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You are exactly right on all counts and like you I suffer from RAD now.When I saw the set, I thought to myself, "that's a decent starter set," read your initial review and thought "too much pressure, and the brush will break in."
I wouldn't want to own any of it, but I could get a good shave off that set. I'm probably echoing the thoughts of every person reading this thread.
My collection is probably at a break-even point compared to modern cartridge shaving, and I have more stuff to show for it, and it's a wonderful hobby at the same time.
...and no, I don't want to do the math. It's probably the equivalent of a new car, after collecting stuff for 20 years. At least I don't have a massive software (soaps and aftershaves) collection, like some people here do.
i think your right Toby and actually i’m always on the look out for a nice tech.That was an excellent bargain and you could have stopped there and been fine. Maybe get a pre-war Tech later and some different blades.
Embrace the patina, and the well earned wear on the finish, that's what makes vintage unique and interesting.i think your right Toby and actually i’m always on the look out for a nice tech.
i recently bought a ball end but i’d like to try the fat handle infact i’d like to have them all really.
Having said that i’m over fussy when it comes to condition. hence the reason i don’t have many
My first set was a Wilkinson’s gift set, with the butterfly Wilkinson’s razor - which never did give me a decent shave - Wilkinson’s hard shave soap, which is difficult to get a lather out of at the best of times, a Wilkinson’s bristle brush, which wasn’t great, and Wilkinsons’ blades, which weren’t great either. That lot nearly put me off wet shaving for good! Later got an Edwin Jagger DE89, some Palmolive shaving cream and a Yaqi synthetic brush, and it was a real revelation, was nothing like t trying to get anything worthwhile from the Wilkinsons kit.As some of you may or may not know, I have been going through all my old razors that for one reason or another never seem to get used, this is mainly due to just having too many and I wanted to experience them all again.
I came across my very first DE razor I brought from Amazon and realised I never reviewed my purchase, I thought it might be fun to let you know what I would have said about it at the time of buying it and to see if I have changed my opinion of it.
Here goes.......
View attachment 105743
It all started when I had had enough of buying expensive cartridges and using so much plastic, I hated shaving full stop it was such a hassle so I looked about for an alternative.
I discovered this little set on Amazon containing 100 blades, DE Razor with twist bottom, a Stick of Arko and a handmade Boar brush all for the massive price of £11.19
View attachment 105744
My way of thinking at the time of telling the wife about it was here was 2 years worth of shaving, just think about all the money I will save. ( I know this story will sound familiar with a few of you )
I had never shaved this way before and after a couple of shaves I went onto connaughts shaving website to see if there was a better razor as I did nothing but cut my face and make it sore.
From there I got the link to this place and I have been bloody poor ever since lol, I brought an R89 twist and down the rabbit hole I went.
So my review at the time would have went something like this....
Don't bother the razor is terrible, the blades are even worse and the brush just pricks your face like a pin cushion, save your money and go elsewhere.
** rating.
Now a few years down the line and a hell of a lot more experience has my review changed?
I have to say absolutely.
My review would now be....
Great little starter kit for those wishing to learn DE shaving, please give it a month to learn the technique and to break the brush in.
the brush once broken in is a real gem, the Arko is great, the blades do the job but change them often and the razor is extremely light and is very very mild, it will take 3 passes to get a BBS shave but you will get one.
**** rating.
In short I was too quick to judge and like a bad tradesman I blamed the tools, this was down to my impatience and pure inexperience in DE shaving.
The kit does what it promised although it's not the best razor in town, they never claimed it was and yes if you can keep away from the rabbit holes this really is all you need as everything does what it should and that is to give you a decent shave.
Just proves you don't have to spend a mint on the best gear and sometimes something is not bad or terrible, it could just be down to your own inexperience or lack of technique.
I hope I didn't bore you too much but I did learn something about myself.
stay safe out there
Mark.
AgreedEmbrace the patina, and the well earned wear on the finish, that's what makes vintage unique and interesting.
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