This is going to be a long winded story: Ok, so my Merkur 34C came in before the weekend, along with my cheapie Tweezerman badger and Proraso white. To be quite honest, I haven't shaved with a safety since the one a few days ago (had to let the moles heal), so I've just been touching up with my *gasp* Mach3. So anyhoo, I was somewhat apprehensive and maybe even a little discouraged about trying again. But I manned up and gave it another go. Oh my God the difference a halfway decent brush makes. I was using my old un-restored Fuller, which refused to get that nice soft bloom look and felt like it was exfoliating me. This Tweezerman ain't an awesome brush, but wow! It whipped the Bigelow like nobody's business and it actually felt good on my face. I loaded the Merkur blade that came with the razor, and decided I needed some really hot water. So on the kettle went. I boiled up a pot full and poured some into the sink to cool off a tad. I soaked a towel for a minute, then wrung it out and put it on the face. Oh the relaxation. I lathered up and took the first pass. Well I thought it was the blade or something because it was tugging. But I figured out it was the fact that I hadn't shaved in 3 days. AFter the first pass, toweled up again, lathered up again, then XTG. One more hot towel and I noticed I wasn't experiencing any skin burn at all! (no pressure on the blades) I took a third pass ATG and it turned out well. I even managed to not cut the bejeezus out of anything. A couple of nicks on my throat that didn't even need the styptic, and no burn whatsoever. It wasn't BBS, but then I wasn't trying for that. I just wanted a comfy shave, and I got it. I am definitely still sold and encouraged. I can't wait to try more soaps/creams and Thanks TSD for all of your support and advice!.
Well, you found out that some items work better than expected (Tweezerman Brush). C.O. Bigelow for most users creates excellent lather. Preparation is the key to any great shave. Good job and stick with it.
I'm going to give it a few more shaves, then I'll be looking for a nice higher end brush. The bigelow did wonderfully, as my old Fuller didn't do crap for it.
Glad to hear it went so well. As has been said, it only gets better. To what I quoted, I think some folks try too hard and over-think the art of the shave. It is art, not science, and there-in lies the reason, I believe, anyway, that if you do try too hard and over-think the shave, the results can be less than stellar. Just prep, lather and shave. It's not rocket science.
I am a brand new DE user myself and also got the Merkur 34c. I experienced the same tugging with the Merkur blade that came with it. Traded that out for a Shark the other day and tugging went away.
