NEW DE SHAVERS - What to buy to get started...

I haven't tried them but tbh the guide is mainly what you can run into an average high street and buy immediately when you're itching to try stuff and can't wait for the post.
 
Oh okay I see, that's good but an Tech copy would probably work better. This one I bought purely for the case but would also suit as safety razor for a beginner, I think its better quality then the Wilkinson safety razor.

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/251080465144?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

In my country you got no choice and buy something online unless there is a shop ariund that sells the safety razors, but in most places they aren't.
 
I've only been at this a couple of weeks and was not sure if it would suit me, so I tried to keep costs as lows as possible. What I got was:

1 x Lord Smart S.625 Razor (with 5 blades) from a Russian seller on eBay - £7.14
1 x Bristle brush from Wilkos - 60p
1 x Palmolive shave stick from Wilkos - 49p
1 x Palmolive shaving cream from Wilkos - £1.58
1 x Ingrams Shaving cream from Superdrug - 88p
1 x Branded Alum Block from ebay - £4 (before I realized you could get unbranded ones cheaper)
1 x Selection of blades from the shaving shack - £11.39
And I already had some Nivea aftershave balm in the house.

So overall I have spent just over 25 quid and have had loads of fun messing around with various blade / lather selections. If I decide DE shaving is not for me, so what? It's hardly broken the bank. Think I might try mixing the palmolive and the ingrams tonight and see how that feels :)
TTFN.
 
Hi Everyone.

Just about to jump in to the DE arena.
Just wondering what makes the 34c or 89l such good starters?

Reading some of the other threads 3 piece razors offer more balance. So would the 23c or 33c be a good or better option?

Sorry to ask such basic questions.
 
Actually, while the 34c is two-piece, the DE89 is a three-piece razor. They're recommended for newcomers as they're reasonably-priced, well-made (though the finish on Jagger razors is better than Merkur), and neither is hard to use or excessively aggressive.
 
chrisbell said:
Actually, while the 34c is two-piece, the DE89 is a three-piece razor. They're recommended for newcomers as they're reasonably-priced, well-made (though the finish on Jagger razors is better than Merkur), and neither is hard to use or excessively aggressive.

Thank you. Will probably go for the DE89l. Especially if its £10 cheaper and a better finish!!!

Is there still a link to Amazon to help the forum or any other similar way to help?
 
nc35 said:
chrisbell said:
Actually, while the 34c is two-piece, the DE89 is a three-piece razor. They're recommended for newcomers as they're reasonably-priced, well-made (though the finish on Jagger razors is better than Merkur), and neither is hard to use or excessively aggressive.

Thank you. Will probably go for the DE89l. Especially if its £10 cheaper and a better finish!!!

Is there still a link to Amazon to help the forum or any other similar way to help?

I have the DE89l, my first razor I bought, it has a truly lovely finish. It shaves very well too, and having acquired 3 or 4 new razors, I think the EJ is still my favourite. You get a lot of razor for your money.
 
SmallBeard said:
nc35 said:
chrisbell said:
Actually, while the 34c is two-piece, the DE89 is a three-piece razor. They're recommended for newcomers as they're reasonably-priced, well-made (though the finish on Jagger razors is better than Merkur), and neither is hard to use or excessively aggressive.

Thank you. Will probably go for the DE89l. Especially if its £10 cheaper and a better finish!!!

Is there still a link to Amazon to help the forum or any other similar way to help?

I have the DE89l, my first razor I bought, it has a truly lovely finish. It shaves very well too, and having acquired 3 or 4 new razors, I think the EJ is still my favourite. You get a lot of razor for your money.

Absolutely + 1. NkdMan has a great price (with forum discount) on the DE89 Barley which is just gorgeous.
 
Well took your advice thank you for DE98BA11 ordered. Just asked the wife to nip into Boots tomorrow for Styptic Pencil and some plasters.

Also ordered a cheap Muhle brush, Taylor Shave Cream
 
nc35 said:
Well took your advice thank you for DE98BA11 ordered. Just asked the wife to nip into Boots tomorrow for Styptic Pencil and some plasters.

Also ordered a cheap Muhle brush, Taylor Shave Cream

Plasters shouldn't be necessary; unless you happen to have run out of them in general, I don't see the point in getting any. Unless you're going to slice the razor sideways (in which case you'd make nearly as much of a mess of yourself with a cartridge or disposable razor as with a DE), any nicks or cuts will be sorted by the styptic.
 
antdad said:
Fed up with paying exorbitant prices for cartridge based shaving "systems"? Welcome to the wonderful world of traditional shaving where you can spend just as much except this time you will do it willingly. You've probably read somewhere about this alternative shaving nirvana and you want to get there quickly. Hopefully this thread will help you get started combining UK high street availability, budget with efficacy. (Prices and retailers will vary regionally)


The most important thing you can do before putting blade to skin is study the guides and mantic59 videos in this section, it'll take practice and patience and don't forget to ask if you a have a query.


RAZORS

For less than a fiver you can purchase one of these on most UK High streets, either will get you started.

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For a longer term investment and a much larger step up in quality you should consider a metal D.E razor, there are plenty to choose but here are some favourites for starters and experienced shavers alike.


Edwin Jagger 89 or 89L

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amazon.html - using this link will help fund TSR, not out of your pocket but Amazon's.


Mekur 33 or 34c

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If you like the idea of a vintage razor , the B/S/T is the first place to search but do ask for advice about suitability.


BRUSHES

For less than a fiver a Wilkinson Sword (WS) boar brush will do the job available at Tesco & possibly ASDA

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For an animal hair free alternative the Body Shop synthetic is available for £6.

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For a little less than a tenner, the Vulfix 404 mixed hair brush is a nice step up in quality.

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For a good value quality badger hair brush, you can't go wrong with a New Forest, availability permitting.

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Simpson, Rooney and Jagger are probably the UK's most renowned brush makers, good value can also be found from bespoke brush makers. For more information just ask in the brushes section.



SOAPS & CREAMS

Palmolive shave stick (50p) and cream (£1.20). Not glamorous but cheap and highly effective, a stalwart in any UK wet shavers armoury.

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Boots soap stick - £1.50

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Ingrams - The English Proraso? - approx £2.00 from high street outlets like Superdrug.

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The Real shaving Company cream. (£4) TK MAXX, Poundland, Asda and other outlets.

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Body Shop Macca Root (£8/200ml, £4/125ml) - Check if you like the scent or get a sample.
There is usually a 3 for 2 type offer available.

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RAZOR BLADES

These are rebranded Israeli Personnas (IP's) a decent performing blade and easily available from Boots, Tesco and Asda.

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Otherwise get one of the many blade sample packs available from Connaught



POST SHAVE - the better you shave the less you'll need.

There is no one better post shave product than any other, you'll just need to discover what works for you.

Crucial - rinse thoroughly with warm or cool water to remove soap residue.

Witch hazel - a good all round cleanser, toner and natural astringent, available online and most UK high street chemists. Thayer's who produce "flavoured" witch hazel products is a popular brand amongst wet shavers.

Alum - An anti-bacterial blood coagulant, found cheaply in ethnic supermarkets and pricier everywhere else.

Aftershave balm (ASB) or Aftershave (AS) - Despite claims to the contrary alcohol can be your friend, experiment.

Sure, this has been said already but just want to add to the pile: great post, I agree with (i.e. personally own) a great percentage of your recommended setup. Different strokes for different folks but none of this stuff will set you back a great deal and if it's pricey and turns out not to be for you it will still hold value and sell on for a similar price to what you paid for it, i.e. brushes, razors. It's not a definitive list and I'm sure that's not what you had intended when you composed this but it is a great starting point and I wouldn't contradict or advise against any of the products you've listed as they're all 'sure-things'. This should be a good starting point for anybody getting into the game, on a budget or otherwise. There is no grey area here, give this stuff a try. The grey area comes at the premium end of each of the components when you're looking at spending a lot on a brush, a razor, a bulk purchase of blades, a soap and dish, aftershaves, etc. For starters, give all this a go and any of the components recommended above could stay in your dream lineup when you're an advanced wet-shaver, years down the line.
 
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