first

[bg42]

Well since I manadged to get a thin handle Gillette with 9 position settingsfor my son, so I snaged one for myself and thought I give it a try.I used Merkur platinum blades and set it on 4, from everything I`ve read I thought that would be a safe begining.
Well, I can say it will be the first and last time ,its straight razors for me , when I`d finished there was pin heads of blood all over the place and a few hours later I`m still smarting.:mad::shocked002
Straight razors are obviously much safer and not as hard to use
Kind regards Peter

[Queen of Blades]

I'd say the Merkurs are what did the damage, IMO, Peter.

Sorry to hear of your bad experience.

[moviemaniac]

I'm sorry to hear about that bad shave :(
Merkurs don't work for me, too.

Heal up soon, buddy!

[rick]

2 things:

1. Merkur blades suck and
2. Prolly a little different technique is needed with the DE.

....................I'm not positive about that cause I've never used a cut-throat before
Straight users feel free to chime in

[mastermute]

Throw away those Merkur blades! Sorry to hear you had a run in with those :( They are reknown for being harsh.

[bg42]

I'm sorry to hear about that bad shave :(
Merkurs don't work for me, too.

Heal up soon, buddy!

I just clicked ,see I`m not a fraidy cat, and I think you have enough
Kind regards Peter
PS I just snaged a rolls:D
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160206997640&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=006

[Scorpio]

as mentioned before:

Merkurs are terrible. Use a different blade.
Set the razor on 3 and use less pressure. If you are not use to DE's it is a different technique. Hope this helps.

Raf

[rick]

as mentioned before:

Merkurs are terrible. Use a different blade.
Set the razor on 3 and use less pressure. If you are not use to DE's it is a different technique. Hope this helps.

Raf


Is it a difference of angles ? Pressure ? Stretching ?? Prep ???

[Scorpio]

Is it a difference of angles ? Pressure ? Stretching ?? Prep ???

Not knowing what he uses it is difficult to make a suggestion. If all he is use to is straight razors then yes the angles are going to look different until he finds the proper angle. The feel of the straight and a DE is very different. He should start with as little pressure as possible then apply only the amount of pressure necessary to hold the DE in place while shaving. Hold the DE perpendicular to the face and bring down the handle until blade meets skin, that is your angle. Stretching skin is important in both DE and Straight shaving. Do it it on both. Prep should be the same. No difference. I will also follow the same route as when you shave with a straight, passes in the same direction. Follow the exact same route.

Raf

[JayKay]

I agree. Merkurs. I shaved with a Gillette adjustable last night for the first time (3 on the first pass, 4 on the next) with some Wilkinson classic blades and it was one of the best shaves I've ever had. Give the bad boy another shot :D

[AFG]

My first DE shave was with a Merkur blade. Worst shave I have ever had. Terrible razor burn, etc. Almost chucked the whole idea and thought I would go back to my Fusion. Got a sample pack of blades and never looked back. I may revisit the Merkurs again someday but probably not anytime soon.

[crackstar]

Merkurs are excellent blades, in my honest, but humble opinion, but yes, they can be quite aggressive for a beginner to learn on.

[Kingpepper]

I've always had lousy shaves using a Merkur blade in a Gillette razor. Have gotten decent shaves with my Merkur Slant. Once I've used up my remaining 3 blades. I probably won't buy anymore.