New D/E User

[slprl]

I just bought a new Merkur HD and have been using it for 1 week now. It is the best shave I have ever had. It was very easy to use right off the bat with no problems. No nick or cuts. The only thing I had to get use to is shaving without applying any pressure whatsoever. Glad I made the change.

[Nick]

Welcome aboard slprl, and congrats on the success!

My first DE was an HD, and it is definitely a great razor that gives great shaves.

-Nick

[DoubleE]

Congrats slprl in elevating your shaving consciousness. Now that you have a new razor, you'll certainly need a new brush, and some new soap, and cream, and brush holder, and...........

Where's my credit card, I need a fix.

[Austin]

Welcome to the forum.

[roughrider]

HD is a fine razor.

[guenron]

Strangely enough I failed to buy an HD (must have been a moment of low blood sugar?:smile: ), but based on the legions of happy HD users you've made a great shaving choice. Enjoy!

[Scotto]

Glad to hear the success story! Keep it up!

[tonyespo]

Well, I've been putting off buying an HD. I was very tempted last week when DaveT showed a photo of his Gold HD. Now I read this and I'm ready to grab for the American Express again. I guess I can move a few things around and find room for another razor.

Tony Espo

[guenron]

Well, I've been putting off buying an HD. I was very tempted last week when DaveT showed a photo of his Gold HD. Now I read this and I'm ready to grab for the American Express again. I guess I can move a few things around and find room for another razor.

Tony Espo
Right on Tony! That's the spirit that has turn my humble shave shack into a modest shave two story!:blush:

[DoubleE]

I actually called Charles at QED yesterday with the intention of ordering one. After a long talk about many shaving related items, I ended up not ordering one. I have the classic long-handle, which has the same head, and really enjoy it so Charles didn't think I would be gaining anything by having the HD. I really appreciate Charles' selling style which is very conservative to say the least.

I may yet, in a moment of weakness, have to call Charles back someday just to see if I've been missing anything. Curiosity killed the cat, broke the bank, and filled up the shave shack.:rolleyes:

Jerry

[rschul2]

Never owned a Heavy Duty, but then again, I've never heard a complaint from anyone who has ever purchased one either.

[Nick]

Jerry,

That's one of the many reasons that I buy from QED when at all possible. Charles is one of the few retailers that I know of that will actually say to you "You really don't need that, it'd just be a waste of your money." Two big thumbs up on that one.

-Nick

[Merlino]

Hey!

I too am a new user though I've been reading along for a short while. I got a DE razor from Gilette as a present. I think it's kinda antique since I don't believe Gilette still makes DEs. It came in a nice steel casing with little boxes for spare blades. Shaved with it once now, and albeit I nicked myself quite a few times I got a really nice shave so I'll be trying to get acquainted with my new little friend :)

[DoubleE]

Merlino:

Congrats on your new Gillette, they made great razors! As you've probably already found, there's a wealth of information to be had by perusing the older posts.

Do you use a brush? What kind of soap/cream? Let us know a little more about your routine.

Jerry

[Merlino]

before the DE, I used:

Proraso Pre/Post
Proraso shaving cream from a tube
pighair brush from Omega
Mach3Turbo

So currently the only thing that's changed is the blade (M3T -> DE). I don't have a nice bowl yet, I just use an old mug with the logo of my university. Still in college actually, so no money to buy expensive stuff like a badgerhair brush (and apart frum the brush I'm very happy with the Proraso products which fortunately don't cost very much since I visit Italy rather frequently, Pre/Post is about $3,00 a jar and the tube of cream is about $1,50).

The funny thing is, I'm going to a party tonight and I wanted to get a shave from a real barber (there's still one here in my hometown in Holland). But having shaved with the DE I find that the hair hasn't grown back nearly as fast as it would've done with M3, so there's really no reason to go to the barber :frown: :wink: Fortunately, that DOES mean that I can get another experience with my new blade before the party tonight!

[Scotto]

Welcome, Merlino. You don't have to spend lots of $$ to get a quality shave, as you have discovered. Feel free to join in the discussion!

[roughrider]

Welcome Merlino, all the way from the Netherlands. :smile:

[madmedic]

Hi Folks.
I bought the HD last week. GREAT razor. I had been using a Futur for some time and find the HD 'very forgiving'. I need more passes to achieve the same result as the Futur....but sure....when you are pampering yourself....who cares!

Brian

[Austin]

Welcome aboard MadMedic! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the HD.

[guenron]

Hi Folks.
I bought the HD last week. GREAT razor. I had been using a Futur for some time and find the HD 'very forgiving'. I need more passes to achieve the same result as the Futur....but sure....when you are pampering yourself....who cares!

Brian
Greetings Brian!
Two very interesting and accurate observations. Especially
when you are pampering yourself....who cares. My exact sentiments. I have established my morning ritual such that there will be no less than four pass. With some minor modifications I could easily reduce it by one pass, but then I would miss out on at least one fourth of the lathering ritual pleasure! Bravo!

[roughrider]

Hi Folks.
I bought the HD last week. GREAT razor. I had been using a Futur for some time and find the HD 'very forgiving'. I need more passes to achieve the same result as the Futur....but sure....when you are pampering yourself....who cares!

Brian

I also own a Futur and an HD and I agree with you completely.

[Merlino]

Hello again! Since my first post I've had a couple of shaves with my DE. Apparently I am not a natural but I'm improving. I can make 2 passes along the grain without cutting myself and the results are reasonably smooth. I'm a little anxious to start using the DE for shaving against the grain because I hurt myself pretty badly trying to do so the last time. But I guess it's a part of the learning process. Anyway, my point was that I like it and will be continuing to use the DE! :)

[Scotto]

Hello again! Since my first post I've had a couple of shaves with my DE. Apparently I am not a natural but I'm improving. I can make 2 passes along the grain without cutting myself and the results are reasonably smooth. I'm a little anxious to start using the DE for shaving against the grain because I hurt myself pretty badly trying to do so the last time. But I guess it's a part of the learning process. Anyway, my point was that I like it and will be continuing to use the DE! :)
Keep it up, Merlino! you might want to try an across the grain pass as an intermediate step before trying to go against the grain.

[rtaylor61]

you might want to try an across the grain pass as an intermediate step before trying to go against the grain.

That is excellent advice. My second pass is always across the grain. Witht the stubble all but eliminated, the third pass, against the grain, is very easy.

Randy