New member, some help and advice required.

[JEM]

Hi everyone, i've recently joined this forum, but have been watching and reading for a while. I must say this is a very informative site

I have been using an electric shavor every morning, as its quick before work, and a mach3 once a week to get a bit closer. This is not the best approach, and after reading various sites, am ready to try a double edge razor... I dont seem to be able to find anyone who gives shaving with a DE a bad review!?

I like the look of the merkur razors, and have been looking at:

http://www.merkur-razor.co.uk/products/Merkur-23C-Long-Handled-Classic.htm

This is out of stock at the moment according to merkur, but i also like the look of this:

http://www.merkur-razor.co.uk/products/Merkur-38C.htm

Is there any reason for me to buy either over the other? I would prefer a longer razor as i have reasonably large hands.

Also, i have been in boots (i am in the UK) and they have their own brand razor for around £3. is it worth me trying this out to see how i get on before spending money on something i may not get on with?

Finally, can anyone show me where to buy a sampler pack of blades?

Thanks for all your help

 

[Pike]

I don't know about buying razors in the UK, but you can order a sample of blades from westcoastshaving.com. Great customer service! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Jabo]

Welcome to the site.

My first DE razor was a Merkur HD, because that seemed to be a general concensus for a good starting point. You could start out cheaper by going with a gillette super speed (or some similar gillette razor) in good to very good condition. I would also recommend picking up a tweezerman badger hair brush and either proraso cream or tabac soap. Previous post provided a good suggestion for sampler packs of blades, but I'm not sure what your UK options are. That's an awesome 'starter kit', IMO. Stick with it, as it takes time to develop your technique and to let your skin adjust to DE shaving. If you find that it isn't 'your cup of tea', you should be able to re-sell those items at close to your original investment.

Good luck!

 

[njpaddy]

I went easy until I decided I liked using a DE and would stick with it. I started with $20 Super Speed and some Derby blades from a member here, then upgraded to a Merkur HD after a couple of weeks. I also tried various blades because my initial shaves with the Derby were not that close. It was probably more my technique than the blade, because now I rotate razors and blades every couple of shaves and don't notice much of a difference between the shaves.

 

[JEM]

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm welcome!

I have been doing a bit more research, and have discovered these two:

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=5&idcategory=3

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=119&idcategory=3

What is the difference between the two?? One says open comb, but how does that affect the shaving?

Also, what is the difference between the Merkur 23C and 38C, as far as i can tell, the 38 is just heavier, is that good, bad or personla preference? How does it help/hinder?

Thanks

 

[Angus Young]

If you want to try out DE before you start ordering a Merkur; you can pick up a Wilkinson Sword classic for a few pounds. It's a very mild razor compared to the Merkurs but the technique is the same. Make sure you get a brush and a proper cream or soap, you can get a tube of Palmolive where you buy your razor, good prep is half the battle.