Hey All,
My wonderful girlfriend presented me with a new merkur DE brush and soap for my 40th birthday. I do not think she knew, or maybe she did, what path of addictive shaving bliss, mostly, she set me upon.
So I am a baby face with a coarse beard, and a 5 oclock shadow at noon. Up until I received my DE, I had been all over the map of shaving with electrics, dry, wet, carts of all makes and models. Never a BBS, except for one professional shave, but that is another story.
So now my experience is changing, and Im here to learn from the masters.
I have tried several blades in the Merkur which seems to be a very mild razor. Personna's, Wilkinsons, Greek BICs, Astra's, and I have Feathers but havent tried yet. So far the best in order has been BIC, Wilkinsons, Personna's, and least favorite Astra's. All have done fine except for the Astra's, I seem to really beat up my neck with them.
I guess Im telling you my whole story so that I can share my pre-shave experiences. Last night I shaved with an Open Comb Gillette I just picked up off Ebay. I then dropped in an Astra, as it is my least favorite blade thus far, hoping to get better as I tested other blades. I did not jump in the shower as I normally do, but rather splashed hot water on my face for a few and then lathered up and off I went. When I got to my soft neck, ouch. A more aggressive razor with blade that beat me up the first time, and little to no pre-shave prep.
I guess I deserved the Home Alone screech that escaped my lips when the After Shave hit the face. BTW, how many people use Pinaud After Shave, and what do you think?
Anyway, Thanks Kyle for the detailed prep description. The science behind it was great for helping understand why that is such an important step. Comments are greatly desired.
My wonderful girlfriend presented me with a new merkur DE brush and soap for my 40th birthday. I do not think she knew, or maybe she did, what path of addictive shaving bliss, mostly, she set me upon.
So I am a baby face with a coarse beard, and a 5 oclock shadow at noon. Up until I received my DE, I had been all over the map of shaving with electrics, dry, wet, carts of all makes and models. Never a BBS, except for one professional shave, but that is another story.
So now my experience is changing, and Im here to learn from the masters.
I have tried several blades in the Merkur which seems to be a very mild razor. Personna's, Wilkinsons, Greek BICs, Astra's, and I have Feathers but havent tried yet. So far the best in order has been BIC, Wilkinsons, Personna's, and least favorite Astra's. All have done fine except for the Astra's, I seem to really beat up my neck with them.
I guess Im telling you my whole story so that I can share my pre-shave experiences. Last night I shaved with an Open Comb Gillette I just picked up off Ebay. I then dropped in an Astra, as it is my least favorite blade thus far, hoping to get better as I tested other blades. I did not jump in the shower as I normally do, but rather splashed hot water on my face for a few and then lathered up and off I went. When I got to my soft neck, ouch. A more aggressive razor with blade that beat me up the first time, and little to no pre-shave prep.
I guess I deserved the Home Alone screech that escaped my lips when the After Shave hit the face. BTW, how many people use Pinaud After Shave, and what do you think?
Anyway, Thanks Kyle for the detailed prep description. The science behind it was great for helping understand why that is such an important step. Comments are greatly desired.