Thread: seriously thinking about buying a DE

I was in exactly the same spot three weeks ago. Screwed up my courage and ordered my first DE Merkur Futur. I LOVE this razor. Much better shave than the Mach 3 and incredably less expensive for blades. I get a far better shave. I also have the Merkur Progressive - which is an outstanding razor as well - but I prefer the Futur because it's heavier and feels better in my hand and also against the skin. Both are outstanding razors, light years better than the Mach 3.

I also invested in a really great shaving brush and some high end Castle Forbes Lime and Castle Forbes Lavendar shaving cream/soap. The brush is a hand made silver tip badger which I got from Bobs Razor Works (<bobsrazorworks@aol.com>). Very high quality brush and beautifully hand made exotic handel. I also use Castle Forbs unscented pre-shave. All of this is to say - it's now a true luxury to shave!

Have no fear. The double edge is far far better to use than the Mach 3.

I have a merkur HD that i really like and have had it for over a year. When i started with a DE, one thing that took me a while to figure out is (finding) the best blade to use with it. Different blades can cause different levels of irritation. I have used blades I picked up at walgreens, personna, derby, wilkinson sword, etc. So far I really like the wilkinson sword blades. Also the HD has a nice weight to it and is just all around a good razor considering the price.

If you do get a safety razor pick up a sample pack of with a good variety of blades. I'll get maybe 5 shaves a blade, best shave is 2 and 3. As with a straight, prep is very important. I dont know if you use preshave but i recommend it with a DE. I actually just use a bit of olive oil. Good luck.

oh and from what i've heard stay away from any pakistani or other blades from the region, just what i've heard.

Three pieces can be good, but a TTO (twist to open) is convenient. I can get a week of shaves from one blade, but I think others get less. Many people recommend getting sampler packs to match blade, razor and beard, but I am two thirds of the way through one of these sampler packs and have not made any discernible differences.

I had my first DE shave thismorning. It was great, but I do miss the satisfaction of doing something difficult like I get with the straight. I got a very smooth shave in most places. The most notable difference was that I was able to go atg on my neck. I also had a little difficulty getting the angle right on the left side of my face. But nothing a little more practice can't fix.

Just an update for you all. I tried using Dorco blades. The shaves were rather good. But this morning I tried using an Astra blade. I bled almost as much as I would with a roughly honed straight with a poor grade shaving soap. After I finished I looked like Homer Simpson with peices of tissue paper stuck all over my face. I think I will be going back to the Dorco blades, until I find something better.

I had the same problem with derby blades, I bled all over. Which was surprising because a lot of people really like Derby blades. I like personna and wilkinson sword, very smooth shaves. (for me at least) Some peoples skin react differently, I read somewhere possibly because of the sharpness differences between brands.

My new fav is 1917 single ring that i just got . I get 3 shaves from a blade.

The Gillette NEW improved before 1930 is the best DE I have ever used, period. I would strongly recommend one to anybody. Perfect BBS everytime with my Feathers.