Looking forward to my first wet shave
- Thread starter Xandie
- Start date
You want some completely unsolicited advice? Only change one thing at a time, don't go using a new razor and blade and soap and brush all at once. You'd probably do well to use your regular razor and blade while practicing lathering with a brush, dial that in before you start thinking about the Gem
Hello from Nashville, TN.
Welcome to B & B!
Welcome to B & B!
If you are just starting out, I admire your choice of a GEM razor.... There are a whole host of people here who just love them.... Vintage and Modern....
I only use unscented soaps. I'm not sure that is what you are asking about.... or just lightly scented soaps... For unscented, a good place to start might be Stirling.... Their prices are reasonable and they make great soaps. My two favorites from them are the Unscented with Beeswax and their "Sheep".... I just started using that one and it provides a very luxurious lather.... I don't have a keen sense of smell... Some people say it smells hmmmmmm "sheepy".... but not to me.
Edit: Oh.... and officially.... Welcome to the B&B community from Gainesville, Florida.
I only use unscented soaps. I'm not sure that is what you are asking about.... or just lightly scented soaps... For unscented, a good place to start might be Stirling.... Their prices are reasonable and they make great soaps. My two favorites from them are the Unscented with Beeswax and their "Sheep".... I just started using that one and it provides a very luxurious lather.... I don't have a keen sense of smell... Some people say it smells hmmmmmm "sheepy".... but not to me.
Edit: Oh.... and officially.... Welcome to the B&B community from Gainesville, Florida.
Welcome aboard!
‘Traditional’ wet shaving is a skill. Read through the WiKi and take your time!
‘Traditional’ wet shaving is a skill. Read through the WiKi and take your time!
Excellent razor choice, IMO. The Gem format is great and the 1912 is a simple, easy to use razor.
If you want the SIMPLEST soap, get a shaving stick. Just rub it on your face and build a lather with a wet (not dripping) brush. I recommend Arko, but, it's not a universally loved soap (some smell lemons, others smell urinals).
You can learn lathering techniques after you learn your razor. There are a couple of excellent links in my signature block.
Welcome to B&B. We are here to help.
If you want the SIMPLEST soap, get a shaving stick. Just rub it on your face and build a lather with a wet (not dripping) brush. I recommend Arko, but, it's not a universally loved soap (some smell lemons, others smell urinals).
You can learn lathering techniques after you learn your razor. There are a couple of excellent links in my signature block.
Welcome to B&B. We are here to help.
Don’t make Big Deal out of Soap, anything that soften Beard is good.
Get Septic Pencil for moves, and cut invade you draw.
Learning to wet shave requires PRACTICE.
Go slow at first.
While I don't completely disagree with Mr. Iguana, I will respectfully submit that soap should be doing more than softening your beard. A soft beard on sticky skin is a recipe for sutures. A good soap should provide slickness for razor glide, as well as softening of the whiskers. If the razor doesn't glide, I guarantee you'll get bit.
I do agree that alum (styptic pencil) is good to have on hand, although I prefer a solid block. I still get the occasional weeper and my first shave was in the year they invented rope.
You will, over time, find that mix of softening and lubrication that is your sweet spot. In the interim, there are about a billion soap reviews on here for you to peruse. I heartily recommend looking at journals (not mine, it isn't very good
) for information from seasoned experts.
I do agree that alum (styptic pencil) is good to have on hand, although I prefer a solid block. I still get the occasional weeper and my first shave was in the year they invented rope.
You will, over time, find that mix of softening and lubrication that is your sweet spot. In the interim, there are about a billion soap reviews on here for you to peruse. I heartily recommend looking at journals (not mine, it isn't very good
) for information from seasoned experts.- Thread starter
- #10
Welcome to the forum !!
Hi and welcome to B&B.
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