[NOOB] Moving away from Gillete/cartridge razors.

Unregistered.

Hi all.

I want to dabble with safety and/or straight-edge razors.

I need advice on what make/models to go for first and if people have an favourite places to buy them! I know they can be expensive upfront, but I'm not willing to spend a bomb on one of the fancier razors up front in case I decide it's not for me!

Feckless Rogue

Unregistered. wrote: »

Hi all.

I want to dabble with safety and/or straight-edge razors.

I need advice on what make/models to go for first and if people have an favourite places to buy them! I know they can be expensive upfront, but I'm not willing to spend a bomb on one of the fancier razors up front in case I decide it's not for me!

Fellow fairly-recent noob here. There is tonnes, and I mean tonnes, of information out there. Definitely encourage you to dive into the threads here. However you can get going straightaway with Double-Edge by getting a Boots own-brand DE for close to a fiver. For the blades don't bother with Boots own-brand but (at least) get Wilkinson Sword or preferably a sampler pack from e.g. shaving.ie (there are other Irish sites, I only have experience with shaving.ie). While you're at it pick up some soap etc - I recently went for the following:

• Omega 13522 brush e8
• Proraso Pre Shave Cream e8
• Proraso 75ml Shaving Cream Bowl (e3 at the moment!!!)
• Proraso After Shave Lotion Splash e12
• Two Of A Kind DE Blade Sample Pack e7

For straight razors the consensus seems to be that the Whipped Dog sight unseen deal is a good place to start. After shaving with a Boots DE (and regular Boots No. 7 shaving gel) for about six months I have gone for the above soaps etc and a Whipped Dog straight. It's going okay.

Personally I wish I had used a brush for much longer before starting with the straight. At the moment it feels like jumping in the deep end and it's taking ages to shave. Getting a proper lather is harder than I thought but really makes a difference when it works. Whether you end up going straight or DE, or going back to the Gilettes you'll benefit from having a proper lather. YMMV!

Unregistered.

Feckless Rogue wrote: »

Fellow fairly-recent noob here. There is tonnes, and I mean tonnes, of information out there. Definitely encourage you to dive into the threads here. However you can get going straightaway with Double-Edge by getting a Boots own-brand DE for close to a fiver. For the blades don't bother with Boots own-brand but (at least) get Wilkinson Sword or preferably a sampler pack from e.g. shaving.ie (there are other Irish sites, I only have experience with shaving.ie). While you're at it pick up some soap etc - I recently went for the following:

• Omega 13522 brush e8
• Proraso Pre Shave Cream e8
• Proraso 75ml Shaving Cream Bowl (e3 at the moment!!!)
• Proraso After Shave Lotion Splash e12
• Two Of A Kind DE Blade Sample Pack e7

For straight razors the consensus seems to be that the Whipped Dog sight unseen deal is a good place to start. After shaving with a Boots DE (and regular Boots No. 7 shaving gel) for about six months I have gone for the above soaps etc and a Whipped Dog straight. It's going okay.

Personally I wish I had used a brush for much longer before starting with the straight. At the moment it feels like jumping in the deep end and it's taking ages to shave. Getting a proper lather is harder than I thought but really makes a difference when it works. Whether you end up going straight or DE, or going back to the Gilettes you'll benefit from having a proper lather. YMMV!

I use a brush at the moment actually... with shave gel :pac:

How do soaps and creams contrast to each other?

hitemfrank

Creams are generally easier to get a good lather from but soaps will generally last longer (they can both provide great lather*). That's a fairly simplified summary based on my own observations.


*Depending on the soap or cream used. Some soaps and creams are just ****.

Feckless Rogue

Shows how much I know - I wasn't even differentiating between soap and cream. Isn't gel with a brush really messy???!!

Unregistered.

Feckless Rogue wrote: »

Shows how much I know - I wasn't even differentiating between soap and cream. Isn't gel with a brush really messy???!!

Nope.

jpb1974

You can access a shaving guide e-Booklet available from http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/ (see top right corner of homepage) which covers off all the basics. Not a bad little booklet for beginners.

beardybrewer

There is a sticky with a lot of online shops. I used shaving.ie (coupon code: boards.ie) and connaughtshaving.co.uk myself. I'd recommend the EJ DE89 razor, Semogue 1800 brush, a stick of Arko, Proraso pre/post cream, blade sampler pack (or just Astras or Gillette). Done and not too expensive!

While waiting for your order watch these: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DB6D82F52BA7608&feature=plcp

Unregistered.

Really enjoyed those videos! I like the look of the Mulhe R89! It seems to be among the decent entry-level razors. Is this true? Can anybody recommend it?

beardybrewer

Unregistered. wrote: »

Really enjoyed those videos! I like the look of the Mulhe R89! It seems to be among the decent entry-level razors. Is this true? Can anybody recommend it?

That's an excellent choice. My recommendation, the EJ89, is made by Muhle and is essentially the same razor with a different handle. Muhle does the best chrome plating in the business.

Keep us informed but I have to mention another great resource for friendly advice and encouragement. Check in to the shave clinic: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/55-Shave-Clinic-amp-Newbie-Check-In. Don't be put off by the hobbyists in the other forums who are on a quest to try every razor and brush ever invented. They really are very helpful.

Also, for a European perspective but much less busy site I like: http://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/forum/portal.php

Unregistered.

Called in to Knights in Stephen's Green Centre to have a look and gather some information. Absolutely useless. Complete waste of time, the staff were of no help other than making shaving motions on their face.

nc6000

You are probably a well asking questions on here if you have any.