Hello and newbie advice

Dobbsie said:
Great stuff, many thanks all. I do like @Dansco advice regarding buying a single type of blade to get my eye in. I have seen Astra recommended as a safe-is bet for a newbie? I'm the same with tyres on mountain bikes, you can only really get a feel for a bike given a set parameter. Same with razors I suppose?
One thing I would like some further information on is post shave. I bought some proraso after shave but I'm not sure it's best for me. I am experimenting with a Dorco cartridge pending my razor purchase and I have some sensitivity on my neck. Maybe its the trillion blades I'm scraping over my neck but I can't help but feel that a moisturiser might be better for me? I have some nice jack black stuff with unicorn tears or whatever super special stuff they tell me is in it.
Whilst I appreciate that some of the more popular beginner razors might be perfect, I can't help but feel that it's a somewhat emotional purchase, like a watch or a bike rather than a purely functional one so something which stirs the juices would be preferable from my viewpoint. Yes, I'm a tart! Not quite a feather, but maybe something OK in inexperienced hands with a little bit of swagger. Suggestions would be gratefully received. Wifey has offered to buy me one for our anniversary. I am tempted by a vintage gillette, even disregarding the performance they are just so charming.
Whilst I am seriously tempted by that posh saponica verissiomo soap or whatever it's called, I'll stick with the proraso and omega for now it they are OK. I'll surely buy a posh brush sooner rather than later though! The suggestion of a synthetic will be fully investigated so thanks for that!
From an ex- 59er, thanks to @49er for the very kind offer. The progress isn't for me though thanks. I love the look of the future but I have read that it's a bit of an animal.
What are the thoughts around SE razors for newbs?

Thanks again for the warm welcome and also for finding time to offer advice everyone!
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Welcome @Dobbsie

SE for newbies? Why not, they are just another type of razor, some suggestions for readily available SE razors (based on the AC type blade, these are the widest blade short of straight razor, blades are much thicker/rigid than DE blades and will last between 5 and 20 or more decent shaves depending on blade and your facial hair).

Razorock Hawk (cheapest option)
Above the Tie SE1 aluminium or stainless steel (I have stainless version)
Colonial General (only available from the US unless you bag one used)

If you decide to go down the AC type SE route PM me and I will send you a selection of SE blades to try, there is far less blade choice in the SE world and the only place I know that does sample packs is tryablade.com in the US.

Other SE Razor choices are the Injector type blades, which would then be a Supply SE, see Connaught Shaving. Or some of the new razors that take the GEM type SE blade. I am assuming you are not looking to go down the Vintage SE razor route, at least not yet.

Then there is the OneBlade Core, which is another SE blade type again, the core is an okay price but the regular Core is quite pricey.
 
Welcome to TSR.
Dobbsie said:
Whilst I appreciate that some of the more popular beginner razors might be perfect, I can't help but feel that it's a somewhat emotional purchase, like a watch or a bike rather than a purely functional one so something which stirs the juices would be preferable from my viewpoint.
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There is no such thing as a beginner razor as the Merkur 34C, EJ DE89 are great razors for any wet shaver. You may like to the adjustable Parker Variant which is similar to the Merkur Progress; great balance and you can adjust to suit. I think the titanium razors are too light.
The Omega 10015 is a good brush and will be nicer when broken in. It is a 20mm knot and I prefer at least a 24mm knot. Boar brushes are not expensive; you may want to look at the Semogue 830. If you want badger look at a Maseto silvertip 24mm knot on ebay; great value brush but delivery takes 2 weeks.
I like Poraso soaps but tend to use TfOBS creams these days and there are many fragrances available.
As for blades, Connaught Shaving have a great 40 Gillette pack you may like to try;
Gillette 40.JPG
 
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invicta said:
Welcome to TSR.

There is no such thing as a beginner razor as the Merkur 34C, EJ DE89 are great razors for any wet shaver. You may like to the adjustable Parker Variant which is similar to the Merkur Progress; great balance and you can adjust to suit. I think the titanium razors are too light.
The Omega 10015 is a good brush and will be nicer when broken in. It is a 20mm knot and I prefer at least a 24mm knot. Boar brushes are not expensive; you may want to look at the Semogue 830. If you want badger look at a Maseto silvertip 24mm knot on ebay; great value brush but delivery takes 2 weeks.
I like Poraso soaps but tend to use TfOBS creams these days and there are many fragrances available.
As for blades, Connaught Shaving have a great 40 Gillette pack you may like to try;
View attachment 38110
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Great comment!!

That blade pack is a good idea... about a months worth each, of you shave every other day. If you shave every day, get two of them

Let's get this stupid idea off the table - no beginner razors. No beginner blades. I don't even believe some blades work better in some razors than others. Just keep stuff the same, learn how to use them, then start to refine your preferences.
 
Looks like a decent example but I bet you'd get one cheaper. Ball end techs aren't hard to come across... but what you gonna save? A tenner? Haha
 
Looking at previous suggestions, I'd buy a synthetic brush. I've been stunned at the difference a good Yaqi makes - in my case a Moka Express Mew Brown. Perfect lather, very soft, and no need to wet the brush first. Replaced a Silvertip Maseto which is a very upmarket badger. I got my Yaqi off eBay uk but they come and go, and you can probably buy them from China. The Mew Brown knot is particularly nice.

I was lusting after all kinds of upmarket DE razors including the Rockwell 2C until I found a Gillette Tech in an old shaving kit I had as a teenager. Not expecting anything I tried it out for a laugh and was amazed how good it was. Well, a bit beyond amazed. So I'm staying with the Tech head and looking for a posh handle for it, or at least a heavier and fatter one since mine is the tiny aluminium one weighing just 11g. A ball end Tech is a good buy.

Regarding soaps, I wouldn't bother with any of the basic soaps like Proraso, Tabac, Cella etc. The artisan soaps are a whole dimension up from the mass market brands, with complex scents which are very satisfying. Top soaps are the likes of Saponificio Varesino, Wholly Kaw, Barrister and Mann and there are several scents in their ranges. Entry level for top soaps would be something like Mitchell's Wool Fat or Via Barberia Herbae or Fructi. One good soap is a better buy than a lot of cheap ones. Good soaps are a bit of an art form, and if you like good things you'll want to try out one or two. Personally I don't use AS because I like to savour the scents of my best soaps.
 
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Just had my first ever DE shave! (bough the feather in the end) My shave quality wouldn't line up to yours, but it the best I have ever had. Had a good exfoliate in the shower with the buff brush and my face wash then used the free proraso shave cream that shave lounge threw in. My take aways are that they are so accurate with just the one blade, and they feel so much kinder than a cartridge. It felt like the razor was gliding rather than scraping. It took me a few strokes to get the angle right and then I was happy. I'm going to grab some pre shave cream and post shave balm.Unfortunately I was right about the brush; it's crap. I had to keep picking bristles off my face.
I'm over the moon overall, really couldn't be happier, thanks so much for all of your help. I'm looking forward to getting my technique down in the coming months/years.
 
Glad you enjoyed your first shave. I would not write off the humble soaps like Prorasso. I have been using the green with their pre shave in the summer heat and it's been great. I buy the stuff dirt cheap when I go to Italy. My favourite artisan soaps are probably Wickhams and Nannys Silly Soap. Both are reasonably priced, long lasting and have a great range of scents.
 
High end razors are more readily available the other side of the Atlantic. The ones that are easier to get hold of here are :

Razorock who offer a nice titanium option, and inexpensive aluminium and stainless.

Ikon razors with great aluminium models.

If you want a well priced stainless there is the Rockwell 6S. It is not very aggressive through any of it's settings.

If you want to spend a lot but hey a beautifully machined precision razor. Consider the Above The Tie razors. M is mild, R is mid aggressive, and H is aggressive. I really like their M2 which is an open comb mild razor, but still very flexible and efficient.

And of course the stunning Rocca...
 
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