The Mentored Shave

MadsL · 11-06-2011 06:13PM #1

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 · 13-06-2011 10:21PM

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 · 13-06-2011 10:47PM

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 · 13-06-2011 11:09PM

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 · 14-06-2011 09:23AM

I've got some spare styptic matches.

Amalgam · 14-06-2011 10:55AM

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 · 14-06-2011 02:59PM

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 · 14-06-2011 05:26PM

, 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 · 15-06-2011 03:46PM

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

Sofaspud · 15-06-2011 08:18PM

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 · 19-06-2011 12:37PM

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 · 19-06-2011 06:11PM

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

Amalgam · 19-06-2011 06:27PM

Dord · 20-06-2011 05:18PM

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 · 20-06-2011 05:20PM

Amalgam wrote: »

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

MadsL · 20-06-2011 11:16PM

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 · 21-06-2011 04:59AM

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 · 05-07-2011 06:24PM

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 · 06-07-2011 07:55PM

Bumpage...

hitemfrank · 06-07-2011 08:08PM

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 · 06-07-2011 11:35PM

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 · 07-07-2011 01:10PM

Pole added

:pac:

MadsL · 11-07-2011 10:11PM

^

Genius

Buford T Justice · 16-07-2011 02:35PM

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 · 20-07-2011 11:52PM

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

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

Buford T Justice · 21-07-2011 12:29AM

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

MadsL · 21-07-2011 08:14PM

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

Ordering now..:)

hitemfrank · 21-07-2011 08:47PM

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 · 25-07-2011 09:15PM

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 · 25-07-2011 09:28PM

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 · 25-07-2011 10:51PM

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.

The Mentored Shave

Which razor should be chosen? 4 votes

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