Going DE

Z

Zanuha

Joined
Sep 27, 2010
Messages
437
So I wanted to get a straight razor, but figured that it would be too expensive and high-maintenance. I settled with a Gillette Fusion for some time, but then I found an awesome online store that sells items from different stores all across Europe and has them shipped to whatever country you're in. I ordered a Merkur 38 and some blades from English store Executive Shaving. Next month I'm going to order a Boker brush and soap from a Finnish store. Have I made a good choice?
Discuss.
 
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Excellent choice. The Merkur 38 (Barber Pole) is a great solid razor. You've got a myriad of fantastic products available in Europe for a fraction of what it costs us here in the US. I might be just a little jealous.

PS- Try some Italian soaps. I just tried Cella and Valobra this past month and I think I'm in love...
 
Sure you can.

Proper shave soaps offer better lubricity, more protection, and are generally more pleasant to use. Until then, however, the canned goo will suffice.
 
You may use a canned WATER-based FOAM, but not a canned OIL-based GEL.

As others here have said, your equipment choices seem just fine. Of course, you will need blades too. It's best to start with an assortment and experiment to find a type that works well for you.
 
I also ordered 20 Merkur brand blades, 10 Derby blades and I'm sure I can find some at my grandfather's place and maybe at my local grocery store. I use gel, but I think I have a can of Gillette foam laying around somewhere.
 
I was going to suggest Fitjar soaps out of Norway, but after looking at a map it might be a bit of a problem for you to just drive there and pick it up direct from the source (1500km west of you). You may however be able to find it locally and they do internet shopping. I have been meaning to give their soaps a try and I can buy them here in Canada through Rasage Poulin.
 
I told you about the site already, and turns out the site also has Fitjar sellers. I'll have to try those out.
 
It finally arrived.
Just shaved with it for the first time, and all I have to say is wow. It's the closest shave I've ever had.
The razor itself has a beautiful mirror finish and an amazing level of grip. It worked well with hand-applied Gillette foam and I'm looking into different brushes and soaps right now.
IMG_3012.JPG
 
Oh-oh you are hooked now. I started with a EJ89L, a cheap boar hair brush, and some proraso soap. I know have 3 Badger brushes, a few (too many to mention) soaps and creams, and at last count 17 vintage Gillette razors and am always looking for more stuff:o
 
I probably won't get that hooked. One day I'm getting the old Gillette from my grandfather's place and maybe I'll buy a Dovo Shavette, but after I get a good brush, all I'm planning to spend money on is soaps and blades. Of course, anything could happen.
 
After I got the basic set up, it was just a thing of finding what worked for me, but some how it turned into a bit of an obsession to find the perfect razor-blade-soap-brush combination for my face. With so many different combinations to try it could go on for some time.

Right now I have settled on Israeli Persona Red blades as the best I have tried for my face, there are too many soaps to settle on just one, and the best I have tried (The Gentleman's Quarter) isn't being made anymore. Right now my favorite brush is my $40 store branded super badger, but I haven't tried any of the really good and expensive brushes and don't know if I am willing to put out a few hundred dollars for one.
 
Are Taylor of Old Bond Street soaps any good? Exec. Shaving has a 40-euro kit with a pure badger brush, a stand and a Taylor sandalwood soap in a rosewood bowl.
 
I have never tried them, but Taylor soaps seem generally well-reputed. They are expensive.
 
What about Arran Aromatics soaps? There's a cheaper set with their brush, soap and cologne.
 
Not sure about Taylor soap, but the creams are SUPERB.

My favourites are Almond, Lavendar, St.James'

Shaving Shop, Eton College are both good as well. Sandalwood worked well(they all do, excellently) but I didn't much like the smell of it. since you live in Europe, getting them from Britain should be no problem at all. A little goes a long way I find too.
 
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