shaving with Merkur 11C

[bbarton713]

I have a beautiful razor that I purchased from a friend on here. It is a Bob Quinn razor and it has an 11C head on an Amboyna handle.

I expected, after reading about the 11C, that I would have a more aggressive razor than my Feather but that hasn't been the case.

I shaved yesterday with the razor and an Astra SP blade which happens to be my go-to blade right now. I went through my usual prep and routine and the audible queues I expect to hear indicated that the shave was going along business as usual.

After I finished my shave and was in the car I noticed that one cheek, which is usually my 'best' cheek had stubble all over it. When I got back home from my errand I did another pass or two in order to get it clean.

This morning I upped the ante and put a Feather blade in the 11C. The first thing I noticed is that it was a great 1st shave with that blade. Typically, the first shave isn't as smooth as the 2nd and 3rd but this was good right away. I had a good shave but noticed stubble just a couple hours later.

I've adjusted my angle, differed my pressure, and it isn't that I'm getting a bad shave, I'm just not getting a great shave. And I have a Single Ring and a NEW that give me great shaves no problem so it isn't because I don't know how to shave with an open-comb.

The razor is purty enough that I'm going to keep it but I'd really love to know if this is typical or are my expectations out of line. I have other blades in my den so maybe it will be a matter of the perfect match that I haven't hit on yet.

[Spivey]

I never was able to really get used to my 11C. I guess I gave up.

Some time ago, I read a post that stated that Merkur's open comb design was nowhere near as smooth as the Gillette design. That may be the problem.

[jgkeegan]

Having had a fairly short and tempestuous relationship with thus razor both with the current head and it's closed comb predecessor, I have to admit that I wanted to fall in love with it despite the fact that it wouldn't give me a great shave. My experiences were similar to Bob's, with whom I hoped it would find a caring home.

--james

[internet]

I was going to buy a Merkur open comb, but will consider other brands. Would you recommend a contemporary open comb? I have an old German, but want a new one. TIA

[Nils]

YMMV again, the 11c is one of the three razors in my daily rotation together with the Futur and a Gold 500 Injector. An easy, comfortable and very thorough shaver for me.