Another Newbie checking in

[CaptainBob]

Greetings to all.

I have been a foam in the can and a disposable (single blade) shaver for over 30 years. Never quite liked the electric feel. I travel a lot and since 9-11 I can't fly with my can of foam. So I thought I would try the old brush and soap routine. So I turned to the internet and WOW was I surprised to find a subculture of wet shavers. I finally found B&B and glad I did. I have now decided to try a DE.

I certainly have many questions but my first has to do with brushes. I was looking to buy a nice brush but had no idea of all the options. My biggest concern is if I spend over $100 on the likes of an SR 3824 I don't want to just ruin it by throwing a wet brush in my dop kit when I check out of the hotel and not unpack it for 12+ hours.

I actually have two questions -- is an SR3824 overkill for a newbie and more importantly what do I do when I travel.

Thanks

Bob

[SilkySmooth]

Welcome aboard!


I believe the SR would be a sound investment. Brushes can last for 10+ years if properly maintained.

You may want to check out this thread for traveling. There are many options. I prefer using a cheap Omega Syntex for travel since synthetic hair dries quickly, but it's just a matter of preference.


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=travel



==Tom

[rabidpotatochip]

Most people here will tell you to go for a $20-30 brush when you start out, none of the brands come to mind though. Anyway, it's good not to spend the big bucks till you've developed your technique a bit. You can always spend the money later as a hobby.

There seem to be a lot of threads recently regarding travelling, so I'll summarize everything I picked up from them for you: Most people have a cheap brush in their travel kit, DE razors are allowed in carry-on but the blades must go in your checked luggage (on a plane, anyway), hard soap containers are great storage/protection for your razor, or just a zip-top bag and an elastic, and most people prefer bringing a tube of cream rather than a tub to keep the space requirements down.

If you really want to go hardcore you can get solid shampoo bars as well. They're great if you're stuck in the airport for a long time and want to wash up.

[brooklynlou]

Good Starter Kit (and my travel kit)

Brush - Tweezerman Badger - $15. Good starter brush. Wood handle, so don't let it sit on a wet counter. When I travel, I stick it in a large prescription pill container

http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-Bad...6432685&sr=8-1

Razor - Waishi DE - $19. Gentle. Good beginner razor. Not very aggressive. Comes in a handy travel kit. I like the Waishi when I travel cause i have no idea what the water is like at the places I go and I'd rather make an extra pass than one pass too many. Easily replaceable, so I wont cry if I lose it.

http://www.emsplace.com/shaving/razors.aspx#tto (scroll down to "Chrome finish silo ..")

Shaving Mug - Find a large coffee cup.

Soap - At first just use the soaps you get from hotels or the small bits that remain from your bath soap and toss them into your mug. When you're ready to buy scented shaving soap, prepare to be inundated. But for starters, don't worry all that much about the soap.

After Shave - Nivea Extra Soothing Balm After Shave for Sensitive Skin - $7. Available pretty much every where.

Total cost is $41.

[daveesq]

There are pretty much 3 ways of travelling with a brush. One: purchase a synthetic brush. Two: purchase a travel brush (one of the ones with the integrated tubes). Three - and what I do: use (one of) your normal brush(es) and put it in a tube with holes in it for packing. Pill bottles are usually free from the pharmacy and can fit brushes quite nicely and you can just drill some holes in the cap.

The important thing for any of these methods (though probably less so for the synthetic option) is that you make sure that your brush is as dry as could possibly be before you pack it. Shake it out like the dickens after you've used it and let it air dry for as long as possible before you put it in the tube / bag.

[kestrel]

CaptainBob

I think Brooklynlou and daveesq have given some good advice here.
I only know the products recommended by reputation, but that reputation is pretty good. A vintage Gilette Tech or Superspeed, one of Omega's smaller boar brushes, and a tube of Florena Shave Cream would come in about the same price, and give you good results too.

On the other hand that high end brush might be fun to start out with, and if you decide it's not for you , you should be able to dispose of here in the Buy Sell Trade forum - where. incidentally, you might also find that vintage Gilette.

Ain't it great to have options?

Good Luck and Welcome

Graham
______________________________
"We have met the enemy, and he is us."

Pogo

[mantic]

Welcome Bob--

I also take a seperate brush when I travel: the expensive one is at home and the cheap one goes with me . I either take my Tweezerman or my Omega Syntex when I travel (BTW, Amazon is running a sale on the Tweezerman brushes for $7.50!), storing them in an old pill bottle. For me the Tweezerman performs a bit better but the Omega dries faster. I did a video about wet shaving while travelling that might give you some additional ideas:
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFNuV7vxZvA[/YOUTUBE]
--Mark

[MaxP]

Welcome Bob-

You'll find a great bnch of people here, all willing to help.

[CaptainBob]

Thanks to all that gave me such good ideas. I hope this posts right. This is the first forum I have been on. New to the DE world and new to this as well.

Bob

[jss]

Hi and welcome. I can't improve upon the good advice you've been given..

Shave smoothly,

jss

[RoadKing99]

You have already received good advice here about dealing with a brush while traveling. I don't wish to include my regular large brush in my travel kit so bought one of the specially made travel brushes--smaller, including a case with air access.

As to the brush itself, I think you will do best by going to a really good quality brush for your first one. It doesn't make sense to me to learn anything using inferior tools, and especially so for a shaving brush. Long after you have forgotten how much you paid for your brush you will continue to enjoy a good one every day.

Learning to use a brush is not difficult in spite of all the discussions about it here--after a few experimental tries with soap or cream you will be able to develop a good lathering technique that suits you.