Some Thoughts On DE Shaving (a follow-up to "A Choice of 2 Merkurs")
Greetings all!
After my initial thread (see above) I finally chose the Merkur 38C (long handled HD, the "barber pole"), though I didn't get to use it for a while as I was waiting until after my wedding to slice myself up :rofl2:. Anticipation is usually half the battle, and I think safety razors scared me WAY more than straight razors did when I first started last year. Go figure.
Anyway, I did prepare myself by watching mantic59's video series, and along with my solid foundation in SR shaving I felt confident to give it a go with the Merkur.
To summarize, I am up to 3 shaves with my DE so far, two with the dreaded Merkur blades (underrated I say) and my last shave with a fresh Derby. The results?....... Superb, close, very irritation free shaves right out of the gate! I have to say I'm more than impressed, not a single cut, weeper or spot of razor burn at all. Even a splash of Proraso AS (alcohol based) doesn't sting at all. My last shave, with the Derby blade, I hate to say even rivaled some of my best BBS straight razor shaves. After 3 shaves! I can't believe I was nervous before I tried a DE.
Anyway, I'm not chalking up my great results to my magical shaving skills, although it would be nice. However I do have some observations about the switch-over for newbies or members just willing to listen:
-I had a solid foundation in straight razor shaving before picking up a DE. Although some may say a DE is a better intermediate step before going SR, I wholeheartedly disagree. It didn't hurt me at all!
-I already had mapped my beard for growth directions long ago, in anticipation of SR shaving.
-The idea of shaving in passes, or stubble reduction, was already ingrained in me.
-My straight razor background meant that beard prep is something that I already religiously observe, so that was not a problem. My collection of top performing shaving soaps and creams didn't hurt either.
-I had already been practicing the art of "zero pressure", and the additional heft of the 38C definitely helped in that department.
In short, the principles of wet shaving, whether you are using a straight, DE, or a crappy Bic disposable, are entirely transferrable. With practice the skills you learn will get you a great shave no matter what. In fact if it weren't for the info shared here at SRP and other forums, I would not have had the great success that I did. The only problem I have now is resisting the urge to continually DE shave with different blades! Time to get back to my straights.
:beer1:
Cheers,
Ryan
Some Thoughts On DE Shaving
Gentlemen,
My double edge razors have always given me a good shave. Having trimmed my collection of about a dozen DE's (included Merkur 38C and 34C), I have chosen to keep the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" "barley" and the mock ivory, in addition to the Cyril Salter (uses a Merkur head). My blades of choice are Feather and 7 O'Clock (yellows).
The straight razor is my daily companion, of course. I love the art and the skill that goes into using it. I love stropping it. Taking care of it. Studying the history of it, and the different brands.
Yet, I save two or three shaves a month for the DE just to stay in touch. I am aware that some straight razor users completely abandon the DE. I cannot do that, because I am still fond of the DE. Also, I use a DE when strapped for time. When traveling, along with a Feather AC straight and a regular straight, I also carry a Merkur travel DE just in case time is short.
Some friends are worth keeping — and my DE is still a friend.
Regards,
Obie