Still a tugging

[whatrymes]

Hey:

Received my sample pack and loaded up my Gillette Tech with a Merkur Platinum. I've read scores of tutorials and watched many videos an proper technique so I know I'm trying to things right (whether they are is another story). My shave was still difficult. Tugging and pulling at hairs. 4 passes and I still have a five o'clock shadow. I'm using a badger brush, ToOBS lavender cream, after a long hot shower and splashing lots of water. My gut thinks my beard is still too tough after all this.???

Thanks

[strat1117]

A lot of people don't care for the Merkur blades for just the reason you cite -- tugging. Also, the Tech is a very nice but mild shaver. That is, it is not the closest shave in the world. However, it is a fantastic choice for learning. I suggest trying a couple of different blades and see if that doesn't improve things. Don't try to push too hard. Just let those shaves happen. It will come to you, all in due time.

Enjoy!

[grumpy old codger]

Don't despair. It does take time. Remember, "Technique, technique, toujours technique!". Take your time, if watching videos and reading were all there was to it, I'd be a STR8 man with a BBS shave after the first shave. Didn't happen.

[studman46]

Welcome aboard. If you have a moderate to heavy beard, a mild tech is bound to pull unless you're very adept at beard reduction. I have techs in my stable of razors and the only tech I can get a good shave with is my 1946 fat handled tech and it even pulls a tad on the first pass. My beard is tough so I mainly use the more 'aggressive' of my razors. My 39c slant on a barberpole, 1927 NEW STANDARD open comb both cut through my beard with ease and I get a BBS shave in two passes with touch up occasionally. My red tip superspeed is third in line. I would recommend any of these three. You'll see a difference. Keep us posted.

[whatrymes]

You all seem to feel it is my blade/razor being the problem. I hope my prep is good enough, it would not be very practical for me to add more steps. So: Think I'm ready for a Feather blade in the Tech? or Should I jump to my Aristocrat with a red Personna (won't dare a Feather in it yet!)?

[studman46]

You all seem to feel it is my blade/razor being the problem. I hope my prep is good enough, it would not be very practical for me to add more steps. So: Think I'm ready for a Feather blade in the Tech? or Should I jump to my Aristocrat with a red Personna (won't dare a Feather in it yet!)?
Yes, I'd go for a feather in your tech; I use a feather in my fat handled tech and it makes a difference.

[cfriend]

Above advice is good, but a question: How much growth do you have prior to the shave? A few weeks ago I went at six days growth and found it much slower going, and more prone to tugging. Considering picking up a comb variant razor for such occasions in the future.

[BananaPancakes]

i got alot of tugging with a merkur, using a derby stopped it instantly, so its worth trying a sharper blade.

[thirdeye]

Tugging is usually one of two things, Dull blades or lather that is now slick enough. Personally I am not a fan of Merkur blades. I think they are rather dull to begin with.
How is your lather? Does it give you good glide? Is it good a slick?

[shill789]

I'd recommend a blade change as well. Try a feather, you'll notice a big difference. I can't use anything else, otherwise it tugs.

[whatrymes]

Best I can tell my lather is good. Which reminds me, A post a day or two ago gave a way to see if lather is too dry or too wet. I can't find it again.

Thanks all.

[no_pants_cat]

I know a handful of people who use Merkur blades and they work fine for them... I've only used them once personally, so I can't vouch for them.

Something I would consider is your blade angle - that is - the angle that you are holding the razor against your face. If the angle is too aggressive you will get more razor burn, and pulling and skipping of the razor. On the flip side, if it's not aggressive enough, you won't remove very much hair at all and will probably end up getting an irritated face and not removing much hair.

You have to find the 'correct' angle, and then learn to maintain it while moving around the curves and contours of your face. I would suggest shaving a flat area, like your cheeks and watching very carefully how you are holding the razor while you shave. Find an angle that works well, then move to other areas while trying to maintain that same angle. Another thing to note - areas like your neck, edge of chin, and under nose are notoriously difficult for people just starting.

Something else to note is, a very small amount of pulling might be normal for you. When I read some of the posts on these forums, most of the pros have said there should be "no pulling". I took this literally to mean that there should be ZERO pulling - I shouldn't even feel the razor moving across my face. Since that wasn't happening for me, I figured I was doing something wrong. I tried for weeks to figure out how to accomplish this but I never got it, even with a brand-new sharp blade and only a day's beard growth. I finally realized that I was being 'oversensitive' to what was meant in those posts... strong tugging, pulling, or skipping is BAD, but you can definitely "feel" the razor removing the hair as you shave. That might be something that can only be chalked up to experience.

[whatrymes]

Found a gorgeous Gillette slim adjustable today, cleaned it up, set to "3" and tried a new Merkur blade and it was much better. I think the tugging might just be one of those things. It happens just on the sides of my mouth and today I just went real slow there and it was much better. 2nd pass had no tugging though a much better shave, spots still need improvement. Oh the pain of time!

Thanks all

[adonnellyr]

...that's what she said? :001_huh:

[Serious Rikk]

i got alot of tugging with a merkur, using a derby stopped it instantly, so its worth trying a sharper blade.

Same here. First few DE shaves were with a Merkur - tried a Derby today and much more enjoyable and tug free shave.