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Beginner help. What shaving accessories should try to start my DE safety razor journey?

C

Cardinalcin

New Member
Hello all. Brand new to this forum and brand new to DE safety razor shaving. After getting tired of the quality of my cartridge razor subscription, I decided to jump into the DE safety razor world. I bought and used for the first-time last week a Merkur 34c with a Merkur. Bought a sample razor pack online and gave it a go. Was happy with my initial shave but do realize my technique needs improving. I used just a shave gel from an aerosol can (like I have done for many years). However, the more I research online, the more I find that those products are not good for wet shaving as the can introduces too much air and the lubrication properties are decreased. Everything points to using a shaving soap or shaving cream used in a bowl and creating a lather with a brush. So now to my title question. Where do I start with soap/creams. Looking online, I find my options overwhelming. I have tried looking for a "starter kit" that would include a brush, bowl, and soap/cream, but I have had very little luck finding a kit with all three. Should I be looking for a soap or a cream? The videos I have seen online usually show a cream being used in a bowl to build a lather. Soaps are usually talked about in a similar fashion, but no one discusses the after care for soaps. Are they lathered in their tins? Are they entirely placed in a bowl for the life of their use? Are they rinsed off (whether in the tin or in the bowl) once shaving is completed? I have read about 3 options for brushes (beaver, boar, synthetic). Sounds like its user preference. With all these options, that I why I was hoping to find an easy starting point with a kit and then expanding from there after putting more shaves under my belt. I am sorry for rambling, but to appreciate any information and tips anyone provides.

Thanks,
 
High their, Cardinalcin. Welcome to the world of wet shaving. I am 75 and started using carts when the Trac // first appeared. I upgraded to the Atra, Sensor, Mach 3, and finally the Fusion. That is when I gave up carts. I just couldn't see paying the price, and I got out before they eventually got up to 6 blade carts. I discovered vintage razors and never looked back. My first was a 1946-47 Gillette Aristocrat that I picked up for about $20. Now I have over 150 DE, SE, injector, and straight razors. I have a lifetime supply of soaps, creams, and blades. I also started making shaving brushes in December 2014. I have made 445 brushes so far.
I used to use a bowl to build lather, but I have learned to skip that step and just go straight to the face to build lather. All my bowls are now containers to hold shaving stuff. I have also adopted a cold water shaving routine year round. I will wet my face with cold water and rub the puck or stick right on the face and build the lather there. It doesn't take long, and I end up with enough lather for two or three passes. I quit chasing the baby years ago, and I only to two pass shaves now. For creams, I will take a dollop and smear it on the face and then build the lather. For soaps that are in a container, I will load the brush for about 8 swirls and then go straight to the face. You can see many of my shaves on YouTube. Here is a recent shave.
 
Welcome.
Most important thing is get a shavingsoap/cream, and get a brush. Brush can be anything, as long as intended for shaving, but keep in mind: boar will take a while to break in. You don't need an expensive brush. There's great synthetics around.
I do not like shavingbowls. I just go directly to the face: get enough soap in the brush and just swirl around on the wet face. That will build lather in a jiffy, and the advantage is you spend more time getting soap and lather in the facial hair, making it easier to shave them.
For the rest: stick with one razor/blade combination for a while until your technique has developed a bit. There will be time enough to join us that have hundreds of the things afterwards :)
 
Thanks for the replies gents. Looks like I need to just "jump in" and try something. Have a cheap brush and a non-aerosol cream on order.
 
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