Just took the plunge

[genjix]

Hey,

I discovered wetshaving a week ago, and all throughout the week I couldn't help myself opening a tab and reading up on it. So I've just taken the plunge and bought all the kit needed (Merkur 34 blade, omega bristle brush, 10 derby mixed blades, proraso shaving cream, alum block).

I've been reading a ton and here's what I gather:
- Prep is extremely important.
- Be sure to get a good lather.
- Stick to my tools for at least a month before switching about. Focus on good technique.
- Take it slow & don't expect fast BBS results immediately.

I used to have bad acne as a teen, but now I use cleanser and BP cream to keep my skin clean. Without it, the acne returns in a week. My skin is uber sensitive - I'm the kind of person with bad hayfever, asthma, irritable eyes and sensitive skin that goes rough in winter. My plan in the beginning is not to shave too often (maybe once every 3 days) while my skin gets adjusted to it and I perfect my technique.

I have 2 questions:

- Is it better to keep my beard longer or to trim it using a beard trimmer first?
- Is cold or hot water better for a shave?
- Would you recommend that I try shaving a small part of my cheek the first few times, gradually expanding the area as my confidence grows?

Thanks for this awesome community and all the info out there. It's like a science :) I love science.

[dpm802]

If you are currently sporting a full beard, I would recommend trimming it down with clippers or a scissors before you try to shave.

Hot or Cold? There are dedicated users in both camps, you'll just have to try them both and see what works best for you. In my case, I like HOT HOT water to shave with, but during the Dog Days of Summer, I switch to Cold Water shaving, including submerging my razor and brush in a glass of ice water. Its a great way to beat the heat, especially with the menthol-blast of Proraso and similar products.

Your final question is a bit puzzling ... It never occurred to me to just do a partial shave. I would recommend that you go for the whole thing, using WTG strokes for 2 passes. Don't try too hard to concentrate on things like angle of the blade and technique, these things will come naturally as you gain more experience.

And finally ... Welcome to B&B and Happy Shaving!

[Uncle Brian]

As one new guy to another heres what i found
Trim the beard first and if it's still a little long go slowly wash the razor frequently.
HOT is good ... i heat the bowl in hot water and rinse the brush in hot water too before making a lather, feels good works great for me.
It's ok to do the whole face first time but please go slow and don't expect perfection, that takes a little longer :)
DE shaving gives a very close shave for me and I find shaving alternate days to start with is ok. My skin is also sensitive so i always shave after a shower to prep the beard always use lots of soap and always take my time and try not to over shave any area. After the shave I use cold water to wash the soap off & Alum if needed.
I have a selection of blades and I'm working on finding the perfect one for me same with soaps so I would suggest that if you don't like something in your kit you change it ... I also got a selecton of vintage Gillettes and found that open comb is too rough and feels weird on my face.
YMMV as they say
Welcome to B&B

[elderberry99]

I have tried the cold water shave and just can't do it. I like the hot water shaves. Softens my whiskers faster, and makes my face feel nice during the shave.

[genjix]

First shave. I had read up a ton beforehand so I felt confident, yet respectful of the blade. Took my time and did not aim for total perfection. Not a single cut, nick or drop of blood.

The resulting shave is not perfect and is stubble, but it is a starting point that I can work from. There are several big improvements I can already see to improve with my technique, and I will aim to work on those tomorrow.

[genjix]

Here's the kit I bought from http://www.shaving-shack.com/ . The site is cool as they have lots of guides written and linked for various products, and also a review section. For others in the UK, I recommend them as they were no fuss for me to use. And they gave me some extra free blades on top of my order.

PRODUCTS ORDERED:
-----------------
Code: SH34C
Product: Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic
Quantity: 1



Item Price: £29.99

Code: SHRED10049
Product: Omega 49 Professional Pure Bristle Brush
Quantity: 1

Selected options:
Colour: Red


Item Price: £8.19

Code: SHDI20
Product: 10 Derby Extra and 10 Israeli Made Double Edged Razor Blades
Quantity: 1



Item Price: £4.69

Code: SHPRO4
Product: Proraso Shaving Cream Tube (150ml)
Quantity: 1



Item Price: £6.09

Code: SH505171
Product: Alum Block
Quantity: 1



Item Price: £6.69

Code: SHFR14
Product: FREE 10 Wilkinson Sword Double Edged Razor Blades (Only 1 Free Offer Per Order!)
Quantity: 1



Item Price: £0.00

TOTAL:
-------
Payment Method: Credit Card (Protx VSP Direct)
Delivery: 2nd Class Post within UK
Subtotal: £55.65
Shipping cost: £0.00

TOTAL: £55.65

[jayvanderlaan]

i've had 10 shaves so far, and impressed by the fact that you had a bloodless first go! I've found that lathering up and then soaking my face/neck w. a hot/wet towel for a couple mins. pre-shave makes a difference. when i short cut that, i have more nicks and irritation. I also wait 2-4 days btwn. shaves, which leaves time for the skin to recover. One question for experienced shavers...on a multi pass shave (say 3 passes), should I be aiming to reduce about a third of the hairs on each pass? I still find myself thinking that there's too much stubble after my first pass, but maybe I'm just anxious...

[pipskicks]

Some people say (I've seen at least) to try WTG just on one cheek, or maybe both, and moving up even slower than most people on here recommend. I found that to be a bit much, I think going for a BBS on your first try is suicidal, but as long as you're willing to shave and leave stubble, go for it all and start learning :)


Oh and most of this stuff is trial and error because different people have different preferences, and I think a lot is based on skin type, coarseness of beard, etc. So I would try hot and cold water and see what you like...

[PugslyCat]

Welcome to B&B!

Is it better to keep my beard longer or to trim it using a beard trimmer first?

I have shaved off my beard several times in my life. I have had the best results when I have trimmed it with scissors before taking a razor to it.

Is cold or hot water better for a shave?

I would recommend hot water for now. Save the cold water shaves for after you have worked out any problems with your technique.

Would you recommend that I try shaving a small part of my cheek the first few times, gradually expanding the area as my confidence grows? Or just say %^&* it and attempt a full shave the first time.

Go ahead a do a full pass or two from the beginning. The tutorials for straight razors usually recommend starting with one cheek, but not so much for DE razors. You probably want to do WTG passes only for the first few attempts, then add in XTG and ATG passes as your skill and confidence builds.

[genjix]

Yep, I used cold water because cold water tightens blood vessels near the skin's surface and irritates sensitive skin less. I only did a few WTG passes which I'll continue for a while.

The beard had to go. It was tugging on the blade so I used a light beard trimmer.

[pipskicks]

Might want to try another blade, maybe even see if the Wal-Mart has Wilkinsons and try those.

I have the 34C, I had razor burn on my neck more times than I can count with it, but I got it cleared up too.

[genjix]

Today was good. Better shave (more consistent all around). Still no nicks or cuts, but got close a few times.

There is some nasty looking bump on my cheek, but I guess my skin is just getting adjusted to shaving. Thoughts? Does this look like it's from bacteria - should I be using aftershave?



Tomorrow I will try XTG

[genjix]

A better shave. Went XTG. Tomorrow want to try ATG on my neck.

Question: I'm having trouble shaving my chin. The angle there is awkward, the hair seems to change directions in different areas, and it's not easy to make the skin there tight.

[genjix]

after hot bath, did XTG on second pass, and then a little ATG on the neck and upper lip. saw a little drop of blood and running the alum block across my face was stinging.

[Straight Rasier User]

Welcome to B&B.

I don't know about triming the beard.

I prefer warm water it opens the pours and softens the beard faster but, the cold water shavers say the hairs stand up better.

Now shaving ... I can answer or give you my opinion. But, Opinions are likes Ass Holes as everyone has one.

First, Map Your Face and know the way the hair grows.

Second, Only have in short strokes - straight down. Forget about WTG, XTG, XTG-Reverse or even ATG.

Third, Multiple-Passes - straight down.

After that read the following -

Everything boils down to personal preferences.


“Best Brush”

A Brush is a Brush and they perform differently and they are different. Boar, Badger, Horsehair, Horsehair/Boar/Badger Combos, or Syns. Get a Boar (cheap or expensive) or a Good Badger Brush.


“Soap/Cream/Stick”

Soap or Cream or Stick ... Stick or Cream or Soap ... cheap or expensive ... expensive or cheap ... glycerin based, cold processed, tripled milled, or tallow. Get a couple of each and see what works best for you.

“Safety Razor”

Safety Razors ... determine what you want and how much you are willing to spend - Open Comb, Closed Comb, TTOs, 2-Piece, 3-Piece or an adjustable. The Merkur HD or Edwin Jagger 89 are both good beginning Safety Razors. Or get an Old Gillette (SuperSpeed or 3-Piece).


“Razor Blades”

Blades ... Get a Sampler Pack and then ... Good Luck. The differences between whether a Blade is Good or Bad for any individual is because the Hand of God is at work. Maybe it is the shave preparation, or maybe it is the type of hairs being shaven, or maybe it is the patterns on the face being shaven, or the type of Razor being used (different angles or blade gaps are created by the different razor head being used), or the shaving technique being used (wrong angle, too much pressure being used and pushing down on the razor to "cut closer", or even not using multiple-passes to reduce hair growth first and always), or maybe there is one or two Bad Blades in the pack being used, or maybe for whatever reason it is a Bad Blade to you.


”Best Blade”

At first use only One Razor Blade ... use this blade only for a few weeks ... changing when dull.

The First Razor Blade you use is your “Best Blade.”

Get several of your First Best Blade.

Get down the Basics of Shaving – Preparation, Lathering, Shaving with the Razor – light touch, proper angle and little pressure, Multi-Passes – WTG, XTG, and Reverse-XTG.

Get more information and look at the Mantic59 Youtube videos, the GeoFatBoy videos and read the Wiki.


“Finding Your Best Blade”

After you have everything down ... then use a different blade for a week and see if it becomes your new "Best Blade".

If not go back to the other blade for a week then, use a different blade for a week.

Your Best Blade is your base line blade for your tests. When you find your “Next Best Blade” then, that is your “New Best Blade”. Continue working through your sampler pack looking for a “New Best Blade”.

Please note that Different Safety Razors may have a different “Best Blade” and if you have poor technique then it will also affect your choice of a “New Best Blade”.

“Map Your Face”

Make Sure you have Mapped Your Face because that is the only way to know which way your hair grows.

“Technique”

Also make sure that your preshave preparation is down.

Then shave WTG, XTG and Reverse-XTG.

Rinse, Lather, WTG
Rinse, Lather, XTG
Rinse, Lather, Reverse-XTG
Rinse, Lather, Buffing.

No Rinse, No Lather, No Shave.

For the first few weeks ... Do not do ATG ... Wait until you have your technique down because you could and usually will be holding the safety razor upside down when shaving your neck and this may cause you some problems when trying to maintain the correct blade angle while applying a light pressure.



Be careful of Feather blades as they are super sharp and unforgiving make sure you are confident of your technique before using them.

Have Fun Shaving and May All Your Shaves Be BBS.