Merkur 38C arrived

**joeshaver** · 02-21-2008, 08:05 AM

I am a newbie. My new Merkur 38C Barber Pole just arrived from Leesrazor.com. As I shaved this morning, I will use the 38C tomorrow morning with a Merkur blade, and I will let you know how it goes. I am waiting on a best badger Superior Brush, 20mm, which should be here Friday, but tomorrow I will be using Kiehl's Close Shavers cream mixed with C&E sandalwood soap, Nivea cooling skin balm, and a splash of Pinaud Clubman - ahhhh! This will be my first shave with the 38C, and hoping to get a BBS. I also use Clinique men's face soap to clean and prep my beard in a hot morning shower before shaving. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!

**jat9096** · 02-21-2008, 08:15 AM

if lee threw some derby blades in your shipment USE those instead of merkur blades. also on a side note did you get a a blades safe included in your shipment from lee for free??

**joeshaver** · 02-21-2008, 08:24 AM

Yes - Lee threw in a blade safe and 10 Merkur blades.

**Bradford** · 02-21-2008, 08:31 AM

Lee is a real good guy.

**jat9096** · 02-21-2008, 08:33 AM

i knew it!

**arcman** · 02-21-2008, 08:56 AM

Is this your first DE shave, or just your first shave with the 38C?
I wouldn't expect, or try to get a BBS when you're just starting out, typically one can't get that when they're first starting out without significant bloodletting, at least until their technique improves after the first couple of weeks or so. That's certainly what happened to me when I tried to go against the grain during my first week.

I would say to stick with with the grain and across the grain passes until you get very comfortable with the razor and you're sure not to nick yourself, then after a week or so you can try going ATG.
For me to get BBS I need to go ATG, but I only do so in terms of very short strokes (blade buffing) though, so I don't actually do much in terms of full ATG passes.

**joeshaver** · 02-21-2008, 09:41 AM

I have been wet shaving the past few days using a Panasonic Wet/Dry and then cleaning up with a Bic disposable. I use C&E sandalwood, Kiehl's, Clubman and Nivea. I lurked here for a bit, did a lot of perusing the forums and decided to pull the trigger on the Merkur and the Superior badger brush. I shaved DE when I was younger with a Gillette, but because of ingrown hairs I grew a beard. Basically, I'd get up in the morning, splash my face with water, smear on Barbasol and begin shaving using cold water to rinse the blade. Needless to say, without proper prepping or re-lathering I was making a big mistake! OUCH! Alas, I learned a lot about prepping the beard before shaving by reading here at B&B and this has helped me a lot. I am hopeful that I will be able to continue shaving without the painful ingrown hairs.

**aus71383** · 02-21-2008, 05:18 PM

I also just got my Merkur 38C in the mail today, along with a brush/razor stand and a puck of Col. Conk Amber. This morning I had my smoothest shave (results wise) ever with my Fusion - a nice way to say goodbye I think. I took some Burt's Bees bath oil and rubbed it on my whiskers before applying a warm damp towel - then I lathered up with Williams Mug soap and went 4 passes (20 when you count the blades) I was smooth as can be (with some blade buffing on the 4th) but a bit irritated around the neck. I'm interesting to try the new soap - I know it will be much better - and also to see how much difference 16 less razors going over my face will make in my shave. I guess I'll find out tomorrow morning.....if I can grow anything by then! My neck was still smooth when I got home from work around 5. Next week my badger brush (been using boar) and Proraso Pre/post will show up, so I'll be even better off I'm sure.

Austin

**joeshaver** · 02-21-2008, 06:03 PM

Tomorrow morning will be the first time I use my 38C, as well. I'll use Kiehl's Close Shavers mixed with C&E sandalwood, Nivea skin balm, and a splash of Clubman Lime Sec. Good luck. I hope you achieve BBS!