Loading the blade into the Merkur HD properly

**xnay** · 03-28-2008, 10:57 AM

Hello,

I didn't think my very first problem with DE would be how to mount a blade into it properly, but actually it is :)

So my concern is: when I position the blade in the razor and tighten it more and more - at some point the blade begins to adjust to the HD head shape and becomes "rounder" - I wonder if I have to stop at some point to retain it in maximally flat position or should I just go further without concern until I'm unable to screw more?

You can see how it looks like now by looking at this pic - the blade is clearly visible:

- this is when I screw it to the point that I can't go more (maximally screwed). As you can see the blade is not flat - it is curved - is this right?

I went through some tutorials but this wasn't covered (maybe it's too obvious? -not for me at least ;).

Regards,

tom

**Dr. Mike** · 03-28-2008, 11:06 AM

Can't see the picture.

**xnay** · 03-28-2008, 11:15 AM

Imageshack direct link:

http://img507.imageshack.us/my.php?i...rhdheadsk4.jpg (it is extremely slow now so maybe this is why you can't see it but wait a while and let it load).

**kato1** · 03-28-2008, 11:22 AM

I would suggest finger tight should be fine. Over tightening won't do the razor any good.

Hope this helps.

**Dr. Mike** · 03-28-2008, 11:24 AM

Sorry, the filter here at work won't let me access that link. Not sure why I can't see the pic.

Do you mean how the whole blade arcs in the razor itself, instead of just laying flat, or do you mean that the actual cutting edge is bent, and not a straight cutting line?

The blade will arc in the razor as it is put in the proper alignment for cutting. With the adjustable razors, I believe, the amount of this arc is adjusted to create a larger or smaller gap between the blade and the guard. If I were at home right now, I'd take a picture of what mine looks like, but I'm at work. I hope this answers the question. Maybe somebody else who can see the picture can help better.

**mightemacs** · 03-28-2008, 11:29 AM

The blade looks fine in there.

This thread is more about the cutting angle than what the blade should look like in the razor, but you can clearly see (and read) about how the blade is supposed to curve slightly to conform to the razor. Tighten it so it's secure, but if you feel like you're exerting effort into tightening it up, you might be going a little overboard. Finger tight should be plenty.

**xnay** · 03-28-2008, 11:37 AM

Thank you very much for the answers and here's another try with the pic for those interested who can't see it @imageshack:

http://www.fotoszok.pl/albums/userpi...ur_HD_head.jpg

**greychamp** · 03-28-2008, 11:40 AM

Tighten it all the way using your fingers. That give the proper shaving angle for the blade.

**77DX** · 03-28-2008, 11:46 AM

Tighten it all the way. That "arc" adds stiffness to the edge.

**kato1** · 03-28-2008, 11:48 AM

Looks fine.Go and have a shave, then report back.

**xnay** · 03-28-2008, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by kato1

Looks fine.Go and have a shave, then report back.

Actually I did shave with it yet :). My first impressions: the shave is better than with my current (till this day) Fusion. It was somewhat strange because I didn't feel that I was actually shaving - a different impression than with this rocket-scientist-invented-5-blade tool from Gillette :) I'm repeatedly touching my face just to check it and this is something I'm 100% sure about. Zero cuts, zero bleeding :) And I think I can definitely make it better because I shaved with maximum caution being afraid of the blade. I shaved with the grain because as soon as I did ATG with Mach3/Fusion before - I got ingrown hairs/bumps etc. - especially on my neck area. Maybe I'll give this Merkur a try ATG in some time to check if it is any different in this field... But just like I said - even this way it is better than before and easier for the skin. This Merkur HD must be a good tool for newbies like me - I thought it would be much easier to get cut - I had my alum block ready to use :))

**kato1** · 03-28-2008, 02:04 PM

Sounds like all went well for you.

If you are not sure about going ATG then I would recommend trying XTG. This is not quite as an aggressive way of cutting the growth as ATG and should provide you with a closer shave that just going WTG.

The likelyhood of ingrown hairs with a DE is reduced somewhat because it cuts the hair off at the skin surface, rather than lifting the hair (effectively from below skin level) before cutting it.

**grayraven** · 03-28-2008, 02:14 PM

Hey, xnay! Welcome to B&B, and congrats on what sounds like an excellent first shave. If you haven't checked out the post by Marty in the Newbie area I would recommend it. He gives a great breakdown for us newbs. Here is the link:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40751

Good luck!