The Mentored Shave

MadsL

Prompted by yet another thread about finding an alternative to the M3/Cartridge got me thinking again about an idea that I had to help newbies along the way. So, I have a small proposal for the members of this forum. I propose that we put together a starter pack of recommended shaving items (razor, brush, blades and soap) and a set of recommended reading for beginners.

I am prepared to donate (pledge) the razor (I suggest maybe one of the Timor TTO razors or the Merkur 42/1904) - I'm looking to other members to donate (or pledge) the other items. Remember that anything you donate should be suitable for a newbie.

I suggest that this pack is sent to the willing newbie, and that the forum provides 'mentoring' support through this forum. The conditions are that the pack is then passed on to the next newbie after 30 shaves or 6 weeks whichever is the sooner (the brush + blades will need to be replaced by the last owner as it is difficult to sterilise brushes - google 'tinea barbae' - the razor can be boiled sterilised before shipping off to the next newb)
I would hope they would also post describing what they learnt along the way.

If this gets off the ground I'll also put together a newbie straight razor package.

Supporters and first newbie volunteers required. Who's in?

Dord

Sounds like a good idea. I don't have anything to give away at this time but I'm interested to see if this takes off.

I know there are a bunch of people out there who are feeling the pinch and certainly shaving using cartridge razors is a big hit. For someone else to make the initial outlay for DE shaving it would be very beneficial. After that all you'd need would be blades (very cheap) and soap/cream (also cheap).

hitemfrank

How good are the Men-U boar shave brushes you can pick up in Boots? That would be an easy way for the person who receives the package to replace the brush because they should be available in just about every Boots store.

Although for pretty much the same price you could probably pick up a Semogue boar which I would have to imagine would be a better brush.

I could provide DE blades if needed. I think I have 6 or 7 different brands.


Also, you can pick up Palmollive shave sticks for about 70 cent in Tesco. I could also provide one if necessary.

MadsL

Some good reviews of the Men-U so we may have a winner!!
http://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5465
Apparantly it is a rebranded Omega. Not bad for £10 - comes with shave soap too - anyone tried the soap?

So razor & blades sorted, so we need four pledgers to pledge €3 towards €12 for the brush and we are in business. Anyone??

Also any other bits needed? Styptic matches would be a nice thing to add.

Edit: Thanks to Hitemfrank for the offer on the palmolive - good call. That gives both creme and soap options.

Giant Kiwi

I've got some spare styptic matches.

Amalgam

Nice idea, hopefully we won't be made eejits of by some grabby D'Unbelievable..

I can donate a puck or two of Williams shaving soap. It won't kill me to post them, I guess.

hitemfrank

Williams shave soap? Is the point of this not to try convert someone to wetshaving and not to have them frustrated trying to generate lather?


Disclaimer: I have never tried Williams so cannot comment on it's ability to lather. This post is ust a general ribbing at the reputation Williams seems to carry.

MadsL

, hopefully we won't be made eejits of by some grabby D'Unbelievable..

Fair point as we are posting out some €50 worth plus of kit. Post count of 250 or six months good standing? Or do we need a bone fide from a mod/admin to qualify?

Regarding razor I'm going to order the Merkur (1904 for the old school look). Any dissent from regular DE heads (I'm strictly SE myself)

By the way I just found a supply of Barbacide so I can request a return to base and give a good disinfect before it goes to victim newbie#2

Dord

I'll speak to one of the lads behind the scenes about this.

Sofaspud

I'm a newbie to DE shaving, been at it a few months with an Edwin Jagger DE89l, and that seems to have a rep as a perfect newbie-friendly razor, works well enough for me anyway!

Although I've been using canned goo and a crappy cheap brush, but I have proper soap & badger on the way

hitemfrank

Dord wrote: »

I'll speak to one of the lads behind the scenes about this.

Any news on this?


I went to Tesco to pick up a Palmolive stick for whoever gets the stuff first (assuming it does happen) and got a bit carried away.



I'll be keeping 3 sticks and and the Wilkinson Sword soap. I might use the Palmolive cream once before sending it on.

Also for any people looking in here with interest - 4 Palmolive shave sticks would pobably last you about about 12 months. Not bad for €2.60 in total.

Amalgam

Put me down for blades and a tube of Erasmic. I may volunteer my Merkur Bakelite, if there's interest.

Amalgam

Dord

hitemfrank wrote: »

Any news on this?

Sorry, was mad busy with work for the last week. I'll write up something for them this evening and see what they think.

Dord

Amalgam wrote: »

Err... that looks like pretty much everything (except the brush or a bowl). Are you donating all this?? :eek:

MadsL

Hi All,

Apologies for the lack of updates, I'm in the UK for a family celebration (me ma is 80!!)

Nevertheless, I have just straight razor shaved my first two living volunteers, my brother first followed by his son. Not too shabby a job either. I picked up some Erasmic too, lovely lovely glyceriney and mentholy soap (at 1.89 or so - anyone want some?)


I'll be order the DE tomorrow, and it looks like we have most of what we need. Unless Amalgam is donating the bakerlite in which case I will furnish the brush. Let me know Amalgam.

Amalgam

Dord wrote: »

Err... that looks like pretty much everything (except the brush or a bowl). Are you donating all this?? :eek:

Dord, on the understanding that the razor will be used by more than one person\member, I presume that is the arrangement, from what I can tell..

Split the blade packs into 3 lots or something along those lines.

I don't have any brushes to donate. I tend to use budget brushes anyway. A Semogue 2000 boar brush and a €4 Wilkinson badger brush. I'm quite attached to them.

I had an idea to donate Monsavon and various other exotics, but what is the point of giving someone products they will not be able to follow up on easily, or at all.

At least with the above, a member can then gravitate towards shaving.ie\chemist\supermarket, if they're happy with the experience..

EDIT: MadsL, I'll go along with that.

The only reservation I have.. the Bakelite Merkur has a rather odd blade geometry, the razor head is inclined at a jaunty angle, or seems to be. I would say the experience, heh.. will be an intriguing one for someone starting out.

MadsL

OK folks, sorry for the delay - I'm ordering either this:

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Matt-Chrome-Timor-Safety-Razor.html

or

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Edwin-Jagger-DE86-Ebony.html

or

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Merkur-42-1904-Classic-Razor.html

Vote Now!! Can a mod add a Poll?

MadsL

Bumpage...

hitemfrank

I would think the Timor might be better for someone starting out, only because it's not a three piece razor so changing blades should be safer. Unless, of course, they are a bit clumsy but then there's nothing to help them


We still haven't been given the go ahead on this by the mods so I would wait on ordering it until we hear from them (unless you are planning to order something from there anyway).

Dord wrote: »

Sorry, was mad busy with work for the last week. I'll write up something for them this evening and see what they think.

So, eh, how did it go?

Shaving.ie

If it is being shipped around the Timor might not be a great choice as the hinges are more prone to damage than a standard 3 piece. If you are ordering a razor from me for this do drop me an email after with the order number and I will donate a few budget brushes to the cause.

Dord

Pole added



:pac:

MadsL

^

Genius

Buford T Justice

Guys, not sure if I'm being premature here, but I've never shaved with these razors and no nothing about it. I've only ever used an electric one or the disposable ridiculously overpriced ones. I take it that this is a change worth making?

If so, I'd like to put my name down for this as it would be completely new thing for me.

MadsL

Guys, poll closes tomorrow if you haven't voted.

Mr Justice, you are right on time to be candidate #1!

Buford T Justice

I would vote, but then I have no idea of what difference I'd be voting for, so its a spoiled vote.

MadsL

Looks like I have the casting vote: 1904 it is - I'm old school!!




Ordering now..:)

hitemfrank

I do like the look of those Merkur 1904's. I was temtped to pick one up at one point but got some vintage Gillettes instead.

MadsL

We have lift off. See what arrived today from Chris at Shaving.ie. I ordered a Merkur and got.....





Wow is all I can say!! Thank you so much to shaving.ie for supporting this. Please post below me Chris so that we can all hit the thanks button. I think we now have enough to run three mentored shave packs.

Here's what I suggest; we have one volunteer already so Pack 1- the Merkur goes out, along with a pack of Personnas and 7 O'Clocks, an Omega brush and a proraso soap. I'll lob in a styptic too.

Pack 2: If amalgam is still willing, the pack he suggested with the Bakerlite, I'll send him over an Omega brush and he can sent that on to participant #2

Pack 3: I suggest we (as some small payback to Chris) invite the newbie to choose a razor from Shaving.ie - once it arrives I'll send on blades, brush, soap selection (palmolive) from HitemFrank. Hopefully we end up with 3 different packs on the go to mentor.

If Giant Kiwi sends me on the styptic matches as well I'll distribute.

Dord - could you just check with an Admin that we are groovy to do a bit of a 'background check' to make sure our volunteers are boardsies in good standing. Thanks everyone. looking forward to this experiment.

Dord

Jeez! Nice one Chris!

Finally managed to pop a thread up behind the scenes to doublecheck. Will let you all know when I hear back.

hitemfrank

Once you have a name and address I'll send on the Palmolive stick and cream. I'll probably throw in some Trumpers samples I have too along with some other blades.

Shaving.ie

MadsL wrote: »

Thank you so much to shaving.ie for supporting this.

No worries

Smokeyskelton

Can this hairy newbie horn in on this shaving goodness? Long time lurker, and infrequent poster.

I'm into all things retro, and I'd love to try DE shaving (and maybe straight razor shaving if all goes well).

Also, I sincerely hate being gouged by Gillette for horrible cartridges, (and I detest all their ads). Breaking free from the chains of Gillette et al would be great.

So can I be a mentee, can I, can I?

p.s. I'm based in Dublin.

MadsL

Buford and Smokey up for #1, #2 - who will be next?

Smokeyskelton

Thank you kindly, sir.

I shall post on my experiences for the benefit of other newbs.

Smokey

Amalgam

MadsL You have PM..

I'm go with whatever I promised before, along with items listed in a PM to MadsL. I just need an address from him, or clarification on who's in line for the goodies. Cheers.

Giant Kiwi

Wow,

Madsl, pm me your postal and I'll fire off those styptics.
I've got a load of Supermax blades so I'l chuck in a couple of tucks of those.
Not a bad blade to learn on as they can be fairly forgiving. Unless you go sideways.

Giant Kiwi

Afternoon gents,

I posted on to Madsl; 3 books of styptic matches
6 tucks of Supermax Super Stainless blades
3 Styptic Pencils from Boots

I could've taken a picture but at 0430 in the morning I'm just too lazy.

MadsL

Buford and Smokey PM me across delivery details. Just waiting on a thumbs up from the admins (looks for white smoke) and we are set to go.

Buford T Justice

MadsL wrote: »

Buford and Smokey PM me across delivery details. Just waiting on a thumbs up from the admins (looks for white smoke) and we are set to go.

MadsL, you have a PM, or should do at any rate.

Can I ask, will there be instructions or such like on ways to use etc...? I've never shaved this way before.

MadsL

Hmm that's a good idea.

let's get you guys a starting point...

Lesson 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU

Lesson 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ezJNJfygw

Any questions so far..

MadsL

Giant Kiwi wrote: »

Afternoon gents,

I posted on to Madsl; 3 books of styptic matches
6 tucks of Supermax Super Stainless blades
3 Styptic Pencils from Boots

I could've taken a picture but at 0430 in the morning I'm just too lazy.

One of the things I love about boards is the generousity of spirit, and in this case generosity full stop. Cheers mate!

Buford T Justice

One question so far, which will most likely be answered later on, but what are styptic matches for?

MadsL

Styptic pencils and matches are used to seal any nicks or cuts. Used properly they can seal any small cut and stop bleeding almost instantly. They are made from various compunds of aluminum, being the most powerful coagulator known to man.

I used to go through a lot of styptic pencils as they tend to disintegrate when left wet. I used to dip them in the water then appy to my face, recap them and then the next time I needed them I would have a disintegrated lump. I soon learned that the best way was to wet the cut, or rub the stick at the tip with a wet finger and then make sure the stick was left to dry properly.

Styptic matches are a way around this, just a blob of styptic on the end of a matchstick. Dip in water, use then bin. They are also more hygenic (you should never share a styptic)

http://bestgroomingtools.com/styptic-matches-pack-pi-1052.html?image=0

Smokeyskelton

Hi Lads,

The videos look good, can't wait to give it a try.

My question was also to ask what the hell a styptic match was, thanks for elucidating!

I may well find a need for the styptic after my first DE shave. :eek:

Dord

Ok, so I checked about this and I think the only/main concern is regarding used items. Please make sure that only new & unused equipment is given to anyone participating in this. This is for safety reasons obviously.

MadsL

Dord wrote: »

Ok, so I checked about this and I think the only/main concern is regarding used items. Please make sure that only new & unused equipment is given to anyone participating in this. This is for safety reasons obviously.

Great stuff! Tally Ho!

hitemfrank

Let me know who I'm sending Palmolive stuff and blades too and I'll get them sent out next week.

gaza123

Hey lads. Great little thread. Can't believe an online community has banded together like this to help spread an artform. New de shaver myself. Would have signed up for this had I seen it sooner. But a bit of kit is in the post now anyway. Might throw a few questions or bits of wisdom I come across this way over the next while.

Ps, Chris is the man.

Buford T Justice

Just wondering if we are any closer to a go on this yet?

MadsL

Buford T Justice wrote: »

Just wondering if we are any closer to a go on this yet?

Keep an eye on the postman I was at the post office today

Lads - any suggested reading for Lesson 3??