Hello! Newbie with some questions

[Saxmoore]

Hi all! I've been reading this site off and on for several months and have recently started visiting regularly. What a great group of people! I've learned a lot from watching the Mantic vids, and the detail you get from the boards fills out the whole picture. Thank you!

A few questions, if I may.

I've been using a VDH set since last year, and thanks to the lathering posts here having a pretty decent system going. It seems as though it's only good for one pass, though, and I think I need to load the boar hair brush a little more at the beginning. If not, I just add a little before the second pass. Does that sound correct?

I just got back from Target where they did NOT have Proraso on hand. I wanted to try it as the weather is heating up here in sunny Los Angeles. Are there stores that carry this? I really like the VDH Deluxe. Interestingly, most of the drugstores don't carry the Deluxe soap outside of the box set around here. Weird. I haven't checked Walgreens, Longs or Rite-Aid for the Proraso, though, as I just learned about it.

My father in law is bringing his DE razor to me this weekend, as he hasn't used it for quite some time. I can't wait to get my hands on it. It's a Gillette from the 70's. I have been an electric razor shaver since my teens. I started using the VDH soap last year with my wet/dry shaver. Please don't get mad at me. I'm ready to make the jump, now! I've read that the DE blades one can find at Longs, etc. are not good at all. Is this true? Would it be good enough for me to get through a few weeks of shaving to see how I like the DE experience? At what setting does one start DE shaving? 0? I have fairly soft skin and a beard that grows in way too many directions.

I'm really enjoying the morning rituals that I've been adopting. I blame you guys for being late to work more and more often

Thanks!

Sax

[nodns]

I just got back from Target where they did NOT have Proraso on hand. I wanted to try it as the weather is heating up here in sunny Los Angeles. Are there stores that carry this? I really like the VDH Deluxe. Interestingly, most of the drugstores don't carry the Deluxe soap outside of the box set around here. Weird. I haven't checked Walgreens, Longs or Rite-Aid for the Proraso, though, as I just learned about it.

Just to save you a little time. If you are in the Valley, don't bother with those stores for the Proraso, they don't have it . Just go to Bath and Bodyworks and grab tube of CO Bigelow, it is the same thing and it is will run you $5 or $10 depending upon the size you purchase.

[bokaba]

Health food stores usually carry Thayers. I would recommend the Super Hazel.

[rm71]

Welcome Sax. Make sure you do get uyour hands on Proraso. Great stuff. As for blades, try as many varieties as you can. www.westcoastshaving.com has a good sampler pack. Don'r be afraid to us questions.

[thirdeye]

Sax, Welcome to B&B....Enjoy!!!

[Saxmoore]

Just to save you a little time. If you are in the Valley, don't bother with those stores for the Proraso, they don't have it . Just go to Bath and Bodyworks and grab tube of CO Bigelow, it is the same thing and it is will run you $5 or $10 depending upon the size you purchase.

Thanks for the responses, all.

nodns, I am in the valley, and you just saved me a lot of time. Although, I did see in another post that BABW is discontinuing the Bigelow/Proraso. My wife is going there today for Mothers day gifts, so it'll be a good chance to get some before it's gone.

[kingfisher]

If you like the VDH Deluxe (which I do, and it plays well combined with the Proraso) they usually carry the soap by itself at WalMart. The C.O. Bigelow was the first real shave cream I used when I started wetshaving, and I bought it at BBW. A real steal for $10. Unless you don't like menthol/eucalyptus, if they are really going to stop carrying it, you might want to pick up two while you're there.

[gone down south]

I've been using a VDH set since last year, and thanks to the lathering posts here having a pretty decent system going. It seems as though it's only good for one pass, though, and I think I need to load the boar hair brush a little more at the beginning. If not, I just add a little before the second pass. Does that sound correct?

Sax

Yes - a lot of soaps needs to re-primed before each pass, especially with the lower end brushes.

[studman46]

Welcome!!. A boar brush holds less water and lather than a badger but many swear by them. It just takes more work and more soap or cream to get there. The boar will soften to a degree over time with use. Keep us posted.

[vitaman]

What's up fellow So. Ca. member good to have you along!

[Saxmoore]

Thanks guys! My wife just returned from BBW in one of the malls here in the valley with a tube of C.O. Bigelow/Proraso. I can't believe how well it lathers using my VDH cup and brush!!! She won't tell me which mall because she was also getting my birthday present, hehe. If anyone in the valley wants to know, I can tell you after Sunday.

My father-in-law also brought me his old Gillette DE today. There aren't any numbers on it, but it looks like a fat boy from the pictures I'm seeing on other sites. I'll post a pic tonight. Time to order a blade sampler.

What a day!

[nodns]

The standard Bath and Bodyworks will not/do not carry it, but I was told by a manager at one of the 'corporate' stores will continue to carry it.

If you really want to know what Bath and Body has it in the Valley, I can tell you where.

Thanks for the responses, all.

nodns, I am in the valley, and you just saved me a lot of time. Although, I did see in another post that BABW is discontinuing the Bigelow/Proraso. My wife is going there today for Mothers day gifts, so it'll be a good chance to get some before it's gone.

[vitaman]

I've had great results face lathering w/ my boar and proraso. Try it out, I think you will be pleasantly suprised! It might save you a little time too!

[Saxmoore]

This is what my FIL dropped off for me today. Looks like 1967 (M 4). Must...order....blades!!!!

It took me a couple of tries, but you're right, Vitaman. It worked out great.

[flyfishinzs]

Hi Sax, looks like you got yourself a Gillete slim adjustable, the fatboy's thinner, longer cousin. I have one and I love it, Just start at a low number like 2 or 3 and work your way up till you find the right setting.

[MAK]

Welcome!

In Chicagoland it seems like Williams and VDH are the two common soaps that you can find. I think it will probably be similar in LA. If you go to "higher" end department stores you can sometimes find good products like AOS.

As far as blades are concerned, many folks find local brands are not as good as imports. With that said, it is probably worth a couple of bucks to try locally. I find that I can use those blades (even Walmart) with reasonable results, but I like the imports better.

Here is my little video on the topic.

Good luck! Mike

[copperhead]

Sax, welcome to B&B! The Gillette Slim Adjustable is an excellent razor and should serve you well. Not to confuse you but there are two schools of thought when it comes to loading a brush. One is to load it once and use it for three or four passes and the other is to load it for each pass. I prefer the latter since i feel that newly built lather performs better than one that has been in the brush for sometime. Anyway just do what works for you, there is no right or wrong. Glad to have you on board.

[kingfisher]

Nice razor.

[davecmu]

Welcome to B&B - you're off to a great start!

I used to work at Cal State Northridge, and my wife and I miss The Valley badly. Hope the good weather holds!