Just bought my first DE

[AndrewWard]

I have been lurking on here for a little bit and only just registered after i found a Gillette New Standard still in the leather box with what looks like a straight razor blade attachment, i cleaned it up and am going to try it out this evening. My only issue really is blades, can only find Wilkinson sword blades here, only the shoppers drugmart here sells blades, any suggestions for me would be great. I have been shaving with a brush and soap for almost 10 years but using cartridge razors and finally made the plundge. and if anyone can tell me about the seriel # that would be great, it is a Gillette OC made in Canada with 46223Z stamped into the head, the box says New Standard.

Thanks, Andrew

[alex2363]

welcome to the B&B party....we are a little mad at you though, GUYS TELL HIM WHY!!

[Intrigued]

Welcome to B&B Andrew!

Don't mind Alex. He always gets a little testy if you don't post pictures.

[bobusa]

Pics please.

[AndrewWard]

I Just took some pics for you from my phone, i did not include the attachment head as it is soaking at the moment it was still coated in the original packing grease but it is a Rolls Razor Blade.
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[alex2363]

1921 New Standard....The numbers and letter Z mean it was made in Canada

Spain=V
france=W
England=Y

[RickT]

Welcome aboard. Looks like a nice score. If you do not get the shave that you are looking for,
don't give up, but try a TTO like a 40s SuperSpeed or maybe a Fatboy.

[AndrewWard]

Thanks for the welcome, and thanks for the knowledge on what the #s are as well as exactly what i have, i am pretty happy with how well it cleaned up it was pretty tarnished but was only $15 at the antique store so could not complain about the price.

[duokun]

that is a beauty. Congrats on the find! I have been using Wilkinson Swords as my first blade. nothing to complain about here. from what i understand though that is a bit more of an aggressive razor than the Super Speed i am using so YMMV.

blades are a really subjective thing. there are no "best" blades as different one work better for different peoples faces and different ones work better in different razors for different people. you could start with the Wilkinsons, or do a search on here, i know some people have listen which brands have been predominantly middle ground blades for the most number of people. those are a good place to start.

as a newbie (this is what i am doing now) stick with one blade for at least a month. try to keep your prep the same too. eliminate as many variables as possible so you can focus on technique. focus on maintaining the proper blade angle and using almost no pressure during your shave.

if you havent yet, read the sticky threads in the newbie forums, and watch Mantic59's videos on youtube. good info there. you have a leg up on most if you have been using a soap and brush for a while. just remember there is a learning curve with DE. the name of the game is Beard Reduction.

also, dont sweat it if you cant get a super close shave at the beginning. try to avoid the temptation to do an Against The Grain pass for a while. stick to With the grain and Across the grain. and if you need to pull out the old cartridge razor for tough ups for the first few weeks, there is no shame in that.

If you have been lurking for a while then a lot of what i said is probably stuff you have read before, but its important so ill repeat it. :)

I hope you enjoy your shave tonight!

Welcome aboard!

[AndrewWard]

Thanks Adam, i have watched a few of the videos there is alot to remember lol, I will not get much of a choice here for blades as only one store in town sells them and only carry the wilkinson, and I am leaving for my second tour in Afghanistan in a few weeks so have to stock up on a years worth of blades as i will have no where to purchase anything there.

thanks for the advise

[Mendel]

Andrew,

Welcome. That's a beautiful razor you have there.

[duokun]

while i recommend the whole sticking with one blade for a while so as not to throw too many variables in the mix, that doesnt mean you cant pick up a sampler pack of blades now to use later. ;) Amazon has some, but you can also check some of the vendors who are active on the boards. places like West Coast Shaving, BullGoose Shaving, and Italian Barber get tons of great reviews.

keep yourself safe over there. My dad just got back last summer from a year in Kabul with the US State Department, and even as a civilian in a secured compound he said it was pretty terrible. Anyone serving overseas, in any capacity, regardless of what country you are from or in, has my respect.

[alex2363]

Thanks Adam, i have watched a few of the videos there is alot to remember lol, I will not get much of a choice here for blades as only one store in town sells them and only carry the wilkinson, and I am leaving for my second tour in Afghanistan in a few weeks so have to stock up on a years worth of blades as i will have no where to purchase anything there.

thanks for the advise

while i recommend the whole sticking with one blade for a while so as not to throw too many variables in the mix, that doesnt mean you cant pick up a sampler pack of blades now to use later. ;) Amazon has some, but you can also check some of the vendors who are active on the boards. places like West Coast Shaving, BullGoose Shaving, and Italian Barber get tons of great reviews.

keep yourself safe over there. My dad just got back last summer from a year in Kabul with the US State Department, and even as a civilian in a secured compound he said it was pretty terrible. Anyone serving overseas, in any capacity, regardless of what country you are from or in, has my respect.

Thanks to Andrew and Adam's dad for serving our country and staying safe.

[Old Man Army]

Andrew welcome to the B&B! Wow, you sure started out with a bang! That is a spectacular razor and an amazing price! As for the Wilkonson blades, while they're not my favorite they will get the job done.

[AndrewWard]

So a little update, just had my very first DE shave, and not too bad if I do say, no nicks or cuts. Mind you I am not BBS but I would say I am on par with what I was getting with a cartridge so lots more practise with some actual technique and I should make some serious headway. Thanks to all for your comments

[Sledgehammer39]

Congrats, nice haul!

[kingfisher]

If for some reason you decide you don't want that razor, be sure to let me know.

Beautiful!

[Intrigued]

Great avatar you've got there Andrew!

[Celbob]

Welcome Andrew and first and foremost, thank you for serving our country. good luck on your deployment and keep safe but kick as* as well!

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome to B&B. Excellent looking razor you've got there.