Just made my first step, advice?

I

IMightBeWrong

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Feb 17, 2011
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I just ordered a basic starter set of shaving materials to get my foot in the door. I've been rolling around the switch from disposable razors to the old school shaves for well over a year now and I decided to finally make some move in the right direction. The kit is a Ver Der Hagen starter kit with a 100% badger hair brush, stand, soap bowl, and some soap. I don't know if I'll love it, hate it, or be indifferent to this set but I think it'll get me started well enough and I can determine my own preferences from here.

Now to the question: Should I jump straight to a cut-throat razor or should I start off with a decent safety razor and get used to holding it straight first? And depending on your answers, what razors would you guys recommend for a beginner and if you recommend a straight razor can you recommend a hone and a strop to go with it?

Thanks!
 
The VDH products are a good place to start. If this type of shaving grows on you then you can always upgrade and experiment with some higher end products. Don't be afraid to use as much soap & water as it takes to get a good, cushioning, slick lather.
As far as razors go, there is a pretty good difference in a safety razor and a straight. I personally recommend starting with a safety razor to get used a single razor edge, how your face and beard reacts & getting used to lathering and shaving technique. I didn't shave with a straight for quite a while and even now I must really pay attention unlike with a safety razor. Both are very gratifying and once you're hooked, it's likely you will look forward to your next shave, next new piece of hardware and all the other great software out there.

You cannot go wrong with an Edwin Jagger DE89 if you want new. Great razor all around. You can also try a vintage Gillette superspeed that can be had for very little money. They are highly regarded for ease of use and often recommended as a starter razor. Over the last year I have given away 6-7 razors, brushes, soaps, etc.. on the Badger & Blade forum so I'm tapped at the moment or I'd PIF one to you.

Keep us posted.

Steve
 
Thanks for the advice. So should my common sense, which also tells me I should start with a butterfly or something similar, fail to stop me from jumping straight into a straight razor do you have any recommendations for a razor to start with or a strop/hone?
 
The Spyderco ultra fine ceraminc for a hone and newspaper for a strop. Sure get a leather strop if you want. Better still, make yourself one. But newspaper should be your final strop. This will hold you for a long time using a straight. But take RG advice on trying a double edge. DM
 
Two votes to start with a DE noted. I probably should, especially since the investment can be kept much smaller while I test these waters. I have a DE89L bookmarked ready for me to order. Could you fine gents by chance also recommend some forgiving blades to start with? I've heard Feather are as sharp as it gets, but should I jump straight to them or start with something else?
 
I'm in the same position at the moment. A couple of years ago I gave up the fancy canned foam stuff and started using soap for lather, I tried using a brush but I prefer to use my hands to lather. I use an inexpensive but good coconut based soap to shave, it's unscented which I like.
I finally ran out of disposable razors so I bought a cheap (and inexpensive) DE razor online and started using it. My first shave was a little rough, the second was too. But it's getting better. It's hard to explain what the difference is, but my face had to get used to the DE razor. I haven't cut myself yet, and I don't really expect to, but everyone shaves differently.
I'm still using the blades that came with the razor. I don't remember the name, but they're Egyptian and come in an orange package, so far I'm happy with them. When they get dull I'm hoping to try stropping them to see how well it works.
 
IMightBeWrong said:
Two votes to start with a DE noted. I probably should, especially since the investment can be kept much smaller while I test these waters. I have a DE89L bookmarked ready for me to order. Could you fine gents by chance also recommend some forgiving blades to start with? I've heard Feather are as sharp as it gets, but should I jump straight to them or start with something else?
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No, don't start with Feathers. They are extremely sharp which is good, but it can also result in a very irritated shave especially in the beginning. You'll take off more skin cells than needed. I suggest a blade such as Personna red packs. Cheap, sharp enough and forgiving.
 
Sounds good! I'll try those first and then I'll try a few others as well after getting an initial feel for things. Luckily the blades are cheap! How long would you all recommend getting used to a safety before giving a straight razor a shot?
 
It's not really how before trying a straight as much as are you comfortable trying it. Parts like cheeks, chin might be rather easy but under the nose and on the neck may result in weeper, nicks. Depends on your beard growth also. The hair on my neck grows 3 different ways! I shave with the grain, across the grain, against the grain and a 4th pass diagonally. Doing it with a straight is tough. There is a "cool" factor about using a straight and if mastered is quite satisfying. You do have to be willing to keep the blade in shape and that's where some seem to fall away. A dulling straight is no fun. http://www.whippeddog.com/ Whipped Dog has some great deals for getting your feet wet.
 
My neck is the same way! Actually in all 4 directions on my neck. My grandfather was Middle Eastern American and I inherited his extremely thick and hard to tame beard. I'm not going to let that stop me from trying things, though. I want to learn to shave with a straight at some point just to say that I did it, really. I'll probably try both wet shaving methods and get decent and then pick which one I like more to stick with.
 
I don't think that one necessarily prefaces the other. They are very different paths.

DE can be utilitarian, a path of a great shave for a considerable cost savings over can-and-cartridge. But straight-razor seldom seems to stay utilitarian and always seems to become and obcession.

A great DE shave can be completed start-to-finish in about ten or twelve minutes (though some choose to extend the process because they enjoy it). A "quick" straight shave takes about 15 minutes and you really ought to plan twenty or thirty. (Remember, I'm talking start-to-finish time here from first turn of the faucet to all equipment out away and the area cleaned up.)

The whole kit for DE can be has for about $50 going with all new stuff and doing nicely. All-new straight-razor kit is going to cost several hundred at least.

Very few guys (not zero, but few) straight-razor shave daily simply because of the time and effort involved. Most straight-razor enthusiasts -- if the truth be told -- use a DE or even can-and-cartridge most of the time.
 
Both routes, straight or DE, offer excellent results and can open the door to a wide range of pre-shave oils, soaps, brushes, balms, after shaves etc. It is endless. A DE for a starter is a simple approach with way less investment in time and funds. When I started wet shaving I had the time and dollars to go straight, and did so, almost daily, for over a decade. I then added in a DE. I think the answer is "It depends", only you can make the judgement. The DE makes for an easier start, but in days gone by most men could use a straight. If you go DE the blade suggestions already made are solid. Don't think the Feathers will add to your experience just yet. There are lots of less expensive, more forgiving, good performers out there.
 
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I agree that a new wet shaver shouldn't start with Feathers *if* he plans to jump straight into a three pass shave on his very first try at wet shaving (which many new wet shavers do). That would be a bad idea. But that's a bad idea regardless of blade choice.

I started with Feathers. It's not a problem, at all, and is actually a good idea if you plan to start slow and focus on technique. A month or two of concentrating on good technique at the beginning will mean years of closer, more comfortable shaves down the road. Feathers, if treated with respect, will aid in teaching you good technique. That means starting with good beard prep, good lather, and one WTG pass. Then adding XTG after a week or more. Then finally adding ATG after several more weeks. Going down from Feathers is easy. The learning curve problems pop up when you move *up* to Feathers from a less keen blade.
 
Just wanted to give you guys an update: My shave set came today! I've never seen this stuff in person anywhere and I have to say, it's friggin' COOL! I can't wait to try it! Still no razor yet, but I'm going to start learning to get a good lather with a cheapo until I square away the DE89 that was recommended to me earlier. I appreciate all the help! I feel like I'm making a step in a good direction and I'm really excited to try this out!
 
By the way, now that I have a brush is there anything to know about taking care of it? Does it wear out eventually and need to be replaced like a toothbrush does?
 
IMightBeWrong said:
By the way, now that I have a brush is there anything to know about taking care of it?
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Rinse it out thoroughly after use. Shake out the worst of the remaining water. Hang it up to dry. That's about it.



Does it wear out eventually and need to be replaced like a toothbrush does?
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Yes, it does. But that is years away. Your VDH starter brush isn't worth it, but better brushes can be re-knotted when that time comes.
 
I have the same Van Der Hagen kit you have. It took me some time to get used to the soap, and get my lather to the correct wetness/cushion ratio, if that makes sense. But the brush did shed a little in the beginning, and now I only get a hair two a week. Just a good shake of the brush, then I hang it to dry like mentioned above. And I think the kit looks really nice, was reasonably priced, and my razor fits the stand. It should be just fine for your first kit. I have since bought a puck of Taylor of Old Bond Street, but I am still waiting to finish off the Van Der Hagen puck, which seems like it just won't go away.

Which kit did you try in the past Gollnick? Just curious because I remember you saying the soap was one of, or the worst soaps you have tried. They have a "Premium," which looks really cheap, soap smells like hospital soap, brush is the roughest shave brush I have felt, with a decent bowl. Then they have the "Luxury" kit, which has a better quality brush with a stand, much better smelling soap, and a nice looking bowl. Here's a link to the two.

http://www.amazon.com/Van-Der-Hagen-Premium-Shave/dp/B001A3HPT0

http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Mens-Luxury-Shave/dp/B004L4EING/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_1
 
I got the Luxury. I had my first shave with a brush and soap today and even though it wasn't the perfect lather for my first time it was by far the smoothest shave I've had to date!
 
CMoore, I got the brush shown in your first link. I've had it for several years now and it works well. The company is based in TX.. DM
 
Gollnick said:
Very few guys (not zero, but few) straight-razor shave daily simply because of the time and effort involved. Most straight-razor enthusiasts -- if the truth be told -- use a DE or even can-and-cartridge most of the time.
Click to expand...
Yes, some straight razor enthusiasts make the shave into a long process rather than a simple shave, but a straight shave can be nearly as quick as a DE shave. In other words, the "time and effort" with a straight can be minimal. Stropping takes 30 seconds. The shave takes the same amount of time. Blade care after the shave is a quick wipe of the blade with an oiled cloth.
 
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