All,
After a long time of using the cartridge, I decided to gift myself a DE razor (Merkur Futur) this birthday. In part because of the allure of changing the aggressiveness.
I would in part credit 'badgerandblade' for convincing me in taking the plunge, the awesome discussion around the use the DE were eye opening.
My story thus far. Maybe this will help other newbies who are just starting.
My Beard / Skin Type :: Think hard beard, moderately sensitive skin (neck area)
Getting Started (Getting the supplies).
1. I started off with buying a Merkur Future after going through tonnes of sites / forums. -- went back
2. Got a few sampler packs (of Amazon) to get a piece of all top blades (feathers, astra's, personna, perma-sharp, gillette etc)
3. Got the Prorosa pre-shave
4. TOBS - Sandalwood shaving cream
5. Badger Brush ( Chinese - Anbbas) -- Went back
6. Alum Stick
Initial Hiccups
1. Started with the Merkur Futur (started at L2) & an Astra Green, this was not a particularly good way to start. I found the razor to be a tad on the heavier & aggressive side and the shave to be very uncomfortable with lots of weepers.
2. For the second shave I swapped the Astra with a Feather. This was also a very bad idea, the feather gave me weepers, cuts even when i was going super slow; an unforgiving blade .
Back went the Futur. I don't think I am ready for this yet, it felt very aggressive even at the lowest level.
The Badger brush was very stiff and prickly, that also went back.
Lesson Learnt :: Future is not a beginners razor and Feather is not a beginners blade. The combination is very unforgiving & should ideally be avoided for starters.
Not giving UP
But i was hell bent of getting the DE experience to work for me.
Next I got the Mühle razor and in hindsight this was a very good decision.
Paired the Mühle with a Astra green, got a decent shave and then went on trying different options.
Got a few more supplies
5. Normal shaving brush from DM. This works like a charm.
6. Clinique for men post shave soother (this is a must have).
Astra Green :: Decent shave, nothing special, some weepers & not very smooth.
Derby :: Bad shave, a dull blade.
Feather :: Super sharp blade, great shave, but i was too careful while going ATG and did not get a super close shave. Took too much time.
Perma-Sharp :: Now this was a step in the right direction. I got my first great shave. Now i could get good shaves again and again and started shaving 5 days a week.
Finding my Groove
After a few months of hit and trial & settling on Perma-Sharp & Mühle combo I wanted to try out new things.
Acquired few more razors (the ones on the inexpensive side)
Picked up from the local supermarkets, a King C Gillette (from DM), Wilkinson Sword (from Muller) & a Fatip Grande (online).
Paired them with different razors for different levels of success, but as I was already getting very good shaves with the Mühle & Perma combo, nothing stuck and I was not going to next level.
Reaching my best Shaves
I then found the Personna Reds (from Israel)
They were the game changers, paired with the Mühle R89 they now give me the perfect shaves. Absolutely amazing, no irritation, no cuts, no weepers.
I found my perfect match.
While i keep using the Fatip (very good razor) & wilkinson butterfly once in a while. The King C Gillete is kinna no good for me.
but the best shaves are still from Mühle and the Personna & lately even with feather. But the Personna is my go to blade now.
Whats Next - Looking for suggestions.
Am looking for suggestions for whats next ? Should I go for a R41 or some twist. at this stage whats the best possible option to explore ?
After a long time of using the cartridge, I decided to gift myself a DE razor (Merkur Futur) this birthday. In part because of the allure of changing the aggressiveness.
I would in part credit 'badgerandblade' for convincing me in taking the plunge, the awesome discussion around the use the DE were eye opening.
My story thus far. Maybe this will help other newbies who are just starting.
My Beard / Skin Type :: Think hard beard, moderately sensitive skin (neck area)
Getting Started (Getting the supplies).
1. I started off with buying a Merkur Future after going through tonnes of sites / forums. -- went back
2. Got a few sampler packs (of Amazon) to get a piece of all top blades (feathers, astra's, personna, perma-sharp, gillette etc)
3. Got the Prorosa pre-shave
4. TOBS - Sandalwood shaving cream
5. Badger Brush ( Chinese - Anbbas) -- Went back
6. Alum Stick
Initial Hiccups
1. Started with the Merkur Futur (started at L2) & an Astra Green, this was not a particularly good way to start. I found the razor to be a tad on the heavier & aggressive side and the shave to be very uncomfortable with lots of weepers.
2. For the second shave I swapped the Astra with a Feather. This was also a very bad idea, the feather gave me weepers, cuts even when i was going super slow; an unforgiving blade .
Back went the Futur. I don't think I am ready for this yet, it felt very aggressive even at the lowest level.
The Badger brush was very stiff and prickly, that also went back.
Lesson Learnt :: Future is not a beginners razor and Feather is not a beginners blade. The combination is very unforgiving & should ideally be avoided for starters.
Not giving UP
But i was hell bent of getting the DE experience to work for me.
Next I got the Mühle razor and in hindsight this was a very good decision.
Paired the Mühle with a Astra green, got a decent shave and then went on trying different options.
Got a few more supplies
5. Normal shaving brush from DM. This works like a charm.
6. Clinique for men post shave soother (this is a must have).
Astra Green :: Decent shave, nothing special, some weepers & not very smooth.
Derby :: Bad shave, a dull blade.
Feather :: Super sharp blade, great shave, but i was too careful while going ATG and did not get a super close shave. Took too much time.
Perma-Sharp :: Now this was a step in the right direction. I got my first great shave. Now i could get good shaves again and again and started shaving 5 days a week.
Finding my Groove
After a few months of hit and trial & settling on Perma-Sharp & Mühle combo I wanted to try out new things.
Acquired few more razors (the ones on the inexpensive side)
Picked up from the local supermarkets, a King C Gillette (from DM), Wilkinson Sword (from Muller) & a Fatip Grande (online).
Paired them with different razors for different levels of success, but as I was already getting very good shaves with the Mühle & Perma combo, nothing stuck and I was not going to next level.
Reaching my best Shaves
I then found the Personna Reds (from Israel)
They were the game changers, paired with the Mühle R89 they now give me the perfect shaves. Absolutely amazing, no irritation, no cuts, no weepers.
I found my perfect match.
While i keep using the Fatip (very good razor) & wilkinson butterfly once in a while. The King C Gillete is kinna no good for me.
but the best shaves are still from Mühle and the Personna & lately even with feather. But the Personna is my go to blade now.
Whats Next - Looking for suggestions.
Am looking for suggestions for whats next ? Should I go for a R41 or some twist. at this stage whats the best possible option to explore ?
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