Hi all. I'm just starting out with DE shaving after using mainly a Norelco electric for decades. I've tried to follow all the advice I've read about getting started DE shaving. I'm using a Merkur HD, Badger brush and good soapy lather from TOBS cream after a hot shower. I got an assorted blade pack. No matter which blade I try they all seem very dull. The first few tries were impossible, the blade would not cut my hair but rather try to pull it out or just scrape at my face. So I ended up using a Mach3, which isn't especially comfortable, but worked. I finally found that if I lather my face first thing in the shower that after 10 minutes or so I can rinse my face and relather and I can get an OK DE shave. I can go with the grain, and across the grain, but even attempting against the grain is impossible because the blade won't cut any of my beard that way, it feels like it's going to rip the hair out rather than cut it.
None of the blades I've tried so far seem very sharp to me. I tried Feathers, Astra Platinum, Personna Blues, and other in the assorted pack like Sharks and Lord's, and Derby. Holding the razor at any angle and even pressing down I haven't even come close to cutting myself.
Am I missing something or do I just have several batches of bad blades?
Thanks.
None of the blades I've tried so far seem very sharp to me. I tried Feathers, Astra Platinum, Personna Blues, and other in the assorted pack like Sharks and Lord's, and Derby. Holding the razor at any angle and even pressing down I haven't even come close to cutting myself.
Am I missing something or do I just have several batches of bad blades?
Thanks.
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