How can I minimize nicks and abrasions with Merkur DE?

[TAsunder]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Merkur hefty classic, a low-end badger brush, and some T&H shave cream. I have enjoyed the brush and shave cream, but I'm finding that with the DE razor I'm getting a few nicks of varying severeness each time I'm shaving, and not getting a very close shave unless I go against the grain. Last night I shaved for the 4th time with the razor.

Before switching to the above, I was using a Mach 3 with Pacific Shaving Oil. With that combination, as long as I applied the oil properly with an adequately wet face, I generally had no irritation at all. The main motivation in switching was the cost of blades for the Mach 3 and the seemingly negative effects the oil was having on my skin (caused occasional acne compared to previous shaving gels/creams).

With the DE I am being as careful as possible not to apply pressure and to keep it at an acute angle. I apply a small amount of cream to the brush and then lather it on my face in a circular motion, making sure that there are no translucent areas.

The problem areas are the upper areas of my cheeks, the sideburns, and especially the neck below the sideburn area. I believe the irritation would be minimal if I just shaved against the grain once. But this seems to result in a wholly inadequate shave in a few areas. I find that I need to make a second pass and really stretch the skin and run over the area a few times. Mostly this is my cheeks and jawline.

Are these abrasions and nicks to be expected when making the switch? Is there a certain technique I can use to minimize nicks while also ensuring a close shave of problem areas?

I really started to question myself when I noticed Jake Gyllenhaal using the exact same razor with just cold water in a scene in Brokeback Mountain. No bleeding or anything after for him, but I still nick myself slightly with a good shaving cream and hot water...

[Dripp]

4 shaves in I also had the same problems. Even now, several months into wet shaving I continue to get the odd nick. As for those problem areas, I have found that I just need to experiment with different pass direction to get the right one so that I get a close shave without the irritation and nicks. I still don't have all the parts of my face correct. As for the irritation, I would take a few days break if you can, likely over the weekend. Let it all heal and go back at it. Hopefully that helps but if not, the longer you're at it, the better the shave gets.

[Nick]

TA,

Welcome aboard. :smile:

Dripp makes several very good points. There is definitely a "break in" period where your face has to adjust (but this doesn't necessarily mean you should be constantly bleeding). Don't over-tax your face. Take it nice and slow. If you only shave one pass a day, without touch-ups, or without going against the grain, that's alright. Getting the basics down is fundamental. If you go too fast, you can ingrain bad habits which are a lot harder to break yourself of in the long run. Also, If you have to do a touch up, make sure to apply more lather.

The next time you shave, first take a minute to examine your lather. Pluck some from your brush, examine it, and then rub it inbetween your fingers. How's the consistency? Is it really airy or dry? Is it dripping wet? Getting a proper lather is 50% of the equation (razor technique is another 50%, skin stretching is another 50%, and there's a whole lot of other things that make up the other 50%).

Keep us informed of how it goes.

-Nick

P.S. Don't worry about Jake shaving sans-cream, it's obvious that that movie takes large liberties with regards to the truth, I mean come on, gay cowboys? :wink:

-Nick

[TAsunder]

When you refer to pass directions, do you mean that you shave portions of your face north to south, leaving the rest untouched, then on the same "lather session" shave in diagonal or other directions on the other parts? Or do you mean shave north to south then relather and shave northeast to southwest or similar?

The consistency of the lather changes as I am applying it. At first it is really weak and then as I work it onto the face with the brush it eventually gets creamy. I haven't tested to see how slippery it is between the fingers, though.

I think I am getting a handle on the neck areas, now I just have to figure out how to do the cheek areas where north to south doesn't cut it (no pun intended).

Thanks.

[rtaylor61]

When you refer to pass directions, do you mean that you shave portions of your face north to south, leaving the rest untouched, then on the same "lather session" shave in diagonal or other directions on the other parts? Or do you mean shave north to south then relather and shave northeast to southwest or similar?
The consistency of the lather changes as I am applying it. At first it is really weak and then as I work it onto the face with the brush it eventually gets creamy. I haven't tested to see how slippery it is between the fingers, though.

I think I am getting a handle on the neck areas, now I just have to figure out how to do the cheek areas where north to south doesn't cut it (no pun intended).

Thanks.

I'm not a fan of the N-S, S-N, or whatever. I don't know anyone who has a beard that grows all in one direction. Determine the growth pattern of your beard. Lather, and then shave with the grain. Relather and shave across the grain. Re-lather a third time and shave against the grain. This may mean that on passe 1 and 3 you literally shave different parts of your face in different directions.

Randy

[TomH]

Hello TA,

at first, I agree with Randy, but I think it's better for you to let your beard grow a little longer so you can see in which direction your hairs grow.

And then I would shave,at first, only with direction before you shave against.
I think it's too much at the moment to irritate your skin by shaving with, against and perhaps, cross the direction.

Now I hope you can understand what I mean ( oh hell, my english:mad3: )

Regards from Germany

Thomas

[TomH]

Uups, sorry Randy, I've wrote the same like you: It's a double post...:blushing:

Thomas

[TAsunder]

Thanks. I will try shaving with the grain in differing directions on my face. I bet that will help with the cheek areas.

[guenron]

TA,
There are many issues confronting the new to DE shaving shaver, not the least of which is ensuring that you are communicating your experience to others. Here is a thread on the "4-pass" method (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1001)I developed/documented some time ago. I find that it works for me and has served as a good baseline for others to build upon. Before you dig into it make sure that you have your DE razor skills down well.:eek: Good luck and enjoy your shave.:w00t:

[TAsunder]

My past two shaves I've been doing north-south everywhere, then following up with a second pass south-to-north from the jawline up and then nothing on the neck. So above the jawline is fine. But the neck is still a problem. I can only shave north to south or left to right. Any south to north or right to left and I get a lot of problems. To me it looks ok to just do a not-too-close shave of the neck, but I have no idea if others would agree.

Any advice? I read the system posted above but the 3rd pass is the problem for me in the neck area. Also a problem is the adam's apple.

[guenron]

My past two shaves I've been doing north-south everywhere, then following up with a second pass south-to-north from the jawline up and then nothing on the neck. So above the jawline is fine. But the neck is still a problem. I can only shave north to south or left to right. Any south to north or right to left and I get a lot of problems. To me it looks ok to just do a not-too-close shave of the neck, but I have no idea if others would agree.

Any advice? I read the system posted above but the 3rd pass is the problem for me in the neck area. Also a problem is the adam's apple.
Greetings Thomas,
Can you tell me more about what kind of problem you are having on the third pass? Does this seem to be the direction in which your whiskers grow? or the opposite?
Perhaps we can tailor the strokes to get it right for you?

[TAsunder]

The problem is that it is mostly against the grain on the neck for the left side, and I seem to either be more sensitive in the neck area or not stretching / lathering / steaming properly. It's actually ok on the right side, until I get to pass four. Basically anything remotely against the grain (i.e. horizontal from right to left) causes nicks or at best major irritation.

It could be that I am not positioning the blad properly or stretching the neck properly? I generally stick my chin into the air.

[guenron]

The problem is that it is mostly against the grain on the neck for the left side, and I seem to either be more sensitive in the neck area or not stretching / lathering / steaming properly. It's actually ok on the right side, until I get to pass four. Basically anything remotely against the grain (i.e. horizontal from right to left) causes nicks or at best major irritation.

It could be that I am not positioning the blad properly or stretching the neck properly? I generally stick my chin into the air.
So it seems that your beard is growing from right to left on your neck. Something I tried to explain in the 4-pass is that each pass is meant to reduce the length of beard remaining for the next pass. What I would suggest is that on pass three you carefully try shaving Q3 and Q4 from right to left. That is, in Q3 from the centerline towards the ear and in Q4 from the outside edge of your beard toward the centerline/adams apple. Then in pass 4 reverse the direction of shave.
There could be several reason you are getting nicks. Most often gents get nicks when they go against the grain from razor hop. That is where, almost imperceptibly, the razor bounces off the shaving surface and comes back down making a tiny slice (nick) as it lands. The hop occurs as a result of the resistance of the beard being greater than the shearing force exerted by the razor. Quite often these nicks are almost infinitesimal and called weepers. THere are many things you can do to overcome this problem.

The next most common issue is the failure to maintain skin tension from behind the razor. If you have any skin that is not taut on your shaving path, failure to keep it taut (stretch it) while the razor travels over it is an almost sure source of nicks.

[slprl]

I have what I think will be a simple answer for you.

Don't press down on the razor. Just let the weight of the head do the work. When I used the Mach3, I had to pull the razor. Just the opposite with D/E. Put on a nice layer of cream and let the razor do the rest.

Good luck!:001_smile

[Kyle]

I have found that the only time I get razor nicks is when I get impatient and make repeat passes over an the same area with reapplication of cream. This is something I fight because of many years of bad habits with cartridge / canned foam. Take the extra time to do things right, and your face will thank you.

Kyle

[PoshRichM]

A lesson I had to relearn recently was to avoid "choking up" on my grip on my razor's handle. That means you hold your razor as close to the handle's end as possible. The "pommel," in swordsmanship terms. :wink:

It took me forever truly to understand why, but the best I can describe it is that shaving while holding the very end of the handle causes the blade to be pulled parallel to the skin (as it ought to be), while a grip closer to the head of the razor tends to drive the blade into the skin at a shallow angle, which obviously makes razor burn much harder to avoid.

Finally getting this bit right made all sorts of cross-grain and against-grain maneuvers possible for me that simply hadn't been before. Just my $0.02.

Shave on!

-Rich

[TAsunder]

Well, I've tried everything, and I still get nicks when I go for a close shave (i.e. against or partially against the grain). Today I even nicked my cheeks. Is there some method I should be aware of to stretch the skin? Up until now I've just been moving my jaw and lips for the cheeks and raising my chin for the neck. That doesn't seem to be working. I tried pulling with my off hand but it's too slippery at that point.

[rtaylor61]

Well, I've tried everything, and I still get nicks when I go for a close shave (i.e. against or partially against the grain). Today I even nicked my cheeks. Is there some method I should be aware of to stretch the skin? Up until now I've just been moving my jaw and lips for the cheeks and raising my chin for the neck. That doesn't seem to be working. I tried pulling with my off hand but it's too slippery at that point.

Try watching Lynn's straight shaving video (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1380). You can see some good stretching techniques there.

Randy

[AACJ]

Shave in the shower! The water will help clot nicks and might even clear up before you get out. The steam from the water will help keep your whiskers soft and easy to cut so you don't need to scrape it against your face.

I go against the grain on every pass, or that is my intent.

[vontech]

Shave in the shower!

Art,

When you (or anyone else...), shaves in the shower, do you keep the shower head spewing water? I find that I need the audible feedback from my DE to guage when I have the right angle and start cutting hair.

With the shower turned on, I can't hear it? I tried turning the shower off, just standing there, shaving and dipping my razor in a bowl of hot water, but I got really cold.

:confused: :confused:

Tom

[AACJ]

Art,

When you (or anyone else...), shaves in the shower, do you keep the shower head spewing water? I find that I need the audible feedback from my DE to guage when I have the right angle and start cutting hair.

With the shower turned on, I can't hear it? I tried turning the shower off, just standing there, shaving and dipping my razor in a bowl of hot water, but I got really cold.

:confused: :confused:

Tom

I turn it off, but I let it get real steamy before I do. I make my lather with the water running onto my face, as hot as I can stand, turn it off, the shave. I like the scraping sound....then after each pass, I rinse off and start over till I'm satisified. My shower is big enough keep the bowl away from the water if needed, plus I have a shelf I built in there to keep stuff on.

Good Luck!

[vontech]

I turn it off, but I let it get real steamy before I do. I make my lather with the water running onto my face, as hot as I can stand, turn it off, the shave. I like the scraping sound....then after each pass, I rinse off and start over till I'm satisified. My shower is big enough keep the bowl away from the water if needed, plus I have a shelf I built in there to keep stuff on.

Good Luck!

I assume you mean you keep your LATHER bowl away from the water. Do you turn the shower on to rinse the blade when it becomes full of beard stubble/lather, or do you do something else?

Tom

[AACJ]

I assume you mean you keep your LATHER bowl away from the water. Do you turn the shower on to rinse the blade when it becomes full of beard stubble/lather, or do you do something else?

Tom

Yep, I keep the bowl away from the water. Nothings worse than a bowl of runny later.

I may dip the razor in a cup of water I have on the shelf, but when I rinse, I usually give it a good cleaning.

[Scotto]

You guys are nuts. I wouldn't shave in a slippery shower where my most precious parts are exposed....:eek:

[AACJ]

You guys are nuts. I wouldn't shave in a slippery shower where my most precious parts are exposed....:eek:

I've never dropped a razor or slipped in the shower. How many times have you ever dropped on at the sink? My thought is that hands are just as slippery at the sink as they are in the shower and I get a better shave in the shower...so it's a no brainer, for me.

But what ever works for anyone is whats best.

[Scotto]

In the early AM, me and my Futur don't always see eye to eye :eek:

I was just kidding around, Art, I wasn't making fun of your... um.. religion.:tongue:

Peace out.

[Austin]

You guys are nuts. I wouldn't shave in a slippery shower where my most precious parts are exposed....:eek:

I agree. :biggrin:

[AACJ]

In the early AM, me and my Futur don't always see eye to eye :eek:

I was just kidding around, Art, I wasn't making fun of your... um.. religion.:tongue:

Peace out.

Your Futur has an eye?

No offense taken. :001_smile

[TAsunder]

I've tried shaving in the shower and it's not for me. Those tiny shaving mirrors, lack of mobility, and waste of water... meh.

I do shower first with hot water, then I soak a towel in really hot water and hold it to my face for about 30 seconds.

I'll check out the video though, thanks!

[TAsunder]

I tried a few new things today. Previously I had tried to put the razor at different angles, but this morning I just tried with the head (top of the T) perpendicular to my face, occasionally raising the end of the handle up slightly, but not often.

I also made sure that I never did more than one stroke on the same spot, re-applying cream each stroke. Seems to have helped. I watched the video but it didn't seem like he stretched the cheek area near his mouth. Just his sideburn area. The cheek area is really the one I most need to stretch.

Also the guy appears to have no protruding adam's apple like I do, because he put the straight razor right over the area. If I did that, I would need to be hopsitalized!

[billyjeff2]

Standing in the shower without the water running, especially in the cold weather months, is not something I'm particularly fond of doing. Since I've always shaved in the shower with the water running, the lack of audible feedback has never been an issue for me. In fact, although I generally use a shower mirror to see what I'm doing, I sometimes find myself shaving with my eyes closed so that I can focus of the feel of the razor blade as it cuts. You might think this would engender some serious nicks, but it's never been a problem for me.

[amateriat]

I've tried shaving in the shower and it's not for me. Those tiny shaving mirrors, lack of mobility, and waste of water... meh.
Ah, but this is the beauty of something like an adjustable shower-massage head. The one I use has, among other options, a "trickle" setting that allows one to shut the water flow down to, well, a trickle, which is much more convenient than reaching for the faucet when all you need is to put the shower on "hold" for a minute or two, while leaving water-temperature unaltered. Fantastic for shaving in the shower, together with an articulating mirror that can be positioned ideally while leaving both hands free for the task at hand. (Still working on the in-shower mirror setup, but trust me on the shower head)

- Barrett

[12345Michael54321]

amateriat - I'm planning on replacing my shower head sometime this week. The one you've described, with a trickle setting, sounds like just what I want. Would you mind recommending it by make and model?

[TAsunder]

Today I did a little experiment. I still had several new mach 3 razors. I decided to shave my left side with the mach 3 and the right side with the merkur hefty. I applied some pre-shave oil on both sides before shaving.

I discovered several things:
1. The Mach 3 was extremely well lubricated even if I made multiple passes without re-lathering the face. In fact, the Mach 3 lubricant became very gooey and smooth.
2. The Mach 3 required far fewer passes to get the same level of closeness
3. The Mach 3 did not cause any irritation, even when I was aggressive against the grain

So what the heck am I using the merkur for?? I got about the same shave closeness only after repeated passes across the same part of my face. The lubrication was inferior - I had to splash water on my face each time before re-applying the shaving cream. This means more shaving cream used per shave. I had to pay careful attention to the angle I was holding it. Even when paying attention closely, it was more irritating to my face when I wanted to get a good "against the grain" shave.

I'm starting to think that DE's are just hype without substance. What am I supposed to be getting out of these? I seem to recall tales of closer shaves with less irritation. Both are false for me. It also takes me rougly 5 times as long to get a decent shave. The only benefit I am getting is that the razors are 50 cents versus $2.

Either I am doing something really, really wrong or DE shaving is not very practical at all.

:confused:

[Kyle]

1. The Mach 3 was extremely well lubricated even if I made multiple passes without re-lathering the face. In fact, the Mach 3 lubricant became very gooey and smooth.
2. The Mach 3 required far fewer passes to get the same level of closeness
3. The Mach 3 did not cause any irritation, even when I was aggressive against the grain

So what the heck am I using the merkur for?? I got about the same shave closeness only after repeated passes across the same part of my face. The lubrication was inferior - I had to splash water on my face each time before re-applying the shaving cream. This means more shaving cream used per shave. I had to pay careful attention to the angle I was holding it. Even when paying attention closely, it was more irritating to my face when I wanted to get a good "against the grain" shave.

I'm starting to think that DE's are just hype without substance. What am I supposed to be getting out of these? I seem to recall tales of closer shaves with less irritation. Both are false for me. It also takes me rougly 5 times as long to get a decent shave. The only benefit I am getting is that the razors are 50 cents versus $2.

Either I am doing something really, really wrong or DE shaving is not very practical at all.

:confused:

TAsunder,

Some guys are perfectly happy with the shave that they get from a M3. If you can get a satisfactory shave from one (closeness, lack of irritation, etc), then lucky you. M3 shaving is a one-size-fits-all (though some would argue one-size-fits-none) solution to shaving. Assuming you use canned cream, then your cream consistency is non-variable from shave to shave with no work required. Also, the M3 cartridge will provide a uniform blade angle on every stroke with no work required. You could compare these systems to buying a pair of pants. If the only pair of pants available to a man were slim-fit, flat-front khakis, some men would be fine, but at least half of all men would have some kind of problem with them. Wet shaving with a DE would be the equivalent of going to a tailor for your pants. Its not as easy or fast as picking up a pair of 34x34 flat-front, slim-fit khakis from a bin of pants, but the final result is a pair of pants that fit you perfectly. It takes some additional work and time, but the end result is a superior product.

DE shaving is a craft. There are many variables that comprise a great shave, and each of them require a certain level of mastery. As you will discover in reading this board, it will require some trial and error to learn how to create a great lather, how to maintain proper razor pressure, and how to maintain proper razor angle. Just because you've purchased the products and shaved a few times does not mean that you should be getting great shaves. With the mastery of each skill set, your shaves will improve, but you must view your progress in comparison to a marathon and not a sprint.

As far as a comparison of costs, DE shaving only becomes more expensive when you have an acquisition disorder and feel the need to own multiple brushes, razors, creams, blades, etc. When you use the M3 shaving system, you have one can of cream, one razor, and one type of blade. If you were to purchase the equivalent setup for DE shaving, you could buy a $30 razor that would last you your entire life and could be passed down to your children for continued used. You could buy an excellent brush for about $60 that would last you for 20-30 years. You could buy a single tub of high-end cream for about $10-$15 that would last you for many months and you could purchase razor blades that would last you for 7 shaves each and cost about 15 cents.

As a side note, when shaving with canned cream, I would guess that you use about an almond size "squirt" of shaving cream. This will provide you with enough lather to cover your face one time. If you use the same portion of cream from a tub with a brush, you should be able to produce (with proper technique) a much more lubricating lather and enough of it to cover your face 4 to 6 times.

For me personally, canned cream smells like crap on a stick. I would much rather smell rose, lavender, lime, or bay rum every morning when I first wake up. M3's make my face feel raw and don't give me a close shave. When I first started DE shaving, it wasn't any better, but I knew it could be, so I stuck with it. Now, almost 7 months in, I get fantastic shaves every single day and my skin is healthier than it has been since I was a pre-teen. Even having reached this level of accomplishment in shaving, I will bet that 7 months from now, my shaves are still getting better every day.

Having said all of this, wet shaving is not for everyone. If you don't enjoy it and are not willing to go through some growing pains to get good at it, then do not do it.

[AACJ]

Standing in the shower without the water running, especially in the cold weather months, is not something I'm particularly fond of doing. Since I've always shaved in the shower with the water running, the lack of audible feedback has never been an issue for me. In fact, although I generally use a shower mirror to see what I'm doing, I sometimes find myself shaving with my eyes closed so that I can focus of the feel of the razor blade as it cuts. You might think this would engender some serious nicks, but it's never been a problem for me.

Funny you should mention that. In my pre-DE days, I used to shave AND shower in the dark. I have to get up early, like 4:00am and in our previous house, there was no door to separate the bathroom from the bedroom, so when I turned the light on in the bathroom, my wife would complain that it would wake her up (I would have my clothes already out in the closet so I could slip in there and change, then leave). So I got used to shaving in the dark, keep in mind, I had no shave brush either. When we moved into our new house, we had the shower area separated from the sink/mirror area by a door in addition to the bathroom and bedroom, but I still continuted to shave in the dark, until I got my brush. Then I got my Merkur DE and haven't shaven in the dark since.

But I agree in the darkness, you can better focus all of your senses to the task at hand of shaving. I liked my shaves then, but there's no comparison to now, especially with my new Feather Artist Club.

[Scotto]

Kyle gave an incredibly accurate response, so I won't add to it. For me personally, there is no comparison in shave quality. More importantly, I treat shaving as "me time", not a utilitarian event. In that respect, there is nothing like the luxury of wetshaving with high quality products.

We aren't elitists here. If you like lathering up with camel dung and shaving with a blunt cheese grater, and it makes you happy, more power to you. :wink:

[TAsunder]

Well, I am using a badger brush and shaving cream from the 3T's. And pre-shave oil. I began using all of them around the same time I began using the DE. I still intend on continuing with everything else. I am definitely sold on the rest of the stuff.

The question is, whether I am giving up too early on the DE. I feel like I am putting in a lot of effort to learn the perfect angle and how to adjust the angle and re-lather, but when I used the Mach 3 today I began to wonder what could I be getting out of the DE that was better.

I don't mind spending time on the shave, but I don't like the idea of repeatedly running a blade over the same sections of my face, because that can cause irritation and acne even if there is no razor burn or nicks.

The real question I'm trying to figure out now is, will there ever come a point where the DE will become a better shave than the M3? Right now it's about as close with significantly more irritation. I'm worried that I will never get beyond this point. It's been about 30 shaves now, and I feel like I'm making little progress.

[Kyle]

TAsunder,

Progress made in wet shaving tends to occur in a series of inclines and plateaus. A minor change in technique can give you a considerable improvement in the shave, but it may be a couple of weeks between each improvement. I would suggest selling out to either a DE or a M3 and using that razor exclusively. When you go back and forth, you allow yourself to practice habits with one razor that do not work with the other. You never really break yourself of M3 habits, which are all very wrong for the DE, if you continue to use it. I shaved for quite some time (months) where I experienced a small patch or two of irritation after each shave before I was finally able to rid myself of all of my old M3 habits (too much pressure, etc).

Best of luck.

[rschul2]

TAsunder,

Progress made in wet shaving tends to occur in a series of inclines and plateaus. A minor change in technique can give you a considerable improvement in the shave, but it may be a couple of weeks between each improvement. I would suggest selling out to either a DE or a M3 and using that razor exclusively. When you go back and forth, you allow yourself to practice habits with one razor that do not work with the other. You never really break yourself of M3 habits, which are all very wrong for the DE, if you continue to use it. I shaved for quite some time (months) where I experienced a small patch or two of irritation after each shave before I was finally able to rid myself of all of my old M3 habits (too much pressure, etc).

Best of luck.
Couldn't agree with it more myself. FWIW though, I find that I get better shaves with cartridges, but my shaves from my DE are comparable and at $4 per cartridge vs $.50 for a DE blade its a no brainer for me. Whatever works for you though.

[vontech]

TAsunder,

Here's my two cents. I've shaved with a Gillette M3 Power now for 3 years or so until January, when I discovered wetshaving and this forum. I plunged in like I do with everything: bought all the razors, tons of creams, oils and soaps. I tried them all, changing products and trying different combinations almost every day. Filled my bathroom cupboard with product, emptied my wallet several times, and still got lousy shaves. Really discouraging....

About 2 or 3 weeks ago, I ran out of energy and combinations and settle into using a Merkur Futur on a low setting of "2", along with a Feather blade, which seemed to cut my beard best. I skipped the oil, softened my beard at the sink with hot water at the sink for a full 4 minutes, then applied Will G's soap with my brush and worked it on my beard for a good two minutes.

I kept the proper angle, shaved no more than a 1" of beard at a time, and always let the razor weight do the work -- NO PRESSURE AT ALL! I also gave no consideration for closeness -- just concentrated on angle and no pressure, and never cut an unlathered area. I tried not to worry about shave quality and stopped shaving whenever I started to feel irritation.

Now I am finally able to do 3 or 4 passes with no irritation, and my shave has been getting better each day. In the last week, my shaves have been GREAT!

And, FINALLY, better than my M3P shaves -- but it has taken 3 months. I feel great, my shave looks good, and most importantly, I ENJOY SHAVING!! It used to be a CHORE that I wanted to SKIP each day. Now I can't WAIT to SHAVE!

THAT is what this is all about for me -- to ENJOY it!

And it helps to have everyone here to share it with. THANK YOU!

[Kyle]

Good for you, Tom. I know that you (like most of us) struggled some early on. Congratulations, and I hope your shaves continue to get better and better.

[TAsunder]

Well, I guess I jumped to conclusions there. I shaved again with the M3 and got the same nicks and scratches on the left side of my face that I was getting with the DE. Then switched back to the DE the last couple of times and have been getting no problems, although mostly this is due to not going for a super close shave.

When you speak of 4 minutes at the sink with hot water... what is your technique? I have a lot of small towels for steaming, but I don't really get HOW to steam.

My main problem areas are just below the jawline halfway between the throat and ear, and the bottom of the neck. I am making progress, though.

[Wet]

Here it is what I recommend:

1. Get a Merkur Progess and use only Merkur blades always with a low setting, like 1 to 1,5 .
2. Wet your face with very hot water during some 3 to 4 minutes and clean with a glycerine soap; Not advisable to shower before. You will get better results applying very hot running water on your face during several minutes;
3. Use Proraso eucaliptus (or Omega Shaving cream as it is the same and even cheaper than Proraso) shaking well the hot water from your brush before putting on the cream and then add some drops of water to get a dense but wet shiny past in your face. It must be not translucide on your face;
4. Make 3 passes: one N/S, one across the grain and the last against the grain all with no pressure at all;After each pass use hot water and relather your face;
5. Rinse with plenty of cold water;
6. Tap dry with a soft towel and apply a good after-shave balm like Anthony.
7. Take your shower;
8. Then put on a great moisturizer like Total Care from Biotherm (expensive but fantastic at some 40 USD);
9. Dress up and before leaving home put another and stronger moisturizer like the best I know: Anthony SPF 15 (expensive like Biotherm about 30 to 40 USD).

I hope this help!

Wet