Newbie to proper shaving

**citibadger** · 05-06-2012, 01:36 PM

Hi, I'm new to 'proper' shaving. I have just bought a Merkur 34c as my first de razor. Wow, what a great shave I had. Years of shaving with a Gillette Mach 3/Fusion etc, and hating shave day coming round. Now I love to shave, enjoying the sandlewood shaving cream and Prorazo post shave cream, all very invigorating.

I am still in pursuit of the 'best' razor blade. I have read many reviews of blades and can see that it's very much personal choice with no overall winner.

I'm currently using Lord Superior, these have been my first so I have no benchmark. Any ideas on what I should try next????

Any thoughts greatfully received.

**biggiej42** · 05-06-2012, 01:43 PM

Welcome to the board! Get yourself a sample pack, and try each one out. There's a blade out there for everyone, but it's very much personal preference. Personally, my favorite so far is the feather... but i'm still testing the waters as well.

**Ruston** · 05-06-2012, 01:44 PM

My personal favorites are Astra, Feather and Blue Persona in that order. However, if you are satisfied with the shave you are getting with Lord blades, stick with those for a while and focus on technique. I rotated several blades early on and my opinion of each changed from week to week. After 3 months I settled on Astra, but really wasn't ready to truly evaluate the blades until two months in when my technique was consistent.

**NickCutlip** · 05-06-2012, 02:14 PM

Welcome to B&B !!

**Sledgehammer39** · 05-06-2012, 02:19 PM

Welcome Aboard!

**Oblique Human** · 05-06-2012, 03:02 PM

Welcome to B&B!

Acquire a blade sampler pack.

**brucea** · 05-06-2012, 04:35 PM

Get a sample pack. I would also suggest trying some blades that may not be in a sample pack that you can buy in 5's or 10's like the personna lab or med prep,seven o clock in all color varieties,polsilver although they are a bit pricey and anything else you might think sound fun

**chuckman** · 05-06-2012, 04:38 PM

Welcome and happy shaving......,you'll never regret it!

**D.W.B.** · 05-06-2012, 05:19 PM

Greetings and Salutations to B&B!

**jmg** · 05-06-2012, 05:39 PM

Welcome to B&B !!

**polardude1983** · 05-06-2012, 05:44 PM

Also make sure you get a blade that you like that you can buy in big quantities like 50-200 packs. Nothing sucks more then liking a blade that is only offered in a sample pack.

**demaro** · 05-06-2012, 06:16 PM

Welcome to B&B !!

**jdo** · 05-06-2012, 06:24 PM

Welcome to B&B. My personal favorite are Feathers but they are very sharp and unforgiving if your technique is not good. Even after years of DE shaving, I sometimes get a nick when I become complacent. I do recommend you buy a sample pack. DE blade preference is very subjective because everyone's skin is different. What works for me may be terrible for you.

Jason

**syngent** · 05-06-2012, 06:33 PM

Citi I love my astra SP's but your technique will improve so much over the next little while and change from shave to shave I dont think you may get the best judgements of blades as an improved shave may have more to do with your ability then the blade itself,.. a sample pack is great becuase as you progress you can revisit the blades again and rotate them untill you find some that you prefer over others.

Welcome to the forums hope you enjoy your stay

**citibadger** · 05-07-2012, 09:54 AM

Many thanks for all your suggestions and help. I'll purchase a sampler pack and see where I go from there!

**gus1942** · 05-07-2012, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by citibadger

Hi, I'm new to 'proper' shaving. I have just bought a Merkur 34c as my first de razor. Wow, what a great shave I had. Years of shaving with a Gillette Mach 3/Fusion etc, and hating shave day coming round. Now I love to shave, enjoying the sandlewood shaving cream and Prorazo post shave cream, all very invigorating.

I am still in pursuit of the 'best' razor blade. I have read many reviews of blades and can see that it's very much personal choice with no overall winner.

I'm currently using Lord Superior, these have been my first so I have no benchmark. Any ideas on what I should try next????

Any thoughts greatfully received.

My favorites are Astra SP,Feather, Red IP, 7'Oclock yellow.

**PugslyCat** · 05-07-2012, 05:53 PM

Welcome to B&B, Citi!

Originally Posted by syngent

...your technique will improve so much over the next little while and change from shave to shave I dont think you may get the best judgements of blades as an improved shave may have more to do with your ability then the blade itself,..

If you aren't having trouble with the Lord blades, I would stay with them for a couple of months until you get a good solid technique and then work through the sample pack. If you are curious or having trouble with the Lord blades, go ahead and get a sample pack now. Try using a couple of blades in a row from each box until you get to one that is better than the Lord blades, then stick with that kind of blade for a couple of months. When you are in a good spot with your lathering and general shaving technique, start working through the sampler pack again from the beginning. Blades you like hated last time may be just fine now.