No argument Merkur razors are the best…

Woody – Member

That guy is clearly deranged. He must have made 100+ passes in every direction and I doubt whether he had a blade in there at all.

He is definitely a cowboy I mean I know he wants to sell stuff but who are going to shave like that. Is he trying to be a celebrity or what?

🙄

Has this made a big difference over electric? or were you using disposables before?

Conqueror – Member

Has this made a big difference over electric? or were you using disposables before?

I have only ever used the cheapest AA battery driven Braun dry shaver, the small black one less than £10, for travel use but the plastic tilting mechanism inside the shaving head broke even without using it after a while. Yes, I hate buying batteries as well.

My daily routine was Gillette sensor twin blade cartridge but that put me off big time when the price increased so much while the performance decreased. I mean how much! It clogged badly too. It is a sign of being rip off when you find security tag on razor cartridges … I mean when is shaving such an up market thing? The end came when I tried to prolong the use of the cartridge by cutting myself badly.

Then I switched to disposable, cheap & nasty plastic thing, but after a while & few shaves later same happened again as I cut myself so they all ended up shaving my ex’s legs.

What a revelation since switching (I tried DE in my early 20s but I move to something more “trendy”) to DE safety razor and what a fool I was for not switching earlier. No more cuts, smooth etc and highly economical in addition to being stress free. Yes, buying the razor & brush might be slightly expensive at first but then you see the saving almost immediately.

Can goo? No way, shave stick soap is only 50p.

Take too long to shave? Since DE razor gives closer shave you can shave night before and will only get shadow late in the afternoon at around 3 – 4pm.

🙂

My wife and children bought me a custom brush for my 40th birthday.

The handle is made out of faux horn and the knot is a 24mm Simpsons super badger set at a loft of 48mm. It’s a scrubby thing which is perfect for face-lathering 🙂

seriously considering a Merkur

where can I get a relatively cheap brush and soap from?

Conqueror – Member
seriously considering a Merkur

where can I get a relatively cheap brush and soap from?

This would be a useful thread for you

clicky

Just got new EJ this morning,lovely bit of kit,free Derby blades,smooth shave first time out of the box.
Ian

I’ve got a merkur Futur.. had it for christmas off the missus.. it’s gorgeous, coupled with This shaving is no longer the chore it used to be.

For those considering it, after the initial outlay of a decent razor and brush it’s way cheaper in the long run that using cartridge shavers

OK I concede if you only shave twice a week then a DE makes sense over a modern multi-blade but how many people actually only shave twice a week (presumably none have a job where a ‘professional’ appearance is required…). And people talking about 15 minutes for a shave, christ I’d rather cut my wrists with a DE razor than do that each morning. And I also call BS on shave closeness (assuming you’re shaving daily and not trying a one-pass go on a week’s growth…). I can’t feel stubble on my face after shaving with a multi-blade, exactly how do you get closer?

Just admit it’s all just a niche thing where you can experiment/fettle with blades, bodies and brushes and give yourself an imagined sense of accomplishment :p Yes I get ripped off regularly buying mass-market modern multi-blades, yes a big chunk of that goes in paying muppet sports personalities for TV advertising but the end result is still quick, convenient and as good as any self-done shave will be. Espouse the cheapness of DE shaving by all means but don’t BS that’s it’s a better result…

FuzzyWuzzy – seeing as you’ve not tried it how could you possibly know it’s BS? DE shaving can be quick, the thing is it actually becomes enjoyable so you take a little more time.
How can it be closer? becuase the blades are better and the razor can be more aggresive than a multiblade thing (Gillete don’t want people nicking themselves do they) so it gets closer.
If you haven’t tried it please don’t make uneducated comments.

FW – It is not BS.

I shave everyday; I have to. I spent twenty-odd years shaving with disposable cartridge razors. In Autumn last year, I picked up a second hand DE razor off e-bay for £8 and a selection of blades for £14 (I’m still less than halfway through them!) – I thought I’d see what the fuss was all about.

Both me and MrsG were astonished at the difference. So much so that she bought me a Merkur Progress and a Kent Brush for Christmas.

I used to hate shaving, now I look forward to it. It doesn’t take me 15 minutes for a shave on a week day, more like 5. But at the weekend I indulge myself and take my time.

The shaving rash that blighted me for years has gone too.

Try it – you never know, you may even like it. 😀

I used to get very good results with a Mach 3, but my Muhle has topped it easily.

Maybe because I’m taking more time and care with it I’m getting a more consistent shave.

It’s much nicer process, as others have said I quite look forward to shaving with it…

FuzzyWuzzy – Member
Just admit it’s all just a niche thing where you can experiment/fettle with blades, bodies and brushes and give yourself an imagined sense of accomplishment

I must admit that part of the attraction was nicheness of it for me as I could attain a decent shave with a mach 3 blade.

In terms of cost it is a niche thing that is easier to get into as well in comparison to other niche hobbies.

Also, I don’t care if I sound a bit like a poofter, but I am pleased that I am now firmly entrenched in a regime where I look after my skin well as it is fairly obvious when you look around that some people do not look after their skin at all.

lol@fuzzywuzzy

If you are happy with your shave then no need to change! Just lift up that bonnet and let the bee out.

Pfft I’ve got no objections to people doing it the old fashioned way it’s the people that keep sticking in jibes about the rest of us happily paying over the odds for shite just because of fancy marketing. The fact is most of us are quite happy with a modern multi-blade set-up as it quick, convenient and gives good results, yes it’s a ridiculous amount of money but for some the positives out-weigh the cost.

As for how do I know it’s not a closer shave? My point is if I can’t feel stubble on my face then how could you get closer unless you use a lot of pressure and get it so the stubble is actually below the skin surface, by doing which you risk in-grown hairs for no real purpose.

each to their own I say….

I picked up the new Mach 3 fusion cheap out of Tesco (there’s a contradiction in terms) but have been using the Wilkinson DE for a few months.

Tried the Fusion on 3 day stubble and it nearly tore my face off, quickly switched back to the Wilkinson and it was oh so much more comfortable.

I think my whole DE set up cost me about 12 quid from the supermarkets. I’m sure i’m not getting the benefits of Merkur/Feather et all but it seems to do the trick. Kinda like mountain biking, if it works for you then that’s all you need.

it’s the people that keep sticking in jibes

Apologies if you feel that is the case, I doubt it was intended. However, the majority of the comments that have registered with me have all been positive – not at all implying you’re being stiffed.

As for your beard growth (and smoothness post shave), maybe your beard is quite fine or slow growing? In my pre DE days, I would need to shave twice a day if going out in the evening. Otherwise I would look like some sort of pikey/criminal/insert-scruffy-unshaven-stereotype-here.

But yeah, each to their own. If youre happy with a multi-blade, then that’s fine. All I think people are saying is that a shave that’s at least as good (if not better) is available for less cost and only a little more effort. 😀

The new WS Hydro seems pretty good – I have been using the 3 blade version.

The lubricating strip can be a bit gloopy to start with so I use shaving oil for the first few days and then KOS shaving serum as it is of similair gloopiness. Seem to get near a couple of weeks out of shaving every day.

Closer and less draggy than the Gillette power fusion with that stupid aloe strip – and the cartridges are much cheaper.

Second shave with the double edged safety razor (Merkir Futur) has gone much, much better than first. Cooler water, different (Gillette 7 o’clock) blade, bit more care and (most importantly) just relaxed and enjoyed myself. Only blood came from an existing nick, and the newly acquired alum block stopped that instantly – had no idea they worked so well.

Just a different experience to using modern multi-blades – each to their own. But this is growing on me, in an old-fashioned kind of way…

How do people who suffer with ingrowing hairs using Mach3s, etc, cope with the DE razors?
I get them a lot, and I now use an electric shaver because of it. Would be tempted by a DE razor if they’re better, but I suspect that aspect wouldn’t change.

dave_rudabar – Member

Would be tempted by a DE razor if they’re better, but I suspect that aspect wouldn’t change.

You never know until you try it so give it a go.

🙂

Well I even get ingrowing hairs when i shave too closely with my electric shaver, and I use a talc block with that – so it’s fairly inevitable!

dave_rudabar – Member

Well I even get ingrowing hairs when i shave too closely with my electric shaver, and I use a talc block with that – so it’s fairly inevitable!

The thing with cartridge or electric shaver is they “pull” the hair rather than “chop” so until you try you never know.

I’ve been using a Futur for a few months now. Best addition I’ve found is to use Proraso pre shave before lather-it’s about £20 for 500ml on Ebay, though it should last ages. You can also use a little bit after shaving too. It really helps to avoid razor burn.
I forgot to use it the other day and the difference was really noticable-in a bad way.

Dave rudabar

I used to suffer alot from ingrowers with the mach3 but dunno why but not with the D/E razor and I feel alot cleaner too post shaving.

Fuzzy if you read most of the above posts alot of us have used the mainstream razors and we prefer the D/E experiance.

I prefer the shave I now get but hey I may well be sprouting poo

My wife definatly prefers the quality of my shave nowadays nuff said

OK, so I’m tempted to try a DE razor, which would be a better option, the Merkur Progress or Futur?

Shibboleth – Member
OK, so I’m tempted to try a DE razor, which would be a better option, the Merkur Progress or Futur?

The Progess IMO.

What’s the difference Ho Hum? A lot of people seem to complain about the calibration on the adjustability…

Shibboleth – Member
What’s the difference Ho Hum? A lot of people seem to complain about the calibration on the adjustability…

The head is smaller and it is less aggressive.

If this is going to be your first venture into DE shaving then the Futur may end up being a bit too much.

The calibration is an issue with the Progress, but Mantic has a video which shows you how to get around this and carry out a recalibration of it.

If you do go down the adjustable razor route then do not spend lots of time adjusting it when you are first concentrating on getting your technique right.

Hope it goes well for you!

can’t comment on the Progress, but I love the Futur. Great shave and looks fantastic – looks being subjective. I’ve also got a 1960 Gillette Superspeed which is great, but not as great as the Futur, but is easier to use and quicker. There are replated vintage razors here That’s another can of worms, but I’d probably go with a cheaper non-adjustable first, and old Gillettes are pretty good buys

EDIT and +1 for ho hum’s comment that the futur might be a bit much at first. I’ve very limited expperience with anything other than DEs and it took me a wile to get used to the Futur

Hmmm, might have to be the Progress then… Thanks for the input!

If this is going to be your first venture into DE shaving then the Futur may end up being a bit too much.

Futur was my first razor and after I got it I thought it might be a bit ‘much’ so I went and bought a couple of vintage Gilletes (Tech for £4 and SuperSpeed for £13) both of which are nicer than a Mach 3 (and just as quick) but I’ve now gone back to the Futur as my #1 razor and it’s fab.

Shibboleth: I’d be willing to lend you my Gillette Tech to try. That way you could dip your toe in the water before jumping in. Email me if you’re interested.

If you get on well with the Progress and the whole DE thing then there would be nothing stopping you buying a Futur at some point in the future.

I now have 6 razors in my DE stash – it is quite easy to become addicted to buying razors…

Thanks Sharkbait, I’m going to take a punt on the Progress, I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.

Isn’t this niche shaving community full of lovely people! 🙂

OK, so I’m tempted to try a DE razor, which would be a better option, the Merkur Progress or Futur?

I went with a Progress, which, although adjustable, is constantly set at 5 (most open/aggressive). If there was a Spinal Tap setting, no doubt I’d have it at 11. No problems experienced, though initially it took me probably a month to really get the hang of DE shaving. To start with I wasn’t getting as good a shave as I was with a 5-blade Gillette Fusion, and even now it takes a bit more effort.

I never had a problem with the Fusion, just got fed up with paying £2 per blade rather than the 25p I now pay, although against this must be set the fact that I used to change a Fusion blade every 2 weeks rather than after every 5th shave with DE blades.

The allure and excitement of an individually carved, free-range vegan badger hair brush at £90 escapes me, but then singlespeeding and 29ers (particularly singlespeed rigid 29ers) pass me by as well. I mean, there’s niche and there’s niche, if you see what I mean.

No probs, I’ve heard the Progress is very good. If you’re after a cheap crream to get going I’d highly recommend Arko (eBay about £1.50), interesting aroma but amazing nontheless. I know the Palmolive stick is cheap and good but I can’t be doing with having to mess around with a bowl – with Arko just wet it, rub it on your face then brush away… simples

sharki, isn’t that the deal with all sticks? I have a tabac stick – wash face, rub with stick, lather up, shave. palmolive, arko, erasmic sticks all much of a muchness in that respect, no?
ps love erasmic, around 50p from superdrug or someplace similar iirc

I went with a Progress, which, although adjustable, is constantly set at 5

Really!! Blimey, I reckon I’d peel my face off with mine set to 5. I generally have mine set to between 1.5 and 2. Is this the calibration issue being mentioned?

I use Arko sticks, yes, the smell is an acquired taste, but I quite like it. It reminds me of relatives long gone…

I use an Edwin Jagger badger brush. My girlfriend once used it to apply blusher when she’d forgotten her makeup brush! She nearly needed concealer to hide the black eye!!!

Progress ordered, and an alum block and pencil… I think I might need it.
I’ve gone for Feather blades after reading all the comments on here…

and an alum block and pencil… I think I might need it.

I have only had to use my stick three times in the few months of DE shaving. Unless you’re realyl slap-dash, clumsy or drunk you should be fine.