Help me choose a safety razor and accessories!

The merkur will suit you fine.. I use the same one. I also recommend the razor-burn set that Art of Shaving still makes a package for I believe. Comes w/ a preshave oil, cream, aftershave lotion as well as a nightly balm that'll help with your ingrowns.

For starting off I'd go with Merkur or Derby blades, I haven't tried Feather blades yet but have heard they are extremely sharp. I'm somewhat new with my DE razor, and find Merkur blades forgiving enough to learn on without any nicks.

badger hair brush geo f. trumpers shaving cream

I recently got into safety razors and went with the HD. I had been somewhat inclined to go with something with a longer handle, but having used it I'm happy I listened to everyone else and chose the HD.

As far as brushes, the best badger brush at crabtree & evelyn is often recommended as an excellent bargain, and as a bonus it's on sale now for $28: http://store.crabtree-evelyn.com/acc130291.html

I ordered my HD from westcoastshaving.com as they have some nice blade sampler packs. So far I like the Dorco best, but I haven't tried Feather. Merkur was the first thing I tried, so it's tough for me to give a good opinion there. I hated the Derby. As I said though, I'm new to this, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Merkur HD and Crabtree & Evelyn brush are good for a starting point. The C&E creams and soaps have also been satisfactory, but if you can wait, I'd check out Colleen's soaps at The Gentleman's Quarter (website comes up on google search). Colleen's pleasant to deal with and offers a sampler pack for soaps and creams so you're not stuck with something that doesn't work for you.
Also recommend Proraso cream and soap, Prep soap, Pre de Povence hard soap, Provence Sante hard soap, and the eShave soaps.

I'm more of a straight razor kind of person, but I did look into the safety razors a while back. Murker HD with feather blades was my choice as well. I was going to use it in my traveling grooming kit, but it's not allowed according to the TSA list. For shaving soap, you can't go wrong with the 3 T's, that is Trumpers, Taylor of Old Bond Street, and Truefitt&Hill. For shaving cream, Prosaro, Ingrams, and Musgo Real. However, don't be afraid to deviate from these brands. I don't have any personal experience with those brands except Ingrams and Musgo Real. I go to Colleen at the Gentlemen's Quarter. She has great shaving soaps, and I wouldn't mind trying her shaving creams either. Mama Bear at bear-haven also makes excellent products. Some other brands I've considered trying include Art of Shaving, Nancy Boy, Crabtree & Evelyn, and a few other brands that are less heard of. As for aftershaves, I currently use Truefitt&Hill 1805. It's ok, could be better I think. I have a list on my main computer (500 or so miles away). When I get back I'll share what I plan to be my new lineup. An alum block, at least I think, is also quite essential. But that may be more of a straight razor thing than a double edge safety razor thing. Also, I believe if you e-mail some of the higher end brands, such as T&H, they'll send you a sample pack. When I buy things from NB, they always give me a sample of something of my choice, T&H sent me a sample pack containing cologne decants, their after shave and ultimate shaving cream when I requested it. You can check out this thread for badger brushes: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=94257

I haven't tried the HD yet despite it's number of glowing reviews--I use a an older Fat Boy as a primary choice. You may want to check out some type of 'blade sampler' like the ones dridiot offers (eBay #250343354229).


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BTW: Besides SF threads a great resource is BadgerandBlade.com, specifically the review section: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=37

HD + Derby + C&E BBB + C&E cream + Aqua Velva for aftershave!

That'd put you off on the right foot.

DONT USE A FEATHER ON YOUR FIRST DE RAZOR. I have used feathers and before I knew it I was nicked all over my face, and I had already been using a DE razor for like 6 months. You will need to develop a solid technique and should use a more forgiving blade like a derby. Derby's are great blades and you can yield some great with them. It wouldnt be a bad idea to pick up a sample set of blades and see which blades suit you best. All you really need to get started is a Murker HD, a badger hair brush, and a good cream. You can get a decent badger hair brush for around $30 and it will last you the rest of your life. For my first cream anything from Art of Shaving is pretty solid and is easily accessible.

Some good advice so far but I want to add to your list the greatest of all shave soaps - Tabac.

Good luck.

I'm a big fan of vintage Gillette adjustable safety razors. They're especially handy when using a DE razor for the first time. I started on 9, now I'm down to 5 as I've gotten the hang of it and want a closer shave.

I picked up a Merkur 34c and a razor sample pack from westcoastshaving about two months ago. For cream I just finished a tub of Trumper's Rose and recently replaced it with Taylor's Mr. Taylor. Maybe in the near future I will get a nicer brush, I currently have an Omega basic. I think if you are looking to pick up a brush as well I would drop the $35 for a C&E Edwin Jagger best badger to start.

I have been using a mid 1960's Gillette Slim Adjustable safety razor since March with Derby blades and I am a really happy lad. My main go to shaving soaps a Crabtree and Evelyn Sienna with their post shave balm in the same scent and Mama Bear's Old Spice scent glycerin shaving soap with Old Spice original scent aftershave.

The secret is the shaving brush and I love the Edwin Jagger Best Badger I got through Crabtree and Evelyn.