New to wetshaving

**Steelforge** · 08-19-2006, 08:51 AM

Just wanted to say hi to you folks here. :)

I just started wetshaving after stumbling across this forum and other shaving sites a few days ago. I previously used Gillette Mach3 or Wilkinson (Shick) Quattro cartridge razors, but recently tried the new Gillette Fusion. It was ok but I was still annoyed not to get a perfect shave from it, considering how much the razor/cartridges cost. It probably didn't help but I never properly learned how to shave when I was growing up, I just learned to slap on some foam from a can and use a cartridge razor to scrape the foam/hairs off.

Anyway, after doing a lot of reading on the internet I placed an order at http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/ in the UK for the following items to get me started - a bit of a shot in the dark as I had no idea what I was getting into.

Merkur Futur DE razor and Merkur Platinum blades.
AOS Lavender soap bowl.
Edwin Jagger badger hair brush (and a random cheap brush stand).
American Crew after-shave moisturiser.

It all arrived yesterday so after work I had my first go at proper wet shaving. It went pretty well considering, I did have the Futur set too aggressively to start with and managed to take a chunk out of my lip, but when I wound it back and started getting the hang of it, I managed to get an amazingly close shave after 2 or 3 tentative passes. I got a bit of razor burn but I'm hoping this will reduce as I get more proficient and use less strokes per pass.

I had another go this morning and again got quite good results, a few small nicks but no big cuts this time - and I'm really hooked on the whole experience now. :D

So I just placed another order for some different items to try out.

Trumper Violet shaving cream (tube).
Trumper Coral skin food apres-shave.
A nice metal stand for my Futur and brush.
Trumper Alum block.
Styptic matches.

I borrowed a small plastic bowl from my kitchen for making up the lather, but I'm going to pick up a wide/shallow coffee cup from the shop when I'm out later. I tried making my lather directly on the soap bowl, but I found i got much better results making it in a seperate bowl - plus I found you can leave the brush and spare lather in the bowl ready to lather up for the second pass.

It seems like a whole new world I'm stepping into for the first time, and I like what I see so far! :)

**TomH** · 08-19-2006, 08:53 AM

Hi Iwan,

Welcome to B&B, enjoy this great community...

Thomas

**Steelforge** · 08-19-2006, 09:10 AM

Hey I noticed this comment from Scotto in another thread:

The Futur will give you an exceptional shave if you let it. Keep it on a low setting, and let the weight of the razor do the work. You may even have to support the weight of the razor a bit. Merkur blades are decent, I hope you are using one from a fresh pack and not the one that came with the Futur.

Just wondering what the reason is for this, I got some Merkur blades which came with my Futur - should I not be using them?

**Chagidiel** · 08-19-2006, 10:01 AM

The Merkur blades are a quite good blade, what Scotto means is - Do not use the single blade that follows a new razor, they are normally dull due to moving around in the razor-box. I say, use your Merkurs and order the blade-sample pack (from Scotto, I belive) to try out some other brands of blades to find what blade is good for you.

By the way - Welcome to the real world

**galopede** · 08-19-2006, 10:12 AM

Hi Iwan

I'm a recent returnee to wet shaving and live not far from you in Cheltenham. It's Letterk/John who does the sampler packs of blades. He will sent them over here from the states. I'm busy working through a pack right now. Send him a Private message.

Welcome to the fora, by the way!

Gareth

**Steelforge** · 08-19-2006, 10:30 AM

Cheers guys. :)

My Merkur didn't have a blade fitted in the box, but it had a new pack of Merkur blades in the box with it - i guess these are fine to use. I've wound it right back to 1 for now until i get used to it.

Thanks for the info, I'll send a PM. Not sure what blades are available in the shops locally, I think i've seen Wilkinson in Asda.

**PottyDoctor** · 08-19-2006, 11:11 AM

Welcome to B&B, the best place on the web for talking shaving!

**htownmmm** · 08-19-2006, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Iwan

Just wanted to say hi to you folks here. :)

Anyway, after doing a lot of reading on the internet I placed an order at http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/ in the UK for the following items to get me started - a bit of a shot in the dark as I had no idea what I was getting into.

Merkur Futur DE razor and Merkur Platinum blades.
AOS Lavender soap bowl.
Edwin Jagger badger hair brush (and a random cheap brush stand).
American Crew after-shave moisturiser.

So I just placed another order for some different items to try out.

Trumper Violet shaving cream (tube).
Trumper Coral skin food apres-shave.
A nice metal stand for my Futur and brush.
Trumper Alum block.
Styptic matches.

It seems like a whole new world I'm stepping into for the first time, and I like what I see so far! :)

Welcome to the collective; resistance is futile: you will, err, have been assimilated!

Marty

**Jim** · 08-19-2006, 06:15 PM

Welcome!

**Bunker950** · 08-20-2006, 01:19 AM

Iwan

The blades you might find at Asda will almost certainly be the Wilkinson Classic. They are made in Germany and I found them to be rather harch and mediocre. Try the Tesco blades available from some Tesco supermarkets. Rumour has that they are made by WS, but manufactured in the UK. I find them to be very good blades at a good price.

Steven

**Steelforge** · 08-20-2006, 02:10 AM

Hi,

I saw the Tesco 'own brand' blades when I was shopping there yesterday, but I held off buying any as I had no idea if they were any good (some own brand stuff is rubbish).

I may pick up a pack to try next time I'm in there.

Cheers,

Iwan

**crispy** · 08-20-2006, 05:06 AM

Another Violet fan! Welcome!

**Steelforge** · 08-20-2006, 06:40 AM

Heh, I'm looking forward to getting the violet and the other stuff I ordered.

Interestingly I tried Palmolive Classic shaving cream this morning, building the lather in my mug. I found it was a better shave than my AOS Lavender soap bowl which cost 10x as much - weird huh. Still, nice to have a few things so I can rotate them when the mood takes me. :)

Edit: Actually i think the AOS is as good, I wasn't building the later properly before, I've been practicing with it today and can now build a great lather with the AOS LAvender soap.

**gc_30286** · 08-21-2006, 07:37 AM

welcome to B&B! these guys are great and it amazes me how they seem to have all the answers. stick with it and they'll have you on the path to the perfect shave.

BTW i also find that the extra time i spend in the morning on my shaving "ritual" really relaxes me and tends to start my day off much better than when i would just stumble out of bed and grind the stubble from my face with my electric.

**Steelforge** · 08-21-2006, 07:38 AM

My latest purchase, a Vulfix Old Original shaving brush, model 2234 loaded with Super Badger. Ordered direct from Vulfix, hopefully it will arrive this week so I can try it out.

And I almost forgot, I also ordered 3x shaving soaps from Mama Bear this morning. Christmas Forest, Bay Rum, and Indian Sandalwood. I'm really looking forward to trying these, having read everyones glowing reviews.

I think I'd better stop buying stuff now, at least until I've properly tried out all of the stuff I've bought so far!

**Steelforge** · 08-21-2006, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by gc_30286

BTW i also find that the extra time i spend in the morning on my shaving "ritual" really relaxes me and tends to start my day off much better than when i would just stumble out of bed and grind the stubble from my face with my electric.

You know I already started thinking that as it happens. I actually look forward to my morning shaving ritual now, rather than treating it as a chore to get out of the way before leaving for work!

Is that normal or just very sad?