Like a new shaver........
OK, so I have been using a Gillette DE straight bar razor for a lot of years now. I would consider myself above average in using it. I got tired of the TTO, 1960 or however old it is, so I upgraded to a MUHLE R41 Grande.
I love the razor, however I feel like I am a first time DE shaver. Razor bumps, razor burn, a few nicks and below average smoothness. I have heard via a few videos that this razor is more aggressive and requires a more aggressive
angle, but I just can't seem to find the sweet spot. Plus I'm not sure if the "more aggressive angle" means I should be having the handle "closer to my face" or "more parallel with my eyes". I picked up a pure badger hair brush, from Target, of all places, and for $9.00 I am pretty impressed with the quality. I'm also using Geo Trumper's almond cream for the first time, and it is amazing. I've never used a brush before, and I find the hairs on this to be too long, but for 9 bucks, it will do fine. The almond cream, I have to stop myself from eating it. I'm sure a few more shaves, and I'll have it figured out, it just really struck me as odd that I didn't just pick this razor up and find myself shaving as I have done so many times before with the other razor. If it matters, I used the Derby blade that came with it, to give it a try, but I have a 10pk of Feathers. I have always used "personna" blades, some 1.65 a 5pk at "Sallys" where my wife gets her hair goop.