Where to start?

Genghiz Cohen

Could we get a sticky of where to start with proper shaving with safety razors?

I'm interested but have to start from scratch and have no idea about any brands or anything.

I can't be the only one!

Sean Quagmire

There are threads running here that are packed with info.

You wont go wrong with any razor you buy on shaving.ie. There are about 3 or 4 brands but all are great qaulity and are used the exact same way.

same applies to the creams/brushes.

youtube is full of instructional videos too - search 'mantic59'

source

+1 on mantic59's videos, they're great and you'll learn a lot from them.

Shaving.ie

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Could we get a sticky of where to start with proper shaving with safety razors?

I'm interested but have to start from scratch and have no idea about any brands or anything.

I can't be the only one!

Here are some useful tips on getting started.

Learning about good preparation and technique:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Good Razors to start with:
Merkur 42c 1904, Merkur 34C, Mühle R89, R106 or Merkur Progress

Shaving Brush:
The two types are typically boar and badger. Boar brushes are cheaper and work very well however many prefer badger as it is softer and the properties of the hair are generally considered to be better for lathering. In the end it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend. You can get a decent boar for around €10

Shaving Creams & Soaps:
Proraso in a bowl is a simple to lather no fuss shaving cream which comes in 2 varieties and lasts a long time. Simply load a brush with warm water give it a little shake and start swirling it in the bowl until you reach a point where you have a right combination of water and cream producing a perfect lather. There are lots of creams, scents and brands to choose from and generally speaking Proraso, Taylors, Trumpers, D.R. Harris would be considered to be of good quality. There are different ways to lather a cream and it just takes a bit of experimentation to find which you prefer.

Razor blades:
It is best to get a sample pack of blades before you commit to one brand. Each brand of blade will have different characteristics and only by trying them out will you know what works best for you.

A Razor, blades, Brush, Cream or Soap and some hot water and you are all set.:)

Genghiz Cohen

Shaving.ie wrote: »

Here are some useful tips on getting started.

Learning about good preparation and technique:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Good Razors to start with:
Merkur 42c 1904, Merkur 34C, Mühle R89, R106 or Merkur Progress

Shaving Brush:
The two types are typically boar and badger. Boar brushes are cheaper and work very well however many prefer badger as it is softer and the properties of the hair are generally considered to be better for lathering. In the end it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend. You can get a decent boar for around €10

Shaving Creams & Soaps:
Proraso in a bowl is a simple to lather no fuss shaving cream which comes in 2 varieties and lasts a long time. Simply load a brush with warm water give it a little shake and start swirling it in the bowl until you reach a point where you have a right combination of water and cream producing a perfect lather. There are lots of creams, scents and brands to choose from and generally speaking Proraso, Taylors, Trumpers, D.R. Harris would be considered to be of good quality. There are different ways to lather a cream and it just takes a bit of experimentation to find which you prefer.

Razor blades:
It is best to get a sample pack of blades before you commit to one brand. Each brand of blade will have different characteristics and only by trying them out will you know what works best for you.

A Razor, blades, Brush, Cream or Soap and some hot water and you are all set.:)

Someone sticky this post for all eternity, it's exactaly what I wanted!
Thanks!

vicky86

Shaving.ie wrote: »

Here are some useful tips on getting started.

Learning about good preparation and technique:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Good Razors to start with:
Merkur 42c 1904, Merkur 34C, Mühle R89, R106 or Merkur Progress

Shaving Brush:
The two types are typically boar and badger. Boar brushes are cheaper and work very well however many prefer badger as it is softer and the properties of the hair are generally considered to be better for lathering. In the end it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend. You can get a decent boar for around €10

Shaving Creams & Soaps:
Proraso in a bowl is a simple to lather no fuss shaving cream which comes in 2 varieties and lasts a long time. Simply load a brush with warm water give it a little shake and start swirling it in the bowl until you reach a point where you have a right combination of water and cream producing a perfect lather. There are lots of creams, scents and brands to choose from and generally speaking Proraso, Taylors, Trumpers, D.R. Harris would be considered to be of good quality. There are different ways to lather a cream and it just takes a bit of experimentation to find which you prefer.

Razor blades:
It is best to get a sample pack of blades before you commit to one brand. Each brand of blade will have different characteristics and only by trying them out will you know what works best for you.

A Razor, blades, Brush, Cream or Soap and some hot water and you are all set.:)

I have bought several Razor blades for my boyfriend. In fact, the brands is not important. The quality is my first concern. Do you agree with me?

Cabaal

vicky86 wrote: »

I have bought several Razor blades for my boyfriend. In fact, the brands is not important. The quality is my first concern. Do you agree with me?

Brand can matter as some brands are better then others but then a blade thats good for one person may not be good for another.

I personally find Derbys fine where as some people hate them, some people find Gillette great but I don't so there you go

Jip

And just to add, you don't necessarily need a shaving brush, I've been DE shaving for a good while and don't use one. I personally don't feel the need and don't see any additional benefits, but again it's a personal thing, some people thing the more lather the better, others, well me anyway, think all the extra lather is just a waste as there's only a finite amount that comes in contact with your skin.

MediaTank

Shaving.ie wrote: »

Here are some useful tips on getting started.

Learning about good preparation and technique:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Good Razors to start with:
Merkur 42c 1904, Merkur 34C, Mühle R89, R106 or Merkur Progress

Shaving Brush:
The two types are typically boar and badger. Boar brushes are cheaper and work very well however many prefer badger as it is softer and the properties of the hair are generally considered to be better for lathering. In the end it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend. You can get a decent boar for around €10

Shaving Creams & Soaps:
Proraso in a bowl is a simple to lather no fuss shaving cream which comes in 2 varieties and lasts a long time. Simply load a brush with warm water give it a little shake and start swirling it in the bowl until you reach a point where you have a right combination of water and cream producing a perfect lather. There are lots of creams, scents and brands to choose from and generally speaking Proraso, Taylors, Trumpers, D.R. Harris would be considered to be of good quality. There are different ways to lather a cream and it just takes a bit of experimentation to find which you prefer.

Razor blades:
It is best to get a sample pack of blades before you commit to one brand. Each brand of blade will have different characteristics and only by trying them out will you know what works best for you.

A Razor, blades, Brush, Cream or Soap and some hot water and you are all set.:)

Great advice. To make is easier to start, I would suggest the the Merkur Progress is the razor to buy and should be the only razor you will ever need to buy. Just make sure to set it to 1 when learing to use a DE razor. Secondly, avoid soaps as it takes longer to master how much soap you need to build good lather, stick to a quality cream. I'd recommend any of the so called 3 T's (Trumper, Taylor and Truefitt & Hill). Taylor's Avocado is very good to start with - it builds great lather and is very gentle on the skin. While on the subject of creams go for a tube rather than a bowl as it's easier to dispense the requisite almond sized amount of cream that way. As for brushes go for badger (any grade) over boar and the softer the better. Badger brushes are much easier to build quality lather with. Lastly, I'd also give serious consideration to buying a styptic pencil and/or an alum block in case of cuts and nicks while you are learning how to shave with a DE razor.

MT

Cabaal

MediaTank wrote: »

Secondly, avoid soaps as it takes longer to master how much soap you need to build good lather, stick to a quality cream.

I';d disagree, the Proraso soap is excellent and actually takes less time to lather then cream. Plus you don't need a bowl or anything extra to create the lather

MediaTank

Cabaal wrote: »

I';d disagree, the Proraso soap is excellent and actually takes less time to lather then cream. Plus you don't need a bowl or anything extra to create the lather

Fair enough, Proaso soap I have not tried, but the other 30+ that I have that was the case.

oscarBravo

I've only used Proraso soap since I started. I'll probably add a cream to go with my new scuttle when it arrives.

I second the suggestion of an alum block - I use mine after every shave, whether I have any nicks or not, just for the nice feeling. I also highly recommend a styptic pencil for those gushers that the alum doesn't deal with...