nomad_z
05-05-2008, 11:06 AM
Hi Everyone,
I was bored at work and googling to find out which cartridge razor, Fusion or the Quattro Titanium was better (I own both). I luckily stumbled across joel's article "Gillette Fusion Power VS Schick Quattro Titanium Power... " and started to read about some razor called the Merkur HD. Well, one thing led to another and I ordered the Merkur HD that afternoon and eventually Derby Blades a brush and shaving cream.
I was actually getting good bbs shaves with the Fusion in 10 minutes, but the cartridges were expensive. The idea of DE razor just fascinated me and an old fashioned manly appeal called out to me.
I have been using the Merkur for about 2 weeks and it's been a steep learning curve, but I'm getting there. The first shave was painful and sore, with a few cuts, but I soldiered on, and fortunately they've got better. I have to remember not to use any force, unlike with cartridges and also to respect the razor and not to rush, otherwise - ouch. I actually get up earlier as I look forward to having a relaxing 30 minute shave. It feels as if I am pampering myself and it is ME time.
Here is my routine if anyone has any pointers. As with most, I have a shower to soften the stubble and apply normal Nivea cream to my face before putting on the shaving cream. My face is very dry and I find Nivea a good moisturiser. The next part is where I am having some trouble, the lather! I live in a very hard water area and find the lather disappears very quickly and I have to keep re-applying - I am using the Men-U shave creme and tend to use twice as much as advised, not all in one go, but to generate new lather between passes. I have watched and read about creating a good lather (I leave my brush soaked for 2 minutes in hot water). I think I need more practice. I do a WTG, re-lather and then a ATG. The chin area is the most difficult and time consuming, as I have to do several ATG passes to get the bbs that I want. Still a few cuts, especially when I am not careful. I wash my face with cold water and then apply some of Boots new, No7 For Men Post Shave Recovery Balm. I used to use alcohol based aftershave and loved the sting, but many have said this drys the face out. I leave my face for about a minute and then apply some normal Nivea face cream.
I have read a lot of tips from this site as well as seeing Mantic59's YouTube videos and I have to thank everyone who contribues to this site for opening my eyes. This is the first site that I have ever posted, because I think this is one of the most useful sites ever. I think I have driven my wife mad by talking about DE shaves for the past 2 weeks.
Enough gabbling by me, thanks everyone:biggrin:
I was bored at work and googling to find out which cartridge razor, Fusion or the Quattro Titanium was better (I own both). I luckily stumbled across joel's article "Gillette Fusion Power VS Schick Quattro Titanium Power... " and started to read about some razor called the Merkur HD. Well, one thing led to another and I ordered the Merkur HD that afternoon and eventually Derby Blades a brush and shaving cream.
I was actually getting good bbs shaves with the Fusion in 10 minutes, but the cartridges were expensive. The idea of DE razor just fascinated me and an old fashioned manly appeal called out to me.
I have been using the Merkur for about 2 weeks and it's been a steep learning curve, but I'm getting there. The first shave was painful and sore, with a few cuts, but I soldiered on, and fortunately they've got better. I have to remember not to use any force, unlike with cartridges and also to respect the razor and not to rush, otherwise - ouch. I actually get up earlier as I look forward to having a relaxing 30 minute shave. It feels as if I am pampering myself and it is ME time.
Here is my routine if anyone has any pointers. As with most, I have a shower to soften the stubble and apply normal Nivea cream to my face before putting on the shaving cream. My face is very dry and I find Nivea a good moisturiser. The next part is where I am having some trouble, the lather! I live in a very hard water area and find the lather disappears very quickly and I have to keep re-applying - I am using the Men-U shave creme and tend to use twice as much as advised, not all in one go, but to generate new lather between passes. I have watched and read about creating a good lather (I leave my brush soaked for 2 minutes in hot water). I think I need more practice. I do a WTG, re-lather and then a ATG. The chin area is the most difficult and time consuming, as I have to do several ATG passes to get the bbs that I want. Still a few cuts, especially when I am not careful. I wash my face with cold water and then apply some of Boots new, No7 For Men Post Shave Recovery Balm. I used to use alcohol based aftershave and loved the sting, but many have said this drys the face out. I leave my face for about a minute and then apply some normal Nivea face cream.
I have read a lot of tips from this site as well as seeing Mantic59's YouTube videos and I have to thank everyone who contribues to this site for opening my eyes. This is the first site that I have ever posted, because I think this is one of the most useful sites ever. I think I have driven my wife mad by talking about DE shaves for the past 2 weeks.
Enough gabbling by me, thanks everyone:biggrin: