Noob here. Just had my first shave with a DE razor.

**HotSoup** · 10-06-2010, 03:11 PM

I lurked the forum for a while, took notes, and watched a lot of mantic on youtube before taking the plunge.

I went to Fendrihan.com, and ordered a Merkur Sledgehammer, and 30 Feather blades. They arrived today.

I have been using Proraso shaving soap and an Omega Boar brush for the last few months, as it saves me money, instead of buying aerosol goop, but have been on cartridge razors, notably the Mach 3, for the last 6 years.

Well, went for my first shave just now. After a hot shower, I lathered up really well, and started. Cheeks went very easy, and I got the hang of it fast. Blades were so sharp than there was literally no friction. Just melting the hairs off.

I tried using small strokes. Had a little difficulty with upper lip, and ended up cutting my lower lip. It bled for a good 5 minutes.

The neck was a nightmare. IT BURNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Used small downward strokes to start, but it wasnt as 'smooth' as on my cheeks. I cant seem to find the right angle for my neck, despite trying to make it as flat as possible. I lathered up again, in pain, from all the tiny nicks I got, and went UPWARD. This made it much smoother, but it had a dozen little tiny nicks everywhere. My facial hair on my neck grows from freaking right to left, so how do I shave this right?

Overall, it was a good experience. I'll have to try again tomorrow. Not that much blood, and very very little irritation near my adam's apple.

Trouble spots are the neck, especially the lower part, and on the sides of my mouth, where the hair grows diagonally. Any tips for that? Cheeks are no problem, and I did a second pass on them.

Also, how do you know when its BBS? My cheeks feel pretty good touching them downwards, but don't feel THAT much smoother then when using my Mach 3. I guess I have a long-ways to go! :D

**SafetyRazorDave** · 10-06-2010, 03:29 PM

Congrats on your first real shave.

To be honest, I think you picked a very aggressive razor+blade combo for your first shave. I've used the Merkur 39c with Feather blades, and although it does cut VERY effectively, you have to be quite careful with it. Nevertheless, you can get a great shave out of that combination, just not to most newbie-friendly.

I used to always have trouble with the area on my neck around my adam's apple. The hair growth kind of grows sideways there for me, so I just stretch the skin to the side and shave with the grain, pretty much straight to the side. My advice is to try to shave only with the grain until your technique improves. You'll get better at learning your beard growth pattern. When you improve you can try to go across the grain (at right angles to the growth) or against the grain. But even then it depends completely on your face. I've been wet shaving for over 2 years (most of it was with a straight razor, but same principle) and still don't like doing across the grain. My face is too sensitive for it, so I've stopped trying. So don't be too obsessed with BBS, just focus on comfort for the time being.

Oh, and if you're face is a bit raw from your first shave, take a few days off to let it rest before you try again. Started with an irritated face makes it only that much more likely to irratate it more.

I hope that helped a bit! Just take it slow and don't expect amazing shaves right off the bat, it takes a bit of practice at first so don't get discouraged.

**troy1979** · 10-06-2010, 03:32 PM

Welcome...........the hairs on your neck go in all different direction it takes time to get the hang of it. Watch the pressure.... Please take your time on a BBS just try to get DFS, as you read other posts you will find a fair amount of people just go for a DFS most of the time.. Be carefull

**HotSoup** · 10-06-2010, 03:39 PM

Thanks for the advice.
I'll take a day or two off and try again.

Going slow is a major challenge for me. I always try to get things done as fast as possible.

As for the razor and blade combo, I decided to get something pretty good right off the bat, and invest my budget, as it is limited. I have a very expensive pocket knife addiction, so there is little money left over for other stuff

I really like the heft of the 39C.
My grandfather has an old Gillette laying around. Its all dirty and crusty, but it just felt too light in my hand... Does the weight affect the aggresiveness of the cut? I assume it does. Perhaps I was better off starting with something lighter?

**danparker77** · 10-06-2010, 03:46 PM

Welcome to B&B!

BBS = Smooth in every direction. It will not come easy or soon (probably). Take your time and don't worry about getting one for now. To get one you must go ATG and you have to have good technique, especially with the razor/blade combo you are using, to go ATG with no blood or irritation.

My neck is like yours, where everything grows from ear to adam's apple on both sides. what I found works is "chevron" pass. That is to say I started at my ear and worked down and at an angle towards my adam's apple. After a while of that I could easily go straight across without the downward motion, whereas before I couldn't make the razor and hand cooperate and do that smoothly. Hope that last bit makes sense.

**ama015** · 10-06-2010, 04:09 PM

Welcome and congratulations on your shave. I also started with a Merkur 39C slant and Feather blades, and that is what I`m still using when shaving with DE`s today. The ultimate combination IMO. You must not use any pressure on the razor, just let the razors own weight do the trick. Blade angle is also very important. You will get there. I got cuts and used my Styptic a lot when I started-now I shave without any cuts or irritation at all, and get BBS everywhere in 3 passes with touchups.

You will get there if you take your time, and your skin will also get used to DE shaving quite soon. Be sure to use a good aftershave cream after your shave

Good luck!

**rm71** · 10-06-2010, 04:10 PM

Welcome.

**Muscles** · 10-06-2010, 04:14 PM

Welcome, before you know it you will be getting DFS's so hang in there and heed the advice already given.

**tumblty** · 10-06-2010, 04:21 PM

I had some neck issues too but then I learned that to correctly shave my neck area without irritation, I had to shave wtg which for me was to shave from the bottom up not top down. So much better now and I been doing it for a week and still only do WTG and XTG.

I hope to start a 3 pass and atg when I improve my technique.

Good Luck

**hoslerd** · 10-06-2010, 04:34 PM

I think your problem is the Feather blades. I have used many different kinds of blades and the Feathers consistently are the most irritating and I get the most weepers and cuts from them.

Get a sampler pack and try some different blades, I think that will help a lot. My personal favorites are the Iridium Supers, best compromise for sharpness and smoothness.

Good luck and don't give up......just get some ADs (Aquisition Disorders)

**dpmtherrien** · 10-06-2010, 06:29 PM

Welcome to the B. Your technique will develop quickly, and your shaves will get better, so don't worry or try to rush things.

**DunEdinRanger** · 10-06-2010, 06:43 PM

Welcome!!

I'm impressed that you chose to start with Feather blades, described as "pure concentrated evil"; that is a blade that lusts for blood, and if you used any pressure at all with the Slant, I'm sure it got to taste some.

I'm sure you've checked out Mantic's videos on You Tube. Always good to check them out again.

Make sure you go very lightly, and with the grain. The second shave will take less blood than the first. If for no other reason than you're already down a pint.

**HotSoup** · 10-06-2010, 06:56 PM

Haha. Something about them being made in Japan.

The Japanese don't mess around when it comes to steel. They know their stuff, despite it being only disposable blades.

I heard Feathers were the sharpest around, and my facial hair pretty coarse, so seemed logical at the time.

Not sure if the lost blood was enough to sate the Feather gods though... :p

**demaro** · 10-06-2010, 06:57 PM

Welcome to the group !!

**Luc** · 10-06-2010, 07:35 PM

Good work on the first shave!

Make sure you don't apply any pressure at all times. You didn't do bad for a first shave but don't expect perfection right away, it takes parctice.

Try to grab a razor blade sample pack, Feather might not be for you but then, it's not conclusive after 1 shave either.

**mretzloff** · 10-06-2010, 09:10 PM

Congratulations and welcome to Badger & Blade!

**Kcaps** · 10-06-2010, 09:15 PM

Welcome to B&B and congrats on the shave! The neck is the worst part......

**azrichter** · 10-06-2010, 09:22 PM

Congratulations! My first DE shave ('66 Superspeed + Big Ben blade + Cremo Cream) kinda sucked too. Seemed way too much work.

BUT...follow the advice of the old hands.

For me slowing down was hard, too...for years a quickie in the shower shaver.

What I did was take my de + brush in the shower, lathered, and just shaved from memory like i did with a disposable. It seemed like inviting disaster, but the familiarity and relaxed mind-set enabled me to get a CCS right away.

Relax, learn your beard, enjoy the soap.

DON't be afraid to use the brush and get a great shave with your old razor---I still grab my Bic disposables and get a good shave.

Do what you enjoy. Eventually, though, the DE gets better.

**ackvil** · 10-07-2010, 05:43 AM

Welcome to B&B.

Don't rush the BBS. Take your time and practice. And before you shave say these words: Blade angle must be right, and NO pressure on the razor.