My intitial reaction was when I first got my 34C that this is an aggressive razor. Why I wasted almost 40 euro with shipping costs to get this beast?
I have since learned to use and like it. Listen to the cutting sound. The original poster was used with Fatboy so he is not a newbie I think to DE's like I was. Perhaps Feather blade was too much for him with HD. I still am not totally comfortable with that blade to not get a bit too much skin shaving and a little irritation compared to the Gilletter Platinum blade.
Mozarts blade angle thread was an appreciated revelation to me how to use Merkur HD.
Its all technique. I recently got a slant and it was great from the first shave. I switch weekly between Gilettes, Murkurs and Schicks.