First post...new to this but loving it!

**Big_Tex** · 07-30-2012, 09:06 AM

Hi All,

First post here and thought I’d introduce myself. Been lurking for a while in preparation for my foray into the “real” shaving world. I am a total newbie to all this wet shaving stuff. I started out a few months ago simply enough…by buying a bottle of Old Spice aftershave. When I first started shaving, that is what I used. My grandfather used it, and he was the one who taught me to shave all those years ago (by that time, he had switched over to cartridge razors), so I figured I would buy a bottle in honor of the old man. For whatever reason, smelling that old-school familiar smell made me want to get in touch with my inner manly man. I had long-since known that the shaving process utilized by most men, myself included, was an expensive, unpleasant racket. The Edge shave gel I used stunk. It was blue, artificial goo. As much as I always made fun of razor companies for continuing to sell the “one more blade! Now there are ten blades to give your face that ultra-smooth shave!” gimmick, I utilized a Schick Quattro. Shaving was a chore, a pain in the butt. I shaved in the shower before work, in a hurry. My face was devoid of hair afterward, yes, but it also routinely got tore up and covered in shaving bumps.

My wife had our first child, a son, a month ago. As you dads know, those first few weeks/months can be absolute H*ll with regard to your sleep/sanity. Since I was needed around the house, obviously, my usual methods of letting off steam (having a few at the bar, going fishing at the creek) were out of the question now. Heck, I was lucky if I even had time to shower! But I began to think…what would be a calming daily ritual I could partake in to clear my head and briefly escape the stress of the world? Yes indeed! So on to the internet I went, reading and reading about wet shaving and DE razors and shaving soaps (soaps? I thought I needed canned shaving “cream” to shave! Wow!) and all sorts of stuff.

Last week, the Van der Hagen shave set I ordered finally came in, along with a bar of Col. Conk’s bay rum. I didn’t order a DE razor at that time, because I wanted to see if the brush/soap thing was something I would even care for. The evening my goodies arrived in the mail, I set up shop in the bathroom and decided to give it a try. After some initial difficulty getting the Conk’s to lather, I was in business. Let me tell you, even with my crappy Quattro, that shave was AMAZING. The wonderful smell of the bay rum, the slick lather, the (somewhat gamey smelling) badger brush…it all combined to make the experience absolutely AWESOME. This wasn’t a chore, this was MY time. I felt a kinship with all the busy, stressed out husbands/fathers/dudes of ages past who had enjoyed fifteen minutes in front of the mirror with a brush and a blade as their free, man-time. As soon as I finished splashing some Clubman on my face, I fired up the laptop and ordered my first DE razor (due to arrive any day now!).

Anyhow, kind of long…but that’s my story!

**InfernoOrangeSS** · 07-30-2012, 09:29 AM

Congrats!! Lots of great info here. I have learned so much. I would also suggest checking out some shaving videos on YouTube. It helps to actually see what people are talking about.
Welcome to B&B!

**mrgreengenes** · 07-30-2012, 09:31 AM

Welcome, and best wishes with your little one..

**Dennard** · 07-30-2012, 09:56 AM

Welcome to B&B!

**Spinch** · 07-30-2012, 10:00 AM

Welcome to B&B! Shaving with a DE is definitely an experience that everyone should try at least once. Out of curiosity, what razor did you order?

**Tillerman7** · 07-30-2012, 10:01 AM

Welcome to B&B, enjoy your stay.

**demaro** · 07-30-2012, 10:07 AM

Welcome to B&B !!

**goatee** · 07-30-2012, 10:08 AM

congratz!!! and welcome to your new addiction.
resistance is futile. you will be simulated.

**Attila** · 07-30-2012, 10:13 AM

Congratulations and welcome! Just remember to take your time with the DE razor and don't use any pressure. You may be used to using a fair amount of pressure with the cartridges but you should not use any with the DE, let the weight of the razor do the work. Also it is a good idea to map the growth of your beard so that you know when you are shaving with, across or against the grain. It will really help your results and minimize irritation. Don't worry about getting a BBS shave (baby butt smooth) shave right in the beginning. Concentrate on technique and enjoy the experience! Read up on all the info you can, lots of great tutorials on this site as well as the famous Mantic59 videos on youtube. Enjoy! It only gets better.

**Lamar** · 07-30-2012, 10:14 AM

Welcome aboard!

**Agravic** · 07-30-2012, 10:18 AM

Welcome to B+B!

**rebos** · 07-30-2012, 10:24 AM

Welcome to B & B. There is so much to learn and try with the shaving business; it's great! Shaving should be a pleasure. Sounds like it is for you now. Well done!

**NickCutlip** · 07-30-2012, 12:11 PM

Welcome to the forum !!

**Optometrist** · 07-30-2012, 12:41 PM

Welcome to B&B, and congratulations on your new arrival(s)!

**Marco** · 07-30-2012, 01:35 PM

Congrats Sir and welcome aboard!

**nemo** · 07-30-2012, 07:03 PM

Welcome to B&B, I hope your new razor comes soon, then your real old-school shaving adventure begins!

**OldSaw** · 07-30-2012, 07:11 PM

Welcome to B&B.

Smart move on getting a brush and soap first. It allows you to get used to the new lathering process with equipment that you already know how to use. For me the lathering process is what makes the rest of the shave so enjoyable.

Oh, and congratulations on the baby!

**Dusty1** · 07-30-2012, 09:18 PM

Your excitement is contageous! Glad you enjoyed your first experience as much as we do here on B&B. Be sure and update us when you get your DE razor, the baby soft skin is also very intoxicating. Enjoy!