Newb wants to buy from a "supporting vendor"

**glorth2** · 03-05-2012, 12:15 PM

Hi guys. First time here. Haven't wet shaved yet. I want to buy my first D/E razor, wanted to support the site but no matter where I click a "supporting vendors" link it seems to be down. Unless someone can recommend a good American made D/E razor I was going to go with a Mercur(sp?). I just want to use a good vendor. Also, possibly a stupid question that I haven't seen yet, I take it I can't just use, like, Edge gel for shave cream? Or can I but it's just not as good as the real stuff. Thanks in advance. :)

**john.bradburne** · 03-05-2012, 12:18 PM

I am a huge fan of fendrihan.com they are canadian but will ship to the usa. as for the shaving cream, you CAN use edge but it is much more fun using a shave soap.. I started off with the Col. Conk Bay rum shave soap, when I started it was/is a good soap

**Sledgehammer39** · 03-05-2012, 12:38 PM

I have always received excellent service from Bullgooseshaving, Westcoastshaving, Razorbladesandmore, and Italianbarber.

**SteveWY** · 03-05-2012, 01:07 PM

All of the above are good solid, customer-friendly vendors. I don't know of any "American Made" razors. Parkers are made in India, Merkurs in Germany, Edwin Jagger in England, Weishi in Japan. If you MUST have American-made, then go for a vintage Gillette.

Gel or Foam? Not a stupid question, but very important. NO, do not use anything in a can. No Goo! You need a shaving soap or cream that is made to be used with a brush and water, hence the traditional "wetshave". Spend some time in the Shave Clinic and Newbie Forum threads. There is no question you will have as a Newbie that hasn't been fully answered and discussed. There is a forum on Shave Soaps, or do a search. Get a brush and a quality soap (VDH, Col. Conk, TOBS) or cream (Proraso/Bigelow), and a sample pack of blades and jump on in! You will find that the hot water and lather is just fine!

Welcome aboard!

**ORGANIC MAN** · 03-05-2012, 01:11 PM

I have always had great luck and advice from Bullgooseshaving.net

**windrider** · 03-05-2012, 01:14 PM

How about buying something like a vintage Super Speed or a Tech. Hardly go wrong with these classic razors and they will be pretty inexpensive. Try WTB, Ebay or a local antique shop.

**Jawaburger** · 03-05-2012, 01:39 PM

You can find an American made DE razor here: http://www.weberrazor.com/

I am a big fan of West Coast Shaving for my shaving needs.

**Sully2** · 03-05-2012, 01:40 PM

I like WestCoast Shaving a bunch!!! A Mekur 34C was my first DE and I love it to death. As far as shaving creams/soaps go....you need to try some and when you latch onto the combo that FOR YOU gives good coverage; has lather that stays put; has a pleasant fragrance and has some amount of lubrication to it....you have won first prize.

Lately Ive been testing a few and love Akro cream that has Lemon fragrance.

**dpmtherrien** · 03-05-2012, 01:56 PM

I think you'll find good service, and prices, from most of the vendor's here at B&B.

Check them all out though, because some will have better prices for the same thing.

**N2theBreech** · 03-05-2012, 02:00 PM

Real lather is easier on your face than the canned gels, etc. You could transition in steps if you use a blade now. Pick a soap or cream, a brush, and use it with your current razor. Read the wikis on building lather and watch Mantic59's tutorials on YouTube. Then, once you feel comfortable building a good lather, start using a DE razor. This way, you're only learning one thing at a time.

BTW, you may find real lather is thinner than mass market canned stuff. That's OK, you'll get usd to it. I'd been shaving with soap for a few weeks, and then I used canned gel on a trip. After the soap, it felt like I was shaving with cream cheese! Bleeeah!

**glorth2** · 03-05-2012, 03:02 PM

Thanks guys. I've been using and hating whatever Gillette thingamabob I have, I'm at the end of my cartridges and I refuse to give Gillette $15 for 4 cartridges. That's really what brought me here. I don't HAVE to have American made. I just try to buy local whenever possible. Yeah, I'm one of those guys. German steel is fine with me. I have some Kiss My Face lotion and it DID feel VERY thin. I'll go with that until I'm all outfitted though. I know this is going to take longer than my usual shave, and I'm fine with that. I do want to keep it relatively simple though. WHat's the difference between soap or cream? I usually shave after I shower so I don't think I need the pre-shave jazz. Thanks again! :)

**SteveWY** · 03-05-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Jawaburger

You can find an American made DE razor here: http://www.weberrazor.com/

I am a big fan of West Coast Shaving for my shaving needs.

Wow! Great info, I stand corrected on American manufactured razors! You know, you just fed my RAD! I will have to research but I may need to get me a Weber just because.

Ditto on WCS.

**glorth2** · 03-05-2012, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by SteveWY

Wow! Great info, I stand corrected on American manufactured razors! You know, you just fed my RAD! I will have to research but I may need to get me a Weber just because.

Ditto on WCS.

When they sell just the handle does it include the top part?

**H.S.M.Jr.** · 03-05-2012, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by SteveWY

Wow! Great info, I stand corrected on American manufactured razors! You know, you just fed my RAD! I will have to research but I may need to get me a Weber just because.

Ditto on WCS.

+1. Thanks Jawaburger

.

**Gruder** · 03-05-2012, 04:26 PM

B&B no longer has "supporting vendors", but rather vendors who subscribe to our vendor program. These good folks can be found in the "vendor items for sale" forum, as well as in the "hobbyist/vendor classifieds" forum.

Welcome to B&B!

**Nappyfunk** · 03-05-2012, 04:31 PM

Poor Man!...he wants to keep it simple...haven't had An AD yet...just a little more time fellow Nuube...
Welcome...
have Fun...Merkur...Jagger..and the "Infamous Mule"...in my rotation...
Kick the Can Man !!

**elderberry99** · 03-05-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by glorth2

When they sell just the handle does it include the top part?

When you buy a Weber handle, that is what you get. the handle is by itself. When they become available, seems like they go quickly. I had one and enjoyed it. I sold mine recently because I have too many razors now to use. The Edwin Jagger DE89 is a very fine razor to use. It is my go to razor now and is very smooth with just about any blade I put in it. There are a few blades I cannot get along with even in the Weber, but that is what you need to find out for yourself. Get the DE89 and you will not be sorry for it! If you don't like it, someone here will take it off your hands in a short time when listed on the B/S/T.

**elderberry99** · 03-05-2012, 04:43 PM

I first started with a VDH Boar Brush and a puck of VDH soap. Still have both. They both served me well, and only cost under $10 for both at a local drug store.

**glorth2** · 03-05-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by elderberry99

When you buy a Weber handle, that is what you get. the handle is by itself. When they become available, seems like they go quickly. I had one and enjoyed it. I sold mine recently because I have too many razors now to use. The Edwin Jagger DE89 is a very fine razor to use. It is my go to razor now and is very smooth with just about any blade I put in it. There are a few blades I cannot get along with even in the Weber, but that is what you need to find out for yourself. Get the DE89 and you will not be sorry for it! If you don't like it, someone here will take it off your hands in a short time when listed on the B/S/T.

OK, so you need to get the 3 piece. I see that now, out of stock. I'll keep looking but maybe get the Merkur.

Here's a crazy question, can you make your own shave foam?

**elderberry99** · 03-05-2012, 04:52 PM

The idea is use a puck of soap and a brush and whip up your own lather. It is not only better for the shave and your skin then the can stuff, it is more enjoyable to do. Use the soap puck or cream. Both will do very well. Making a nice slick lather will only take you a few minutes to do once you get the hang of it and there are many videos about how to on the web.