First post of a long time lurker... with a request.

[ryanm1903]

Hey all,

I converted to this wonderfully simple hobby about a year ago, and it's been a lot of fun. I've learned most of what I know and have found almost all my product recommendations from this site, and I decided I wanted some personalized recommendations. In about a month I'll be coming into about $125ish that my wife says I can splurge on shaving stuff with(!), but I'm at a loss. Here's what I have and what's worked for me.

Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89bl. I really like this razor. It's solid, hefty, and the chrome finish is surprisingly beautiful out of the box.
Blades: Against all advice, I made myself learn with Feathers. It was totally worth it though, and I've since settled on Astra SP's due to price and relative comfort, although I have a few packs of Feathers on hand when I want to change it up.
Brush: I started initially with the Body Shop Synthetic, which was a huge pain to lather anything with. I then moved on to an older Body Shop $8 boar brush that my grandma had decorated her bathroom with. It was much better, but shed like a dog at the start of summer. I then upgraded to a Rooney 3/1 which, you can imagine, was night and day from the two $8 brushes I started with.
Creams/Soaps: I've really enjoyed Bigelow with Proraso pre/post, T&F 1805 SC and ASB, and most recently RazoRock XXX. I also enjoy the performance of both Tabac, TOBS Rose, and Body Shop Maca Root, but not always their scents. I tried a puck of DR Harris Marlborough, and found it a huge letdown in terms of slickness and overall performance, even with a preshave oil.

All that being said, I've got this money coming in that I can spend, and I'm not sure where to go next... razor, brush, even more creams/soaps?

1. Is the Futur all it's cracked up to be? Should I consider any other kind of razor?
2. Would a new brush be worthwhile on top of my Rooney? (I do find myself occassionally missing the scritchiness of my old boar)
3. I've mostly been leaning towards trying some top shelf stuff like Santa Maria Novella and Acqua Di Parma. Are those two in particular head and shoulders above Bigelow and RazoRock (as I've seen them respectively compared)? Any others that you can't do without?

I get that almost everything in wet shaving is YMMV (hence my surprise at not enjoying DRH), but I'm wondering what your recommendations are.

Cheers,
Ryan

[gus1942]

Hey all,

I converted to this wonderfully simple hobby about a year ago, and it's been a lot of fun. I've learned most of what I know and have found almost all my product recommendations from this site, and I decided I wanted some personalized recommendations. In about a month I'll be coming into about $125ish that my wife says I can splurge on shaving stuff with(!), but I'm at a loss. Here's what I have and what's worked for me.

Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89bl. I really like this razor. It's solid, hefty, and the chrome finish is surprisingly beautiful out of the box.
Blades: Against all advice, I made myself learn with Feathers. It was totally worth it though, and I've since settled on Astra SP's due to price and relative comfort, although I have a few packs of Feathers on hand when I want to change it up.
Brush: I started initially with the Body Shop Synthetic, which was a huge pain to lather anything with. I then moved on to an older Body Shop $8 boar brush that my grandma had decorated her bathroom with. It was much better, but shed like a dog at the start of summer. I then upgraded to a Rooney 3/1 which, you can imagine, was night and day from the two $8 brushes I started with.
Creams/Soaps: I've really enjoyed Bigelow with Proraso pre/post, T&F 1805 SC and ASB, and most recently RazoRock XXX. I also enjoy the performance of both Tabac, TOBS Rose, and Body Shop Maca Root, but not always their scents. I tried a puck of DR Harris Marlborough, and found it a huge letdown in terms of slickness and overall performance, even with a preshave oil.

All that being said, I've got this money coming in that I can spend, and I'm not sure where to go next... razor, brush, even more creams/soaps?

1. Is the Futur all it's cracked up to be? Should I consider any other kind of razor?
2. Would a new brush be worthwhile on top of my Rooney? (I do find myself occassionally missing the scritchiness of my old boar)
3. I've mostly been leaning towards trying some top shelf stuff like Santa Maria Novella and Acqua Di Parma. Are those two in particular head and shoulders above Bigelow and RazoRock (as I've seen them respectively compared)? Any others that you can't do without?

I get that almost everything in wet shaving is YMMV (hence my surprise at not enjoying DRH), but I'm wondering what your recommendations are.

Cheers,
Ryan

Almost everything suggested is going to be good. How about a Gillette Super Speed, Merkur 37c slant, Semogue 830 boar, a case of Arko, use the bowl to soak your brush and face lather. Less than $125.

[eth]

I am sure the Futur is a great one, but it's not the one razor to rule them all, as that razor does not exist. We all like different things. I would go with a slant personally, a slant will be my next one. If you want something scritchy that is still good, try a Semogue. I have the 620, 830 and 1305, and they all have great qualities. Creams and soaps are fine, but are you covered on aftershave? I have recently enjoyed the new Proraso formulas, specifically the white soap and both the new balms. They are great, while not top-shelf in terms of price. And if it fits in with the rest of your budget, why not go with Martin de Candre, while you have spare money?

[Oblique Human]

Welcome to B&B!

Don't splurge the new cash infusion on a single razor. Buy creams and soaps, and invest in a Gillette Superspeed or similar to complement your EJ89 and to more accurately assess the performance of new blades.

[Kentos]

How about a whippeddog straight shaving beginner's set? After a year of DE shaving you would more than experienced enough to be up to the challenge :)

[Whilliam]

Buy blades, lots of blades. Also, you can take a step up in how close your razor shaves by buying an R41.

As for lather and brushes, just keep knocking yourself out.

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B, Ryan, and glad you finally de-lurked.

The decision on where to spend your money is one many shavers would love to have.

As for one razor, why the Futur? Did you read the review on this razor? If not look at them here. As you can see they are all over the place on this one. I am a big fan of adjustables but that is one I did not like. I found it too bulky and had difficulty shaving under my nose. I ended up buying two Merkur Progress razors, one regular and one long handled, and had them converted into Mergresses. Now they are among my two favorite razors.

As for soaps, yes you can spend quite a bit on them. Two soaps I really like are Cella and MdC. Cella is reasonably priced but shipping expenses from France drive up the cost of MdC.

Another option is to make a donation to B&B and get a nice Contributor button beneath your name!

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard, Ryan!

[ryanm1903]

I was looking into the Futur because I've been curious about adjustables, and I can't tell you how many times I've seen people boast of the Futur/Feather combination. The price seems steep to me, hovering in the $90 range right now in some places.

As for blades, I got a 100 pack of Astras for $9 shipped. That and the 30 or so Feathers I have on hand should keep me going for a while.

I've seriously considered a straight razor set. I even bought a shavette to practice with (is that a sin around here?). It was very comfortable with both the included sharks and some split Astras until I took out two perfectly good chunks from my face. I may revisit the idea down the road, but for now I'm very confortable with DE's.

What about scuttles? I didn't even know what they were until I just discovered Dirty Bird last night, and they seem to be very attractive and functional pieces (hot Proraso sounds amazing!)

I'm pretty open to different categories too. Alum block? Pre-shave soap? Aftershaves?

[Mr5x5]

Welcome! I like MB soaps. You could get a sample pack from her and still have money left to spend. I prefer a boar brush and have heard good things about Semogue brushes

[Toxic515]

I'd suggest getting a gillette adjustable over a Futur. I have a futur, and I like it, but I also keep a goatee, so no shaving under the snout or on my chinny chin chin. Mostly I use a str8, but on occasion when I don't, I often gravitate towards one of my slim adjustables for a great shave. They're markedly less expensive than the Futur, and I think they're better made. (plastic cap and questionable metal on the futur).. Given your gear currently, you could get one of those, and pop by whipped dog and get a nice sight unseen straight setup, along with any number of possible brushes, and still come out with enough cash to take your lady out to a meal... granted, a fast food one. :-D

[OkieStubble]

Vintage Razors

Gillette 40's Superspeed
Gillette Tech Fat Handle/Ball End
Gillette Slim Adjustable
GEM 1912 Single Edge

Modern Razors

Feather AS-D1
Ikon Bulldog
Muhle R41
Murker 37c Slant

Brushes

Omega 49 Boar
Semogue 1305 Boar
Vie Long Zurito 13061 Horse
Vintage EverReady handle restored and re-knotted with TGN two-band finest badger w/extra hair

Soaps/Creams

Mitchell's Wool Fat
Tabac
Musgo Real
Kiss My Face
Proraso Sandlewood
Cella
Arko
Palmolive
La Toja
Vintage Old Spice
Vintage Williams

[nemo]

Welcome to B&B! For what it's worth, I'd wait on the Futur.

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to the forum !!