I think I'm doing it wrong...

[Triton]

... but I'm not sure what I should do different. I asked you guys about this last week sometime, in terms of what I should get as my first double edged safety razor. There were various recommendations, some expensive, some less so but Merkur seemed to be the brand of choice so I purchased a new Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor. It came with 10 "platinum" double edged blades. The only problem with it, is I can't seem to get a close shave. I'm assuming it's one of several things that I've got wrong.

1) My technique - I've tried this at all sorts of angles but still I've got a stubbly shave at the end.
2) The blades - Maybe these are just cheap crap? Still I'd expect them to do a good job at least the first time?
3) I'm using shaving cream from a can rather then soap. Should this really make much of a difference?
4) I shave before a shower not the other way around. It doesn't seem like this should matter.

Anyway, any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Gollnick]

Hair is made of the exact same protein as fingernails. Try to clip your nails before you shower and then try again after a shower. Manicurists begin by soaking the nails in warm water for a few minutes. Similarily, you will find a much better shave if you soak your hair in hot water for several minutes before the shave. A hot shower works perfectly for this.

Canned foams are oil-based. With DE, it's best to use a water-based lather made from soap.

And, I'm sorry to have to say that Merkur's blades are mediocre at best.

 

[Triton]

Thanks Gollnick, much appreciated.

 

[Will Power]

Yes, Merkur razor-blades are too weak for my needs, expensive too.

Get some Bic, Derby or better still Feather. These do the job and well!
Naturally, you may be being cautious with your pressure and angle-no bad thing either.

If you don't want to shower or bathe first, then slap a hot flannel round your face, that fetches the stubble up nicely.

Yes, well, get rid of that squirty foam in a can, it's rubbish basically. A cream or soap won't cost the earth, try a brushless cream or get a brush and do it right. You won't regret it either.

 

[unky_gumbi]

Are you trying to get that close shave in one pass? With a cartridge razor there are many blades that cut on one pass. With a DE there is only one blade cutting so it takes more than one pass. Most people do at least 3 passes, myself I normally do 4-5 passes, but I use a mild blade.

Stick with it, it doesn't come over night and switching to a good shaving soap and a good pre shave ritual will go a long way to getting that good shave. Once you get hooked it will become something you look forward to doing each morning.

 

[risen]

For the closest shave, I shave after a shower.

First pass, I shave in the direction my hair grows out.

Second pass, I shave against that direction (against the grain, so to speak).

Finally, I use my free hand to feel for stubble patches and follow up with my razor, shaving against the direction of the hair.

When I'm done, I feel no stubble, whatsoever. Of course, some stubble is back by the end of the day, but it's not the 5 o'clock shadow it would have been had I only shaved in the one direction (the way it grows out).

If one isn't used to shaving against/opposite that direction, it may take some getting used to. But, once you do, it's hard to go back to "easier/quicker" shaving for super close results.

I use triple blade disposables. I used to use more expensive refillable models. No big difference to me.

I've had some expensive electric shavers. While they do come in handy at times, I've yet to get as close of a shave as I do with multi-blades.

Hope this helps.