New to DE shaving

So im excited to get started. I've shaved twice with the Merkur Progress that my wife got me for Christmas and one thing I've noticed is the nicks and marks I get on my neck. I'm not sure if it is from me going the wrong direction first or if my skin is that sensitive. Any recommendations for an aftershave balm that may help? Or is there a pre shave step I'm missing? I've started with a shower then I make sure my face is dry before I take about 5 minutes using a brush with the Mitchells Wool Fat soap. Thanks for any replies and advice from you fine gentleman.

One extremely important thing you should remember is not to press the DE safety razor against your face like you would with a plastic disposable and go slower. You must let the weight of the safety razor do the work. Remember that you are "reducing" your beard on every pass with a safety razor, not hacking it off all in one go. Make sure your first pass goes with the grain. If your skin is very sensitive then you could try making the second pass with the grain as well and then if you feel a third pass is needed go across the grain and forget about going against the grain alltogether. I've tried several types of pre shave products and dont really like the oil type pre shave products. But that's a personal preference and you will have to find your own. I prefer gels and Proraso's pre shave cream. I find the aloe and green tea is good for sensitive skin. You say you dry your face off before you apply your shave soap? I leave my face wet and apply my pre shave and then my soap or cream over it. It's not really necessary to re apply the pre shave before your next passes. Dont let your shave soap get too dry or you will inadvertently press harder on your razor to scrape off the dryer soap.
There are many good after shave balms out there. I've tried a few and right now I have Proraso and Nivea. The Nivea balm is easy to find at just about any drug store or big grocery store and is reasonably priced. It also comes in regular, unscented, non alchohol and for sensitive skin. I've had good luck with both of those products.
Now I happen to have the same Merkur Progress razor that you do and I love it. Remember, it's important with that razor when you put in a new blade that you match the indexing marks on the two pieces to each other. Then you tighten it down until it stops. It should be at setting number one at that point. I use setting number 4 for my first pass when I have a heavy growth of whiskers and then turn it down to 2 for the next two passes. Great razor.
It takes a few shaves to sort out what works best for you. The most important thing to remember is not to press the razor too hard against your face. Dont worry, after a few more shaves you'll figure out what works best for you. It's an experience we're all familiar with.

Feel your stubble before shaving to see what direction it grows. I got irritation on my lower neck for months until I realized that it was actually growing the opposite direction so while I was shaving straight down, I was going ATG.

One other thing to consider is an alum block. It's basically a salt like block that heals and helps stop irritation. I use them after particularly rough shaves. You can get one on amazon for like five bucks.

Hope this helps!

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If you will go to the Beginner's section in the Forum you will find 99.9% of your questions answered!

Please remember that unlike those Bastard Children of the original DE (disposable/plastic encased so and so's) you don't need to use ANY pressure! the weight of the razor is enough! Also Stretching the skin will help! And also not everyone likes the same DE blades!!! While I've basically been using just straight's a friend gave me a Vintage Gillette DE and recommended using the Derby Extra blades. I like them!

All of the 'true' wet shaving takes time to learn as there are learning curves, especially a straight. I can't comment on a DE as it's what I learned on 45 years ago so when I picked one up again, it was like riding a bike!

Again Welcome! Keep at it and Keep Reading here at SRP!!

Third shave today and things are looking better. I appreciate the input a lot of it has helped. I had discovered the little triangle and notch to match up on my DE just before I read the reply.

Today's shave wasn't as close as a shave as my previous two, I suspect mostly because of using a lower setting on the DE, I turned it all the way down in order to prevent skin irritation. I also went ahead and strictly went WTG. I also tried a new blade, today I tried the Shark Chrome and felt they were alright. My second shave was done with Astras and I I'm leaning a little more towards those. My wife got me a few more that I can try and I also have some Lord Platinums and Wilkinson Swords coming in the mail. I did also order some Feather blades, but I do know they are notorious for tearing up your face if you aren't careful, so they will sit on the shelf for some time while I get better at this.

Who knew shaving could be so much fun eh?

First of all, welcome! I'll say, I've been shaving with a Merkur DE for about 3 years now and am making the transition into straight razor shaving. The DE positively blew away everything that I had used prior to buying my Merkur. All of the wonder-razors on the market that have 3-5 blades always left my face feeling as though it was wind burned and it sucked. I always get such a nice close shave with my DE that I never could before, but it didnt start out that way. In the beginning I would get nicks and cuts with every shave because I was used to using disposables and I tried to use the same technique with them as I did with the Merkur. You cant do that.

As said, you have to learn the direction that the hair grows in on your face and neck. For me, I get an incredibly close shave with just two passes, one being with the grain and the second being against the grain. With a DE I get alot closer of a shave if I use short quick strokes on my against the grain pass. Another big thing to remember is dont use pressure with a DE. Let the weight of the razor do the work. I noticed I cut myself alot more if I forgot to not use pressure.

As far as blades go, I use Wilkinson Sword blades that I pick up at Walmart for about $1.50 for a pack of 10. I only use a blade once, twice at the most and I shave every two to three days. So a pack of blades lasts me a month at best. They arent the sharpest blades out there, but they do a good job. I've found though, that blade choice is always a personal preference. I would say try a few brands and see what your skin likes best.

Hey!!!! TexasShaver just reminded me of something. I live in southern British Columbia. I went shopping across the line at Walmart and picked up a pack of 10 WS blades for $1.50 like Texas says. The same exact blades up here ( a half hour drive from my place to Walmart across the line) are $15.00!!!!! That's not a misplaced decimal. I typed that correctly. The same pack up here is FIFTEEN DOLLARS!!!!! Lord Thunderin' we get ripped off!!! Rant over.
Anyway KyLund, glad to hear you're having better luck with your new DE.
....and Texas, you must have barb wire for a beard. I get 5 - 6 shaves out of one blade. Mind you, after paying FIFTEEN DOLLARS ( rip off!!! ) for a pack of WS blades we kind of learn how to stretch things out. Now I just mail order my blades. 7 - 8 bucks for a ten blade pack of Merkur or Feather blades is waaaaaaaay more reasonable.

Some good info above...light pressure only, don't go over and over the same spot, and map your face ,to see which way to attack those whiskers. At least you have a quality soap that gives nice glide and cushion. The shaves will get better !!,,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JasonMaxx

Hey!!!! TexasShaver just reminded me of something. I live in southern British Columbia. I went shopping across the line at Walmart and picked up a pack of 10 WS blades for $1.50 like Texas says. The same exact blades up here ( a half hour drive from my place to Walmart across the line) are $15.00!!!!! That's not a misplaced decimal. I typed that correctly. The same pack up here is FIFTEEN DOLLARS!!!!! Lord Thunderin' we get ripped off!!! Rant over.
Anyway KyLund, glad to hear you're having better luck with your new DE.
....and Texas, you must have barb wire for a beard. I get 5 - 6 shaves out of one blade. Mind you, after paying FIFTEEN DOLLARS ( rip off!!! ) for a pack of WS blades we kind of learn how to stretch things out. Now I just mail order my blades. 7 - 8 bucks for a ten blade pack of Merkur or Feather blades is waaaaaaaay more reasonable.

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Wow!! What a rip-off on those blades! I couldnt imagine paying $15 for something that should cost 1/10th of that. Talk about inflation. lmao

And its weird how long they last for me. I can stretch them into 3 shaves tops, but even then I start to notice some irritation. Granted the WS blades are better then a pack of Shark blades I got a while back, I still just cant get much out of them. My facial hair really isnt that coarse, at least I dont think it is although I dont go around feeling other peoples stubble to compare. Haha. I just find that if I change the blade every time, or every other time depending on how long I wait between shaves, I seem to get better results. At roughly $0.15 per blade, I really didnt mind. Although now that Im moving to straights, that wont be an issue any longer. Although Im sure it will be a more costly addiction. lol

I like Taylor of bond street.

I may have to make a trip to my local Wal Mart and see if I can find some Wilkinson Swords. Thanks for the tip.

There are some real bargains on blades online if you shop about!