Hi there! (intro post)

**endcycle** · 05-21-2008, 12:08 PM

SO!
Here I am. I have been using a Mach 3 for a very, very long time. It was literally the only razor I could tolerate. Still, no matter what I did, I'd quite often get very bad ingrowns and rashes, especially on my neck. I think that at the age of 33 it's about time to do something definitive about this issue.

I did some research and reading and then some watching (Mantic's videos - wow!) and then some more research and the some more reading and then some research and reading and research and (you get the idea).

Finally, I spent a bunch of cash over the weekend and bought myself a birthday present:

Merkur HD Classic "Barber Pole" Long Safety Razor-#38C

I chose the long handle because I wanted the additional heft of a heavy razor, but I didn't want to go with an adjustable just yet. I ordered some Proraso cream and balm from amazon, a styptic pen from art of shaving, a bowl from classicshaving, a stand and brush from crabtree+evelyn (35 dollar best badger), a big sampler pack of blades (6 or 7 kinds I guess), and sent out for some various samples from some companies.

I just got the bowl (and a complementary cake of soap too!) and everything else should be coming by tomorrow (I hope).

You guys probably hear this a lot - but it feels REALLY weird to be this excited about shaving. :) I can't wait to get started.

This site has been an incredible repository of information - I'm a bit worried though that I'll start just buying things left and right. :)

ANYWAY
I look forward to interacting with everyone on these forums.

**SMOKE** · 05-21-2008, 12:12 PM

Welcome!! Nice shaving gear you have there. Just take it nice and slow! No pressure at all, the heft of the razor will do the work for you. Don't go for BBS

for a few weeks. Just practice and get nice, comfortable shaves.

Enjoy!!!

**jfever311** · 05-21-2008, 12:13 PM

Welcome to B&B!! It sounds like you are off to a good start.

**Prince** · 05-21-2008, 12:40 PM

Welcome. Look around, lots of great info and very informed members.

**endcycle** · 05-21-2008, 12:45 PM

Thank you for the warm welcome!!!

I am curious, actually - I did order that pack of various razorblades from westcoast, but it's doubtful they'll show up by the time the razor gets here... do any "big box" stores (meijer, target, wal-mart, etc) carry these? We don't have very many good stores here in Toledo, Ohio when it comes to shaving supplies. If I have to wait, I'll wait... but I'd really prefer not to. :)

**JohnP** · 05-21-2008, 12:46 PM

Welcome to the forum and to this sickness....pretty soon you will have soaps, creams, brushes, razors laying all over the place. Perhaps even a strop or two and a straight...then another...
it's an endless struggle...

John P.

**wscott52** · 05-21-2008, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by endcycle

Thank you for the warm welcome!!!

I am curious, actually - I did order that pack of various razorblades from westcoast, but it's doubtful they'll show up by the time the razor gets here... do any "big box" stores (meijer, target, wal-mart, etc) carry these? We don't have very many good stores here in Toledo, Ohio when it comes to shaving supplies. If I have to wait, I'll wait... but I'd really prefer not to. :)

Welcome.

CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target all usually have some DE blades. You might have to look for them and they probably won't be Crystals or Derbys but they usually have something.

It was actually finding DE blades in Target that started my journey here. Disgusted at the price of Mach III blades I wondered if they still had DE razors. They didn't but they did have blades. A member on another forum pointed me towards classicshaving.com and after I ordered a Merkur 23C, soap, and Vulfix pure badger brush from them a Google search found this place. It has been a wealth of information and lots of good, friendly helpful people. I'm loving shaving with a DE razor again after a 30 year absence.

**endcycle** · 05-21-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by wscott52

Welcome.

CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target all usually have some DE blades. You might have to look for them and they probably won't be Crystals or Derbys but they usually have something.

It was actually finding DE blades in Target that started my journey here. Disgusted at the price of Mach III blades I wondered if they still had DE razors. They didn't but they did have blades. A member on another forum pointed me towards classicshaving.com and after I ordered a Merkur 23C, soap, and Vulfix pure badger brush from them a Google search found this place. It has been a wealth of information and lots of good, friendly helpful people. I'm loving shaving with a DE razor again after a 30 year absence.

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I'll run by one of those stores tonight or tomorrow.

EDIT:
something like this perhaps?
http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...98&id=prod1998

**SMOKE** · 05-21-2008, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by endcycle

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I'll run by one of those stores tonight or tomorrow.

I would try walgreens...they usually have their own brand with a "made in israel" sticker on the back. These are decent blades. If they don't have the sticker, you're likely to run into some fairly poor blades. You will be very surprised when your sampler gets there!!! The blade makes a huge difference!!

Regards,

**pga1118** · 05-21-2008, 01:17 PM

It is great how you just dove right in and got some nice gear.

Welcome to the B&B and enjoy the shaves.

**endcycle** · 05-21-2008, 01:17 PM

Alright Smoke, I'll look for the Israeli sticker. If I don't find it, I'll just wait for the sampler to get to me.

**endcycle** · 05-21-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by pga1118

It is great how you just dove right in and got some nice gear.

Welcome to the B&B and enjoy the shaves.

If by "great" you mean "risky and stupidly impulsive", then yeah. :) I tend to do that. Still, I did a bunch of research on what to buy and from where before taking the plunge, so hopefully I'll be satisfied.

The only questionable thing is my razor itself - I don't see anyone ever recommending that particular razor. Usually people seem to push the HD or Progress. Hopefully I didn't screw that one up. :)

**SMOKE** · 05-21-2008, 01:24 PM

I wouldn't worry about the razor, you made a fine choice. I prefer a vintage Gillette SS myself. They shave every bit as well as a Merkur at a fraction of the price. Just MHO.

Regards,

**mantic** · 05-21-2008, 01:28 PM

Welcome!

--Mark

**endcycle** · 05-21-2008, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by SMOKE

I wouldn't worry about the razor, you made a fine choice. I prefer a vintage Gillette SS myself. They shave every bit as well as a Merkur at a fraction of the price. Just MHO.

Regards,

I have been looking at vintage razors on ebay today - this shaving thing might get really expensive, and soon. :)

Originally Posted by mantic

Welcome!

--Mark

Thank you! Your videos are an incredible resource. I really enjoyed them and learned a LOT.

**sol92258** · 05-21-2008, 01:34 PM

great choices...I really like my 38C, but I started off with the more gentle Tech I found at antique store. I really, REALLY like me some Red Pack Personnas in it.....

as for "local" blades, yes, those stores do tend to carry DE blades, but I'll second (or third, or whatever) to look for Made in Israel stickers on the back, they're usually small, silver rectangular, but you won't have a problem noticing them if they're there. On a rack, you may have a lot without and 1-2 with the sticker, so don't just look at the first one and give up. Dollar General has some too. If all else fails, the Wal-Mart Personnas are fine, and some grocery stores even carry Wilkinson Swords, the German made ones.

As already mentioned, take your time, focus on technique, don't go for BBS, or anything other than with the grain passes at first, focus on technique, eventually work up to across the grain passes, focus on technique, soon, you'll be capable enough to go against the grain, when you do, there's something you really ought to do, I just can't remember wha.....oh yeah! Focus on Technique! and take your time.

Oh, yeah, as for "worrying about spending alot of money", formal introductions are in order: *ADs, meet endcycle; endcycle, meet *ADs

**crankymoose** · 05-22-2008, 05:17 AM

Welcome to B&B

good luck with the razor
as far as hoping not to purchase things left and right

**SMOKE** · 05-22-2008, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by endcycle

I have been looking at vintage razors on ebay today - this shaving thing might get really expensive, and soon. :)
.

PLEASE don't buy one off the Bay...Way over priced and very often have less then accurate discriptions. You can find some really nice ones right here at the B/S/T. Also, read the Review forum posts on the gillettes. Feel free to ask any questions about them!!! You can post them here or PM me. If I don't know the answer, I can get it for you. Just don't waste your $$ on ebay.

Regards,

**endcycle** · 05-22-2008, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by SMOKE

PLEASE don't buy one off the Bay...Way over priced and very often have less then accurate discriptions. You can find some really nice ones right here at the B/S/T. Also, read the Review forum posts on the gillettes. Feel free to ask any questions about them!!! You can post them here or PM me. If I don't know the answer, I can get it for you. Just don't waste your $$ on ebay.

Regards,

Absolutely man. Thanks for the heads-up via pm too. Ebay was just a research expedition more than anything else. :)

**Schaefo** · 05-22-2008, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by endcycle

SO!
You guys probably hear this a lot - but it feels REALLY weird to be this excited about shaving. :) I can't wait to get started.

Mostly I hear it from my wife, but I don't let that deter me!

Originally Posted by endcycle

This site has been an incredible repository of information - I'm a bit worried though that I'll start just buying things left and right. :)

No worries, it's too late for that... You're hooked just like the rest of us!!
Relax and enjoy your new obsession - a second job may help... Happy shaving!