Where to start?

**macfin22** · 05-09-2008, 08:52 PM

Brand new to safety razors...looking to buy the essentials. Only place I think I can buy is via internet (no where in/around Omaha, NE, where I live, have I found place to buy ANYthing). Kinda skeptical buying new gear, on-line, sight unseen, not knowing exactly what I'm doing.

I think I know what I need from reading posts here. Where's the best place to buy? Best internet store? What should I buy? What don't I need? Appreciate any help.

**sol92258** · 05-09-2008, 09:37 PM

needs:
razor, blades, soap/cream, brush

for razor, the Merkur HD is highly recommended for beginners, or pay attention to the buy, sell, trade forum, there are a lot of PIF (pay it forward) that happen, I'm even considering doing one myself

blades, the westcoastshaving.com sampler pack is highly recommended, good variety of blades, great price, lets you see the performance of several blades and get a custom, personalized shave

brush - suggestions abound, anywhere from sub-$5 boar brush, like the Burma Shave or Van Der Hagen, often found at Wal Mart and grocery stores, to the Tweezerman badger brush, $10 online, to the chinese silvertip delong on ebay for around $25, to the C & E best badger that goes for around $35

soap or cream - you thought the brush recommendations were many! for inexpensive, Van Der Hagen is a great soap, usually at Wal Mart, often at grocery stores, online of course, and Proraso makes a great shave cream, is usually $10 online, or at a bath and body works until the stock is gone

**SMOKE** · 05-09-2008, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by sol92258

needs:
razor, blades, soap/cream, brush

for razor, the Merkur HD is highly recommended for beginners, or pay attention to the buy, sell, trade forum, there are a lot of PIF (pay it forward) that happen, I'm even considering doing one myself

blades, the westcoastshaving.com sampler pack is highly recommended, good variety of blades, great price, lets you see the performance of several blades and get a custom, personalized shave

brush - suggestions abound, anywhere from sub-$5 boar brush, like the Burma Shave or Van Der Hagen, often found at Wal Mart and grocery stores, to the Tweezerman badger brush, $10 online, to the chinese silvertip delong on ebay for around $25, to the C & E best badger that goes for around $35

soap or cream - you thought the brush recommendations were many! for inexpensive, Van Der Hagen is a great soap, usually at Wal Mart, often at grocery stores, online of course, and Proraso makes a great shave cream, is usually $10 online, or at a bath and body works until the stock is gone

All good advice...IMO..and this is just my opinion...I think many are too quick to point out the HD as a beginner razor. They are a great beginner razor, no arguments there, but a nice Tech, or even an SS is a great place to start.

I'll make you a deal Macfin...figure out your soap and brush, PM me and I will send you a nice PIF razor and some blades to get you started. Just keep us posted on your results.

This will knock a considerable amount of $$ of your initial outlay while you figure out if DE shaving is for you.
Also, keep the questions coming...but take the time to read the many fine tutorials here and watch Mantics videos on You-tube.

Regards,

**sol92258** · 05-09-2008, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by SMOKE

All good advice...IMO..and this is just my opinion...I think many are too quick to point out the HD as a beginner razor. They are a great beginner razor, no arguments there, but a nice Tech, or even an SS is a great place to start.

I'll make you a deal Macfin...figure out your soap and brush, PM me and I will send you a nice PIF razor and some blades to get you started. Just keep us posted on your results.

This will knock a considerable amount of $$ of your initial outlay while you figure out if DE shaving is for you.
Also, keep the questions coming...but take the time to read the many fine tutorials here and watch Mantics videos on You-tube.

Regards,

thank you for reminding me, I got in such a hurry, I forgot to mention vintage Gillettes....Merkur HD if you want a new razor, but a Tech (my first razor) or Super Speed, or Schick Krona are great, mild, inexpensively acquirable razors that are a part of my normal rotation

**SMOKE** · 05-09-2008, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by sol92258

thank you for reminding me, I got in such a hurry, I forgot to mention vintage Gillettes....Merkur HD if you want a new razor, but a Tech (my first razor) or Super Speed, or Schick Krona are great, mild, inexpensively acquirable razors that are a part of my normal rotation

Have you used a fat handle Tech?? WOW, I will never part with mine. With that and an Astra or Feather, BBS every time with little effort. As always..YMMV

Regards,

**vroddrew** · 05-09-2008, 10:04 PM

Traditional shaving really has two components:

Lather and razor. Razor, means switching from a plastic, disposable cartridge system to a double-edge safety razor. Lather means switching from an aerosol can of foam or gel to a brush-applied soap or cream.

I'd suggest you make your switch components one at a time.

Decide which you'd like to try first: Invest in a brush and cake of soap. Or find a safety razor and a few blades.

If you like the results you get from your experiment - then you can move on, make a bigger investment etc. And conversely, if you find the benefits aren't worth the trouble and expense - then that way you aren't out as much.

**thevelvet** · 05-09-2008, 10:11 PM

Id really suggest going on the selling section here and buying a Gillette Super speed for your first. R-James has two for sale right now for $25 shipped I think. Id suggest then getting some shave soap, either Col. Conk or Mama bears (www.bear-haven.com) as for a brush, Id say to spend the money on an Omega or C&E best badger brush to start with, the 5 dollar boar brushes arent that great and you generally get what you pay for. As for blades +1 on westcoastshaving.com and the sampler pack they offer. Trust me, all blades are not created equal, dabble around a bit and find what suits you best. Most important is to be patient, the switch doesnt come easy at first and you may experience irritation in the early stages, this is normal. Just give it time and your skin will adjust and youll be quite glad you did.

**SMOKE** · 05-09-2008, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by vroddrew

Traditional shaving really has two components:

Lather and razor. Razor, means switching from a plastic, disposable cartridge system to a double-edge safety razor. Lather means switching from an aerosol can of foam or gel to a brush-applied soap or cream.

I'd suggest you make your switch components one at a time.

Decide which you'd like to try first: Invest in a brush and cake of soap. Or find a safety razor and a few blades.

If you like the results you get from your experiment - then you can move on, make a bigger investment etc. And conversely, if you find the benefits aren't worth the trouble and expense - then that way you aren't out as much.

With all due respect, I have to disagree to this approach. You DO need to keep the variables to a bare minimum when starting, but you must have the Brush, soap or cream, and the DE with some quality blades to get started. Canned goo and a DE just don't mix, and could result in a poor shaving experience. Once your technique is sound, or good enough...then you can mix it up a bit. Different blades, razors, soaps/creams...this is where the AD's begin

Others...feel free to chime in here...agree/disagree...That's what makes this forum great!

Regards,

**gunner6477** · 05-09-2008, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by SMOKE

All good advice...IMO..and this is just my opinion...I think many are too quick to point out the HD as a beginner razor. They are a great beginner razor, no arguments there, but a nice Tech, or even an SS is a great place to start.

I'll make you a deal Macfin...figure out your soap and brush, PM me and I will send you a nice PIF razor and some blades to get you started. Just keep us posted on your results.

This will knock a considerable amount of $$ of your initial outlay while you figure out if DE shaving is for you.
Also, keep the questions coming...but take the time to read the many fine tutorials here and watch Mantics videos on You-tube.

Regards,

On that note, and since I am married to a Cornhusker, PM me and I'll PIF you some cream.

**crankymoose** · 05-10-2008, 04:56 AM

Welcome to B&B

some good suggestions above, I'll add for about $16.00 at http://www.thegentlemensquarter.com/index.html and click on order a sample on main page left you can get samples of 5 soaps and 2 creams that will last you a good while and her products are some of the best

when you are ready to get started with your gear this post explains pretty much all the basics http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42266

good luck and enjoy

**thirdeye** · 05-10-2008, 05:07 AM

These fellows before me loaded you up with plenty of great ideas to think about for now so I'll simple say, Welcome to B&B...Enjoy!!!

**PedroNavaja** · 05-10-2008, 05:42 AM

1. - Find a razor and some quality blades in the B/S/T in this forum.

2. - Head to Walmart and look for the Van der Hagen shaving set (under $10)

3. While at Walmart, loof for Dikinson Witch Hazel and Nivea for Men Cooling Balm

**dengar** · 05-10-2008, 09:41 AM

Read my signature, this was (and still is) my beginners pack.

**macfin22** · 05-10-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks, guys. The places you suggest are very helpful. This site is awesome. I have learned so much in a short time, I'm fired up to get going. Thanks, again.

**vcardona** · 05-10-2008, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by SMOKE

With all due respect, I have to disagree to this approach. You DO need to keep the variables to a bare minimum when starting, but you must have the Brush, soap or cream, and the DE with some quality blades to get started. Canned goo and a DE just don't mix, and could result in a poor shaving experience. Once your technique is sound, or good enough...then you can mix it up a bit. Different blades, razors, soaps/creams...this is where the AD's begin

Others...feel free to chime in here...agree/disagree...That's what makes this forum great!

Regards,

The best shave comes from switching completely. However, not everyone needs to. New wet shavers can get a good introduction to wet shaving by just getting a good soap or cream and a cheap brush. This gets them started with the process, and if it ends up being all they need then they are good to go.

Later they may choose to switch to a DE or straight, but they don't have to right away. I know several people here (myself included) started this way.

**BroJohn** · 05-10-2008, 02:13 PM

macfin22 --

Welcome to B&B. Before you race off and buy a bunch of stuff, spend some time and read some of the product reviews. At the top of this page is a starred tab labeled "Reviews".

Pick it.

It is a well ordered collection of entries from B&B'ers about products they've used. Read the sections for items that interest you. Make certain to view Mantic's shaving videos and read through the tutorials.

-- John Gehman

**macfin22** · 05-10-2008, 08:42 PM

all this info is SO very helpful, but the most helpful is where--other than the 'Shop' page on BNB, ebay, and 'check the internet'--to buy the right gear. THAT info has been awesome. Thanks, again, all who replied.