Hello all,

I have been trying to get a good shave with my safety razor for about 6 months now, without much luck. I have read everything I could get my hands on, and I don't particularly feel like my technique is the problem. I'm starting to think that my products may be causing issues.

I don't think its my blade, as I'm using a merkur safety razor with merkur blades. I've been using a preshave oil, shaving cream, and after shave balm from the Art of Shaving, and it doesn't seem to do anything for softening up my beard. What it DOES do really well is dry out my skin and make me smell like an old dashboard air freshener. In the end, I feel like I'm dragging my blade across sandpaper, particularly on my neck, in which the hair grows every direction imaginable.

I've read a lot of reviews on the site about shaving products, but was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a particularly stiff beard?

In my frustrations, I've thought about taking the plunge and just getting a straight, but I don't feel like that's necessarily the right solution, as I'm sure plenty of people get great shaves with a safety razor.

At this point I'm open to just about anything.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Dave