First DE Shave - Wow!

[skiddyrow]

Hey everyone! After lurking around the forums for a couple of months now, I finally got my Merkur HD and some Merkur blades and had the pleasure of experiencing my first DE shave - and I have to say that the enthusiasm of this forum's members is not overrated - it's by far the best shave I've had. Ever.

Weapons of choice

- Merkur HD 34C
- Merkur Blades
- Body Shop Synthetic Brush
- Body Shop Maca Root Shave Cream

I've been using the Brush / Cream lathering for a couple of months now, and while that itself has improved the quality of shaves, the DE Razor has made a world of difference. My first comment though, is that I was quite surprised to see the razor and how small it actually is - probably just over half the length of a Mach 3. My dad used to have a vintage Gillette (butterfly type - not sure what model), and I distinctly remember it was quite bigger. I've seen quite a few photographs on this forum, but it looks much bigger in the pics than it actually is. However, it feels really solid and after using it, I find the size is actually an advantage and is easier to keep the blade angle consistent.

I've been following the advice on the forum and also watched Mantic's videos, so I felt adequately prepared as far as technique was concerned. After a hot shower and hot towel prep, I worked up a nice lather and left it on a while. I used the Merkur blade that came in the box (I've bought a couple of more 10 packs for good measure). I decided to try it out with just one or two WTG passes, but since i managed the first pass without any cuts or discomfort, I added one ATG and one XTG pass, and surprisingly, no cuts at all and definitely no discomfort on my neck - this is always a trouble spot for me and multiple passes with a Mach 3 always resulted in redness and cuts. My necks a problem area for me with hair growing in all directions, and a few spots could have done with a few more passes, but I didn't want to push it on the first day.

Being a quiet early morning, I enjoyed the crisp sound of the blade slicing through the hair, something that I've only noticed with a straight razor shave at the barbershop!

I also keep my head shaved and with the positive feedback of my first attempt, decided to have a go with my first DE head shave as well - again, very pleased with the results and only managed to cut myself in a few places after three passes.

Some questions though

- I'm a little compulsive about keeping my things clean and want to know if its okay to wipe down the razor dry. I know that wiping blades is definitely not recommended but I wanted to know if its fine to wipe down the razor (after taking the blade out). Just rinsing it does not seem to clean the fine white film that forms.

- Which brings me to my second question - do you prefer to leave the blade in or take it out after a shave? I'm anyways going to take it out to rinse it (and the razor), but not sure if I should keep it back in its paper cover or place it back in the razor (or some alternate storage method)

- I also use shave oil to shave around my goatee area to be able to shape it properly, and this causes the blade to cling on to hair / lather while I am shaving which does not go away completely with a rinse. Since its not recommended to wipe the blade down, any suggestions on how to clean this effectively?

- With a head shave and a face shave off the same blade, the blade life is obviously going to be low and I'm guessing just 2-3 uses off a blade - any other head shavers care to comment on this?

Thanks again people for the suggestions, and with some soaps and creams on the way, I'm well on my way to addiction!

Cheers,

Sid

 

[Drubbing]

Good to hear. It gets better; most people don't rate Merkur blades very highly.

I just wipe down my razor carefully with the blade still in, and clean it up properly once a week or so. I wouldn't take out wet blades and store them, that's an accident waiting to happen.

 

[skiddyrow]

@Drubbing, yes I agree - was a bit tricky getting the wet blade out and I can see that's an accident waiting to happen! As of now I dont have anything to compare the Merkur blades to, but found them quite good - I've picked up some Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp (Greens) and the Super Platinums (Blacks) here in India so will give that a try and compare.

 

[bwatts]

This is what I do:

I find that by elevating the blade it air dries better and it won't be resting in a pool of water prematurely rusting the blade which has happened to me before

 

[skiddyrow]

looks good! thanks bwatts!

 

[Hughies_online]

Well done

 

[Raffaele]

Oh boy, don't remove the blade.It's dangerous!
You can use an hair dryer, it's more practical, it's safer.
... and then the blades are stainless steel and they don't rust!

Regards

 

[bwatts]

Everything is dangerous if you're not careful. My blades have rusted before maybe it's down to when I was hand stropping and the oils penetrated the metal who knows

 

[Raffaele]

Everything is dangerous if you're not careful. My blades have rusted before maybe it's down to when I was hand stropping and the oils penetrated the metal who knows

I'm sorry for your bad experience.
but the blade was stainless steel or carbon steel?

 

[Angus Young]

I've only ever had one blade start to rust. It was a yellow 7 o'clock which I think is what is pictured. I noticed the rust four days after I put it in my Futur.

 

[ProphetNoir]

You know shaving is an incredibly personal act. Wetshaving and using a DE or straight magnifies the personal aspect many times over. We involve ourselves in a ritual of pre shave prep, lather building, skin and beard hydration, water temperature, blade selection and so on. For me, the ritual doesn't end when I rinse the last trace of lather from my shaved face. I take my razor apart and remove the blade and set it aside while I dry my razor. I then pat the blade dry and hand strop it before putting the whole thing back together and hanging it in the stand. This is just what I like to do. Of course someone can get a cut finger from a loose blade if they aren't careful, but you can cut your face up pretty badly with a blade in the razor if you are not careful. You should always exercise care with a blade, whether it is in the razor or being replaced or being disposed of.

 

[taffy]

Glad your enjoying your de shaves, i never take the blade out in between changing the blades and no harm has come to my razors, or fingers

 

[alabamalawyer]

Congrats on the first shave. You will discover that the shaves get even better over time as your technique improves.

Wiping the razor and blade down is not necessary after each use. I won't hurt if you decide to do it, but it isn't necessary. Between shaves, I simply shake out any excess water and leave the razor on the counter to dry. The cleaning is done only when I change out the blade.

For cleaning, I keep a soft bristle toothbrush in my bathroom for my razors. After using a blade (5-7 shaves usually), I then remove the blade and put a little soap on the toothbrush and clean the razor under warm water. I then let it dry before reassembling it.

 

[skiddyrow]

Thanks for the inputs guys, though I have to say my second try didnt go as well :-( cut myself more than I would have liked and has left my face raw for a couple of days. The blade just didnt feel as sharp and I'm guessing that using the same blade for my head shave as well drastically reduces the blade life. In any case the 7 O'clock Greens I have are really inexpensive so I really dont mind using a fresh one for each shave (or will probably switch back to using my Mach3 for my head shave)

 

[Johnny Dale]

I too never dry the razor after use with anything other than a good shake. I replace the blade every three days and give the razor a cleaning then. Have never had a problem with rust ever. I could probably go a couple more shaves with the blade but they just aren't as comfortable and blades are cheap anyways.

Good luck on your shaves and welcome aboard!

 

[SRock]

Glad to hear your first shave was a good one.

BTW, I only take a blade out of my razor to throw it away. I don't use a hair dryer either. I simple loosen the head or TTO and shake out the water leaving the blade in the razor for the next shave. I've never had one rust.

 

[mark3d]

It sounds like your blade was dull for that second shave. After a while you get to know the feeling where it tugs on the hairs and generally doesn't feel very good. there's the temptation to power on through and not change the blade mid-shave, which is usually regrettable!

im a bit of a germophobe but i am not so concerned about the razor that i would bother removing the blade after use. i loosen the razor after use, so the air can get in and dry it out.. since i started doing that i don't see any rust or trapped stubble clogging it up.

i also used to wonder what the white film is, presumably soap scum, i just dont even think about it.

the way i see it the razor is getting washed with soap every time you use it!

 

[bwatts]

I'm sorry for your bad experience.
but the blade was stainless steel or carbon steel?

Sorry late reply

It is stainless steel which bemuses me maybe in my hand stropping days the oils eroded the metal that seems to be the only logical answer. Not had a problem since I stopped

 

[Drubbing]

Thanks for the inputs guys, though I have to say my second try didnt go as well :-( cut myself more than I would have liked and has left my face raw for a couple of days. The blade just didnt feel as sharp and I'm guessing that using the same blade for my head shave as well drastically reduces the blade life.

Definitely. Blades don't cost much, so best to discard earlier if making them pull double duty. Could always be a dud blade too, it does happen.