Razor not quite what I expected...

**Stecacio** · 02-09-2007, 08:32 AM

I'm new to wet shaving ... been dangling my feet in the water for 3 months by using Proraso cream and a pure badger brush, along with pre and post shave products. I've stepped up my inventory recently and have added some nice creams/soaps. I'm also awaiting my finest in ebony and standard in horn versions of the B&B brush (I figured, why mess with everything in between, why not just go to the top?

)

I decided it was time to give DE shaving a try. I picked up a sampler pack of blades from letterk (very cool idea on his part) and just yesterday received my Merkur HD razor, which I chose because of the many favorable reviews online, including this forum.

I have to say, my first impression from looking at the razor was that it is a lot shorter than I expected. I'd never seen a DE razor in person and I suppose I expected the handle length to be on par with my Mach3. I took it out of the box and was like 'hmm...how is that going to work?' I've been watching some videos and I think I have it figured out, so I'm going to give it a try tonight.

I'm a taller than average guy (6'3") with pretty big hands, so I was wondering if any of you like-sized gents have any issues with the Merkur HD handle length? I know they offer a longer handled version and quite frankly I'm not sure how the handle length of the HD stacks up to other razors. Any insight into whether this is an issue or non-issue would be greatly appreciated. Having never shaved with a DE razor, I really don't have any idea at all

...fingers crossed for the first attempt tonight...I have my styptic pen ready...

**Groundhog** · 02-09-2007, 08:37 AM

I'm an average size guy (5'10), and I find the HD kinda short. I prefer the long handle Merkur.

**Limey** · 02-09-2007, 08:40 AM

The HD is a standard length handle. Its strong points would be its weight and the diameter of the handle. Its chubby compared to many razors out there. You may like a long handle Gillette Slim adjustable which can be found on Ebay and here frequently in the Mall. Good luck with your DE shaving.

**minstrel** · 02-09-2007, 08:46 AM

Size isn't everything. Technique is. I think short or long handle is inconsequential (having used both). The main thing is to get the technique right. And this will take some time, in my experience, especially if you come from the world of cartridge razors. You will probably use too much pressure for a while, until you learn that you actually can shave with the razor just barely touching your skin. :) Good luck!

**michaelskar** · 02-09-2007, 08:58 AM

I am also a big guy (6'3") and have absolutely no problem with the HD size. I was alos a little surprised at first for the same reasons you were, but I found it is totally comfortable and easy to use. In fact, if you take Kyle's advice for holding just the tip of the handle with 2 or 3 fingers the size of the handle is perfect so you can still keep control but allow the weight of the razor to apply the pressure. YMMV, though

**Dennis** · 02-09-2007, 09:14 AM

I remember thinking the exact same thing when I got my HD. It is plenty big enough though and just about perfect all the way around in my book. If you are looking eventually at a more "manly" razor in size, take a look at the Merkur Vision, Gillette Adjustable (Fat Boy) or maybe even a Merkur Futur.

Dennis

**aws** · 02-09-2007, 11:39 AM

I thought the same thing when my first DE razor (a late-40s Super Speed) arrived. I opened up the package, held it in the palm of my hand and thought, "You've got to be kidding me. This thing is tiny." I had been scrutinizing all the giant-sized macro photos of razors on the Internet, and so I expected it to be much larger. But as they say, size matters not.

**PR22** · 02-09-2007, 11:45 AM

The handle is very short, your grip will play a big part in whether the razor will be comfortable or not. I have big hands and the first couple times I used the razor my fingers cramped a bit, after a while your fingers get used to it.

If you read Kyle's 'What works for me' sticky, it'll show you the general grip with the HD, that is holding it at the bottom tip with 2 or 3 fingers. I've been using that for a long time, but it wasn't that comfortable and maneuvering with it was hard. Recently, through a post on this board, I started using the point of balance as my grip, that is the middle of the razor, this gives me much more control of the razor while still allowing me to not use pressure.

If holding the razor by the bottom tip is too uncomfortable, try the middle of the handle grip. Give yourself a few weeks to get used to the HD before you decide that it doesn't work for you, you'll surprise yourself sometimes at how fast things can go from dismal to working right.

**ada8356** · 02-09-2007, 12:08 PM

My very first impression of the HD: That's it!

But it is now my favorite razor... very easy to use.

**cooncatbob** · 02-09-2007, 04:09 PM

Back in the day most razors had handle around 3 inches. It was until the 60s that Gillette and Schick started coming out with longer handles. Now most cartridge razors have handle around 4 1/2 inches.

**Nick75** · 02-09-2007, 05:03 PM

The handles on DE razors are usually short, and yes, I was also quite taken aback by this when my first DE razor (a Merkur Classic) first came through. You'll get used to it though. You'll be shaving with these things day in, day out, for a long, long time (hopefully!). And a few months down the line the DE razors with short handles will very much seem like the 'norm'.

**ouch** · 02-09-2007, 06:05 PM

The HD should be held at the very tip with two or three fingers. If you're used to "choking up" on a razor, you'll definately need something longer, perhaps the lovely Merkur 23C long handle classic.

**ShaveBear** · 02-09-2007, 07:51 PM

The size of the HD surprised me as well. However, I've found that the shorter handle makes sense, given that most people grip the very tip in order to let the weight of the razor do the work. With the shorter handle, you can hold the tip and still maintain good control. It's much harder to control a long-handled razor if you use that same grip style. YMMV.

**Stecacio** · 02-10-2007, 04:02 PM

Thanks all for the replies. I gave DE shaving a first attempt last night and I think it went reasonably well. I had practiced a bit without the blade in to try and get the angles right and what not (yes, I'm a dork). I'd say overall my shave was better in some places than with my Mach3 and worse in some places. I had some minor razor burn at the lower part of my neck, but I get that sometimes with my Mach3 too. Overall, on par with my Mach3, which was better than I expected for this first try. I feel it can only get better.

I used the advice some of you had about gripping it at the tips and found it a little difficult to control, so I tried choking up a bit, my pointer finger slightly lower than the middle of the shaft, my middle finger near the base, and my thumb offering guidance on the other side. I found I was able to control the razor better and still not apply any additional pressure. I think I'll continue to try both grips until I get more comfortable.

By the way, I started with a Merkur blade, seeing that many recommended that to start. I figure I'll go for 2-3 weeks using Merkur blades before moving on to the rest of the sampler pack. I hear Merkur, Israeli Personnas, Derby's, Swedish Gillettes and Feathers is the order to proceed, generally speaking.

Thanks again all

**joelmaners** · 02-10-2007, 09:31 PM

Personally, I like to put a finger right under the head of the razor. It gives me a little more control. i know that this goes against most of the advice you'll get on how to shave with a DE but it works for me. Don't be afraid to break the rules if it works for you.

YMMV!