At long last....first DE shave

**krawlx** · 07-16-2007, 06:45 AM

I've been waiting for weeks for my Merkur HD to come in along with a new set of soaps, and tonight I finally had my first DE shave. I have to say I was a bit surprised by it.
The first pass, N-S, was just so-so, and it did reduce some stubble, but it was the second pass that impressed me so much. I have always been able to shave directly ATG, and it seems that I am in the minority in that. And after reading some of the forums here I expected some trouble on my ATG pass with a DE, but not so. Actually, it was easier shaving against the grain as I found getting the angle of the razor correct to feel perfectly natural. It was the first pass WTG that was a bit odd to get the angle correct. HAs anyone else experienced this?
Anyway, it was a great first shave. I got BBS in two passes, and only two nicks, but nothing a splash of cold water after the shave couldn't seal up.

Thanks to all those at B&B! Perusing the forums, and watching the videos by mantic, really sped up my learning curve. This shave was by far better than any of the Mach 3 shaves I had. I only hope they continue to get better.

**GoBuckeyes** · 07-16-2007, 07:31 AM

Congratulations, and color me jealous. A few DE shaves in and I'm nowhere near BBS!

**krawlx** · 07-16-2007, 07:46 AM

I think part of it is that my skin is tough. It can take some abuse, and is generally okay. Today may have just been beginners luck. Who knows what tomorrow will hold. But, I hope you get there soon!

**Liam** · 07-16-2007, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by krawlx

*Snip*...Actually, it was easier shaving against the grain as I found getting the angle of the razor correct to feel perfectly natural. It was the first pass WTG that was a bit odd to get the angle correct. HAs anyone else experienced this?

This is also the case for me. ATG seems to be the *easiest* for me (in terms of pressure & blade angle). It's good to know that I'm not alone! I tried using an M3 for WTG, then switching to DE for XTG & ATG... I haven't decided if it's working very well or not. Chances are I'll just end up using DE for each pass. Practice, practice, practice

-Liam

**fritz** · 07-16-2007, 05:55 PM

Good job, Karl! A fine start. (As they say, a good shave is any shave you can walk away from... without leaving a blood trail.

)
Which blade were you using, and what kinds of blades do you have available?

**Magnulus** · 07-16-2007, 06:45 PM

Sometimes I like using a less aggressive razor for an against the grain pass, if I do one (sometimes I just finish up a shave with quick touch ups with an electric after a cross-grain pass). In the past that was a Sensor for WTG and a Bump Fighter razor for XG and ATG, but now I'm using mostly a DE for that, with maybe a very light ATG with the DE (except under my chin, where I just avoid doing that for now). My new vintage injector, though is pretty aggressive and I'm not too cool with it against the grain, but maybe it'll come in time. On the plus side, it's so aggressive you almost don't need more than two downward passes.

DE's seem easier for me too for against the grain. Maybe because of the symmetrical-mirrored nature of the design. OTOH, I gave up today on trying to get an injector razor to go against the grain upwards. Too wierd and ackward. Maybe I'll get it going in time, but the DE felt alot more natural with a few days practice even though if you look at it, the injector razor looks more "ergonomic" and clearly is the predecessor to all of the modern razors like the Sensor, Mach 3, Fusion, etc.

**krawlx** · 07-16-2007, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by fritz

Good job, Karl! A fine start. (As they say, a good shave is any shave you can walk away from... without leaving a blood trail.

)
Which blade were you using, and what kinds of blades do you have available?

Right now I'm using Merkurs, but I have a sample pack on the way from West Coast Shaving. Not sure when it will be here, but I'm excited to try out some new blades.