Thread: First DE shave

After 3mths on straights and some travel coming up I decided to get my first DE, I'm not discriminatory with my RAD as long as it isn't a cartridge razor!

Ordered myself a Merkur 46c which is basically a 23c but with a travel pouch and handle that screws in half.

So straight from work even having shaved this morning I had to use it.

Prep: No shower or hot towel just a splash of hot water. Lathered up some TOBS sandalwood cream with a whipped dog silver tip badger.

Shave: 3 passes wtg, xtg, atg

Post shave: cold water rinse, generic barbershop bay rum.

Result: DFS with very little burn from the AS, a couple of weepers on my neck but nothing major.

In all pretty good for a first attempt I think. Shaving with a straight probably helped with angles and a pre-mapped beard.

Haven't got anything to compare with but the razor seems ok even for a beginner, it didn't eat me alive at any rate.

As for the razor, the finish on the head is good but the threads on the handle are a bit scrappy.

Hoping RAD doesn't hit me from another angle now...

Yours sounds like an awesome shave. I had my first DE shave tonight. Mother in law gave me a DE razor she found at an op shop. I have no idea what brand, how old or anything. I gave it a go, thinking it would be an awful, bloody, experience. Well I was very surprised. It was pleasant, smooth; no razor burn! I did cut my scalp (maybe need more practice before taking to my head with it) but it was excellent on the face.
I just used proraso preshave, lather & aftershave lotion for simplicity.
Tempted to look for more DE razors now

Originally Posted by mud13s

After 3mths on straights and some travel coming up I decided to get my first DE, I'm not discriminatory with my RAD as long as it isn't a cartridge razor!

Ordered myself a Merkur 46c which is basically a 23c but with a travel pouch and handle that screws in half.

So straight from work even having shaved this morning I had to use it.

Prep: No shower or hot towel just a splash of hot water. Lathered up some TOBS sandalwood cream with a whipped dog silver tip badger.

Shave: 3 passes wtg, xtg, atg

Post shave: cold water rinse, generic barbershop bay rum.

Result: DFS with very little burn from the AS, a couple of weepers on my neck but nothing major.

In all pretty good for a first attempt I think. Shaving with a straight probably helped with angles and a pre-mapped beard.

Haven't got anything to compare with but the razor seems ok even for a beginner, it didn't eat me alive at any rate.

As for the razor, the finish on the head is good but the threads on the handle are a bit scrappy.

Hoping RAD doesn't hit me from another angle now...

When you learned the straight you ran a marathon and when you tried a DE razor you ran, in comparison, a sprint.

If I wanted an even better shave I'd get a Merkur 37C (3" handle) or Merkur 39C (4" handle). That's the best safety razor as far as I'm concerned.

I tried the slant and did not see a great advantage to it. I would suggest a Merkur Progress. Can be dialed from very mild to very aggressive. I love mine. I get lots of audible feedback and I am one of the few who change settings depending on what part of my face/neck I am working on.

The Merkur 37C Slant is the best DE razor I've come across, bar none. That being said I recently acquired a new "controversial" DE, I'll be giving my impressions of that soon I'm sure

Of the Merkurs, I really like the Futur, personally, but i think that slants and the progress are both great choices, too. The 37/39C, the Progress, the vision, and the Futur are the 4 designs by Merkur that are truly unique shaving experiences that no one else has anything quite like, and they are all some of the best beard tamers out there.