- Merkur "Hefty Classic" Safety Razor
- Vulfix #2234 Super Badger Shaving Brush
- Ceramic Shaving Mug
- William's Mug Shaving Soap (~$2) Gave up on the Trumpers shaving cream since it costs $30.
- Walgreens Platinum Chrome Stainless Steel Blades (~$5 for 10 blades)
- Black Suede aftershave cream, an unexpected present from my grandmother two years ago that I'm trying. Gave up on the Trumpers skin food since it costs $24.
Typical prep is showering, soaking the brush in warm water, lathering up, one pass north-south shave, second pass south-west to north-east or south-north. Learned that's apparently the cause of my discomfort and I've been probably putting too much pressure on the blade. Will try the four-pass shave tomorrow.
As your technique improves, you can do a three-pass shave: with, across, and then finally against the grain. BTW, do rub over your beard 10 hours after you shave to find the direction of the grain on different parts of your face and neck---usually, some grain directions are a surprise. And you're right: light pressure and good blade angle---using the blade that works for you---is the secret. Toward the end of that post for beginner's is a list of the sources of common beginner problems. That may be of help. Good shaving!
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