A couple months ago, I bought a thirteen dollar butterfly cheapy DE razor and after years of being happy with dry shaving, litterally dry shaving with plastic toss'em Razors, decided to see what the buzz was all about. (Actually, my dad passed away and left me his and my grandfathers straight razors, and I wanted to build the skills to actually use them) So I got this little razor and a package of whatever blades were behind the counter and decided for a true comparison, so I shaved my face dry. It was dry for a moment, but quickly was lubricated with blood, and was somewhat painfull. I had removed a layer of skin, and I am pretty sure this is what is meant by "weeping". Correct me if I am wrong. I went back to the comfort of my old shaving ways for a few days, and then picked up a can of Barbasol and tried shaving with the DE one more time, and it was an amazing shave. i was really impressed and used the canned stuff and did get a knick or two, but had read that was part of the learning curve. The only real problem I had with the razor is was it was very light, and fluted, no knurling.
I practiced for a month, and then decided to grow a beard for a month, then shaved that a couple days ago. Lots of shaving cream and disposable razors.
Today I took $175.00 or so, went to a brick and mortar store and picked up a travel shave kit with oils and soap, aftershave and brush and fancy old fashioned styled DE razor and got all excited and went back to the hotel and layed everything out in order, sat down at my computer and watched an instructional video and then back to the bathroom I went.
I turned on the water and washed my face, oiled my face, and started to build a lather with the brush on my cheeck. and kept trying. and kept trying for about ten minutes. I could not build a lather, it looked like plaster of paris was solidifying on my jaw. I added more water, adjusted pressure, puffed out my cheeks, nothing seemed to work. It was kind of a let down.
My arms were tired. Next was to actually shave, so I figured for the first use of this Merkur barber pole razor, I would only do the with the grain, whole face, single pass. Very dissapointing. I wanted to use the cheapy razor and just toss this one aside and write it up as a loss. It was a most uneven shave, and where the no-name razor shaved incredibly close almost instinctively, this one was lumbering and draggy. It was nowhere near the smoothness of even the disposable. I washed my face and put on some after shave balm and think I will try it again in the morning. As has been said here, there is a learning curve, and at least to me, that will be most of the fun. The cheapo razor has no fear it will be tossed though. Just retired until this one gets a fair shake with a couple different brands of blades and some variations in oils and soaps and after shaves.
I practiced for a month, and then decided to grow a beard for a month, then shaved that a couple days ago. Lots of shaving cream and disposable razors.
Today I took $175.00 or so, went to a brick and mortar store and picked up a travel shave kit with oils and soap, aftershave and brush and fancy old fashioned styled DE razor and got all excited and went back to the hotel and layed everything out in order, sat down at my computer and watched an instructional video and then back to the bathroom I went.
I turned on the water and washed my face, oiled my face, and started to build a lather with the brush on my cheeck. and kept trying. and kept trying for about ten minutes. I could not build a lather, it looked like plaster of paris was solidifying on my jaw. I added more water, adjusted pressure, puffed out my cheeks, nothing seemed to work. It was kind of a let down.
My arms were tired. Next was to actually shave, so I figured for the first use of this Merkur barber pole razor, I would only do the with the grain, whole face, single pass. Very dissapointing. I wanted to use the cheapy razor and just toss this one aside and write it up as a loss. It was a most uneven shave, and where the no-name razor shaved incredibly close almost instinctively, this one was lumbering and draggy. It was nowhere near the smoothness of even the disposable. I washed my face and put on some after shave balm and think I will try it again in the morning. As has been said here, there is a learning curve, and at least to me, that will be most of the fun. The cheapo razor has no fear it will be tossed though. Just retired until this one gets a fair shake with a couple different brands of blades and some variations in oils and soaps and after shaves.
