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DE Newbie... - Badger & Blade
I have been wetshaving off and on for about 11 years now, but thanks in large part to lurking on this forum, I have decided to try a DE.
I just got a Merkur HD and a Vulfix no.849 badger brush (have always used boar or synth.
Cheapies) from Classic Shaving, and the extended sampler pack from WestCoast.
I'll be trying the HD and brush out later today with a Dorco blade, Omega shave cream, and Barclay-Crocker Vit.E aftershave balm (w/ sandalwood ess.
Oil). Am I correct in trying the Dorco blade first, or should I try one of the others?
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Welcome!! I would try the Derbys or Crystals first.
Dorcos can be a bit dull..
Regards,
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Thanks for the tip SMOKE!
I guess I'll try a Crystal first at your suggestion (because the pack came with 10 of them and only 5 Derbys).
I just wish that the SCS Bay Rum shave cream and aftershave balm I ordered had been delivered today, then I'd be set!
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West Coast Shaving recommends starting with the Dorco.
It isn't bad advice, but I agree that Derbys and Crystals make for very good starting places as well.
BTW, I don't recommend trying a whole bunch of new stuff at once if you can avoid it.
So, I'd recommend you start with the same shaving cream and A/S you've been using, and just do the DE for a few days before trying other new stuff as well.
That way, if something bad happens, you can figure it out immediately.
I'd start using the nicer brush right away though.
Good luck!
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Welcome to B&B! Sounds lilke you are set.
Take your time and focus on good shave prep and technique.
BTW, the SCS Bay Rum aftershave is good stuff.
Have a bottle in use under my sink now.
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Welcome aboard!
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Thanks for the welcome guys.
Went with the Crystal blade(per Smoke's suggestion), made 2 WTG passes and all went well.
Way better (less irritation) than the umpteen-bladed cartridge razor (1 WTG pass and 1 ATG pass was my norm with those) I have been using.
Not as close, but after I get my skills down enough to make XTG and ATG passes, I know it'll be way closer.
I have normally only shaved about once every 3 or 4 days because of irritation, but it looks like I'll be shaving MUCH more often now!
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Hello and welcome.
I'm a relative newbie myself (moved from Mach III to DE about 6 weeks ago).
Like you, I used to do one pass WTG followed by one ATG with my Mach III, always irritating myself so that I could only shave every other day (and skipping sundays).
Now with my DE (Merkur HD + Swedish Gillette) I can shave every day without problems.
I would advise you to take it slowly.
Stay with just WTG passes for a while, and see if you can convert the second WTG to an XTG later on.
Forget about BBS (Baby Butt Smooth) for now and concentrate on comfortable shaves and getting your technique in order.
I did not go ATG myself until the fifth week.
Also, if you have found a razor/blade/soap/AS combination which works for you, keep it stable for a while and concentrate on technique.
There is time enough for experimenting with different stuff later.
Have fun!
Jan Pieter
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Congrats on a nice shave!!
It gets better every day!!!
I wish I could shave 3 times a day!
Regards,
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Welcome to B&B!
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Day 2 and all's well.
First time in my life that I shaved 2 consecutive days without pain!
I really like shaving now, unbelievable...
Gonna stay on my current routine for a while (except I probably won't be able to hold back on the SCS stuff I mentioned earlier), but I think I'll catch on to the technique pretty quickly.
Not having any problems with razor pressure as I never pressed down much with my cartridge razors anyway, but I am having a little trouble with keeping my angle.
Once I am able to eyeball that angle consistently, I think I'll be on my way to the ol' BBS shave with regularity.
Can't believe these things aren't more popular than cartridge/disposables, doesn't make much sense...
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IMO the best way to judge angle is by the distinct cound the razor makes as it mows down the whiskers.
You will learn in short order the sound of a good angle.
Regards,
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Yep, you can definitely hear it when it's right, that's for sure.
I just gotta memorize what angle that I see I am holding it in when I hear it (for each facial area of course), so that I can do it without having to readjust it each time I rinse the razor.
That's what I meant when I said eyeball the angle in the earlier post.
For my future reference SMOKE, do Derbys seem to be sharper than Crystals?
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Quote: : Yep, you can definitely hear it when it's right, that's for sure.
I just gotta memorize what angle that I see I am holding it in when I hear it (for each facial area of course), so that I can do it without having to readjust it each time I rinse the razor.
That's what I meant when I said eyeball the angle in the earlier post.
For my future reference SMOKE, do Derbys seem to be sharper than Crystals?
Opinions differ, but I take a Derby over a crystal any day!!
You shouldn't change many variables when starting out, but if the crystals aren't working well for you, by all means load up a derby.
Keep all other variables the same.
I am betting you will really enjoy the derbys!!!
Regards,
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I'll probably try them next, but I am gonna stick with Crystals for 2 weeks probably, mainly because the sample pack had 10 of them and only 5 Derbys.
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Quote: : I'll probably try them next, but I am gonna stick with Crystals for 2 weeks probably, mainly because the sample pack had 10 of them and only 5 Derbys.
You might want to try just one derby in the mean time.
Nothing wrong with changing that small variable while learning.
My guess is you will prefer them to the crystal.
Why beat up your face when one little change could be the difference between night and day??
Just MHO.
Regards,
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I'll make you a deal.
Try the derby for a couple' days, as always make sure you are using zero pressure...If you don't notice an improvement in the quality of your shave, I'll send you a pack of any blades you want.
Kind Regards,
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Maybe I will on the next blade change SMOKE, I figure I should get 2/3 more shaves out of this one.
OT: Nor-Cal rules by the way, been there once and hope to get back quite a few more times in the future.
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Quote: : IMO the best way to judge angle is by the distinct cound the razor makes as it mows down the whiskers.
You will learn in short order the sound of a good angle.
I think I know what that sound is, but I'm not 100% sure.
Maybe someone can install a contact microphone in the handle of his razor and post an MP3 to the forums?
Jan Pieter
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Quote: : I think I know what that sound is, but I'm not 100% sure.
Maybe someone can install a contact microphone in the handle of his razor and post an MP3 to the forums?
Jan Pieter LOL..not a bad idea..maybe we should mention it to Mantic!
A good blade angle will feel comfortable..i.e.
No tugging, or scraping.
The perfect sound is a "crisp" sound kinda like very fine sand paper.
If you scrape, or feel tugging...you will give yourself some nice razor burn.
BTW Tugging usually means it's time to change the blade, or if you're using a new blade and feel tugging...chuck that blade and load up another.
Also make sure your beard is well prepped and soft.
Even a very good blade will tug if the whiskers are not softend up!!
Never skimp on the pre shave prep...you will pay for it with razor burn and blood!
Regards,
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