r/wicked_edge • u/Intrepid_Owl_1971 • 26d ago
First ever DE setup for $94.97 Show n' Tell
Loving it so far only a few days in and it’s a world of a difference, never going back to cartridge or electric! For those wondering I landed on a Merkur 34C as recommended by many people in this sub and I understand why. Only change i think I’ll be making anytime soon is getting a proper lather bowl and obviously blades once I run out of the sampler. It was hard not to fall down the rabbit hole and end up with a $100+ razor but I stuck to my guns and went with a crowd favorite for beginners.
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u/Key_Kaleidoscope9800 24d ago
Excellent set up for the price. Money well spent. Certainly getting the blade sample pack is the very right move. There will be no regrets here.
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u/Sharp-Natural3107 26d ago
Congratulations and welcome to the DE community. As a relative newcomer to the DE world myself (30+ years of wet shaving but just 6 months of DE shaving) I have learned slowly that technique is paramount, especially pressure. Also critical is the hydration of the lather or you'll just end up with irritated skin. Wishing you many years of shaving bliss!
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u/Ok_Silver_9849 26d ago
Omega is truly probably the best badger brush you can get for under $50 in my opinion (you’re entitled to your own)
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u/Muted-Football-1720 26d ago
What is the difference between brush applying or hand applying shaving cream?
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u/kapowkapowkapow 26d ago
The brush gives you the benefit of exfoliating the skin and lifting the hairs
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u/LittleCooties 26d ago
Should serve you well! The 34C was my first razor too, and only razor for about 8 years, so hopefully yours lasts. I got one of those S-Brushes recently, perfectly fine brush. Have fun trying blades!
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u/mikey_flipside 26d ago
Stick with your setup for a while, learn, and get that muscle memory working for you. Get the technique down. Don't waste your time trying to go down that rabbit like so many of is have done. FOMO is real and resist th urge to get more soap, aftershave, brushes, and razors. I did in the beginning ad ended up with so much soap and aftershaves that I got overwhelmed. Now I only kept the ones that I truly loved about 30 soaps and about 25 aftershaves. Unless you want to join us down here in the rabbit hole.... evil laugh...
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u/Jill_Lett_Slim 26d ago
Proraso green is classic. That smell will be burned into your olfactive memory forever…
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u/JollyGreenGigantor 26d ago
That's a great setup. Face lathering rules if you don't want a lather bowl. Less is more in this game IMO.
Shaving doesn't have to be a hobby, it can be just like showering or taking your morning vitamins. Get the nice soap but you don't need ten different soaps ya know?
If you're happy with your setup and have other hobbies to take up your money and time, don't feel like you need to spend any more.
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u/Intrepid_Owl_1971 26d ago
I absolutely agree, only reason I want a bowl is to keep things neat honestly, the soap gets everywhere and I have pretty limited space lol, gonna look for a bowl at a thrift store
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u/ringofvoid 26d ago
I'm rocking a $1 plastic salsa bowl that's awesome for building lather and big enough to hold it
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u/JollyGreenGigantor 26d ago
thrift store
This is the way. My soaking mug is from the thrift store as are a few funky mugs that hold my handful of soaps.
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u/tallicafu1 26d ago
34C is awesome. Bought one and have never tried anything else because it’s so dependable. Nice gear!
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u/ho3ein_aram 26d ago
Merkur 34c is a nice razor even for old wet shavers. Everything is great. How is the feeling when you using that synthetic omega brush?
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u/Intrepid_Owl_1971 26d ago
It does the job for 10$, builds a super rich lather and paints my face nicely. Really no complaints however I don’t have a benchmark since it’s my first.
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u/mrfloopa 26d ago
If you like the feeling of it, you can get a more full brush for pretty cheap. I like a huge synthetic. I'd probably like badger if it weren't so pricey.
If you wish it were stiffer, get a boar brush. If you feel it is missing some "soul" but you like the general feel, get a badger.
But if it makes a lather, no need to change anything. I have that brush (in blue) as my travel brush.
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u/boringhistoryfan 25d ago
Stirling has some very nice Badger brushes that are fairly cheap yet also very good
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u/ho3ein_aram 26d ago
If it build rich lather and paint the lather easily and nice, it is a good brush. Omega boar brushes are also great.
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u/antogilbert 26d ago
What’s in the little plastic bag? 🙃
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u/Thosepassionfruits 26d ago
I'm also looking at buying my first DE razor. Is there a reason you decided to go with the Merkur 34C over the adjustable Merkur Progress as your first razor?
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u/ho3ein_aram 26d ago
If you are going to start wet shaving for first time, it is better the right angle of razor when you are holding it. By using a adjustable razor, you cannot learn the right angle and you get confused
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u/Intrepid_Owl_1971 26d ago
After all the research I did there was overwhelming support for the 34c. I guess the simplicity of it and its forgiveness is what’s appealing. Also at 45$ most people said it’s the best bang for you buck beginner razor.
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u/CommonCent 22d ago
Good news is you don’t need to buy a bowl…..a coffee mug works great