For New Double Edge Shavers
Updated Shaving Kit Advice
For anyone new to shaving with a double edge razor, here is what I would buy and recommend as quality kit for starting out. This kit isn’t just for starters as it may well be all the gear you’ll ever need. I still own some of the things listed below and despite having many years experience, regularly use these quality items. There are cheaper options out there and whilst some may be ok, I would always operate by the advice, “Buy cheap, buy twice.”
Double Edge Razor: Muehle R89 standard (I went for this over the Edwin Jagger DE89 due to Muehle’s brass screw post on the top cap - ultimately it will last longer). Easy to find shaving angle, shaves great for most people and is all any shaver might need. I happily still use one today. Honourable mentions to the Edwin Jagger DE89 range and the Merkur 23C/33C/34C. You’ll find the most of these razors available at the retailers listed below.
Shaving Brush: Omega 20102 Pure Bristle (Boar). In fact many of the Italian Omega boar range come highly recommended but I’d go for the one above. It will provide great results with all lather mediums be they hard soaps, shaving creams or soaps of a softer nature. It will face lather wonderfully and bowl lather well too. It looks good with its beechwood base, black ABS and real metal ring. Take the sticker off as it looks crap and will come off pretty darn quick anyway. Again, it could be all the brush anyone ever needs as could many of the Omega Boar (Pure Bristle) lineup. A few pence over £10 gets you that 20102 brush which punches well above some that cost more than twice as much. (Very good range available at Connaught)
For a synthetic option perhaps a Trafalgar T3 or T2 from Simpsons may be better for some although more expensive than the wonderful Omega already discussed.
I will refrain from recommending a badger hair brush until shavers are more experienced and are certain that double edge shaving is the best method for them. The reason for this is their prohibitive cost and multitude of different badger hair types. Get your technique down with other kit then take the badger plunge if you wish.
Shaving Soap or Cream: despite being a lover of Mitchell’s Wool Fat, I wouldn’t want to discourage a new shaver that has not learned its ways. Thus I shall recommend you hunt down Cyril R Salter hard shaving soap (Connaught Shaving or The Traditional Shaving Company) or a tub of the excellent Italian 3P soft shaving soap if you like almond/marzipan/Bakewell tarts. I I like tarts from other places too but I digress…
For a cream I’d suggest Palmolive Shaving Cream which can be obtained for as little as £2 from Sainsburys, Tesco and many local and high street chemists/pharmacies. It may be low cost but it is an excellent shaving cream that I will always keep in my den. Pricier options include the excellent Proraso and Taylor of Old Bond Street ranges.
Aftershave/Aftershave Balm: do you prefer an alcohol splash, a nourishing balm or both? For a cheap splash that does it all, I’ll recommend Boot’s Freshwood aftershave and /or Balm. A balm-type product that really delivers is 3P Pre/Post making an excellent balm whether you use it as a pre-shave or not. Other notable ‘goodies’ here would be Superdrug’s Forest Fresh or Sierran Breeze alcohol based aftershaves or again, any flavour of Proraso be it a traditional aftershave or a balm. A truly first class affordable aftershave balm would be anything from Bart’s Balms although they are a little more expensive.
Blades: get a sampler pack from one of the dedicated online shaving shops such as Connaught Shaving. Ask older members for recommendations and don’t be shy. You’ll get a hundred different suggestions of which blade is best but start with just a few and keep with one at a time and no chopping and changing till your technique improves and you can start to tell the different blades apart. What works for one may not for another. What works for you regardless of what it says on the packet or whatever some ‘guru’ recommends, is what is best.
And remember, have fun!!!
Pictures we like so here are some:
Muehle R89:
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Omega 20102:
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Cyril R Salter Shaving Soap:
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Palmolive Shaving Cream
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Boot’s Freshwood Aftershave:
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Recommended online shop suggestions;
- Agent Shave
- Connaught Shaving
- The Gentleman’s Groom Room
- The English Shaving Company
- The Traditional Shaving Company
- Shaving Time
- The Executive Shaving Company
- The Shaving Shack
- La Barbiera
- Big Deals Mart
All of the above have dedicated websites that cater to the wet shaver. As already mentioned Connaught have great blade sample packs and the latter two sites have fantastic prices and service on individual bulk packs of blades as well as soaps and creams. The eight sites at the top of this list are good places to look for your first razor such as the already mentioned Muehle R89, Edwin Jagger DE89 series and Merkur’s 23C, 33C or 34C.
If any of the above causes confusion please do not hesitate to ask any long term member for guidance. I am certainly more than happy to help but remember, it is your money and you must do what you think is best.
I personally would stay away from eBay and Amazon as ultimately you will get a better range and service from the dedicated independent retailers listed above. These businesses are owned and run by wet shavers just like you and I and form an integral, important part of our community. This is, however, merely my opinion.
Please feel free to ignore all of the above and go totally your own way: it's your money, skin and blood.
Pleasant shaves to one and all!