Let a 1st time DE shaver use my Merkur Slant...Flawless BBS

[Jesse G]

My best friend asked me about my razor and after he did some convincing, I let him have a whack at it. I made the lather for him and told him how to use the razor- no pressure, ~30~ degree angle, grain shaving, explained the concept of beard-reduction, multiple passes, etc. and let him have at it.

So I popped in a new Feather in the Merkur Slant and let him go at it. He took to it immediately attacking the whiskers like a pro. Went 3 passes and did some touch-ups and his face was seriously BBS. Caught up with him the next day and he didn't have any redness or bumps at all. Flawless BBS and he'd never used a DE before.

Needless to say, now he wants to order a razor/brush, etc. and which is cool and everything but it kind of pisses me off that he got a better shave his first time than what I'm getting after 6 months or so of DE shaving, lol.

 

[jwcarlson]

That's pretty funny.

My brother came by awhile ago and I was only about two weeks into DE shaving. Getting pretty good shaves but still irritating my neck quite a bit. He wanted to try it so I walked him though making the lather and helped him get it the right consistency. Gave him a new Derby and talked him through the shave. He did pretty darn good. Not BBS but pretty well irritation free, he never complained afterwards at least. He's only been shaving with a cartridge razor for about three months and was electric before that.

Think of how bad his shave would have been if he made his own lather and didn't have your help with blade angle and pressure. Could you imagine making the first swipe with cartridge-like pressure on the razor? It would be terrible.

Good on you for getting another guy started!
I'm going to put together a little kit for my brother before too long.

 

[Jesse G]

^^ Haha, oh yeah.

I spent a good 5 minutes instructing him on how to remove the whiskers and NOT to hurt his face. For what it's worth, that lather was some of the nicest lather I've ever made.

But yeah, as someone who generally hated shaving, he was instantly enlitened to the charms and pleasures of DE shaving.

 

[mwhals]

He only got a better shave, because you made the lather and showed him how to use it. Did anyone make your first batch of lather or show you how to use it in person?

Mark

 

[sodajerk]

Beginner's luck? No, I think he has you to thank! Good story! )

 

[stubblefree]

He only got a better shave, because you made the lather and showed him how to use it. Did anyone make your first batch of lather or show you how to use it in person?

Mark

Better still........will he invest the time required for wet shaving each time
or will it be ......"Here I come !!!! here I go !!!! "

 

[dichdiggr]

You gave your friend a slant and a feather for his first shave? Not sure if that makes you a good or bad friend.

 

[Jesse G]

You gave your friend a slant and a feather for his first shave? Not sure if that makes you a good or bad friend.

These were my thoughts as well. I was reluctant to let him try out of concern for his well-being but he was really persistent!

 

[Zatx Woopyoax]

You gave your friend a slant and a feather for his first shave? Not sure if that makes you a good or bad friend.

I was thinking this as well. It's like giving my 8yo a Barrett .50cal Rifle to fire at her first tin can in the backyard. Haha!