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thatguy said:
Haha, I did have that immediate momentary regret. Not the first time, I'm sure it won't be the last...






Oh dear... Which would be your highest recommended soap for a beginner (easy to learn with, good value, smell great... Although honestly, if there is one that is a little pricier but is better to buy once, cry once ... That's fine)
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Try Noble Otter soaps available from http://beardandblade.com.au/ or Barrister and Mann soaps available from http://www.vshod.com/
 
thatguy said:
...
Oh dear... Which would be your highest recommended soap for a beginner (easy to learn with, good value, smell great... Although honestly, if there is one that is a little pricier but is better to buy once, cry once ... That's fine)
Click to expand...

MadFlava81 said:
Try Noble Otter soaps available from http://beardandblade.com.au/ or Barrister and Mann soaps available from http://www.vshod.com/
Click to expand...

... or Stirling Soap Co available from https://artisanarcade.com/ run by a member here, @Ozwhisker!

All three of these companies are generous supporters of our annual charity auction - so why not buy one from each, they are all great choices!
 
Welcome @thatguy
Sounds like you may be starting to look for quality over value and a have mentioned a couple of good starters:
FWIW:

Rockwell 6S - definitely worth a try. Many wet shavers stopped at R6S and use daily. Gives the flexibility of an adjustable and helps to hone in your preferred level
Merkur 34c - a favourite beginners razor and many wet shavers use this as their one and only razor using sharper blades to provide efficiency
RazoRock - Game Changer 68 or 84
RazoRock - Lupo 72 or 95
Merkur Mergress or Progress - affordable quality adjustable but Zamac not Stainless
Muhle Rocca - loved by many

Budget quality I am going to buy a Weishi 9306 for a mate who is looking to convert from carts
Seen them on AliExpress for $25 with stand, bowl, synthetic brush and 10 pack of blades GLWT ;)

You wont regret digging a bit deeper and opting for Smart Helix Apollo, Monocero Husaria, Timeless Slim or Blutt but maybe wait until your are so far down the hole there is no turning back
 
thatguy said:
Oh dear... Which would be your highest recommended soap for a beginner (easy to learn with, good value, smell great...
Click to expand...
SduwtyA.jpg
 
Ok, just ordered some Barrister and Mann Seville from VSHOD and I'll run that out before looking for another soap.
 
Holiday said:
Welcome @thatguy
Sounds like you may be starting to look for quality over value and a have mentioned a couple of good starters:
FWIW:

Rockwell 6S - definitely worth a try. Many wet shavers stopped at R6S and use daily. Gives the flexibility of an adjustable and helps to hone in your preferred level
Merkur 34c - a favourite beginners razor and many wet shavers use this as their one and only razor using sharper blades to provide efficiency
RazoRock - Game Changer 68 or 84
RazoRock - Lupo 72 or 95
Merkur Mergress or Progress - affordable quality adjustable but Zamac not Stainless
Muhle Rocca - loved by many

Budget quality I am going to buy a Weishi 9306 for a mate who is looking to convert from carts
Seen them on AliExpress for $25 with stand, bowl, synthetic brush and 10 pack of blades GLWT ;)

You wont regret digging a bit deeper and opting for Smart Helix Apollo, Monocero Husaria, Timeless Slim or Blutt but maybe wait until your are so far down the hole there is no turning back
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's really helpful. I think the top 4 on your list are ones that I've seen the most glowing reviews for. Really tempted by the dscosmetics stainless clone with scalloped head for the GC68 and 84, and the 34C. Apparently finish is excellent, and I would prefer the longevity of stainless.
 
thatguy said:
Haha, I did have that immediate momentary regret. Not the first time, I'm sure it won't be the last...






Oh dear... Which would be your highest recommended soap for a beginner (easy to learn with, good value, smell great... Although honestly, if there is one that is a little pricier but is better to buy once, cry once ... That's fine)
Click to expand...

ARKO!!!!!!
 
thatguy said:
Oh dear... Which would be your highest recommended soap for a beginner (easy to learn with, good value, smell great... Although honestly, if there is one that is a little pricier but is better to buy once, cry once ... That's fine)
Click to expand...
MadFlava81 said:
Try Noble Otter soaps available from http://beardandblade.com.au/ or Barrister and Mann soaps available from http://www.vshod.com/
Click to expand...
Mark1966 said:
... or Stirling Soap Co available from https://artisanarcade.com/ run by a member here, @Ozwhisker!

All three of these companies are generous supporters of our annual charity auction - so why not buy one from each, they are all great choices!
Click to expand...

...and don't forget our resident Aussie soap makers @CraigE from Blue Devil Shave Co. and @SchoolForAnts Squadron Soaps
 
Welcome @thatguy. It’s a great place for advice here. You’ve already received loads I see. I’ll second the Merkur 34c HD recommendation. You can’t go wrong with that one. If you use it you’ll see that it performs differently with different blades. It’s still my go to daily razor when I’m in doubt about what to use.
 
thatguy said:
Hahaha, heard many things about arko. I think there is a stick on the way that came with a blade purchase. Do I understand correctly that it's a competent to good soap with a unique smell?
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Look at Speedy's avatar, his nose is worthless! I've been using nothing but Arko since the end of last year, but I use the hard puck, it's better than the stick.

large_26609_ARKOC885-ARKO-Shaving-Soap-01.jpg
 
Heh, listen to all these voices. Or rather, don't. There's an awful lot of partisan rubbish spouted here, as you'll find elsewhere. If you can find a soap you can stand the scent of in the first few attempts, you're doing very well. My strike rate is maybe 1 in 8 at best. :rolleyes: Arko performs fine, but many hate the smell. But it's cheap, if that's important to you. Some razors will work for you better than others, and not necessarily the most expensive ones. Take your time, keep an eye on the BST and see what appeals.

For instance, you could do worse than buy @Holiday's Alpha Claymore Evolution if the idea of a SE razor appeals. (I'm not sure if you can see the BST yet, but if you're interested, ask him.) Or for a cheaper option, the Yaqi Raster. Another suggestion, if the idea of triple-milled soaps appeals to you, I'd suggest giving D.R. Harris a try. (My pick FWIW is Windsor.)
 
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