Technique Trumps Tools

I am going to defend Tester here to a degree. Here is part of what he said:

"But technique requires the equipment to meet an acceptable standard...before technique can start to do its magic."

I think the important part is that the equipment must meet "an acceptable standard". To that extent I think he is right. As I said up thread, I can not get a decent shave with Cremo and a cheap Dorco twin blade disposable razor no matter how hard I try, and I have tried multiple times. The blades are too dull and the so called "shave cream" has no cushion whatsoever.

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment from our related thread, so even by Tester's standard our hypothetical new wet shaver should be able to get a good shave with the right advice.

Also, I want to complement everyone for disagreeing thoughtfully and without being disagreeable.

I guess the only mea culpa I can offer is that in my earlier post, I was responding exclusively to the words in the Thread Topic and not specifically the contents of the first post.
Having read the first post more carefully, I see you mentioned "an entry level DE razor"

Having shaved with some versions of the above, I would still say my original comments apply.
I never had much luck with some entry level razors like Edwin Jagger, Muhle R89.
On the other hand I have had spectacular outings with other entry level razors like a UK redtip and a vintage NEW.
We can argue that the examples Im giving are not exactly entry level razors...however based on my current razor line-up,
I feel they are.

I believe the technique I used on all the entry level razors I cited was pretty much the same...what made the difference, I feel, was that the equipment
in the latter example I provided was of a higher standard for my facial geometry.

I am going to defend Tester here to a degree. Here is part of what he said:

"But technique requires the equipment to meet an acceptable standard...before technique can start to do its magic."

I think the important part is that the equipment must meet "an acceptable standard". To that extent I think he is right. As I said up thread, I can not get a decent shave with Cremo and a cheap Dorco twin blade disposable razor no matter how hard I try, and I have tried multiple times. The blades are too dull and the so called "shave cream" has no cushion whatsoever.

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment from our related thread, so even by Tester's standard our hypothetical new wet shaver should be able to get a good shave with the right advice.

Also, I want to complement everyone for disagreeing thoughtfully and without being disagreeable.

I guess the only mea culpa I can offer is that in my earlier post, I was responding exclusively to the words in the Thread Topic and not specifically the contents of the first post.
Having read the first post more carefully, I see you mentioned "an entry level DE razor"

Having shaved with some versions of the above, I would still say my original comments apply.
I never had much luck with some entry level razors like Edwin Jagger, Muhle R89.
On the other hand I have had spectacular outings with other entry level razors like a UK redtip and a vintage NEW.
We can argue that the examples Im giving are not exactly entry level razors...however based on my current razor line-up,
I feel they are.

I believe the technique I used on all the entry level razors I cited was pretty much the same...what made the difference, I feel, was that the equipment
in the latter example I provided was of a higher standard for my facial geometry.

Well then Tester, may I ask you to participate further?

Is there an entry level kit (under $100.00 USD) that you would deem acceptable for you, and if so what is it?

Good catch... You are right... should read Omega Boar Brush

This is an interesting point you are raising, there is choice yet the abundance of choice (which is enjoyed by many) also leads to rabbit holes which then likely keeps possible switchers from making the switch.
How is it that as a group we cannot define a base line kit comprising of say a Gillette Tech and a Cella shaving soap with a Omega badger brush and a tuck of Astra (all for about $50) does give one pause.

That is a great starter kit btw. ?

Sent from my SM-A536U using Tapatalk

It was almost 10 yrs back and still is... for any new or even intermediate level person. If one feels these above items are not working for them then it's a technique issue and not a tool issue.

Post that level I think paths become divergent and many artisan's products beckon... some are worth it; some mostly hype and that becomes a YMMV issue for sure.

Well then, that creates a conundrum. In our previous thread ( https://damnfineshave.com/thread-poor-ma...light=poor) it appeared that we accepted the premise that there was some basic under $100.00 set up that would be acceptable to transition someone to a "poor man's" luxury shave. If that premise is flawed, then this thread is pointless? Are we lost in a forest of equipment vagaries that leads a new wet shaver to endless gear testing to match a particular biology, geometry, tastes, etc. Are we on a fool's errand?

If you search around, the consensus is always "there is no consensus". Particularly with razors and blades.

So what do we tell our new wet shaver? There is no consensus on a beginner's kit so here are your cartridges and caned shave cream back?

I would recommend sticking to the initial kit for a bit (a few months), but be open to buying other gear if not totally impressed with results, instead of giving up on traditional shaving. That's probably the best advice I can give.
The only way to learn what's good for Person A is for Person A to try it for himself. But, I do agree, consistency with one set of gear is best while initially learning the process.

I am going to defend Tester here to a degree. Here is part of what he said:

"But technique requires the equipment to meet an acceptable standard...before technique can start to do its magic."

I think the important part is that the equipment must meet "an acceptable standard". To that extent I think he is right. As I said up thread, I can not get a decent shave with Cremo and a cheap Dorco twin blade disposable razor no matter how hard I try, and I have tried multiple times. The blades are too dull and the so called "shave cream" has no cushion whatsoever.

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment from our related thread, so even by Tester's standard our hypothetical new wet shaver should be able to get a good shave with the right advice.

Also, I want to complement everyone for disagreeing thoughtfully and without being disagreeable.

I guess the only mea culpa I can offer is that in my earlier post, I was responding exclusively to the words in the Thread Topic and not specifically the contents of the first post.
Having read the first post more carefully, I see you mentioned "an entry level DE razor"

Having shaved with some versions of the above, I would still say my original comments apply.
I never had much luck with some entry level razors like Edwin Jagger, Muhle R89.
On the other hand I have had spectacular outings with other entry level razors like a UK redtip and a vintage NEW.
We can argue that the examples Im giving are not exactly entry level razors...however based on my current razor line-up,
I feel they are.

I believe the technique I used on all the entry level razors I cited was pretty much the same...what made the difference, I feel, was that the equipment
in the latter example I provided was of a higher standard for my facial geometry.

Well then Tester, may I ask you to participate further?

Is there an entry level kit (under $100.00 USD) that you would deem acceptable for you, and if so what is it?

I would consider a Henson AL razor (++ or +++) to be an excellent entry level razor. I must point out that
I discovered it just a year or so ago.

And while I have not tried it, I trust the Paradigm Salient at $99 to also be a great entry level razor by a top artisan.

I guess the only mea culpa I can offer is that in my earlier post, I was responding exclusively to the words in the Thread Topic and not specifically the contents of the first post.
Having read the first post more carefully, I see you mentioned "an entry level DE razor"

Having shaved with some versions of the above, I would still say my original comments apply.
I never had much luck with some entry level razors like Edwin Jagger, Muhle R89.
On the other hand I have had spectacular outings with other entry level razors like a UK redtip and a vintage NEW.
We can argue that the examples Im giving are not exactly entry level razors...however based on my current razor line-up,
I feel they are.

I believe the technique I used on all the entry level razors I cited was pretty much the same...what made the difference, I feel, was that the equipment
in the latter example I provided was of a higher standard for my facial geometry.

Well then Tester, may I ask you to participate further?

Is there an entry level kit (under $100.00 USD) that you would deem acceptable for you, and if so what is it?

I would consider a Henson AL razor (++ or +++) to be an excellent entry level razor. I must point out that
I discovered it just a year or so ago.

And while I have not tried it, I trust the Paradigm Salient at $99 to also be a great entry level razor by a top artisan.

The Henson Aluminum razor is about $70.00. What else would you put in your hypothetical sub $100 kit?

Maggard Razor Mild head (Gillette Tech but more aggressive) and SS handle. 

Ethos soap 

Omega or Zenith boar brush 

Nacet blades 

My total is 90 dollars.

Maggard Razor Mild head (Gillette Tech but more aggressive) and SS handle. 

Ethos soap 

Omega or Zenith boar brush 

Nacet blades 

My total is 90 dollars.

Great kit!

Now we need two pieces of advise for the new wet shaver who will be transitioning from cartridges to that kit.

Maggard Razor Mild head (Gillette Tech but more aggressive) and SS handle. 

Ethos soap 

Omega or Zenith boar brush 

Nacet blades 

My total is 90 dollars.

Great kit!

Now we need two pieces of advise for the new wet shaver who will be transitioning from cartridges to that kit.

1.) prep matters more than with a cartridge so shave immediately after your shower.  

2.) any razor will always tell you the angle to cut at, listen and feel for it, but start near 30 degrees without pressure and adapt to it from there.