I love my Gillettes (Red Tip, no-date SS, Aristocrat, and Tech, to name a few), I really do, and there is something quite compelling about shaving with a finely wrought instrument that is even older than I am (as I quickly approach the half-century mark). However, every time I return to my first DE razor, a brand new Merkur 38C Barberpole, loaded with a Derby blade, I get a wonderful, easy, BBS shave. No, it's not as sexy as a TTO loaded with a 7 O'Clock Yellow but, for me, in it's own way, it is nevertheless a more rewarding tool. I wanted to be one of the boys -- I wanted my answer to be the Gillettes -- and, while I have no intention of abandoning them, the truth is, I can do a better job, with less effort using the Merkur.
If the chips were down, and I really needed a perfect shave, I would have to go with the Merkur. I can shut off my brain and just shave, knowing the rusult will be superlative. For me, for whatever reason, every other razor I have used requires more thought in order to get the job done -- either because it is too aggressive and I fear permanent disfigurement, or because it is not aggressive enough and I have to do a multitude of passes to get a decent shave. The Merkur just fits me in a way that the Gillettes, try as I might, do not. With the Merkur I can just relax and "let it happen.".
There, I've said it. Now I feel much better.
Disclaimer: I am neither suggesting that the Merkur 38C is the answer for anyone else, nor attempting to invalidate anyone else's shaving decision. I am merely stating my own personal conclusion, which applies only to me. Thank you for your support.
If the chips were down, and I really needed a perfect shave, I would have to go with the Merkur. I can shut off my brain and just shave, knowing the rusult will be superlative. For me, for whatever reason, every other razor I have used requires more thought in order to get the job done -- either because it is too aggressive and I fear permanent disfigurement, or because it is not aggressive enough and I have to do a multitude of passes to get a decent shave. The Merkur just fits me in a way that the Gillettes, try as I might, do not. With the Merkur I can just relax and "let it happen.".
There, I've said it. Now I feel much better.
Disclaimer: I am neither suggesting that the Merkur 38C is the answer for anyone else, nor attempting to invalidate anyone else's shaving decision. I am merely stating my own personal conclusion, which applies only to me. Thank you for your support.
).
