Noob here - looking for advice on equipment and saying hello!

[nicooke]

Hi everyone!

I have recently purchased myself a £3.99 DE with some free blades from Boots here in the UK as a taster of a proper shave. It is already better than the Fusion that I was using before (I've never got on with electrics at all).

However, it isn't that much better, though not sure what I was expecting from such cheap equipment, plus I was using some canned Gillette foam and have no brush.

I have a relatively sensitive neck and it is prone to irritation. Funnily enough on my first, 2=pass shave there was virtually none, but I am still sure I can get 100x better.

I've been looking at Merkur, Edwin Jagger, and Timor as contenders at present. I like the idea of the butterfly opening but will forego that for a better razor at the same price.

I was looking at a kit such as this, though there are multiple combos, but basically what I'm asking for is pointers for a starter on what to get for a very close shave at a reasonable outlay to start off with.

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

EDIT: Bit concerned about plated razors as I'm allergic to nickel so assuming that a stainless steel razor is a better idea.

[duck dive steve]

Hi and Welcome to B&B from another newbie
Starter kit looks good. Most people will tell you to go for a Merkur 34c or the EJ DE89 and thats good advice. Might be worth adding blade sample pack as blade choice is down to the individual. You'll notice a big improvement in shaving using a brush and cream. You might also want to get some post shave stuff like an aftershave balm or some Geo F Trumper skin food.
As far as neck troubles go this pops up all the time. Like I said I'm new but have the same problem. My advice is find the direction of the grain in that area and shave with it. I was shaving my neck north to south which turned out to be against the grain and caused all sorts of problems. Now I shave south to north WTG and this has greatly reduced irritation.
I hope this is helpful, good luck enjoy your shaves and let us know how you get on.

[nicooke]

Wow, fastest reply I've ever got in a forum I think. I've been using some Hugo Boss after shave balm which my skin seems to like.

I had a feeling the brush and cream would make a difference - sorely tempted by the starter kit just not sure whether to go for the Merkur or the EJ.

Of course I'm open to all sorts of suggestions. It is payday tomorrow so the world is, to an extent, my oyster :)

[turtle]

Welcome to B&B

Yes, it does get better the more you DE shave.

I assume that you are in the UK as you are using those funny £ characters and are looking at a UK vendor for products.

The "kit" you are looking at is a little limited in the brush and soap/cream selections other than that the razor and blade selection available is nice.

You didn't say what your initial budget is so it is hard to steer you in the right direction and stay with something that you would consider.

Jagger DE89 is typically recommended as a good starting razor as it is well made and will still satisfy you after you become experienced. I have one that I rotate in and out of my shaves and I have been shaving for 45 years so it is one razor you won't "out grow". Most razors are Chrome plated not nickel plated. Do you have any issues with chrome? You may want to consider gold plated if you have allergic reactions to some metals. Stainless steel razors are rather expensive and the choices are very limited. Stainless would be something you need to choose yourself long after you are sure that you want to DE shave. No point jumping into the £100 + razor before you know for sure you are going to stick with it.

I would recommend that you start with the Astra Superior Platinum blades. They are a good quality, consistent blade that will give you close comfortable shaves with very little effort

For a brush I would recommend an entry level Simpsons such as a Special or Berkley. They are very good quality and again you won't out grow either as time goes on. If you have a little more to spend look at the Simpsons Duke 2, Colonel, or a Kent BK4. Brushes are much more of a personal choice whereas razors and blades are a little more quantitative when evaluating. You are going to end up with a number of brushes whether you want to or not (trust me on this one).

For a first soap/cream I would steer you to Geo. F. Trumpers Coconut Oil cream or Truefitt & Hill (you pick the scent) for a shaving cream product. For a shaving soap I would steer you to Tabac or MWF (Mitchell's Wool Fat).

Anyway... WELCOME... I am sure others will chime in with recomendations.

[nicooke]

Welcome to B&B

Yes, it does get better the more you DE shave.

I assume that you are in the UK as you are using those funny £ characters and are looking at a UK vendor for products.

The "kit" you are looking at is a little limited in the brush and soap/cream selections other than that the razor and blade selection available is nice.

You didn't say what your initial budget is so it is hard to steer you in the right direction and stay with something that you would consider.

Jagger DE89 is typically recommended as a good starting razor as it is well made and will still satisfy you after you become experienced. I have one that I rotate in and out of my shaves and I have been shaving for 45 years so it is one razor you won't "out grow". Most razors are Chrome plated not nickel plated. Do you have any issues with chrome? You may want to consider gold plated if you have allergic reactions to some metals. Stainless steel razors are rather expensive and the choices are very limited. Stainless would be something you need to choose yourself long after you are sure that you want to DE shave. No point jumping into the £100 + razor before you know for sure you are going to stick with it.

I would recommend that you start with the Astra Superior Platinum blades. They are a good quality, consistent blade that will give you close comfortable shaves with very little effort

For a brush I would recommend an entry level Simpsons such as a Special or Berkley. They are very good quality and again you won't out grow either as time goes on. If you have a little more to spend look at the Simpsons Duke 2, Colonel, or a Kent BK4. Brushes are much more of a personal choice whereas razors and blades are a little more quantitative when evaluating. You are going to end up with a number of brushes whether you want to or not (trust me on this one).

For a first soap/cream I would steer you to Geo. F. Trumpers Coconut Oil cream or Truefitt & Hill (you pick the scent) for a shaving cream product. For a shaving soap I would steer you to Tabac or MWF (Mitchell's Wool Fat).

Anyway... WELCOME... I am sure others will chime in with recomendations.

Many thanks for the recommendations. I do use those funny £ symbols, have done for a while now ;) You assume right good sir, I am in the UK.

Well when I say the world is my oyster, I would probably want to set an upper limit of around £70 (about $115) for the lot to start with.

I assume the Edwin Jagger DE would walk all over my cheapy?

[turtle]

Many thanks for the recommendations. I do use those funny £ symbols, have done for a while now ;) You assume right good sir, I am in the UK.

Well when I say the world is my oyster, I would probably want to set an upper limit of around £70 (about $115) for the lot to start with.

I assume the Edwin Jagger DE would walk all over my cheapy?

Edwin Jagger is a very well made and finely finished product. Any razor will hold a blade and give you a shave. What I would suggest is that you start with a mild razor so that you don't get disappointed and that you continue shaving and developing your technique. The DE89 is mild (not the mildest you can get but very middle of the road).

Muhle razors are another brand that are a well made and finished product. The Muhle model is called the R89 (same head as the Jagger DE89). Set side by side the fit and finish is very good from both manufacturers.

Rather than jump in and try to get everything at one time you may want to grab a razor and blade this payday then next payday get your brush and cream. That way you can get quality products, not something to get you by until next payday.

You will be far better off getting quality products to start with as it will save you money in the long run as you will not continually be looking to upgrade what you have purchased the previous week.

[pipskicks]

They have starter kits that aren't too expensive...

Sure if you know you'll be into this get it all slow, but if you are trying it out, nothing wrong with a cheaper-end VDH kit, decent razor and sample blades -it wouldn't break your wallet.


As far as getting other razors, blades or soaps, then I'd wait :)

[nicooke]

When I get into things I usually stay into things. Managed to curb my mobile phone addiction for a while so my shaving is now getting attention.

The Edwin Jagger seems like a safe bet - reviews seem good everywhere. I'm currently using the one referenced in this thread so I'm expecting a step up :)

[pipskicks]

When I get into things I usually stay into things. Managed to curb my mobile phone addiction for a while so my shaving is now getting attention.

The Edwin Jagger seems like a safe bet - reviews seem good everywhere. I'm currently using the one referenced in this thread so I'm expecting a step up :)

Yeah, might as well make sure your soap is decent and you're trying out good blades...

[nicooke]

Aren't the astras and the Taylor of Bond Street Sandalwood fairly well regarded?

Thanks for all the help btw everyone :)

[Kooze]

Check this out in BST

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...and-a-Chubby-2

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[Dusty1]

Aren't the astras and the Taylor of Bond Street Sandalwood fairly well regarded?

Thanks for all the help btw everyone :)

Welcome! And yes, they are very good ones.

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[jazzguy]

That looks like a good starter kit. I think the EJ 89 is a terrific razor and I would choose that one. I would upgrade the brush to the super or silvertip. the TOBS creams are well regarded around here. Welcome to B&B!

[Prof. Moriarty]

Welcome to B&B from a fellow UK member.
Maybe have a look at Shaving.ie, and grab yourself a Semogue 1305, or Semogue Owners Club. The latter will cost you 20quid. I would grab the EJ razor (it was my first razor it and I think it is fantastic). I would go with Mitchells Wool Fat, it has become my favourite soap, along with a tube of Proraso. And then a blade sampler.
That will run you 85quid with the more expensive brush, and ceramic tub for the MWF. That would be a great starter kit in my opinion.

Or without the MWF, you will be looking at 68quid with shipping.

[pipskicks]

Aren't the astras and the Taylor of Bond Street Sandalwood fairly well regarded?

Thanks for all the help btw everyone :)

Sorry I must have missed the link to the set, I think everything in there is a good or above average starter kit.

[celestino]

Welcome to B&B and the advice, "turtle" gave you is fantatic! Good luck.

[Oblique Human]

Welcome to B&B!

That kit traditionalshaving leaves much to be desired, specially the blades. What's that £3 DE you own? If its decent, then stick with it for now. Invest in a blade sampler pack and buy some creams, Erasmic you can find locally and Proraso. You can acquire more along the way. http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/ has some good brushes at decent prices.

[takeshi]

I was using some canned Gillette foam and have no brush.

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

Keep in mind that it's not just a matter of the tools but of prep and technique as well.