Fed up with disposible razors - going DE

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killa_concept

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May 19, 2009
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Well, for starters I'm a 20 year old who's been going back and forth between disposable razors and an electric shaver since I grew a beard... Simply put, I've just gotten fed up with disposable razors - mostly the cost, sense of waste, and the speed at which they dull - but also the feeling that I don't deal with cheap, crummy, sub-par bladed instruments elsewhere in my life, so why deal with it when it directly involves care for my own person?

My first desire was to go for a straight razor, and I may still try one out eventually since I love sharpening and the sense of footprint reduction that goes with dealing with one bladed instrument instead of disposables (though recyclable blades is definitely a step up from disposables). Ultimately though, I find myself wanting to try something I'm a bit more accustomed to before diving in...

So that all said, I've managed to obtain an old Made in USA Gillette DE razor from my stepfather and also picked up a 100ct of Israeli Personna blades (heard they were preferred by a number of DE users and the price was definitely nice). Now I'm trying to figure out how cheap a decent badger brush can be had for and perhaps some suggestions regarding soap and aftershaves as well?
 
I just use a bristle brush from CVS seems to work fine for me. My favourite shaving soap is Proraso in the green tub. Lathers likes crazy and feels really good when I splash cold water on my face after my shave.
After you grow accustomed to DE shaving, you might want to give Feather Blades a try, wicked sharp, but the closest shave imaginable.
For aftershave try L'Homme by Roger et Gallet, not too easy to find but great (IMHO)
 
You sound like a perfect fit for DE shaving. I hate electric razors and got tired of the expensive Mach 3 refills. I think you'll find the shaving soap and brush much superior to foam in a can. I tried the cheap green boar brush from wal greens and it left a lot to be desired.
You can find cheap, genuine badger brushes on ebay, directly from hong kong for around $10 and they make a huge difference in building a lather and the feel on your face.

Give it a few weeks to work on your technique and go slow and easy at first. It's worth the effort to get through the learning curve. I use a Merkur Futur and am still experimenting with blades, soaps and balms but actually enjoy shaving now instead of dreading it.
 
Be sure to watch Mantic59's videos on youtube if you haven't already for technique tips.
 
killa_concept said:
...So that all said, I've managed to obtain an old Made in USA Gillette DE razor from my stepfather and also picked up a 100ct of Israeli Personna blades (heard they were preferred by a number of DE users and the price was definitely nice). Now I'm trying to figure out how cheap a decent badger brush can be had for and perhaps some suggestions regarding soap and aftershaves as well?
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165823054_27f764213f.jpg


An entry-level badger brush is made by Tweezerman. Not the best but it will get you started. Van Der Hagen is coming out with a new "premium" line and their badger brush is on a pre-launch sale if you don't mind waiting till March 24.

For traditional cream and soap there are some fairly widely available products:
[youtube]k8Id57M5-xA[/youtube]
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Especially to you mantic - I've been going through your videos for the past couple of days and was not aware you posted on here! You've been of much more help to my foray into DE than just this post of yours (which also is quite helpful) and the humor you dab into your videos keep them quite refreshing!

That said, I only have one other real question - is there a huge improvement in lather production and general feel of a brush in the $30-40 range to those suggested? I might pick up a cheap one for now as I'm running out of safety razors/gunk-in-can and don't want to fiddle around with them any longer... I'll then pick up one of higher quality within the month (need to assemble this gear before a month long trip coming up towards the end of april)
 
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Mantic is sort of like beetlejuice, type his name 3 time and he shows up:p

I do find that the brushes I have now lather better than the cheaper one I had, but the cheap one I had still did a pretty good job.
 
huh dident know mantic59 was on bladeforums:thumbup: thanks man got some good tips from you a bit ago on youtube:thumbup:
 
So I checked out Nordstroms but all their shaving gear was really high end - on top of which, everything seemed quite marked up (items being $10-15 more than I could get them for online).

That all said, I think ordering off the net might serve me better as I'm in no real rush and prefer having a wider range of options... that said, does anyone have recommendations on a brush and soap combo under $40? I'll probably be getting the stuff off Amazon so please make your suggestions around that...

Thanks in advance guys! :thumbup:
 
hoopster said:
You sound like a perfect fit for DE shaving. I hate electric razors and got tired of the expensive Mach 3 refills. I think you'll find the shaving soap and brush much superior to foam in a can. I tried the cheap green boar brush from wal greens and it left a lot to be desired.
You can find cheap, genuine badger brushes on ebay, directly from hong kong for around $10 and they make a huge difference in building a lather and the feel on your face.

Give it a few weeks to work on your technique and go slow and easy at first. It's worth the effort to get through the learning curve. I use a Merkur Futur and am still experimenting with blades, soaps and balms but actually enjoy shaving now instead of dreading it.
Click to expand...

I seem to be right where you are. I'm still experimenting but find myself looking forward to shaving now.
 
killa_concept said:
So I checked out Nordstroms but all their shaving gear was really high end - on top of which, everything seemed quite marked up (items being $10-15 more than I could get them for online).

That all said, I think ordering off the net might serve me better as I'm in no real rush and prefer having a wider range of options... that said, does anyone have recommendations on a brush and soap combo under $40? I'll probably be getting the stuff off Amazon so please make your suggestions around that...

Thanks in advance guys! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

The Art of Shaving has a very nice starter kit for around $25.

www.theartofshaving.com
 
morrowj_98 said:
The Art of Shaving has a very nice starter kit for around $25.

www.theartofshaving.com
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Hrmmm - looks nice, but it seems more a "trial" kit than a "starter" one... very small portions and it sounds like the brush is supposed to be relatively small too :confused:

I think I'd prefer to just go with a decent quality brush and some soap - I really don't find a need for pre-shave as I shave directly after hot showers and I've been using just straight witch hazel for aftershave with decent effect (though I might experiment with balms at a later point)
 
Man this section of the forums is really dead... surprising that a site with so many people who love having nice, sharp things has so very few people interested in nice, sharp things that see daily usage in keeping oneself looking in tip top shape. Buuuuut - I guess I shouldn't be talking though since I'm only a recent convert :p

That said, I did some searching around here and online and decided to pick up:
-5.2oz of CO Bigelow premium menthol cream
-a Tweezerman badger brush
-12oz of Thayer Lavender Witch Hazel toner
Total cost was $33.54 shipped

With my USA-made Gilette adjustable razor and 100ct. of Israeli Personnas, I think I should be set :D :thumbup:
 
I don't know where you are located geographically. Here in the US, while perhaps not lavender-scented, witch hazel can be purchased at most drug stores, even many grocery stores, quite inexpensively.
 
Gollnick said:
I don't know where you are located geographically. Here in the US, while perhaps not lavender-scented, witch hazel can be purchased at most drug stores, even many grocery stores, quite inexpensively.
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Just to the NE of you in Stumptown and yeah - straight witch hazel has been what I've been using for ages actually.. I just thought I'd give a balm of some sort a try and I've heard this one mentioned a time or two. I noticed in the SotD section that you generally use a splash of rubbing alcohol - is it 70%, 92% or diluted? Any particular reason for the choice? I've heard alcohol based products can dry out and irritate for some people and I'd be quite surprised if you were just using it straight!

willgoy said:
I don't think this section of the forum is dead! It's an interesting niche.
Click to expand...

True enough, I just meant that it certainly doesn't see as much activity as others
 
If you seek a more intense shaving forum experience:

WARNING WARNING WARNING--clicking the following links will lead to the downward spiral of Acquisition Disease----don't blame me if you don't have any money left after going there.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/index.php


Blade forum is primarily a knife focused forum---and lifestyle forum if you go to the community section----I frequent all of them.
 
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That new VDH "Premium" set being offered on Amazon for $25 looks to be just the ticket for someone starting out---probably pick one up myself.
 
I just jumped into DE shaving. Been watching videos and my shaving stuff came in today. Going to wait until the weekend when I have more time and then take things slow.:thumbup: Just so fed up with disposable razors:grumpy:
 
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