Thread: merkur

i had my first ever de shave last nite with a merkur 37c long handle and i used the blade that came with it, with that i also purchased a sampler of about 20 diff blade manuf. the sides of my face turned out great bb smooth but my neck turned out not so good. i had alot of nicks you may call them i dont think they are true cuts as they were very small dots. didnt bleed much at all, i have had the same problem before with a cartridge razor as i have sensitive skin. my neck feels very irritated today and almost painful to touch, that being said i never shave everyday due to the fact it hurts to much. any help would be appreciated. how long should i wait before i try again?

The 'nicks' sound like what we commonly call 'weepers'. Little dots of blood. I could be wrong because I've only got my own skin to go by, but I believe irritation such as you describe is always a result of too much pressure. Not sure how long you need to wait but whether it is a day or two when you go back to it don't try and get it all in one pass. Here is a description on the gradual stubble removal technique using multiple no pressure passes.

I due to my job have to shave everyday so, I really don't put any pressure on the blade I use a similar razor as you have (Mekur 38C), and when I got it the blade that came with it wasn't the best. Once I changed it out the shave got better. Jimmy has it right, it is a gradual stubble removal not all at once. I had lots of problems with cartridge razors and cans of gel. I only use soap with aloe in it or as natural as I can get. I really make sure my skin and hair are warm out of the shower and take my time. Your skin will get use to the new feel as long as you take slow and gradual. To help with the weeping you can use a few different things a styptic pencil, a alum block or cold water and lip balm. I once I finish shaving I use cold water, witch hazel, and Nivea after shave balm. If you can get away with it take a good 48 between shaves for the first week then move up to every 24 hours if you can. I hope some of this can help you.

Some people have found that they have to make sure the 37C has its blade aligned properly. If it wasn't it might explain the weepers and nicks, because for many people the slant razors are just astonishingly smooth and efficient.

I would suggest you try loading it upside down on a table. So head down insert the blade and then screw in the handle securely. Then try shaving again, with light pressure.

Let us know how it goes.

thanks for all the help guys. im hoping it will get better. im still waiting on the shaving cream to arrive. i used the spray foam junk. so i hope after i switch razor blades and get some new lather that it gets better.

The 37c is a great razor, but is pretty aggressive, so it may take some practice to get your technique down, especially on the neck ( which is often a lot trickier). One thing that may help is to sue a pre shave product, although you said you were still using canned goo, so a proper lather will help a lot. Till then, wash your face before you shave, then massage the canned goo in, and leave it for a few minutes to soften the beard before your shave.

i always shower before a shave. i have a couple diff lather samples coming and im sure my tech. is not correct. trial and error is what this is going to be.

I started with the Merkur long handled classic. It is aggresive for sure. I cut myself with it far more than I do with a straight. I have also found the straight to be a better shave than a DE. But, you'll get there!

i just want to know there is light at the end of the tunnel lol

There is light at the end of the tunnel it takes a little practice just like learning a SR. I shaved my face for 2 months with a DE before I started moving to my head. I was a little afraid of using it on my head till I had my angles and technique down. Take your time and you will get it.

Eric