shaving soap and brush

In my experience, the Weishi is not a very 'aggressive' razor and on my beard delivers a weak and not a close shave, found it insufficient. Merkurs have served me well and not found any of the quality problems some people talk about.
 
willgoy said:
In my experience, the Weishi is not a very 'aggressive' razor and on my beard delivers a weak and not a close shave, found it insufficient. Merkurs have served me well and not found any of the quality problems some people talk about.
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Well I am not looking for an aggressive razor to start because of the large chin scar I have so if I need to take a few extra passes so be it, if it means I can ditch the multi bladed razor all together. Also if I buy a so-so quality razor to start, it just gives me an excuse to upgrade in the future. The Weishi combo, gives me something I want in the lower price range I am looking at. The better razors don't come with a silver tip brush in my price range. My price range BTW is between $100-$150, and to be honest I think I would rather know that I am going to get something I know I will like (brush and stand) then give up on the things I know I would like to get something I may not be able to adjust to, the razor.
All of the advice I have been given, is being stored in the bank for now and I will go back to to make my final decision in the end, or to go back to to make future decisions
 
I know that that was meant to be more of a deterrent to buying the Weishi, but you must remember I am a beginner when it comes to DE shaving with a heavy beard and extremely sensitive skin. From reading all the reviews, it seems like the majority of reviewers are experienced DE shavers that have learned proper technique before trying the Weishi. All of the negatives they point out sound like positives to me. Gentle and almost impossible to nick yourself, small sweet spot, forcing you to learn proper shaving angles. That sounds like just what I want in a first DE. Notice I say "first DE" as in its a good place to start and learn, as I learn and my skills with a DE improve my need for a better razor will grow as well. With this first razor I am not looking for something that I will use for a life time, just something to get me started in the right direction.

I hope you understand how I am approaching this, my first mountain bike was a piece of crap compared to the fleet I own now, as was my first modern folder, but both were good starting points to a pair of passions I now have.
 
So with even more research and shopping I have come up with this idea, I get the EJ DE89/89L and order a Naniwa 12000 grit water stone. That gives me a reasonable razor that if it doesn't work for me I could sell, the last of the water stones I "feel" I need in the hunt for the perfect knife edge, and brings me up to free shipping. All I would have to do is spend a little more for a sampler pack of blades and I am ready to go. Yes I am giving up on the silvertip brush and stand, but I know for a fact I will use the water stone no mater what happens, and the brush I have right now is doing a fine job. I can always ask for the brush and stand as a get well gift after my surgery or as a Christmas/birthday gift. Being that I haven't asked for a Christmas or birthday gift or received one for so long that I can't remember what the last one was:confused:.
 
I'd say if you want the stone go for it. If not the DE89, a best badger brush, and sample pack of blades works out to 100. Maybe throw in an aftershave or shaving cream if it doesn't quite. I used a boar brush briefly and badger really is a big step above. You don't need a stand. The idea to keep the water from getting into the knot by inverting it is leftover from days when glue sucked, the stand is just a nostalgic idea.

the DE89 is a Beautiful razor. the pictures really do not do it justice. fantastic value. Only downside is the grip, which teaches you to be gentle. If you get It i promise you will not second guess skipping the wieshie.
 
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Yeah I really want the 12k stone:o I am a bit of a sharp nut, and I can't find anything higher then a 8k locally. I am hoping to be able to order by the end of the month, so I still have time to flip flop on the razor choice, I am kind of scared of getting too aggressive of a razor to start with, and buying a used one sort of gives me the willies.
And next month I can get the brush, stand, and maybe some balm and a different soap to try out
 
Ok today is the day I finally get to make my order this is what I have decided on.

  • Edwin Jager DE89L
  • The Gentlemens Refinery Aftershave Balm
  • Razor Blades Sampler 10 of each: Derby, Astra Platinum, Astra Stainless, Black Feather, Dorco and Precision Razor Blades Sampler: Derby, Astra Platinum, Astra Stainless, Black Feather, Dorco and Precision

I decided to wait for the 12k water stone for now, because I just couldn't find a decent balm here and I am expecting a bit of burn in those first couple of weeks with the DE. All the reviews I have read about GR balm say it is the bomb and tops all others. I think I only read 4 bad reviews and that was more related to the price and not the product. so time to go pull the triger before I change my mind again, thanks for all the input, next week will be the big test when it all shows up
 
Is there a difference in the blade packs that I'm not seeing?

I think with the blade-pack samplers you save about 75 cents then if you just bought them separately. I just ended up reading blade reviews and putting together my own little sampler because I didn't want to try Lord, Merkur, or Dorco. They have a few blades that aren't in the sample pack that are worth a glance as well like the Gillette 7'oclock. So far the Astra's and Feathers are working best in the DE89L for me, though I've got a long ways to go yet before reaching a conclusion.
 
Munky88 said:
Is there a difference in the blade packs that I'm not seeing?

I think with the blade-pack samplers you save about 75 cents then if you just bought them separately. I just ended up reading blade reviews and putting together my own little sampler because I didn't want to try Lord, Merkur, or Dorco. They have a few blades that aren't in the sample pack that are worth a glance as well like the Gillette 7'oclock. So far the Astra's and Feathers are working best in the DE89L for me, though I've got a long ways to go yet before reaching a conclusion.
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Its showing the same sampler twice for some reason. I just copied and pasted to order. I want to give them all a try the I will order a different sampler with different blades and make up my mind then. I sould have everything by next wednesday to start trying them out
 
unky_gumbi said:
Ok today is the day I finally get to make my order this is what I have decided on.

  • Edwin Jager DE89L
  • The Gentlemens Refinery Aftershave Balm
  • Razor Blades Sampler 10 of each: Derby, Astra Platinum, Astra Stainless, Black Feather, Dorco and Precision Razor Blades Sampler: Derby, Astra Platinum, Astra Stainless, Black Feather, Dorco and Precision

I decided to wait for the 12k water stone for now, because I just couldn't find a decent balm here and I am expecting a bit of burn in those first couple of weeks with the DE. All the reviews I have read about GR balm say it is the bomb and tops all others. I think I only read 4 bad reviews and that was more related to the price and not the product. so time to go pull the triger before I change my mind again, thanks for all the input, next week will be the big test when it all shows up
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I'm going to be selling some of my Gillette SuperSpeed razors soon so I can buy the DE89L (I have 5 and only need one, really). I look forward to your review of it.

So far, I found the Dorco blades to be the most forgiving on my face. They cut my wire whiskers just fine without leaving too much razor burn on my sensitive face, and with better technique (which sucks right now, I'm sure), they may be one of the blades I stick with. You may end up liking them quite a bit since they are a mild blade.

As for balms, I have only tried one, but it is quite nice. C.O. Bigelow has a nice aftershave balm that doesn't burn, even after I've shaved too close with a Feather blade in my Fat Boy. I use the Elixer Green, but they have 4 different scents to try.
 
I just checked the tracking number on my order and it says its here in Winnipeg and out for delivery, so here I sit, waiting for the mail lady. I should have my new razor in hand in another hour or so:thumbup:


ARRGGG! :grumpy: it's 12pm here and still no mail, I have to sign for the package and I have things to do today, I give it till 2pm then I have to go do what I need to do. She is never this late, maybe she is on holidays and someone else is doing her route and they are doing it backwards.
 
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Its finally here, and my god I see what people were talking about with the fit and finish on the EJ89L. I looked as hard as I could to find something, but shy of a microscope I don't think I ever will. Unfortunately I shave yesterday so I will have to wait till tomorrow to give it its maiden voyage across my face. I like the smell of the balm to so I am a happy shopper so far. I got a pen and a couple of little samples in the box as well.
 
Arn't you glad you were talked out of the wieshi. It's so shiny! Good luck tomorrow.

if you got the Cremo Creme sample, I found it liked lots of water. I didn't really like it, but I've used it a few times to add into lather that was too wet.
 
Well I can't really say the the 89L is better then the Weishi, because I have never tried one. For all I know it could have been the perfect razor for my face. I doubt that I will ever find out though because I am happy with my purchase as it is. I don't think I will turn into a DE collector so if anything I think the most I will do is buy a second 89L or similar razor for travel. I will however be checking out different soaps, so I think I will end up with a cabinet full of shave soaps:o
 
unky_gumbi said:
Well I can't really say the the 89L is better then the Weishi, because I have never tried one. For all I know it could have been the perfect razor for my face. I doubt that I will ever find out though because I am happy with my purchase as it is. I don't think I will turn into a DE collector so if anything I think the most I will do is buy a second 89L or similar razor for travel. I will however be checking out different soaps, so I think I will end up with a cabinet full of shave soaps:o
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Don't limit yourself to just one razor, as each one does shave differently. I'm not really turning into a collector, either, as I plan on using every DE and str8 razor that I keep. That being said, I am keeping:
  • my fat handle Tech, as it is a nice mild shave
  • 1 Super Speed. I currently have 5, and have found the one that works for me. The rest are going on theBay as soon as I find my camera to take pics.
  • either my Fat Boy, or my Super Slim Adjustable. I can't decide which I like more, as they both shave differently.

I plan on buying the EJ89L also, and then I may even sell my fat handle tech or Super Speed, once I find where the EJ89L fits. And yes, you will probably end up with many soaps/creams and aftershave balms, etc.
 
I went out to Lee Valley yesterday to buy belts for my little 30X1 grinder, yes its the only place I can find them locally and decided to try find a mug for making lather. I hit every store I could think of on the way with no luck at finding what I was looking for. Lee Valley is right next to Walmart so I went in a looked there too. Didn't find what I was looking for but I did find a substitute to last till I find just the right thing.

While at Walmart I noticed that they sold 2 types of shave soap for dirt cheap, Wilkinson Sword, and Williams Mug Shaving soap. For the all of $4 it would cost me for I said what the heck and bought them both. I can remember my father using Williams when I was a kid. I did a little test lather with them and don't think either will be replacing the porarso and time soon. I do like the sent of the Wilkinson soap, and the Williams brings back good memories so even though I don't think I will be using them the $4 was worth it as a bathroom freshener and memory stimulator.

I started looking at other razors last night too, not sure what I will get yet but I am looking and reading reviews
 
Munky88 said:
Williams was reformulated since the good 'ol days. notoriously hard to lather well.
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That's interesting. The Williams we get in Europe is menthol and produces rather 'watery' style of lather. It claims (in 3 languages)to be for use with a brush, but frankly, I suspect it's brushless due to its lacklustre foam:eek: They even recommend you wet the face,put the lather on and brush it on your face! Guarantees slop:barf: But, it does smell rather good:thumbup:
 
I bought it just because it was cheap and the smell brought back memories. It isn't an exact smell as i remember it but it is close enough. It does make a watery lather and I don't think I will ever use it unless really pressed but it does make a nice bathroom deodorizer with a manly scent.
 
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