First use of a DE in next 24 hours...wish me luck.

Okay, finally have the basic things I needed. Shaving Factory DE Safety razor form Sally's Beauty Supply (made by derby), Tri-Coastal White Birch & Tobacco Shave butter with a synthetic brush an using an Astra Superior Platinum blade. Could not find a crystal deodorant to use in place of the alum block that was mentioned could be found a Walmart, but will look for that in the next few days.


I won't be home until much later and would still like to watch a few more videos and practice and map out my movements, prep, do some faux strokes without the blade and lather and check my hair growth patterns before pulling the trigger.

Will let you know, so wish me luck.

-Austinoire

Okay, finally have the basic things I needed. Shaving Factory DE Safety razor form Sally's Beauty Supply (made by derby), Tri-Coastal White Birch & Tobacco Shave butter with a synthetic brush an using an Astra Superior Platinum blade. Could not find a crystal deodorant to use in place of the alum block that was mentioned could be found a Walmart, but will look for that in the next few days.


I won't be home until much later and would still like to watch a few more videos and practice and map out my movements, prep, do some faux strokes without the blade and lather and check my hair growth patterns before pulling the trigger.

Will let you know, so wish me luck.

-Austinoire

You should check out Maggard Razors store online for future purchases if you haven't already. It sounds like you have everything you need but since you are shopping for bargains I wanted to mention it. Maggard offers their own line of shaving brushes and safety razors that are high quality and low price.

Good luck with the first shave. I think you will be pleased with the Astra SP blades. Also, since you are planning to watch some more shaving video I recommend Michael Freedberg. He has some excellent videos on how to build a lather and shave with a DE razor. You may have already watched him, but if not it's definitely worth your time imo.

Good luck! Couple of basic points that you may have already worked out:

1. Load more soap than you feel you need and add water gradually; a few practice lathers to get the feel for your new soap should put you in good order. Think yogurt consistency.
2. No pressure. When you feel you are not applying pressure, apply less!
3. Beard reduction, not removal. Several passes, starting with the grain to get you where you want to be!
4. Take your time. When I first started I think it took me somewhere around 45 minutes to shave. This was after learning the hard way to take my time of course
5. Have fun and enjoy the experience. I used to hate shaving and was a 2-3 times a week guy with a scruffy beard in between. Now it's my favorite way to start the day and forces me to be in the moment; very zen like.

Good luck and please do keep us posted!

PS if you PM your address I have a brand new, unused Gentleman Jon's alum block. Will shoot it your way over the long weekend.

Thanks. I don't think I've seen his videos, but will download a few now. Also, I've been to Maggard's and liked everything I saw. Great company, thanks for recommending.

Good luck. You've received some excellent advise above. I would only add that it takes time to learn a new skill. Don't expect to master it the first time out.

No worries. My motto is baby steps, but I'm a reasonable fellow, knowing eventually I want to graduate to a straight razor, can't do that if I muck this up. So, I've put off my first shave to watch a few more videos, walk this through in my head, faux shave with my razor no blade, check my hair growth patterns and get a literal step-by-step game plan for when I do go for it. That was when I felt I had the mental part do, the rest with come with a quicker and more efficient shave with improved technique over time.

Thanks for the advice. You guys are some damn fine fellas and this newb appreciates all the words of wisdom.


-Austinoire

I will second the recommendation to watch Michael Freedberg's videos. He's my favorite of all of the youtube shaving people. His videos along with Nick Shaves were helpful when I was starting out.

Tom, something tells me that you will do just fine. The Astra blade you are starting out with is very popular. As I mentioned in your introduction thread, blades are very personal and only trial and error will get you to the blades that work for you. However, because Astras are so highly praised by so many, it's a great blade to start with.

Keep the pressure light, as in almost none.  Let the weight of the razor do the work for you.  As Kevin (kwsher) pointed out, you are looking for beard reduction, not removal. This isn't a multi-blade cartridge where one wants to get the shave over with.  The first pass, with the grain, will reduce the hair on your face.  A subsequent pass or two will reduce the amount of hair even more until your face (or head as in BadDad's case ) is acceptably smooth.  After some trial and error the entire process will become second nature.

By the way, when you decide you are ready to try a straight razor there are some great folks ready to help. Chris (BadDad), David (Optometrist) and several other of our members I'm sure will jump in to give you lots of help and support.

Please keep us posted on your journey.  We're all rooting for you.

Best of luck to you!

Good luck!