Safety Razor shaving - getting ready

Dingle_berry

So up to now I have always hated wet shaves. I normally just trim using an electric razor otherwise I get spots etc. from reading the threads here and starting a new job where anything but clean shaven is frowned upon I want to give safety/DE razors a go.

Does safety razor=DE razor or do only some safety razors take DE blades?

The only place to buy them seems to be online, who are mostly out of stock of razors I've seen recommended for beginners :rolleyes:Also I am very selective with what I put on my skin, I don't use products with SLSs, parabens, DMDM hydantoin, aluminium, etc etc - my choice I know but none of the websites like shaving.ie or 4men.ie display the ingredients of the products they sell? (Is this legal? If I buy a product and I don't like the ingredients on 'the tin' can I return it unopened?)

Is there any thread here on how to start from scratch? Like imagine I'm a teen just learning! Absolute must haves (brush? stand? preshave?) and absolute no-no/waste of money? Or a thread containing links to good YouTube tutorials? Might be worth a sticky if there is one?

oscarBravo

Safety razor is pretty much synonymous with double-edge. Search for mantic59 on Youtube - dude's a legend.

Gran Hermano

Most decent products should list their ingredients and there is a shift away from parabens and such in most brands.
If you're looking for something effective and not full of harsh chemicals, look at some of the artisan producers.
One of my favourites is http://www.nannyssillysoap.com/ps/ it is one of the best ranges I have tried.

For example the Citrus Zinger cream/soap has the following ingredients

Ingredients: Potassium palmitate*, potassium stearate, aqua, potassium cocoabutterate, potassium shea butterate, potassium cocoate, potassium castorate, sodium palmitate*, glycerine (vegetable), stearic acid (vegetable). Essential oil blend. Kaolin clay, . limonene, linalool, citral, geraniol, citronellol. *Sustainably grown in Columbia and organic

MadsL

Dingle_berry wrote: »

Also I am very selective with what I put on my skin, I don't use products with SLSs, parabens, DMDM hydantoin, aluminium, etc etc - my choice I know but none of the websites like shaving.ie or 4men.ie display the ingredients of the products they sell? (Is this legal? If I buy a product and I don't like the ingredients on 'the tin' can I return it unopened?)

PM shaving.ie (user on boards) for any info on products, he's a very helpful chap.

beardybrewer

Gran Hermano wrote: »

One of my favourites is http://www.nannyssillysoap.com/ps/ it is one of the best ranges I have tried.

You might check out http://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/Mikes_Natural_Soaps/Welcome.html

Shipping for 2 tins is pretty reasonable, but not fast. But this is a true artisan soap and worth the wait. The Barbershop and Bay Rum as fantastic. Beats MWF and Palmolive IMO.

OP, get this:
http://www.shaving.ie/products/Edwin-Jagger-Barley-DE89BA11.html
http://www.shaving.ie/products/Semogue-830.html
http://www.shaving.ie/products/Alum-Block.html
http://www.shaving.ie/products/Proraso-Pre-and-Post-Shaving-Cream.html
Blade sample pack
Palmolive shave stick from Tesco for .65p

Dingle_berry

Thanks guys.

I decided that before I splash out and spend on a proper kit I'd try the cheap boots razor. I got their own brand shaving stick, warmed up my face, rubbed it on and used wet hands and my beard to make a lather. Was very nervous but so impressed by the final result I was determined to get a full kit.

After doing a bit of shopping around and research I decided on the merkur 34c HD. http://www.4men.ie/ had it in stock and sold me that, a muhle pure badger brush, red proraso cream, proraso sensitive per shave cream (there was a little redness after the boots razor - I normally use electric razors) and astro blades for a very very reasonable price. They also responded to my queries quickly and dispatched the goods next day.
I got the package (very well packed - not a hope anything could have broken) and found a few free testers inside . Washed the badger hair brush a few times with shampoo and hot water as it STANK! Still smells a little. Kinda like an old half rotten dog!
Just tried my first shave with the merkur. I'm sure I don't have the angle quite right but I'm very happy. No blood (I used a white face cloth to be sure), no redness and only slight tingling. I hated wet shaving because the multi-bladed cartridges would always clog up on me and my face always felt raw after them. None of that with the DE razor! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone.

beardybrewer

Sounds like you're well on your way.

Seriously, pick up a Palmolive shave stick from Tesco. I've tried a good number of soaps and this it right up there at the top. When you consider the value it is probably the best.

And consider an alum block, which apart from being an effective antiseptic, gives you feedback on your technique by tingling on your rough spots.

Dingle_berry

Thanks for the advice. At the minute I'm just using cold water and cold facecloth after shaving followed by moisturiser. Don't like the idea of using alum at all!
I'm going to use the proraso stuff I have but will try better products - ones that don't have sls of any kind. More expensive I know but switching to sls etc free shampoos made a big difference for me.