I'm about to order some stuff, MWF & Blades samples, West Coast Shaving? Advice?

I'm fairly new to this DE thing.

I'm about to order some stuff. Suggestions?

West Coast Shaving? (seems to have decent prices and selection)

MWF $13 (I understand that the abbreviation says it all)
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Mitchells-Wool-Fat-Shaving-Soap-Refill_p_64.html

Blade Sampler Pack $10
Feather New Hi-Stainless Platinum (10 blades)
Crystal or "Israeli" (10 blades)
Derby Extra (5 blades)
Red Israeli Personna (5 blades)
Astra Superior Platinum (5 blades)
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/DE-Blade-Sampler-Pack-Choice_p_20.html

I don't have a lather bowl yet, but I want to learn more before I get one. I'm mostly face lathering now, and occasionally using a basic smooth bowl.
I'm starting to look at "dirty bird pottery" stuff, and other heat retaining scuttles.

Stuff I have so far:
I was using Van Der Hagan soap, but I just changed to TSD pre-shave and soaps (I saw that forum before this one)
Merkur Futur loaded with Personna. I like this thing. Two good shaves so far.
Vintage D1 Gillette Superspeed, The Jury's out on this one. I'm not sure if I like it.
1968 Gillette Slim Adjustable safety razor, Coded N-4. The Jury's out on this one. I'm not sure if I like it.

Brushes: I hesitant to spend alot on a brush.
I've been using the Van Der Hagan boar brush.
Lead from "BruceOnShaving" BestShave (Turkey) #6 Horsehair on the way.
http://shop.bestshave.net/wooden-handled-shaving-brushes-no6-p-67.html

I think I got this lead from "BruceOnShaving" too: Omega Pro 49 on the way
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320642539245&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:1123

Advice?

Sounds good to me!

Don't give up on those Gillettes yet, especially the Slim.
I find the Slim awesome, but be careful at higher settings. I usually keep mine at 6, and take it down a few notches for XTG and ATG. Mine likes Feather blades.

Sounds like you got your choices narrowed down. Right now, I have a tiny starter brush from AoS. It came in a sample pack with 1oz shave cream and pre-shave with AS balm.

I also have the VDH luxary kit from amazon for 28 buck. It came with a nice mug and soap, the brush is really nice when it gets broken in. It also came with a brush and razor stand.

But I've been using the the AoS brush more often because it's small and produces great face lather.

Mark

Try a TOBS cream, lots of different scents. Also try a shave stick, speick or palmolive. Then get an aftershave, speick, musgo real, osage rub or whatever flavor you like. Theres so many different things you can order from WCS that it will make you crazy. The worst part is when your order comes in your like damm wish I would of order "that to". Good luck and let us know what you ordered.

Add some styptic matches on, much better than a pencil, and a just $2.75 you can't lose.
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Styptic-Matches_p_358.html

Wow, Thanks for the quick responses, advice, and info.

Do I assume correctly that TOBS is Taylor of Old Bond Street?
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Taylor-of-Old-Bond-Street-Shaving-Cream-Bowl-Sandalwood_p_58.html

Styptic Matches, thanks, I wish all my shopping had prices like that.

SmoothCut said:

Wow, Thanks for the quick responses, advice, and info.

Do I assume correctly that TOBS is Taylor of Old Bond Street?
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Taylor-of-Old-Bond-Street-Shaving-Cream-Bowl-Sandalwood_p_58.html

Styptic Matches, thanks, I wish all my shopping had prices like that.

Click to expand...

Yep

...perhaps some aftershave or witch hazel while you're at it.

Give some creams a try. They kind that we who have been at this for awhile don't try right away, then end up liking later on.
I'm talking about Palmolive cream or Shulton Old Spice.
You can find a lot of good creams for under $10 a tube.

As your technique gets better you'll get more out of the products. Keep it simple for a few months. The less variables the better. Then buy everything in sight.