this is funny:

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Glad to know, Jim that if you ever came to visit, you would be set! ;)

my 27cc weedeater and a splash of acetone aftershave and I'm feeling fresh and smelling good

Personna Speed 3 last better/give closer shave than any of the many other disposable that I've tried. Shave daily, or twice a day if going out again at night. Barbasol shaving cream is really goo but not available in England so when i run out of it I use Somerset Shaving Oil or, if King of Shaves Gel inthe black tin is on special I get that-expensive even on special but the best.

I just ordered from royalshave.com

Edwin Jagger DE89L
Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap
Super Multipack of Double Edge Razor Blades (looking forward to seeing which one is best)
Vulfix Super Badger Brush #374

Never used a safety razor but it's my last resort.

any insights on starting out?

Multiple passes is the key.

I use Mitchell's as well. Great Soap.

I soak my brush in hot water, shake it out and rub it on the top of the puck for about 10 seconds to load the brush. I face lather, so I just rub the soapy brush on my face.

Then shave going with the grain.

Splash hot water, later, shave across the grain.

After you get the hang of it, do a third pass going against the grain. I can only go against the grain on part of my face, otherwise I get ingrown hairs.

Good luck, take it slow and get an styptic pencil. First week might be rough. Don't use the Feather or Kai first. They are sharper. I think I used Derby first. I only use Feather now. I think the Merkur were really bad. I get about 4-5 days with a blade. I try to push it for 6 (full week, I don't shave on Sat), but I can tell.

This is the pelican of shaving, Badger & Blade - Home

Here is a guy with a bunch of videos, Shave Tutor - YouTube

Braun electric for the last 20 years, but the quality went down when they started making them in China.

Merkur 23c here. I like an Isreali Personna Red blade (feather is my next choice.). Right now I am using Taylor of old Bond Street lemon-lime shave cream, witch hazel, and Royall Lyme or Pinaud Clubman aftershave. I like my aftershave to smell old school!

Grandfathers DE razor and badger brush. Proraso soap. Lastly, my favourite, Aqua Velva, as per my other grandfather. Will use those for the rest of my life.

Thank you Aggie, great stuff there! Can't wait to get the whole kit, I'm guessing I won't be shaving in the shower anymore with this.

Norelco electric. No soap, no blood, no rash. Shaving is a pain in the rear. When I quit working I am going to adopt the Robertson/Duck Dynasty look.

If anyone wants to try wet shaving, I have a bunch of blades from a sample pack I can send you. Not sure of the quality of most, but I think some are decent.

The resident fluffer goes with Hollywood Wax.

Peanut butter and a 3X5 card, an old Army line.:D

A clam I sharpen in the bench grinder. Works great!

Cheap Shick double edge throw away. 10 in a bag $6 or $8. They last a week.

Noélco, even the name says "Merry Christmas"!

In shower, disposable safety razor.

Otherwise, Braun cordless electric razor.

I finally went and bought a new pack of Fusion cartridges after I made the last pack of 4 last over a year. It got to the point on the last cartridge, which was at least 6 months old, that all it was doing was wiping the shaving gel off my face and barely shaving any hair.

I'm so cheap.