what to buy for someone starting out

fitzcoff

My husband bought a cheap boots safety razor over the weekend and can't believe the difference with this and the gillette etc he has used over years. He was well impressed with it.

I'm thinking of buying him a proper safety razor for Father's day, and was looking through some of the threads here.

I was thinking of getting him this but obviously I haven't a clue what is good/bad.

http://www.shaving.ie/products/The-Basic-Essentials-Safety-Razor-Starter-Kit.html

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Gran Hermano

There is method to our madness
Glad to hear your husband is enjoying the switch to DE shaving so far.

The key items he will need are as follows:
DE razor. The Merkur 34c is often recommended as a old starter razor. The Muhle R89 is another good choice. The Muhle looks better but both shave equally well and are forgiving enough when learning.

Blades: Pick a sampler pack. Different people with different skin and stubble find different blades work best for them. The Personna or Astra blades are a good starting point.

Brush: Two main types available, badger or boar hair. Boar tends to be cheaper. Best bet would be to spend around 20 on a brush and then let him invest in another if he feels it worthwhile later.

Shaving cream or soap: Both have the same function and replace the canned foams and gel. They offer better lubrication and protection. Proraso is a old starting point. Creams tend to be easier to lather when staring out.

Styptic pencil: Dampen the end and apply to any nicks or cuts you're bound to have when starting. Much more effective tha sticking bits of tissue to your face.


The starter kit you linked covers most of the above.

fitzcoff

Thanks for that. Great information there.

I'll prob go ahead and get the starter kit at least that way he can try a few blades and see what suits him best.

hitemfrank

One thing to think about is, are there any scents that you know he likes?

If you can find a cream or soap similar/the same he may start to enjoy the shaving process even more.

fitzcoff

hitemfrank wrote: »

One thing to think about is, are there any scents that you know he likes?

If you can find a cream or soap similar/the same he may start to enjoy the shaving process even more.

I just assumed that they would all smell the same, you know like all the shaving foams seem to have the same horrible smell;)

I'll have to look it to that. thanks

MadsL

fitzcoff wrote: »

I just assumed that they would all smell the same, you know like all the shaving foams seem to have the same horrible smell;)

I'll have to look it to that. thanks

You have a whole world of olfactory goodness to look forward to, a world away from those poxy foams and gels.

mad m

Also don't forget that putting boards.ie in coupon box gives you a little discount....Thanks to Shaving.ie for boards members.

fitzcoff

I have just placed my order. I went with the beginners set with the Muhle R89.

Hopefully he'll like it.

Thanks for the help, and the discount code

TheDoc

Looking to make the plunge myself and that starter kit looks decent. Dont want to invest to heavily ( was looking at the luxury set) but dont want to drop €100 on something I might not like

h57xiucj2z946q

Im like TheDoc, want to start out.

Here is my wish-list (prices from shaving.ie):

Proraso Pre and Post Shaving Cream €7.95
Muhle R89 Classic Razor €31.95
Proraso Shaving Cream New Formula €6.95
Pure Badger Black Shaving Brush €19.95
Styptic Pencil €1.95
Two Of A Kind DE Blade Sample Pack €6.95

Subtotal: €75.70
Coupon Remove: -€3.80
Estimate Shipping & Tax
Shipping (An Post Express with Tracking): €5.95
Grand Total incl VAT: €77.85


Comments and suggestions please.

hitemfrank

Alejandra Ambitious Bassist wrote: »

Im like TheDoc, want to start out.

Here is my wish-list (prices from shaving.ie):

Proraso Pre and Post Shaving Cream €7.95
Muhle R89 Classic Razor €31.95
Proraso Shaving Cream New Formula €6.95
Pure Badger Black Shaving Brush €19.95
Styptic Pencil €1.95
Two Of A Kind DE Blade Sample Pack €6.95

Subtotal: €75.70
Coupon Remove: -€3.80
Estimate Shipping & Tax
Shipping (An Post Express with Tracking): €5.95
Grand Total incl VAT: €77.85


Comments and suggestions please.

That kit should be fine. The only thing I would add to it would be an alum block and maybe an aftershave. Aftershaves are a personal thing so even pick up a Nivea sensitive balm from Boots or the likes. Although the Proraso pre/post would probably work for that (I've never used it)


The initial price may seem like a lot but if it's something you do end up liking (and can control yourself) you should never really need to pick up another razor or brush if you look after them.

A years supply of blades can be had for as little as €12 depending on which brand you end up liking. The cream will last a few months of daily shaving too I'd say.


Or if you want an even cheaper entry shaving.ie have an economy starter set.

h57xiucj2z946q

Thanks for your reply.

I usually use the King of Shaves After shave balm you can see here: http://sharpologist.com/2012/07/4-face-freezing-aftershave-balms.html
I get it from Boots.

Is the Proraso pre/post cream good for post shave anyone? Or maybe I will stick with the balm above.

I normally use King of Shaves AlphaOil http://www.kingofshavesdirect.com/AlphaOil-Shave-Oil-PUK_AOUM/ or this one http://www.kingofshavesdirect.com/Kinexium-Shave-Oil-PUK_KINXO/ on the bottle it says you can use in combination with gel/foam, so I guess this could be used in combination with the Proraso shaving cream.

Do you think that brush is ok, or should I go for a less expensive Boar one ?

Gran Hermano

Stick with the badger, it will lather creams easier than a boar when learning.
Boars take a while to break in.

The pre and post creams are not a must have, I only use a couple of times a month as a pre shave treatment if I have more than one day of stubble. If you have a shower first or use a hot face cloth you can skip the preshave creams. I also find them too heavy for my skin as a post shave, stick with the balm you have if it is working for you.

Don't bother with the shaving oils, you'll have enough protection and lubrication with the Prorasso and the oil could gunk up razor and brush and cause razor to slip.

hitemfrank

Yeah, I'd imagine you should be able to use them no problem with the Proraso shave cream (or take Gran Hermano's advice here, I've not used a pre shave in a few years). But if you already have an aftershave balm you like I'd stick with that. There is no point throwing in even more new products when you have a post shave you like. You can always pick up a different one in future if you want.

As for the brush, I started out with that brush and it was a good brush but eventually I ended up getting a different badger brush. I didn't quite like the feel of the brush on my face (a bit too prickly for me). The badger brush I got was silvertip grade hair which has very soft tips.


Now boar brushes I've got 4 of (remember I mentioned controlling yourself, well I failed on that front). Boar brushes are generally cheap and they take a bit of time to break in. After repeated uses the bristles will get split ends and the tips become nice and soft. Personally I would swap the badger brush you're looking at and get one of these. It's a great brush for using with creams.

But it is personal preference and most people tend to start with a badger brush as there is no break in period for the hair.

Gran Hermano

I have over a dozen brushes and about a third of them are boar. High mountain or two band badger are probably my favourite but a broken in boar will work great, especially with soaps.

The Semogue 2000 I have has great bristles and and has aged brilliantly after a few years the only problem is that early models didn't have great varnish on the handle. I have the boar hitemfrank linked and its a nice brush - mine sheds a bit though. There is a similar Omega boar worth looking at http://www.shaving.ie/products/Omega-31064-Shaving-Brush.html

Badger brushes will lather easier than boars and I also find they keep the lather warmer.
My advice would be to not worry too much about your first brush and in a few months pick up a nice badger from the likes of New Forest Shaving Brushes.