphil moisturizer lotion after shaving and that's it.

Also I have sensitive skin and somewhat acne prone skin so take that into account I guess.

[OldSaw]

I'm not a huge fan of Derby blades and those seem a little pricey to me. Check out West Coast Shaving. I think you'll find everything you need there.

[Geo Dude]

You should definitely go for a sampler pack rather than exclusively ordering Derby razors to begin with. You don't want to be risk being stuck with a brand of blade that doesn't work for your face.

[Easttexasman]

Get yourself a blade sampler so you can figure out what blades work best for you.


Paul

[mdevine]

While I actually like Derby blades, that is far too much to pay for them. They can be found for under $8/100 shipped. Like others have advised, you are much better off getting a blade sampler. I would advise getting one which includes at least a few of the "premium" blades such as Feather, Gillette Yellow or Green, Med Prep Personna; and several of the "bargain" blades like Derby, Crystal, Shark, Astra or Red Pack Personna.

[oc_in_fw]

I will echo ditching the Derbys and getting a sampler, especially if you have a tough beard. The other equipment is spot on.

On edit: West Coast Shaving has already been mentioned, look at bullgoose, too.

[Greyfox]

Another vote for a sampler package.

[Bloomey]

I'd also suggest a sampler pack, took me several different packs before deciding on using Wilkinson sword de blades or Astras because that what suits my face.

In terms of the other two, your spot on, the merkur HD is the ideal starter razor but would suggest also looking at the ej 89 de razor too.

Proraso cream is an excellent choice, the ideal "drugstore" cream. I love the stuff but keep in mind that some people don't like it purely due to the eucalyptus and menthol scent. As you will hear frequently on B and B, YMMV or your mileage may vary.

Hope this helps

[Noam Chomsky]

Over on the Newbie board, everyone will tell you to use the same blade, cream and razor for the first six weeks to really nail your technique. But I personally agree with everyone else on this thread - a blade sampler pack is what I'm working through, and I started a week or two ago. I've never used four or more of the same blade so far, and I'm doing ok. But I just thought I'd let you know that not everyone would tell you buying a lot of Derbys is a bad idea.

[nortac]

Welcome to the B&B! Derbies didn't work well for me and I hear more negative than positive about them, but YMMV! Get a sampler!

[nehpets4627]

I'll point you in a bit different direction... start with the Lord L6 razor to make sure DE is really your cup of tea. It's around $10 on Amazon, has a Merkur-style head, and offers a very natural shave for those learning... probably the easiest razor I've ever used in terms of quickly finding the proper blade angle. It's not crazy aggressive but also not so mild you inadvertently use too much pressure to compensate.

I would also look at the Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Kit. If this had been available when I started, I would likely still be using all 4 items included an probably would have postponed a few other purchases as well. I would also try to learn lathering technique with a soap... then creams will come easily. On the chance you hate DE, you can still use the VDH kit with a cart or disposable.

Lastly, I will agree on the sampler... though West Coast Shaving and Razor Blades and More have such reasonable prices on single packs and shipping that you can put together your own custom sampler for very little money. If you're going to use a single brand while your technique settles, I would go with red pack Personnas, Israeli Personnas, or Crystals instead of Derby. Another method is to start with Feather... you'll either learn proper blade angle and zero-pressure extremely fast or go back to carts just as fast.

Good luck!

[Slash McCoy]

MY RECOMENDATIONS JM2C and YMMV

Star Shaving Supply for a black badger brush. Cheap and a pretty darn good brush. About $12

VDH soap from Walgreens, CVA, Long's, Rite-Aid, Walmart, or maybe even your local grocery store. Less than $2 a puck.

Mug from the kitchen. You can melt your VDH in the mug in about 25 seconds in the microwave.

Vintage Gillette Tech for $5 or $10 if you want to go cheap, Adjustable Slim for $25 if you want something fancy. Ebay.

Definitely get a blade sampler pack! Those Derbys are overpriced anyway. You can find them at a dime apiece, and over 18 cents apiece is robbery. AFTER you go through your sampler and decide which blade you really like, then get a lot of at least 100 blades. Expect to pay less than $20 for at least a year of shaves, maybe two years if you don't go through them too quick.

What you are getting can be made to work. The razor is well regarded. I myself prefer vintage, and you get a razor that you can resell for what you paid for it should you choose to move up to straights. Your Merkur will depreciate the moment you take it out of the box. The Proraso is a little strong for some noses, but it does the job. The Derbys are pretty good beginners blades, generally speaking, though in some razors they won't shave very hard. You are spending a lot more money than I would spend to get the same level of shave, but you can get a shave out of what you are getting.

[Beeler]

I just started to shave last week with a DE for the first time and here's what I bought from WestCoastShaving.com. Fast shipping also.

Merkur 34C
5 sampler pack - 35 blades $10.00
Ogallala Bay Rum Sandalwood soap, smells really good.
Col. Conk Mug

I had an old Ever-Ready 150 brush that I used to dust off my M-16 when I was in service, I used it a few times for shaving and then bought a Sabi badger brush. Big improvement.

What a nice smooth shave I'm getting now, a few nicks at first but it's
getting better.

Read everything you can on B&B web site and your shaving will improve.

Good Luck!

[Blue Raccoon]

I'll point you in a bit different direction... start with the Lord L6 razor to make sure DE is really your cup of tea. It's around $10 on Amazon, has a Merkur-style head, and offers a very natural shave for those learning... probably the easiest razor I've ever used in terms of quickly finding the proper blade angle. It's not crazy aggressive but also not so mild you inadvertently use too much pressure to compensate.

I would also look at the Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Kit. If this had been available when I started, I would likely still be using all 4 items included an probably would have postponed a few other purchases as well. I would also try to learn lathering technique with a soap... then creams will come easily. On the chance you hate DE, you can still use the VDH kit with a cart or disposable.

Lastly, I will agree on the sampler... though West Coast Shaving and Razor Blades and More have such reasonable prices on single packs and shipping that you can put together your own custom sampler for very little money. If you're going to use a single brand while your technique settles, I would go with red pack Personnas, Israeli Personnas, or Crystals instead of Derby. Another method is to start with Feather... you'll either learn proper blade angle and zero-pressure extremely fast or go back to carts just as fast.

Good luck!

perfect starter setup.. skip the sampler and get some Personna Medical Prep blades and be done with it. also, pickup a a bottle of generic grogery store witch hazel and a stepic stix and you are good to go!

[Theepo]

i use the proraso and its an excellent shaving cream. you should get a sampler pack because from what i see the derbies dont have a good reputation with people here.

[Peter007666]

Shark Super-Chrome is a very good blade. Sharp, smooth, durable and well priced.