Y'all convinced me...

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 03:15 AM

Hello all,

I ran across the site after seeing leisureguy's blog and started reading....

I'm a 41 year old guy that has ALWAYS had problems shaving. I would either leave small amounts of stubble or would scrape myself raw trying to get a clean, stubble-free shave. I've used probably every disposable razor out there with no real change in results except for a bit less irritation with the multi-edge blades.

After reading through the site for several hours last night, I gave the multipass method a try. After 3 passes with the fusion (N-S, Ear-chin and S-N), I have the closest shave I've ever had and no irritation. I used small amounts of the gel shaving cream and added water once the lather was formed to thin it out. I just now have some stubble showing up, 12 hours later.

I pulled the trigger and ordered a starter kit (brush, bowl, stand and cologne/soap aftershave) and a Merkur HD and blades from Em's place.... wish me luck!!

**ouch** · 09-17-2006, 03:40 AM

Great to hear it, and welcome aboard. You won't believe how much better things will soon become.

**TimmyBoston** · 09-17-2006, 03:40 AM

That's great! I'm a newbie too. I have been shaving with a Merkur HD for about a week along with a brush and some other preliminary gear. I've had the best shaves of my life in the last few weeks and I actually am enjoying shaving. I don't know if you've seen these videos, but they were very helpful to me. The creator of them, Mark aka Mantic is an avid poster here and a shave guru. I hope they help.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mantic59

He's got six videos, with 4 of them being instructional. I found it easier to see it rather than read about it, at least at the very beginning.

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 03:54 AM

Thanks for the welcome, all!

Luckily, Em ships to APO addresses (I work with the military overseas), so I was able to get the starter stuff.

Any other suggestions for needed supplies?

**Jim** · 09-17-2006, 05:38 AM

Welcome!

**Christoph** · 09-17-2006, 06:25 AM

you've seen what can be accomplished by adding more technique with ordinary drug store bought stuff. Just wait and see what happens when you use high quality products and equipment as well. You will be so glad you did this. One note, however, that I would like to add: I'm sure most people here would agree that sometimes when you use a DE for the first time (or after not having used one for decades) that it can be rough and a bit off putting. Many people report that their first shaves don't go the way they had hoped. But with a little patientce, time, and knowledge, you will soon get better shaves than ever before.

**Dinder1** · 09-17-2006, 07:14 AM

Welcome.

It only gets better.
Cheers, DJ.

**Austin** · 09-17-2006, 08:13 AM

Welcome sir.

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 08:18 AM

Thanks again for the welcome, y'all -

Luckily, my job doesn't *require* me to be clean-shaven, so if I need to take a couple days off from shaving, I can.

Picked up a hand towel, some witch hazel and Neutrogena Razor Defense aftershave balm at the px today, unfortunately, no glycerine or even glycerine soap available.

I figure tomorrow morning I'll try a lather/hot towel treatment after my shower, using the existing shave gel that I already have. Once the supplies come in from Em, I can use the towel to wrap the bowl under a trickle of hot water to keep things warm (no drain plugs in the bathroom conex, unfortunately).

Any suggestions for other supplies I might need (within reason, please - we have a separate bathroom conex, so I have to carry everything back and forth in the mornings) would be greatly appreciated!! I figure I'll get a "blade pack" once I see how well I do with the Merkur blades I ordered from Em.

**catatonic** · 09-17-2006, 08:19 AM

Welcome to the wonderful world of wetshaving! :)

You may want to get a basic styptic pencil if you don't have one already. Clubman has one that is found in most US drugstores for $2-3. Since you are overseas, it may involve some legwork, but I'm certain you can find one...heck, the local barbers might have a new one they can part with or sell you.

Styptic pencils are great to deal with the occaisinal nick or cut that may happen.

**jduffy** · 09-17-2006, 08:26 AM

Enjoy the ride my friend and BTW what's your name?

This is a first name kinda place.

**ada8356** · 09-17-2006, 08:31 AM

Welcome!

With a little patience and practice you'll be knocking out quality shave in no time.

I would guess that if your face can stand up to a multi pass shave with a fusion, you won't have too many problems with the HD after getting the technique down.

There is a wealth of info here to help with all of your questions/problems.

I would strong suggest that you aquire a tube of Proraso Cream (green) and a jar of Proraso Pre/Post. You can thank me after your first shave with them!

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by catatonic

Welcome to the wonderful world of wetshaving! :)

You may want to get a basic styptic pencil if you don't have one already. Clubman has one that is found in most US drugstores for $2-3. Since you are overseas, it may involve some legwork, but I'm certain you can find one...heck, the local barbers might have a new one they can part with or sell you.

Styptic pencils are great to deal with the occaisinal nick or cut that may happen.

I was lookng for a styptic at the px - no luck. I'm hoping that if I do nick myself, putting on the witch hazel after shaving and before the aftershave balm will keep it from bleeding.

No barbershops in Kosovo that I've seen - I'll ask a couple of our local national employees about a styptic pencil, though - thanks!!

**ada8356** · 09-17-2006, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by mnealtx

I was lookng for a styptic at the px - no luck. I'm hoping that if I do nick myself, putting on the witch hazel after shaving and before the aftershave balm will keep it from bleeding.

No barbershops in Kosovo that I've seen - I'll ask a couple of our local national employees about a styptic pencil, though - thanks!!

While not the same as a stypic, I've found that an alum block will stop small nicks/weepers from bleeding very effectively.... if you check out the SOTD posts, you'll see that many folks (myslef included) use an alum block daily. It iis very useful in reducing any razor burn or irritation that may occur.

**Leisureguy** · 09-17-2006, 08:43 AM

Very pleased to see that my long post brought a shaver to Badger and Blade. If you do see Mantic's videos, note that in the DE shaving video the angle of the Progress razor is VERY sharp---nothing like what you should use with a regular DE razor. Normally the handle would be much closer to parallel to the floor, so the blade is closer to parallel with the skin. The action should be like a scythe, not like a hoe.

BTW, recheck the long post from time to time: I update it several times a week as I learn more or get questions that the post initially failed to answer.

And good luck with your shaves. FWIW, I found the Merkur blades to be dull and rough, but OTOH, some people love them---I just mailed the rest of my Merkur blades to one such person. So if the shave is not totally satisfactory, don't blame the razor. The problem will probably be a combination of prep, technique, and blade.

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by ada8356

Welcome!

With a little patience and practice you'll be knocking out quality shave in no time.

I would guess that if your face can stand up to a multi pass shave with a fusion, you won't have too many problems with the HD after getting the technique down.

There is a wealth of info here to help with all of your questions/problems.

I would strong suggest that you aquire a tube of Proraso Cream (green) and a jar of Proraso Pre/Post. You can thank me after your first shave with them!

I checked the Target website...no joy. I'll have to keep searching, see if I can find someplace that has it that will bill/ship to APO addresses. Thanks for the suggestion!

**Leisureguy** · 09-17-2006, 08:47 AM

Classic Shaving will probably ship to an APO address. Email them: [email protected]. They have all the supplies you might want. Check out their Web site.

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Leisureguy

Very pleased to see that my long post brought a shaver to Badger and Blade. If you do see Mantic's videos, note that in the DE shaving video the angle of the Progress razor is VERY sharp---nothing like what you should use with a regular DE razor. Normally the handle would be much closer to parallel to the floor, so the blade is closer to parallel with the skin. The action should be like a scythe, not like a hoe.

BTW, recheck the long post from time to time: I update it several times a week as I learn more or get questions that the post initially failed to answer.

And good luck with your shaves. FWIW, I found the Merkur blades to be dull and rough, but OTOH, some people love them---I just mailed the rest of my Merkur blades to one such person. So if the shave is not totally satisfactory, don't blame the razor. The problem will probably be a combination of prep, technique, and blade.

Yup, it's all *your* fault, Michael!!

Thanks for the welcome!

I did notice that mantic's video showed a pretty perpendicular handle angle. I figure I'll take the advice of handle horizontal to floor and work from there.

I plan on getting a blade pack in the near future.. I figure I'll see how the Merkur blades treat my face in the meantime.

**mnealtx** · 09-17-2006, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Leisureguy

Classic Shaving will probably ship to an APO address. Email them: [email protected]. They have all the supplies you might want. Check out their Web site.

I'll check that...thanks!! Of course, I have next to no clue what to actually get...easy to get confused by all the products out there!

**jduffy** · 09-17-2006, 09:52 AM

Check the Reviews tab at the top to get yourself some great info on some of the products. I know it helped me immensely getting set up properly.

Also, don't be afraid to post a question about a product as the lads/ladies here have tried just about everything under the sun and love to give their opinions and then some.