My first post on B&B! Just a newbie check in/experience share.
I've been lurking here for a while taking it all in. E.g.: reading the wiki and the forums on what I can, before I post the same question that's been answered a million times.
Yeah, it's not my first rodeo, er forum.
For a really long time I wanted a straight razor. However when I saw the costs of a new fixed straight razor/fancy brushes/creams/bowls combined with "will I even like it? or will I suck at it?" always detoured me. After reading about the diff kinds of shaving online it seemed like a lot of people recommended starting with a double edged safety razor. So I went to shave nation and built a little kit with a DE Merkur 34C instead, moderately priced badger brush, TOBS sandalwood cream, a sampler blade pack, and some old bowls that cost nothing. Shortly after got some pre & post stuff. Here's my initial setup that didn't cost too much compared to what I was initially thinking …
I've been DE shaving for a couple months now, and I FRICKEN LOVE IT! It's a ritual. Feels so much better then a stupid piece of plastic in my hand that costs a ton more to replace the blades. Blades are like 10-25 cents a piece now. The shave I get is much closer and I can feel/hear it cutting my beard closely instead of a bunch of blades yanking at the hair. It's a different beast. I do two passes pretty much every morning. So far I like the Feather Blades or Astra Platinum. Last me at least half a week without stropping, and I shave pretty much my entire head.
I just recently got a shavette style for my birthday, so once I get used to this DE for a while, I'll try my hand (no pun intended) at that. Now I'm starting to build a travel-only set. It's a slippery slope! So much for saving money, haha.
I've been lurking here for a while taking it all in. E.g.: reading the wiki and the forums on what I can, before I post the same question that's been answered a million times.
Yeah, it's not my first rodeo, er forum.For a really long time I wanted a straight razor. However when I saw the costs of a new fixed straight razor/fancy brushes/creams/bowls combined with "will I even like it? or will I suck at it?" always detoured me. After reading about the diff kinds of shaving online it seemed like a lot of people recommended starting with a double edged safety razor. So I went to shave nation and built a little kit with a DE Merkur 34C instead, moderately priced badger brush, TOBS sandalwood cream, a sampler blade pack, and some old bowls that cost nothing. Shortly after got some pre & post stuff. Here's my initial setup that didn't cost too much compared to what I was initially thinking …
I've been DE shaving for a couple months now, and I FRICKEN LOVE IT! It's a ritual. Feels so much better then a stupid piece of plastic in my hand that costs a ton more to replace the blades. Blades are like 10-25 cents a piece now. The shave I get is much closer and I can feel/hear it cutting my beard closely instead of a bunch of blades yanking at the hair. It's a different beast. I do two passes pretty much every morning. So far I like the Feather Blades or Astra Platinum. Last me at least half a week without stropping, and I shave pretty much my entire head.
I just recently got a shavette style for my birthday, so once I get used to this DE for a while, I'll try my hand (no pun intended) at that. Now I'm starting to build a travel-only set. It's a slippery slope! So much for saving money, haha.
