DE for beginner

M

mtangent

Joined
Dec 6, 2011
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I have been using an electric & disposable for years.
Have decided to give a safety razor a try. Is the Merkur HD 34c a good choice?
 
Sure. That one's fine. I really don't believe much in the concept of a "beginner's DE" razor. Just get one. You'll figure it out. I started on and still use exclusively the Merkur Futur which some people say is not good for beginners. Balderdash. It was just fine for me.

The blade is a bit more of an issue. I recommend against starting with Feather or some of the other reputedly-agressive blades. I use Feather most of the time now, but they are maybe a bit much for your first few shaves. Start with something like Derby. And don't think that Derby is a second-rate blade just for beginners. No. Derby blades are great and I often shave with them. They are wonderfully consistent so you don't have that variable to deal with and they are a bit less aggressive.

Watch some of Mantic's videos on YouTube and you'll do just fine. Oh, and you will be, within just a couple of weeks, getting the best shaves you've ever had... and the cheapest too. And I love it when the best is the cheapest; it's a combination you rarely find and so should enjoy fully when it is available.
 
I agree with Gollnick on everything but his choice of razor. :) I'd go with a Progress. For really no other reason than it is my favorite ajustable and I haven't tried his razor. As for Derby blades a few years ago when I started useing DE razors they probably were the #1 suggested blade and I dove in and got 200 for a great price. I've used over 150 of them and would say they all have been pretty darn good blades. Don't think I've gotten a bad one yet. Another I'd highly suggest trying for your first blades are Astra. Another good blade at a good price. You may read to get a sample pack and try a bunch of different blades but I don't agree with that. Get one razor, one brand of blades and one cream/soap and learn how to use them well. After that you can play around with different stuff if you want.
 
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Exactly what Gollnick has said. I wouldn't go for one of the super cheap "knock off" DEs just in case its screwed up, you'd have no way to know. While nearly everyone says to get a blade sampler (and you should) just pick a good blade, like a derby to use for a couple months until you really get the hang of it. Then try different blades to see what works best. Unless of course you try a couple of the same blade and everything is going wrong. Then come get some advice. Take it slow, and you'll be fine.
 
I have a Merkur HD 34c and think it's great. It's all I'll ever need. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I use a Merkur Futur just like Gollnick's, and Derby blades. I bought some ridiculous amount of blades off eBay four or five years ago and have been slowly working my way through them. For the foam, I put a dime-sized dot on my palm, pick it up with the brush, and foam it on my face. The key is a nice hot shower immediately before to soften up my beard. You'll figure out your beard grain and how to cut it. It's just a time and attention thing. With the grain first pass, then I rake the razor across my grain at about 45* with an up-and-down motion. It's hard to describe. I got the idea from an old commercial that showed a guy sliding the razor across his grain from left to right so he slid the blade at an angle across his throat. I can't think of a way to write it down.

Picture this kind of motion: \/\/\/\/\ on a 45* angle with/across the grain.

Lots of ways to skin that cat. It's kind of like making a French trifold omelet. The technique is much more important than the eggs, butter, and salt. Take your time to learn what you like. Wet shaving is cheap and your gear will last you a lifetime.
 
I'd offer another vote for the Progress. I started off on the first setting and still stay on that to begin and move to 2.5 to finish. I own both short and long handled versions, and like Israeli Presonna reds; these are a little easier on my face than feathers were. I've found after many months of DE shaving which blades works best. One sure way to find out is to pickup a couple of sampler sets and carefully play. Prep time and patience are really important. I give the adjustable, affordable Progress a high rating for the setting options available.
 
Another recommendation for the Edwin Jagger DE89. PolSilver blades are a good starting point in my opinion as well. They're a bit on the sharp side but pretty forgiving as well, so they encourage you to work on your technique but don't hack your face away in the beginning like a Feather likely would. I also recommend starting with a quality soap and brush RIGHT AWAY. You can do so without breaking the bank with a Vulfix 1000A brush and a tin of Mike's Natural Shave soap. Great performance and the Vulfix loads up super fast. It's like wet shaving easy mode with that pair.
 
Gollnick said:
I started on and still use exclusively the Merkur Futur which some people say is not good for beginners. Balderdash. It was just fine for me.
Click to expand...

+1.

I use the Futur. My blade of choice is Astra SP green (Russian). These days, I keep it set at 3 and don't change it. I shave in the mornings, after a hot shower. I go for a two-pass shave every other day, WTG + XTG. I face lather with Speick stick and a Simpson Duke 2 and post-shave with hot splash, cold splash, and finally a healthy splash of Thayer's original.
 
I switched to DE shaving one year ago. I've only been using one razor, a Merkur Futur, not because I chose it, but because my dad had one and he didn't use it.
I can't say anything about any other razor; yet, I've never felt the need for anything else, and, as others said, I guess technique is the main thing, then you will get to the point when you "need" to change razor, or blades.

:cool:
 
I'm new to it also. I went with an Edwin Jagger DE89L. Check out the Badger & Blade forum for TONS of DE shaving info. I also recommend you getting some soap from Mike's Natural Soaps and the Stirling Soap Company.
 
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