Thread: Rate my setup? (Plus some general questions)

Ok setup first:

Double Edge Safety Razor:
Merkur Heavy Duty Double Edge Razor #34C (Cost 37$)

Amazon.com: Merkur Heavy Duty Double Edge Razor #34C (Blade Included): Health & Personal Care

Razor Blades:
Shark Double Edge Razor Blades, Super Stainless, 20 X 5 Count (100 blades) (Cost 9$)

Amazon.com: Shark Double Edge Razor Blades, Super Stainless, 20 X 5 Count (100 blades): Health & Personal Care

Ok now questions:

1. When I shave I always wondered this. Why does your shave areas turn grey?

2. My face is starting to burn after I shave. I'm accusing my pre shave and shave soap. Who's the cause of the burning problem generally when it comes to shaving?

3. If I buy things from sellers off of amazon. Do I need to disenfect or clean before using the razor blades? They came from some company called Lord in Egypt.

Well,
1. Blade angle to your skin is very important! Think of a straight and make the blade ( not the cap) angle to your skin less than 10-15 degrees. If you use the razor like a hoe. You scrape rather than cut cleanly.
2. Your razor is aggressive.
3. I would start buy buying a sample pack of blades. Some folks do not get smooth shaves from the Sharks.
Same answer to the other question, If you shave raises a burr across your face by cutting into the surface and raising a fur of skin as it goes, it may look gray ( dry skin) or be very chapped and burn after shaving.
YMMV as everyone else's does.
~Richard

As above, blade angle and no pressure/pushing of the razor into your face.
Your face might not like the Shark blades. I'd recommend you order a blade sampler pack from some place like Maggard Razors.
You may also want to try a different soap. I've had a few that my skin reacted to and had a definite burn from them.

+1 to Chris and Geezer

Invest in some Nivea after shave balm. Cheap and does as good a job as any moisturizing and conditioning your skin. It will also soften your whiskers allowing for a more comfortable shave.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Sounds like too much pressure and too harsh of an angle. Most people are too used to the pressure (and angle) you have to use when using a cartridge razor. When using a DE like yours, you literally just use the weight of the razor. And the 34C is a pretty heavy razor. Make sure your angle is such that the razor isn't completely perpendicular to your face (like a cartridge razor). You have to kind of tilt DE razors when you use them. Also make sure you are stretching the skin where you shave. It really helps a ton with saftey razors.

1. The grey is from the very short hair (stubble) left on your face. It sticks out after a shave if you don't shave close enough.

2. As mentioned above, too much pressure and the wrong angle are the culprit.

3. The items you are buying are new, so there is no need to disinfect or clean them.

Trying a variety of blades from a sample pack has been mentioned, and that is a good idea. The Shark blades are not good enough for everyone.