Lost Texan here

addylo · Post by **addylo** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:20 pm

Greetings all! Just thought I'd give a shout out and say howdy.

I'm looking to get started in the sport of wet shaving and have been lurking here for about a week. Looks like a great place to learn!

I made the mistake of telling the wife I was considering trying my hand at wet shaving. She thought it would make a nice Christmas present so I'm in a holding pattern for the moment. I guess it gives me time to read and learn (but it's going to be a long wait).

At the moment I'm planning on getting started with a EJ DE89 and EJ best badger brush. I'd like to move into straights soon too. I'll be on the look out for a first SR.

LOTS of reading to do. Can't wait to get started!

GA Russell · Post by **GA Russell** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:25 pm

Welcome addylo!

Keep in mind that the EJ is an aggressive razor. I estimate that it is appropriate for half of the American male population. Maybe you're in the other half!

I suggest that you also get a mild razor to start with, either a used Gillette or a new Weishi.

Starting with an aggressive razor when a mild is more appropriate can be a painful learning experience!

CMur12 · Post by **CMur12** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:38 pm

Welcome Neal! Glad to see you jump right in.

I also recommend a gentle razor for getting started, and I still use a gentle razor because I have sensitive skin. I generally think the Merkurs are on the aggressive side, but the Edwin Jagger is more reasonable. Your proposed razor and brush would be a good start for most. If you have sensitive skin, you might want something milder, as G A suggested. The Weishi is an excellent starting razor and it is especially good for sensitive skin. A vintage Gillette Tech, Super Speed, or Adjustable would also be very good.

Enjoy the journey -

- Murray

addylo · Post by **addylo** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:39 pm

Interesting. I hadn't heard the DE89 was aggressive. That's exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.

I was in an Art of Shaving this weekend and drawn to the Merkurs. The 30C especially drew my attention. Would it be less aggressive?

EDIT: Oops! Murray, you already answered my question about the Merkurs. I'll look into the Weishi.

Captain Pre-Capsize · Post by **Captain Pre-Capsize** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:42 pm

Welcome to the zoo here!

You are in for a treat with this hobby. Hint: You ain’t going to save any money but you WILL pick up a new hobby that is very reasonable.

CMur12 · Post by **CMur12** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:45 pm

The Merkurs would be more aggressive and not as well made, though they have quite a legion of fans. The Edwin Jagger and Muehle are more "moderate" in my opinion, though I use a gentler razor now myself. Unless your skin is pretty sensitive, you would probably do fine with the EJ you are considering. The EJ brush in best would also be a good choice.

- Murray

gil3591 · Post by **gil3591** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:46 pm

i don't think an ej de89 to be an aggressive razor but everyone is different

CMur12 · Post by **CMur12** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:12 pm

By the way, Gil is our poster child for brush acquisition disorder, so I would give him a wide berth!

- Murray

churchilllafemme · Post by **churchilllafemme** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:30 pm

Welcome to the forum!

GA Russell · Post by **GA Russell** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:48 pm

addylo, my favorite vendor of Weishi razors is Gary at ShoeBox ShaveShop.

Good news! I see that he currently has a 20% off sale on them.

http://shoeboxshaveshop.com/weishi-tto-razors.html

desertbadger · Post by **desertbadger** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:26 am

Welcome to SMF!

Regards,
David

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:55 am

Welcome aboard.

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:06 am

Hello, and welcome to SMF!

nteeman · Post by **nteeman** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:31 am

Greetings and welcome! I too agree that the DE89 is NOT too aggressive to start with. I have a Mühle R89 which has the same head and it is one of my favorite razors.

One might find, on their quest for the perfect shave, that after starting with a mild razor and perfecting one's technique, then move up to a more aggressive razor, still perfecting one's skill, only to find oneself returning to the milder razor realizing that with better technique that is all that is needed.

But beware of the RAD! (Razor Acquisition Disorder)

Thalay Sagar · Post by **Thalay Sagar** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:09 am

Welcom to SMF. I'll echo the statements that the 89 is not an aggressive razor and is extremely well made.

mantic · Post by **mantic** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:40 am

Howdy!

river1 · Post by **river1** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:52 am

addylo wrote: At the moment I'm planning on getting started with a EJ DE89 and EJ best badger brush.!

Welcome and you have an excellent combination as the EJ is one of the best and often overlooked. I started my sil on a EJ brush and SS along with some other combinations. Six months later loves the EJ brush and a "new" SS TV Special Flare tip.

TRBeck · Post by **TRBeck** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:52 am

Welcome. I'm a fellow DFW resident and a fellow EJ 89 user. A fine razor and brush choice - I still miss the EJ brush I sold a couple of years back.

Where are you in DFW? PM me if you'd like to get together. I'd be happy to show you the ropes w/r/t lathering, blade angle, etc. You could see some DE options in person, some brushes, etc., which is not always easy to do in Dallas. I'd also gladly forward you a mess of blades and some soaps and creams to try out as you're getting your feet wet, so to speak.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested in .

Regards,

Quarterstick · Post by **Quarterstick** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:18 am

Welcome to SMF, this is a great community. Case in point:

TRBeck wrote:Where are you in DFW? PM me if you'd like to get together. I'd be happy to show you the ropes w/r/t lathering, blade angle, etc. You could see some DE options in person, some brushes, etc., which is not always easy to do in Dallas. I'd also gladly forward you a mess of blades and some soaps and creams to try out as you're getting your feet wet, so to speak.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested in .

Good show Tim!

addylo wrote:I made the mistake of telling the wife I was considering trying my hand at wet shaving. She thought it would make a nice Christmas present so I'm in a holding pattern for the moment. I guess it gives me time to read and learn (but it's going to be a long wait).

So you have to wait until Christmas to get a razor and brush?! Oh the humanity!

Cost wise the set up you want is rather reasonable. Compared to shaving with cartridges it will pay for itself pretty quickly, so you should not have to wait for a special occasion to get started.

If your wife is concerned that she will not have good gift ideas, then you can laugh maniacally and start listing off the other razors, blades, creams, soaps, brushes, aftershaves, shaving bowls, scuttles, display cabinet, etc. that you will be wanting.

So I say get your start up kit post haste!

SRD · Post by **SRD** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:51 pm

Welcome to the gang.

Lost Texan here

Lost Texan here

Re: Lost Texan here