Unfortunately I read this 6 months too lateRe: NEW DE SHAVERS - What to buy to get you going...
Great post. It good to remind ourselves that we don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy a decent shave. :!:
Fed up with paying exorbitant prices for cartridge based shaving "systems"?
Welcome to the wonderful world of traditional wet shaving where you can spend just as much except this time you will do so willingly. You've probably read somewhere about an alternative shaving nirvana and want to get there quickly after years of terrible shaves and painful skin. Hopefully this thread will help get you started by choosing the right products that are mainly available in the UK high street and online.
Before putting blade to skin you are strongly advised to study the guides either in this section or the online video tutorials by the likes of mantic59 and geofatboy. Don't expect great shaves straight away, like any skill it requires some time and practice to master every facet of a really good wet shave as well as undoing old habits. Some may take a few weeks or a few months to achieve the results they desire but for many it requires an undoing of ones perception of an acceptable shave and that being permanently "baby bottom smooth" is really for babies bottoms and advertising whereas achieving consistently comfortable shaves and better skin condition is actually far more important and achievable.
We all have different beards and skin to understand so bear that in mind when reading forum responses. Ask anything you need to and good luck, we all started out on the same journey like we hope you are about to.
RAZORS
For less than a fiver you can purchase one of these on most UK High streets, either will get you started.
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
Mekur 33 or 34c
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) synthetic brush will do a job available at Tesco & possibly ASDA
For an animal hair free alternative the Body Shop synthetic is available for £6.
For just over a tenner, the Vulfix 404 mixed hair brush is an all round favourite and a nice step up in quality, available from Diamond Edge Ltd directly or through Amazon UK.
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 (£1.80). Not glamorous but cheap and highly effective, a stalwart in any UK wet shavers armoury.
Boots soap stick - £1.50
Ingrams - The English Proraso? - approx £2.00 from high street outlets like Superdrug.
The Real shaving Company cream. (£4) TK MAXX, Poundland, Asda and other outlets.
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.
RAZOR BLADES
These are rebranded Israeli Personnas (IP's) a decent performing blade and easily available from Boots, Tesco and Asda.
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.
+1 to this.I disagree. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. The (relatively) new metal Wilkinson Sword TTO, for instance, will last for years if looked after. If you want to go down the vintage route, Gillette Techs and similar flood the Bay and can fetch competitive prices. They've lasted for lifetimes. Quite literally, in most cases.
Yaqi synthetic brushes are cheap and plentiful; and their quality is more than acceptable.
Soaps? La Toja, Valobra sticks. Proraso soaps and creams; Cella, Vitos etc. are all reasonable, imo; and will last.
Blades are subjective; perhaps more so than the kit above. A sample set with differing blades will point you in the right direction.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that everything shiny and expensive is always reflected in the quality. Excellent shaves can be achieved by modest means. It's how you use the kit that matters, I'd argue.
I disagree. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. The (relatively) new metal Wilkinson Sword TTO, for instance, will last for years if looked after. If you want to go down the vintage route, Gillette Techs and similar flood the Bay and can fetch competitive prices. They've lasted for lifetimes. Quite literally, in most cases.
Yaqi synthetic brushes are cheap and plentiful; and their quality is more than acceptable.
Soaps? La Toja, Valobra sticks. Proraso soaps and creams; Cella, Vitos etc. are all reasonable, imo; and will last.
Blades are subjective; perhaps more so than the kit above. A sample set with differing blades will point you in the right direction.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that everything shiny and expensive is always reflected in the quality. Excellent shaves can be achieved by modest means. It's how you use the kit that matters, I'd argue.
Old thread rekindled but hey, no harm
And another +1 here
My guidance would be learn how to shave first then think where to go once you are in a position where you feel comfortable. Then ask yourself 'Is there any need to go any further than this?'
For me I'd base my shaving goodies around an 89, a half decent cheap synthetic brush and a tube of something like Proraso. Job done.
Me? I can live with a bit of my own shaving self indulgence as in my wife's words' I am exceptionally low maintenance'. I have to be because she isn't
I agree that the Tech (fat handle) is a great razor but they're not actually as cheap in the UK as they are in other parts of the world so can be on par with some of the 89 models for cost here.vintage tech in shiny as new condition, synthetic 24mm brush, Palmolive cream
I agree that the Tech (fat handle) is a great razor but they're not actually as cheap in the UK as they are in other parts of the world so can be on par with some of the 89 models for cost here.
Any Tech model will deliver a nice shave (but a gold fat handle Tech is the prettiest of the lot)
Agree, I often wonder why you “need†a pre-shave. For me a good shaving soap should do the business and lessen need for post-shave balms too.Buying expensive razors, brushes and soap/cream isn't going to make your shaves any better. Neither will pre-shave products
I recently acquired a Merkur Progress, and only two shaves in I can confirm that it shaves more comfortably and closer than my Timeless - with less effort
This isn't to say that the Timeless isn't a great razor, rather that the Progress is 'also' a great razor.
We've all been there at some stage in our shaving journey (mostly fuelled by shaving forums), where we 'need' the next best razor or brush etc.
I tend to keep my shaves basic these days - bath, lather, shave and aftershave (9/10 alcohol splash), and my shaves have never been better
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