Hey Guys-
After reading the wetshaving thread you guys got me very interested. Before now I have always used regular disposables or electronic shaver. Anyways, today I decided to go to Sally's because all of the other stores I checked did not have them. They had one with a plastic handle, so for my first razor this is what I got, along with 5 Personna blades. Well, while I was shaving I found it to be very painful. Not the kind of pain from hairs ripping out, but just the feeling of the the blade running across my skin in general. The blades seem very sharp and everything. Does anyone have this happen to them before, maybe I did something wrong, or maybe it is just my skin is not used to it? Thank you in advance!
Tommy
[Reply]

Shaving with single or double edge razor takes more technique than scraping a disposable across your face. Check out Mantic59's videos on youtube. Also If you seriously want to try this out you'll want to pick up a better razor, either a Merkur, or vintage Gillette. I can personally recommend WestCoastShaving.com & VintageBladesLLC.com. Also skip over to BadgerAndBlade.com the guys there are friendly and always ready to help out a new wet shaver.
[Reply]

Excuse me while I climb onto my soap box.

I have a merkur that I rarely use. I went to the straight razor about four years ago and haven't looked back.
1) Good prep is as important as lighting a cigar to smoke it.
2) Angle is everything in straight or DE shaving
3) Stretch the skin to make it taught
4) I make two passes WTG and ATG
5) use a good soap or cream, a can and a sink is not wet shaving. I like CO Bigelow from bath and body also love The Gentlemans Quarter from Colleen in West Virgina. I like a badger brush but a boar brush will work..
6) a cold rinse and a good after shave are also very important.

If you are interested in the straight razor look into Straight Razor Place.

Don
[Reply]

Thanks so much guys!
[Reply]

Hmmm...I've always hated shaving, with an electric, or disposable blades....might have to look into this...
[Reply]

You should, Marc. It changed the way I feel about shaving. I have super sensitive skin, and all that was remedied by switching to DE shaving.

I definitely cannot go against the grain like some of you can :-) I don't know how ya'll do it.
[Reply]

A good shaving soap or cream, along with a decent badger hair brush makes all the difference in the world and isn't that expensive. Although many spend quite a bit for their brushes, I use a relatively inexpensive one and am quite happy with it.

You can keep it simple and grab a DE blade, soap/cream and brush and have a great shave. Or you can make it a new hobby and really invest in an assortment of stuff. I keep it simple and invest in cigars. :-)
[Reply]