My story, my setup, what's next? Comment and critiques requested

**Surfn stu** · 07-05-2012, 02:35 AM

At 42 years old and an eternity of hating and cursing shaving I am amazed at the complete 180 I have done. Two months ago I walked into the Art of Shaving after visiting Build a Bear with my daughter in the local mall.I get the sales pitch and leave laughing "why would I ever spend $200+ on shaving crap.". But it does get me thinking about my crappy shave and how I might improve my cartridge process. Two weeks later at another mall I'm in the knife store looking for a new Swiss army knife. I notice they have a little shaving area with razors, brushes, creams, ect... So I ask, and the owner and sales guy both let me know how great a wet shave is. I bought the new pocket knife and left thinking "those guys made the pocket knife sale and don't have to push this DE thing like the Art of Shaving people, maybe there's something here" so I go home and get on the net and end up here at BnB and watching Mantic59.

Im admittedly frugal, especially in this economy but at .20 a blade instead of $2-$4 has got me thinking this could save me some in the long run. I have a few birthday gift cards in the back of the wallet so I go back the next day and get a razor, brush, and soap and a few blades and I'm off.
Well it's been a month, I look forward to shaving before bed, I haven't missed or should I say skipped a day and I am loving this wet shave stuff, I just wish I could have been enjoying this the past 20 years.
I like buying local or in person and don't like shopping on line much so I have been in every store locally and this is my current setup, please make suggestions or comment. FYI, I shave before my evening shower before bed if that effects the process.
Razor: Merkur 34C
Blades: Astra (Gillette Blue sometimes)
Brush: Silver tip badger
Scuttle: A ceramic cup I made a year ago at the JC in a Tupperware bowl of hot water.
Pre shave: Every Man Jack face scrub w/ hot water, then hot towel for 2-3 minutes.
Lubrication layer: a thin layer of Cremo Cream on my wet face.
Lather: Col. Conk almond soap or Proraso depending on scent I feel like, applied over the Cremo Cream.
Shave: 4 pass, + touch up.
Post shave: cool rinse, stiptic pencil whole face, wash off Alum with mild soap, Nivea aftershave.
Shower: wash face with moisturizing bar like Olay, pat dry.
Moisturize: Every Man Jack unscented post shave lotion.

Go to bed feling relaxed and extremely satisfied with my new hobby and kick butt shave.

So what's next? Lady Gillette for my wife, Alum block, Baxter, Parker, or EJ for me?

Thanks for the intrest, Please critique or make suggestions, remember I'm cheap, no Trufitt, ect...

**mdunn** · 07-05-2012, 02:53 AM

Welcome aboard

**Face&Head** · 07-05-2012, 03:24 AM

You have a great kit and if you're happy with your shaves there's really no need to add more. A couple more soaps/croaps/creams would offer some variety but are certainly not necessary. Welcome & have a happy shave.

**Vickers** · 07-05-2012, 03:30 AM

I think you should get a couple of vintage Gillettes.

Since you are 42 you could get one from your birth year: they had Super Speeds and Black Beauty adjustables from around then.

Have fun!

**ackvil** · 07-05-2012, 04:57 AM

Welcome to B&B.

**Sledgehammer39** · 07-05-2012, 05:38 AM

Welcome Aboard!

**Whilliam** · 07-05-2012, 06:32 AM

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

And remember, you can never have too much crap.

**NickCutlip** · 07-05-2012, 06:50 AM

Welcome to B&B !!

**Omp** · 07-05-2012, 08:05 AM

Welcome aboard. You seem to have a good set up and a routine that works for you.
You might find an alum block a bit easier then using a styptic pencil all over your face. I use my pencil only on cuts/nicks that continue to bleed after a cold rinse. I use alum all over the shaved area to let me know how well I have shaved and also to keep any weepers closed.
Applying witch hazel is another step I usually throw in before applying an aftershave balm.

**DigJazz** · 07-05-2012, 08:11 AM

Definitely to each his/her own, but for me, if I shave before bed, the smell of the products on my face can distract me from sleeping (though very nice while I am awake!). I would also then awaken the next day with an 8-hour-old shave... It would also seem to me that the residue left on the pillows by your freshly shaven face could gunk-up your pores if the pillow cases go unwashed...
Of course, these are only my two cents, please take with a grain of salt! And welcome to the forums!

**Go West Young Man** · 07-05-2012, 08:29 AM

If it's working, don't mess with it!
All I would suggest is a blade sampler, you'll be surprised at how different brands perform differently on your face.

**BigBull** · 07-05-2012, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Whilliam

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

And remember, you can never have too much crap.

Well said!

**bumbaclart** · 07-05-2012, 09:02 AM

Welcome to B&B! Sounds like you've got your system down well. I also used to despise shaving, and wore a full beard most of the time when I was using cartridges. Now I actually look forward to shaving.

**Rorpen86** · 07-05-2012, 09:15 AM

Welcome to b&b. Great place to learn. I would suggest looking at cold shaving sometime in the future. It's all I do now.

**BlackBard** · 07-05-2012, 09:26 AM

Welcome aboard B&B. Hope you enjoy the ride.

Ditto to dropping the styptic all over your face. Other than that, it looks like you are off to a great start. Good luck.

**john shea** · 07-05-2012, 09:32 AM

Welcome. If your kit is all working well for you, you need not do anything else but two possibilities come to mind:
1. A blade sampler pack to find which blades work best for you with the Merkur 34. I like Feathers with my 34G best so far, but other blades work OK for me.
2. I find that a pre-shave shower and shampoo works best for me to soften my whiskers, but this is not necessary if your preshave routine softens your whiskers well enough for a close comfortable shave.

As far as cost goes, beware of RAD, or cartridges may be cheaper.

HTH

**Surfn stu** · 07-05-2012, 10:17 AM

Thanks guys, I will get an Alum block to replace the stiptic, and a vintage razor from my birth year sounds like a fun idea.

**Surfn stu** · 07-05-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by DigJazz

Definitely to each his/her own, but for me, if I shave before bed, the smell of the products on my face can distract me from sleeping (though very nice while I am awake!). I would also then awaken the next day with an 8-hour-old shave... It would also seem to me that the residue left on the pillows by your freshly shaven face could gunk-up your pores if the pillow cases go unwashed...
Of course, these are only my two cents, please take with a grain of salt! And welcome to the forums!

DigJazz, I totally agree that scents mess with my sleep, I found that out the first night I left the Nivea on. Notice in my routine I wash the Nivea off in the shower and then put on just two drops of the Every Man Jack Unscented post shave lotion (which truly has no smell). And yes I do awake with a night of growth but I am not a morning person and do not have the energy to get up an extra 30 minutes early to do the routine and shower. Good comments, much appreciated.

**BigBull** · 07-05-2012, 10:59 AM

Night shaving makes sense to me...have always found it strange that people don't shower before going to bed. If I'm not gonna be clean and smell my best when laying next to my LOTH, then why would I bother in doing it for people (general public) that I don't care about? Just my thoughts.