Evening gents. I've just picked up a bunch of goodies from a local supplier (Proraso pre-cream, Semogue brush, alum block, more blades) and I also decided to try a new DE, just a spur-of-the-moment thing. I picked up a Merkur 1904 closed comb DE. Since getting the package, I've tried two shaves with the Merkur and a new Astra blade (same side of the blade each time, so one shave had the blade as new, and the next slightly dulled).

My standard shave is one pass ATG, and another touchup pass if needed, and with my EJ 89 DE I've had nary a scratch. However this was not the case with my new Merkur. Both times I've walked away looking like I've gone twelve rounds with a weedwhacker and lost - weepers everywhere on my neck and chin that take ages with the alum to stop bleeding, plus a fair bit of stinging and burning post-shave. Is the Merkur 1904 classed as an aggressive shaver by those in the know here? And what tips can people give me to get a better, smoother shave from this razor? Alternatively, can people recommend me a similarly mild shaver to my EJ89 so that I can still switch to a different shaver when I feel the urge for a change? FYI, I've tried just going WTG with it - that resulted in a terrible quality shave and still stung.