New & Need Guidance

[Ronaldo807]

First let me start off with some background information. I'm 27 living in Jacksonville, FL. For years I used your typical multi blade razor which would tear up my face leaving me with lots of irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. When I started college, I decided to try electric razors. The rotary razors did a good job of shaving, but still left me with all the irritation. I then switched to a Braun 360 which I have still continued to use to this day. The shave is comfortable, however, it doesn't get all the hair meaning I have to go back over it with a razor thus leading to irritation. The irritation has been greatly reduced compared to just a blade shave. All of this has led me to shave once every 5-7 days. While I don't plan on shaving every night and I don't mind a little bit of scruff, I would like to be able shave more often without fear or irritation.

I recently decided that I would try the bump fighter razor. It seemed like the perfect fit. I used my beard trimmer to remove the excess growth and then shaved without an issue. The shave was close enough for me and my skin didn't feel irritated. I followed it up with tend skin over the next few days and only noticed very slight irritation on my neck. I also haven't noticed any ingrown hairs. Well last night was shave two (three days since the first shave) and the shave was bad. The hair closeness was patchy and I had several nicks on my neck (most likely my fault from pressing too hard). I had to go over it with the back edge of my razor to at least get it even. My neck felt irritated and now I'm concerned over the next few days I will have razor burn.

And then this morning I stumbled upon this article http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/688684.../#.T6E0NdlhjwA.

It peaked my interest and I want to pursue this further, but I have no idea where to begin.

I believe I have sensitive skin and know i am prone to razor burn, irritation, and at times ingrown hairs. I can typically grow a beard within 5-7 days, but I wouldn't call it overly thick or thin, somewhere in the middle. I usually trim my beard with a beard trimmer at the lowest setting without any guard before shaving.

For now, I'm looking for something that will give me a good shave without any of the irritation. What razor should I start with? What blade or blades? What type of brush? What type of shaving cream/soap? What type of after shave (I just started to use tend skin and neutrogena razor defense lotion)? Is there anything I'm missing?

Any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated. I'm ready to take the plunge. I'm happy to provide any additional information that might be needed. Thanks.

[eth]

Welcome.

For now, I'm looking for something that will give me a good shave without any of the irritation.

You are well on your way by looking into traditional wet shaving.

What razor should I start with? What blade or blades? What type of brush? What type of shaving cream/soap? What type of after shave (I just started to use tend skin and neutrogena razor defense lotion)? Is there anything I'm missing?

If you can't afford to start with a complete DE setup, start with a brush and some proper shaving cream or soap, then bring in the DE razor later. You can use the same techniques with a DE and a cartridge razor, you just need to know them. In the US I believe you can find a kit named Van der Hagen in various supermarkets, which comes with a brush decent for starters. There is also a VDH "Deluxe" soap, which is another decent starter product. Instead of that soap you can also get Kiss My Face or Art of Shaving shaving creams, both are good products. For a razor, Edwin Jagger DE89 is a safe pick. If you have antique shops or anything like it in your area you can look for vintage razors there as well, if you like. For blades, you want a sample pack. Here is a blade sample pack. It is more or less impossible for anyone else to tell you what blade is best for you, you will simply have to try them out.

And take your time. Both for each shave, and don't expect immediate results. Personally I saw results faster than I expected.

But the very first thing you should do, is read the wet shaving instructions post, and check out the links in there. There is a lot of information to be gathered there.

[bachmanrob]

m in the same boat as you. I couldnt shave everyday because of the irrutation and bumps, so I would only do it once a week. I just got into wet shaving and im hooked. Ive only been doing it for about a month now and ive seen a differance I definately shave more often. Let me be honest though, you first shave with a DE razor may not be pretty because you will be learning all over again. I have a Merkur HD razor with Merkur blades. Im kicking my self now for not getting it so here you go. If I was you, get the starter or full size shave kit from the Art of Shaving. I has a brush, cream, pre-shave oil, and aftershave balm in it. Also do some research go onto youtube and search Mantic59. His videos will help get you started as well. Hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions.

[Ronaldo807]

Thanks for the information. I'm not too concerned about the investment. I don't want to spend $100's of dollars just starting out, but I also want to be completely into it (the razor, the blades, the brush, the soap, etc..).

[Oblique Human]

Welcome to B&B!

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B, from a fellow Floridian.

For a good starting off point look at the information at this post.

As a general rule it is technique - not the razor - that will give you an irritation free shave. I would recommend a "mild" rather than an aggressive razor to start your journey with. Two razors that come to mind are the Weishi and Gillette Tech. For blades, well that is a purely subjective thing, depending upon the individual. Most likely you will need to experiment around to find one that suits you. The usual advice is to try a sampler pack from one of the vendors that you can find on B&B.

[Ronaldo807]

Would the Edwin Jagger be considered a good beginner or "mild" razor?

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[VSolis]

I'm a newbie too and waiting on my supplies to come in. I opted for the Edwin Jagger DE89BA11 Barley Chrome. For one, it looks sexy and two, reviews for it are awesome. The other highly recommended beginner one is the Merkur 34C. Read reviews on both and see which one you'd like.

Complete supplies for me ran about $140 (with shipping and tax) which includes Edwin Jagger razor, Simpsons Colonel X2L brush, and a bunch of blades to try out. You have to see it as an investment and paying for itself in the long run with the cost of blades averaging about a quarter each. It'll pay for itself if you compare it to the price of replacement cartridges!

One thing I would suggest is see what you can find locally. If you have a Whole Foods and/or Sprouts locally, you can get the Kiss My Face shaving cream which is inexpensive and a pretty solid cream...as long as you can get by the girly packaging. You can also get Thayers Witch Hazel astringents/toners there. I get the toner because I don't like alcohol and putting a little bit of this on after shaving helps the skin out a lot. I even put it on on days I don't shave.

For aftershave cream, I've been using a Nivea Q10 cream. But after switching to the Kiss My Face cream and using Thayers, I do not think I even need a cream and probably will try to go without one. And this is me still shaving with a Gillette Fusion till my supplies come in.

Anyway, welcome and have fun!

[BigBull]

Welcome to B&B from Jax Beach! I'm fairly new to DE shaving as well, but have been wet shaving for years. I think reading the link'd info. above is the right place to start. Some people learn better by seeing/touching/feeling...so, along with reading the forum I'll make the suggestion that you visit 2 local shops. 1) Art of Shaving @ St. Johns Town Center. Have them give you a demo on wetshaving (how I started) 2) take a look at www.thesuperiorshave.com - local guy off San Pablo who has better prices than AOS on DE Razors, brushes, stands, etc and also offers blade sampler packs.

Enjoy man! You're face, neck, head, whatever else is going to thank you soon!

[Toxic515]

Welcome aboard! You're going to find that there is a LOT of different advice put forward for what is "best". Mostly because, as most everyone states on here, "Your mileage may vary". We've all got products that we love over others. I use MOSTLY straights, but still love my Everready and Gem SE, as well as my Gillette Slim adjustables and the FUTUR. (not to mention the tech, super speed, etc) The Edwin Jagger razors get good reviews, and I also like my EJ89. The only brushes I have NOT liked so far have been some of the lower end boar ones from Burmashave and Omega. I've got a no-name boar one that I use fairly regularly that's become quite soft as well.

All of that being said, I'd be inclined to suggest a Black badger brush to get started, and there are several good ones out there. I use a Frank Shaving one quite often.

As to razors, the EJ is a great place to start, and so are almost any of the classic Gillettes.. I suggest getting a slim adjustable that's in good shape. It gives you plenty of options over 3 piece razors. "Mild" Razors are also subjective (IMO) - I find my straights to be markedly more gentle to my face when they're wickedly sharp, so I'll stick with the slim adjustable as a suggestion for DE starters.

Soaps; that one goes all over the place. Mitchells Wool Fat is great, but I also get a great shave out of the regularly vilified (and quite cheap) Williams Mug Soap. The VanDerHagen that's been mentioned above is quite good, and so is C.O. Bigelow from Bed Bath and Beyond. You're going to find that some soaps work better for you than others, and that as you do this for a while, you may go back to some of the less preferred ones and find that they're easier to use once you have developed technique.

Blades: Same song, second verse. I happen to like Feathers in my adjustables, (and I use them fairly often in my 3 pc ones as well) I also like to change them up with others from my sampler set. so I suggest a sampler set to get started. Make sure it includes Feathers, Derby, Lord, and Gillette Yellow if you can.

Best of luck, you're on the right path.

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome to the group, and a better way to shave.

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[Ronaldo807]

What is the difference between the EJ DE89, EJ DE89L, EJ DE89LBL and EJ DE 89 Barley? I'm interested in this razor but don't understand the differences. I've seen different models on Bull Goose Shaving and Amazon.

[VSolis]

To my understanding, its the design of the handle. But I could be wrong.

[shakin_jake]

as someone already told you to do in this post, and I'll repeat, you have one of wet shavingdom's premiere shave shops in your city. Instead of asking questions here on this board, go to Jarrod's shop and see the man in person. Listen to what he has to say and buy the products he suggests for you to buy. That is your best bet...and Jarrod will show you how to use the products you buy from him, so you wont have to guess about technique and if you are doing anything wrong

And I'll say this too...many others would love to be within driving distance of Jarrod's shop, so don't put it off any longer, go see Jarrod

http://www.thesuperiorshave.com/


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

P.S. ...this is such a no brainer

[BigBull]

What is the difference between the EJ DE89, EJ DE89L, EJ DE89LBL and EJ DE 89 Barley? I'm interested in this razor but don't understand the differences. I've seen different models on Bull Goose Shaving and Amazon.

VSolis is correct. It's the deisgn of the handle. One is straight chrome, one is lined chrome (89L), and Barley is a knarled version. Some like the smooth look of straight chrome while some like the reassurance a knarled handle provides (ie, smooth may be easier to drop). I own the Barley and love it.

Shakin_Jake gave you good advice. I'd go see Jarrod too. Maybe you don't have to buy everything from him, but try to buy something...

(I'm a surfer = strongly believe in supporting local business!)

[Ronaldo807]

I appreciate the guidance and advice. I emailed Jarrod and he didn't have what I was looking for, but I will definitely keep him in mind in the future.

For a beginner, what do you think of this setup:

- Edwin Jagger DE89L
- Proraso Pre & Post Cream Green Tea & Oat New Formula
- Proraso Shave Cream Green Tea & Oat New Formula (Not sure whether cream or soap is better)
- DE Razor Sample Pack http://www.amazon.com/Double-Razor-B...6056847&sr=1-4
- Osma Styptic Pencil

I'm still deciding on a brush, but wanted to get thoughts around that setup for a beginner who has never dabbled in this type of shaving.

[Useless shaver]

What is the difference between the EJ DE89, EJ DE89L, EJ DE89LBL and EJ DE 89 Barley? I'm interested in this razor but don't understand the differences. I've seen different models on Bull Goose Shaving and Amazon.

All of them have the same (great) Edwin Jagger/Mühle head.

And:

EJ DE89 is chrome plated
EJ DE89L is lined chrome plated
Barley is Barley, DE89BA11bl

Apparently there is no DE89LBL (lots of confusion about it out there). There is a EJ chrome plated with an octagonal handle with the reference DE89811bl.

Enjoy! I love my DE89L, awesome tool!

And, sorry... Welcome aboard! Glad you're here!

[Prof. Moriarty]

Welcome to B&B