Taking the plunge

M

MODCOBRA

Joined
Jun 25, 2012
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18
As many have noted about the expense of cartridge razors, and the pleasurable shaving experience of D/E, I have ordered some products. I have been reading posts and suggestions on here and watching vids on you-tube and have decided to try the following:

Vulfix 2234S Super Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L Razor, Lined Chrome
DE Blade Sampler Pack, Choice
Proraso Shaving Cream Soap

The only thing I am not sure is whether the Proraso is a soft cream or hard soap. (I guess I will find out when it gets here)

Still having found a holder or bowl, yet, but the search continues.

Sound good enough to get me started?

Thanks,
Ben
 
Those are good choices :D It looks like you did some research, which is good. People have different preferences of bowls. Some people just use a regular mug or cereal bowl. I have a handmade scuttle and a cheap stainless steel bowl I bought on Amazon. Both work just fine, to be honest. As far as stands/holders go, I can only talk about the one I own, since it's the only one I've ever used. But I like it a lot. It's an Edwin Jagger Chrome stand. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Very stable and classy-looking, if you ask me.

11Z1sExh3gL.jpg


I can give you some good advice to avoid unnecessary frustration and skin irritation if you'd like. Just send me a PM. If not, no worries.
 
MODCOBRA said:
As many have noted about the expense of cartridge razors, and the pleasurable shaving experience of D/E, I have ordered some products. I have been reading posts and suggestions on here and watching vids on you-tube and have decided to try the following:

Vulfix 2234S Super Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L Razor, Lined Chrome
DE Blade Sampler Pack, Choice
Proraso Shaving Cream Soap

The only thing I am not sure is whether the Proraso is a soft cream or hard soap. (I guess I will find out when it gets here)

Still having found a holder or bowl, yet, but the search continues.

Sound good enough to get me started?

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...

Some real good choices, almost the exact same things I started out with, but I started with a boar brush and graduated to a badger brush. The Proraso comes in 3 flavors, cream, in a tube a soft soap in a plastic bowl and a foam. the cream and soap work equally well and provide an easy to make lather, I have never tried the canned foam. I find the Proraso soaps and creams to be good enough that I always have some of each on hand
 
Thanks for the responses. I made most of my choices from the recommendations that you two were giving in some other threads...:)

I ordered the Proraso Shaving Cream Soap, Menthol and Eucalyptus, 150g Tub. It is a green tub and appears to be plastic. It was $8.99. All products were from WCS.

Mag...I really like that chrome stand. I have that one on my short list. Thanks. Check ur pm's.
 
That sounds like a good kit. You'll do just fine. As to a bowl, you probably already have one; you just need to move it from the kitchen to the bathroom.
 
I have a footed pewter bowl, I believe it is referred to as a Revere bowl, that is ideal for making lather with shaving creams. I found it at an antique store for cheap.

You are off to a great start.
 
Today I bought a Gillette X-3 Super Speed DE for $4 and a hardright anchorset brush with good, long, clean bristles for $3. I plan on buying some Proraso soap and a blade sample pack as well. I plan on learning how to properly use it, so that I never have the cheesy teenage moustache look.
 
Got my goodies in the mail today. The EJ89L is a work of art. The Proraso cream is soft cream. Wasn't sure which I ordered. Couple of questions: Any thing I should be doing to the new brush beside soaking in hot water? and which of the sampler razor blades should I start with being the first time? Astra, Derby, Personna, Feather or Crystal? Hope someone is on and can give me some advice....anxious to get started.

Thanks,
Ben
 
Feather is the sharpest, derby is the dullest, so set those aside and take your pick of the rest to start. I like the Astra's in my Gillette super speed, but also the feathers do well for me.

To kill two birds with one stone, getting the funk out of the brush and build skill, make some lather. Several bowls worth. It should be glossy, smooth, hold itself up with stiff peaks like a meringue, no visable bubbles and not dry out. It should feel like it has some "substance" to it, not like an air filled foam. It should provide lubrication and cushion.

Look up the videos on youtube by mantic59 I think it is. Lots of good info.


-Xander
 
Thanks for the reply. I was hoping someone would chime in tonight so I could get started tomorrow morning.

Ben
 
A little tip, the C.O. Bigelow shave cream you get at Bath & Body Works is just rebranded Proraso. So if you have a mall near by you can get it locally for $10 and pick something up for the wife/girlfriend (or both!) while you're there. Also the Van der Hagen brand soaps you find at the grocery store and Target aren't half bad. Also, Real Shave Co. is another decent cream you can get at walgreens and such for $4.

So, you can try some different ones without having to pay shipping or waiting. I like to use Nivea Sensitive Skin aftershave balm I get at Target. Lots of good stuff can be found at your normal shopping stops.


-Xander
 
MODCOBRA said:
Got my goodies in the mail today. The EJ89L is a work of art. The Proraso cream is soft cream. Wasn't sure which I ordered. Couple of questions: Any thing I should be doing to the new brush beside soaking in hot water? and which of the sampler razor blades should I start with being the first time? Astra, Derby, Personna, Feather or Crystal? Hope someone is on and can give me some advice....anxious to get started.

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...

I have the same brush, and the first time I used it, I just soaked it in hot (not boiling) water while I prepped my beard for just a few minutes. As for the blade, I recommend starting with the feather because it is the sharpest. Others will tell you to do the exact opposite. It just depends on who you want to listen to. Great minds may disagree. :D

My reasoning is as follows:

1. If you start with the sharpest blade, it will force you to hone your technique, which is the most important part of shaving. If you have been cartridge shaving for years or decades, your muscles and your mind will have to "unlearn" habits and techniques. As long as you have done your homework and watched all the videos (and it sounds like you have), you don't have to be afraid of feathers. They are just blades, after all, and in a DE razor, they won't hurt you unless you use improper technique. Go slow, focus on using very light pressure and correct blade angle (30 degrees to your face), and be constantly aware of what your face is telling you. Don't be afraid to stop at any moment if you're feeling irritation or feel like you're going to cut yourself.

2. By most accounts, going from sharpest to dullest is a shallower learning curve than going from dullest to sharpest. In other words, people who cut themselves with feathers tend to be those who move "up" to feathers. If you start with feathers and perfect the technique of wet shaving, going "down" to Astras, for example (which is what I did), is a breeze. Others might disagree with that assessment based on their own experience, so again, use your best judgement.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
Well.....this morning, I jumped right in. I started with the red Personnas for no particular reason. Not having practiced with lather making, this was really my only troubling item. First too dry, then too wet, then.....just about right....took awhile. I will be practicing more on the lather making this evening. Bottom line....the shave was baby bottom smooth, 2 passes, and absolutely no nicks and no razor burn. To me it was not just shaving but more of an experience. Really enjoyed my first D/E shave.
One other thing........do you tear the razor down each time to let it dry??
Thanks everyone for the great comments and suggestions,
Ben
 
Last edited:
Magnaminous_G said:
I have the same brush, and the first time I used it, I just soaked it in hot (not boiling) water while I prepped my beard for just a few minutes. As for the blade, I recommend starting with the feather because it is the sharpest. Others will tell you to do the exact opposite. It just depends on who you want to listen to. Great minds may disagree. :D

My reasoning is as follows:

1. If you start with the sharpest blade, it will force you to hone your technique, which is the most important part of shaving. If you have been cartridge shaving for years or decades, your muscles and your mind will have to "unlearn" habits and techniques. As long as you have done your homework and watched all the videos (and it sounds like you have), you don't have to be afraid of feathers. They are just blades, after all, and in a DE razor, they won't hurt you unless you use improper technique. Go slow, focus on using very light pressure and correct blade angle (30 degrees to your face), and be constantly aware of what your face is telling you. Don't be afraid to stop at any moment if you're feeling irritation or feel like you're going to cut yourself.

2. By most accounts, going from sharpest to dullest is a shallower learning curve than going from dullest to sharpest. In other words, people who cut themselves with feathers tend to be those who move "up" to feathers. If you start with feathers and perfect the technique of wet shaving, going "down" to Astras, for example (which is what I did), is a breeze. Others might disagree with that assessment based on their own experience, so again, use your best judgement.

Good luck and enjoy!
Click to expand...
I totally agree with your assessment. It is my understanding the the Red Personnas are pretty sharp also. I just took my time and let the razor do the work. I am 63 years young, and to be honest, I never really knew how to shave. The vids and suggestions I have received were priceless.

Thanks for your time,
Ben
 
MODCOBRA said:
One other thing........do you tear the razor down each time to let it dry??
Thanks everyone for the great comments and suggestions,
Ben
Click to expand...

I don't until I am ready for a blade change. About once a week I clean my razors with Scrubbing Bubbles. I do apply 91 percent alcohol to the razor after I am done with them. A quick dry with a clean towel and they get hung back up to air dry the rest of the way.
 
MODCOBRA said:
One other thing........do you tear the razor down each time to let it dry??
Click to expand...

I just blow it out. I only use my blades for 3 shaves (they are cheap, so I don't try to extend their life), but leaving droplets on the edge is bad. I just give it a good blast of air, check that there are no water droplets on the edge, and then put it on the stand to air dry.
 
MODCOBRA said:
One other thing........do you tear the razor down each time to let it dry??
Thanks everyone for the great comments and suggestions,
Ben
Click to expand...

I just run it under the cold water tap, give it a light flick to get rid of most of the water, and put it up again.
 
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