Reddit reviews 35 FEATHER 7 O'clock SHARK ASTRA SILVER BLUE DERBY Blade Sampler

I'd start with the Kit suggestions and FAQ in the sidebar.

In short you will NEED: A razor, razor blades and soap or cream.
Optional but Highly Recommended: a brush, shaving bowl, alum stick, witchhazel, styptic pencil, a sampler pack of blades to find what works best for you.

Typical recommendations are the Edwin Jagger de89bl with a sampler pack and an inexpensive kit or a slightly nicer kit

However if you give us a budget range or your interests that could help point you in the right direction.

Also if you are looking at straight razors, I will have to defer to those more knowledgeable than I.

On value alone you win so significantly with the Bespoke box. As others have said, you're getting a Standard razor at half price or less. This is the razor I've been using for the past month, from the Bespoke box, and I can tell you it's a marked jump from my previous Edwin Jagger DE86. The DE86 itself is superior to the Parker 22R, so you can imagine how much of a jump the Standard would be.

One thing to note is the NY Shaving Co cream is a smaller size, only 2oz. You will have to get some more soaps or creams fairly soon after. Additionally it comes with only 10 blades in total.

If you were planning to put up $98 to get in the DE shaving game anyway, here's an allocation that is superior to the one in your post:

1. Bespoke Post "The Barber" - $34 with code GOOD
   
   
2. L'Occitane Plisson shaving brush - $30 in store or online
   
   
3. 35-blade sampler - $19 (very important that you get a sampler with >1 of each blade)
   
   
4. Barrister & Mann "Latha" shaving soap - $3 plus shipping if you sign up for their rewards program. A straight-up steal on one of the best soap makers in the business.
   
   This combination is what I got my friends into DE shaving with. For a newcomer it's really important to start with the highest quality you can afford - the Standard razor is excellent, the Plisson is known as the "brush of the gods", and B&M soap has a near-legendary reputation among wet shavers.

Two observations:

First, the Weishi is a very mild razor. I couldn't get a decent shave with one, even using very sharp blades. The natural response is to use more pressure, which tends to lead to ingrown hairs and razor bumps. If you have to have a TTO, consider a Parker or a RazoRock or a vintage Gillette. But frankly I think a 3-piece is a better bet for a new shaver; the Sodial or Maggard or Edwin Jagger razors are all good options.

Second: that blade sampler only has two of each blade. You'll want a five- or ten-pack of at least one blade so that you can develop basic technique without throwing in extra variables. I like the blades in this sampler, but YMMV, of course.

What about this pack?

http://smile.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-BLUEBIRD-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415135503&sr=8-1&keywords=razor+blade+sample+pack

EDIT: Thanks. i just removed the 100 pack and got the one I posted above. Thanks!

I just did this recently.
This razor from amazon gets great reviews, was recommended all around on multiple forums, and has been regarded as a great entry razor. So far I love it.

This shaving soap

This brush

This razor sampler

These are working well for me, then again I'm still relatively new. The brush seams to be a great deal for starting off. Although I obviously haven't tried them all yet, it appears to have a decent representation of some of the most popular blades.

This Lord one is basic and great. For me I haven't noticed big differences among the razors themselves at a low price point (can't speak for the more expensive ones) but the blades themselves make a difference. Good sample pack for blades that I worked through over the course of like 2 years (mama don't shave that often..)

I have to say my favorites were the Feather, BUT I just resumed DE shaving this month and got a big pack of the Feather blades alone and they were incredibly aggressive- I think I'm not used to the angle of shave anymore, so I should've started with a sample pack again. The Derby ones were what I "learned" on and then graduated to Feather and liked those, but I think it was with the experience points I'd gathered ;)

Here is a good one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UIZFQW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01

It has most of the ones that everyone says to try.

Thanks a ton for this! I'm a complete newcomer to DE and likely would have waited another few weeks before purchasing anything, but my dad just gave me a pretty nice looking adjustable Gillette razor.

This list helped me narrow down the sampler options available on Amazon to this pack, with this one in my wish list for some late-December fun.

Thanks again & wish me luck.

E: Now if only there were an equivalent list for every other required item...

The superior low-cost sampler pack is this one. It's currently $17.95

Use the feathers last.

And the best way to use the sampler is to shave with the same brand until it runs out. You won't be able to decipher much as a beginner if you are changing the brand each shave IMO.

I think the selections are great but, do have a few suggestions.
You may want to avoid an adjustable razor to start with. If you think you'll want one down the road don't want to have two DEs in your arsenal, then by all means get it now. But a lot of beginners blame their bad shaves on not being able to find the "right setting" on their adjustable. I like the EJ89 as a good starter. But if you do go with the Progress, don't play with the settings, play with your technique.

I also think you should get a blade sampler with a little more variety (read includes astras). This is a pretty good one, but I think the bigger the better.

Good Luck, and congrats on deciding to change your shave.

I think that you would be better off with a double edge. It's less technically demanding to learn, you don't have to maintain the blade (you'll have to sharpen a straight edge from time to time and strop it daily) because it's disposable.

My philosophy is that shaving is less about the hair and more about the skin, caring for it and leaving it comfortable/not irritated. Even with a light beard, it's worth learning how to shave well because it's good for the skin and it's a pleasant and meditative ritual. The whole process of carefully prepping the skin, applying the soap/cream and doing a multiple pass shave is satisfying. Like a very masculine manicure, manly pampering. Mampering? No...

Anyway, if you click around this sub a bit, you'll notice that it's easy to go overboard and get too into it, and shave gear isn't cheap. But that's as much a blessing as a curse. I have three straight razors and a double edge, and I fully expect them to last me decades.

If I were you, I wouldn't jump in the pool quite that deep though. Here are the suggestions I make to most shave newbies interested in checking out the wetshaving gig:

Edwin Jagger DE 89:https://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-Kelvin-Double-Safety/dp/B00K6Z24SK/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469558129&sr=8-4&keywords=edwin+jagger+de

This is a simple, entry level razor. It comes with a few blades, but I'd recommend buying a sampler pack (and yes, I picked this pack because it has Feather blades, they are exceptional, if slightly too sharp for me. I use Sharks.):

https://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-SILVER-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469558238&sr=8-4&keywords=double+edge+sampler+pack

After that you'll need a brush. I'd just check the sidebar there, I use a wee scot and I suspect that not many would push you in that direction.

Then you'll want a nick stick, because dude... you'll cut yourself. It happens. Again, sidebar. But here's the cheap one that I use (don't cut myself much anymore so I don't invest in the good stuff these days):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013H6AVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And beyond that is the decision between soaps and cream and an aftershave. That one is up to personal preference in terms of scents and consistency.

I use this cream and like it fine: https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Old-Bond-Street-Sandalwood/dp/B0007MW2ZW/ref=pd_cart_rp_1_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=519dkWyoBqL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_SL500_SR100%2C99_&psc=1&refRID=FTVMYYYARCCYAX4AK72N

I use this aftershave and love it to pieces, enough to spend 50 fucking dollars on it a few times a year: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XMDQO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This isn't a super cheap set up (about $200) but you could get a cheaper aftershave and brush and be all set for under $100 and make improvements down the line if you decide you want to keep doing this.

Forgive me if you already know this, but...

Most people would actually recommend a blade sampler pack for a beginner. One of the resident guru's, Leisureguy, wrote a short explanation that can be found here on why sampler packs are best to start with.

In short, the problem with buying just one blade is that blade might not really be the best one for you. A well varied sampler pack like this one, or this one would be a great start. You can go through multiple blades to see which one works best for you.

Unless you want the scent of the Eton College shave cream, I would suggest getting the Avocado or Almond shave cream instead. Both were fantastic when I tried them and I think the avocado/almond oil gives the cream a bit more slip.

The majority opinion is that the Edwin Jagger DE89 razor is a better beginning razor however it is backordered on Amazon for 2-3 months so obviously if you want to get started now go with the Merkur. There is nothing wrong with the Merkur, I started with one, it is just the EJ is a more modern and refined design.

Some few people find that they have bad reactions to the MR GLO soap, probably to the lime oil. An alternate and the pre-shave soap I use is the Proraso glycerin soap (which is nothing like the menthol/eucalyptus shaving cream/balm from Proraso).

Also, look into a blade sampler rather than a 100-pack for a single brand.

This is the blade sampler I got and it works for me. click

Congrats on your new job. Here is a quick and easy intro kit that a lot people start with. there are tons of options so if you dont like this or are looking for something specific just say so.

Razor

Brush/mug/soap

Blade Sampler

should be right under $70. Get styptic pencil at grocery for $1 and keep using the after shave you have.

Edit: to say go to youtube lookup matic59 and watch his watch these first playlist. That will give you a great intro to wet shaving. then you can watch the rest of his videos for more specif advice and techniques if you want.

I bought this sampler pack a few months ago. All of the blades were of good quality except for the Gillette Blue's. They had wax or glue on the edge of the blade (most blades have a little dab in the middle to keep the wrapper closed). I threw them out and tried all the others.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UIZFQW/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#

I ended up liking the Astras and Feathers the best. I have a pretty tough beard and they were the sharpest.

The best advice I got was to use all (or at least a few) of one brand consecutively. This will allow you to get used to them and judge the consistency. If you are patient, try using a whole pack before switching. If you get 2 or 3 blades deep and are not happy, throw or give away the rest and move on.

I'll include links but by all means shop around...

• Edwin Jagger DE89 - popular three piece starter razor
  
  
• One of the many creams by Taylor of Old Bond St. - inexpensive and quality
  
  
• An alum block like RazoRock - you can also find some of their artisan soaps
  
  
• A synthetic shaving brush - this one looks to have the same fibres (Plisson clone) as some other very good ones. You could also get a boar brush by Omega or Semogue for eg but these will have a break-in period. Do NOT get a badger brush on your budget; it will be shite. The exception might be this mixed loft Omega 11047 "mixed midget" which is a fantastic little brush; works out of the box like a badger but gets better over time like a boar.
  
  
• Go to your local drug store for Nivea Men Sensitive after shave balm - inexpensive, effective, and widely available.
  
  This is a more than decent starter kit and affordable but you'll also need skills. Check out this poster from /u/mmosh and search for tutorial vids on Youtube by Mantic59 and/or "Nick Shaves".
  
  EDIT: Completely left out blades. You want to sample many kinds to find what is right for you. Something like this.
  
  
  
  

The brush you got can be hit or miss, some people have great results with it but I've seen quite some complaints as well. This brush would be my first choice, this is a nice budget brush and the soap is identical to the (old) Proraso.

Derby blades are well liked, but blades are very individual. I'd recommend a sampler instead of just buying one brand.


1 The pre-post can be found cheaper, so can the shaving soap

2/3 This razor is a great starter razor. After you master it and still want something more aggressive you can try a slant or a Muhle R41.

https://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-Kelvin-Double-Safety/dp/B00K6Z24SK

https://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Heavy-Double-Razor-Included/dp/B000QYEK88

https://www.amazon.com/West-Coast-Shaving-Synthetic-Brush/dp/B06XX1C84G

https://www.amazon.com/RazoRock-BARBER-Plissoft-Synthetic-Shaving/dp/B01EK5MDC8

https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Stout-Shaving-Brush-White/dp/B017V3DFGO

https://www.amazon.com/Razorock-Plissoft-Synthetic-Shaving-Brush/dp/B01CD6ZCC4

https://www.amazon.com/RazoRock-BRUCE-Plissoft-Synthetic-Shaving/dp/B01EK43SKA

https://www.amazon.com/Semogue-620-Superior-Bristle-Shaving/dp/B004OJM9XE

https://www.amazon.com/Semogue-Excelsior-830-Shaving-Brush/dp/B006EMKX00

https://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-SILVER-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW

I just ordered my beginning DE set, so I haven't shaved yet. But based on my research:

I got this blade sampler $16 because it has a decent variety of brands, and I read somewhere it's better to have more than one or two blades per brand when you're experimenting. If you're willing to spend a little more, maybe try this $40 sampler with 21 brands, I'd say that's your best bet for finding a brand you like.

Split the difference with this $25 sampler, 12 brands to try.

Here is a starter kit that I highly recommend and am currently enjoying:

• VDH Premium Shave Set
  
  
• Lord Razor
  
  
• Blade Sampler
  
  Cost me a total of $37.53 shipped to me. I also picked up a bottle of witch hazel from my local CVS for a few bucks.

I actually miscounted. It's a 35 blade sampler and the razor came with a pack of 5 as well. I got it from Amazon. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004UIZFQW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1369272982&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

I didn't mention it in my post but I did get a sampler pack, I just haven't used it yet since my razor came with a couple of blades. I grabbed this one. In hindsight I could have gotten a better deal at one of the specialty shops. I'll get my next set that way.

I recently ordered this one but it's still in transit. It contains everything which Greyzer suggested.

haha, that certainly is a frugal setup for disposable/cartridges. when i was younger always thought those Bic's wouldnt cut shit compared to a mach 3, but supposedly they're pretty decent.

ya man, after you get your handle & brush, its all about the blades. nice, that's the way to do it, i picked up this. mine did too, and even tho i heard they were decent, personally was kinda disappointed with the derby's, at least compared to the good stuff. my sampler is just about done (10 months later), so prolly gonna pick up those personnas on amazon for $12. tried the astra's & feather's, and those two were the best blades from that sampler pack

Nah, just plastic. I got this sampler pack of blades.

Cool I actually I just ordered the razorock jaws and a sampler pack

Most of my suggestions are from Shoeboxshaveshop, but you can also get plenty of good stuff on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-De89lbl-Double-Safety/dp/B002RBF1PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335639252&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-BLUEBIRD-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335639293&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Shaving-Brush-10048-Bristle/dp/B003BWNR9A/ref=sr_1_10?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335639305&sr=1-10

http://www.amazon.com/Palmolive-Men-Classic-Shave-Stick/dp/B0050OZZ24/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335639325&sr=1-1

Thank you very much for your advice. Using it I was able to make a list of stuff to buy:

[Safety Razor] (http://www.barbershop.no/muhle-r89-twist-tradisjonell-barberhovel) / Considering this one as an alternative

[Sample Blades] (http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-SILVER-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451666031&sr=8-1&keywords=razor+blade+sampler+pack) / Considering to just get these right away

[Shaving Soap] (http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_1?s=luxury-beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1451661564&sr=1-1&keywords=Proraso+Shaving+Soap)

[Beard Shampo] (http://www.barbershop.no/beardbrand-skjeggsjampo-tree-ranger)

[Beard Conditioner] (http://www.barbershop.no/beardbrand-skjeggbalsam-tree-ranger)

[Beard Oil] (http://www.barbershop.no/beardbrand-skjeggolje-tree-ranger)

[Beard Brush] (http://www.barbershop.no/oak-natural-beard-care-skjeggborste)

[Aftershave] (http://www.barbershop.no/proraso-liquid-after-shave-cream-eukalyptus-og-mentol)

[Badger Brush] (http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Safety-Razor-Silvertip-Included/dp/B00LEU3PJS/ref=pd_sim_194_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51OTe6MleLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0540M8DXQ0NG605310NR)

[Lather bowl] (http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-Porcelain-Shaving-Handle/dp/B000FIH8XO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451664550&sr=8-3&keywords=lather+bowl)

[Beard Scissors] (http://www.barbershop.no/seki-edge-skjeggsaks-mustasjesaks)

Razor Stand

What do you think?

Also
>Definitely don't shampoo every day,

Why shouldn't I shampoo every day?

>and definitely don't shampoo worth something not meant just for beards.

What do you mean?

I think I found the sampler pack for me, it's on its way as we speak. 7 o'clocks included!

Yes, all Double Edge Safety Razor Blades are sized the same. I bought the below about two years ago and I'm still using that set.
35 FEATHER 7 O'clock SHARK ASTRA SILVER BLUE DERBY Blade Sampler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s.jEzbTEP5PFM

Okay... So I've added to my "to buy" list...

blades

maybe this

brush

stand

Prep sounds like a contributing factor here. The stubble are going to be stiffer so some extra prep could be in order. Try showering first then straight to shaving or using a Hot towel to prep your face and not just a splash of water. The blade might be an issue as well try a blade sampler

If you are looking for a sampler and want to stick with Amazon, I would go for this one: http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-BLUEBIRD-Blade-Sampler/dp/B004UIZFQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332467496&sr=8-1

Maybe try a blade sampler pack like this.

In that case, I'm thinking of getting

• This razor,
  
  
• this shave kit,
  
  
• and this blade sampler.
  
  Is that a good starter kit?