Hi, newbie here

E

elrond

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2
Hello to you all.
A newbie here and would like some advice. I have been using a brush for a while with disposable razors but have now become feed up with the rip off prices, so while surfing net for better options I discovered this site, which has been a whole education. Thank you all :D
I have for the last few weeks been teaching myself to shave again with a cheap DE Wilkinson razor from boots. Although I was a bit shaky at first and had a few nicks, I’m now more confident and getting a close shave.
The brush I use is a Men-U boar hair, I think, plus I also use the Men-U shaving cream. This seemed to be ok while using my old disposable but now that I need a good lather, I find it doesn’t give me enough. Especially now I’m starting to do two passes.
So my questions are, would I be better of with a better badger hair brush. Should I change my shaving cream, although I would like something with a similar smell, as I like the fresh menthol feel.
I’m also going to treat myself to a Merkur 34C HD next pay day after reading some of the reviews on here. Do you think this is a good idea.
Many thanks for all advice.
Steve
 
Yip all seems good ideas to me, I have like the menthol Ingrams (get in superdrug) is a good cream that is menthol and cheap, prosaro is also a good cream and soap that comes with a nice menthol hit, mostly online but depends where you live might be some local, the prep before is have the battle to a good shave as well as the after care, so if you have not have a wee read at the stickys. also might recommened a blade sampler back to go along with you merkur HD as you have no idea the diffrance a blade can make.
 
Welcome Steve! :D

I think the first step would be to get some decent cream. The brush is OK for the moment and you can improve on that at a later date. For that creamy menthol kick you could try Proraso or Connaught's own (cooling or perhaps peppermint) at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://connaughtshaving.com/connaughtsc.html">http://connaughtshaving.com/connaughtsc.html</a><!-- m --> . Both are available from the same vendor and of course Proraso can be bought elsewhere too. Hope that helps.
 
Hi Steve welcome to the forum, like you I'm a beginner too. One of my brushes is a Men-U and I find no problems making a decent lather with it......... Unless I use the Men-U shaving cream! Men-U recommends using a pea sized amount on the side of the brush but it barely makes any lather at all! If I try an almond sized dollop it will make enough lather for one pass but is a bit short for a second pass.

The other soaps / creams I have, at the moment are:-
Erasmic shaving soap & cream
Palmolive shave cream
Boots soap puck
Bluebeard's Revenge Shave Cream.

All these make good lathers with a Men-U brush.
 
Welcome to TSR Steve

Proraso soap lathers easily - a nice menthol lick.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://connaughtshaving.com/prorasosoap.html">http://connaughtshaving.com/prorasosoap.html</a><!-- m -->

The Merkur 34C will be fine. Some Jagger razors are great value and a little more forgiving than the Merkur:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi/@cTraditional%20safety%20&%20double%20edge%20razors@bEdwin%20Jagger">http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com ... n%20Jagger</a><!-- m -->

You will no doubt be tempted to try a nice badger brush before too long, but using what you have properly is the quickest route to a better shave.
 
Hi Steve

relatively new myself and the first 'nice' razor I purchased was a Edwin Jagger as recommended by Fido above. Very nice it is too, you can get a good deal on one of them on the big 'amazin' internet site if you choose to go down the Jagger route.

The Ingrams cream as mentioned above is great value if your into menthol, and also the connaughts peppermint one which you can also get a sample of to give a try. Lots of the value stuff is worth having in your armoury- palmolive being a great example.

Lots of vendors, Nannys, trumpers, Truefitt, Connaughts (various brands available) to name a few do samples so you do not have to overcommit on one major tub or tube.

I'm still on the early part of the voyage of discovery but theres loads of info on here and everyone is helpful and there are trades and shares available.

Happy shaving!
 
Thanks for the advice. Will be shopping for some new cream and I also changed my mind on the razor. Have now gone for the Edwin Jagger DE87. Once again thanks.
 
If you're starting and you don't want an aggressive blade, try personna platinum (red). Later on, when you'll feel more confident, you could switch to something sharper like Astra or Gillette stainless.
 
Hi Steve. Welcome.

I'd stick with the Men-U boar brush. It's a good brush and will give a better lather with time and use.

I use the Men-U cream on occasion, as I too like the minty menthol scent. However it's not the best performing cream and when using it, I find that more is more. But that's ok because there are lots of soaps and creams that you will have fun trying out. Don't bin the Men-U as you can always re-visit it when the mood takes you.

Enjoy.
 
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