I waited until I received my first DE razor (yesterday) and used it before my first post. I purchased a Merkur 38C after using cartridge razors since I started 34 years ago. What a beautifully made instrument, nothing else needs saying. Before I loaded the blade, I dropped some electric shaver oil down inside the handle. This lubricated the stem thread and nut to preserve it. What a brilliant shave the 38C is, first go and I got a BBS result. I don't have a shaving brush or proper shaving soap. Instead I used what I have always used since it came out, sorbolene lotion. It's very cheap and it works. The razor was rinsed with the blade loose and later swilled in rubbing alcohol to evacuate any water then blow dried. I hope to extend the blade life doing this. I am over using expensive crappy cartridges and now I will be shaving as cheaply as possible. My only complaint.... I didn't DE shave 34 years earlier. NB: Fed up with the Wahl battery operated nasal hair clippers, I also purchased a Dovo Klipette, again, the quality of it is just brilliant. It measures only 65mm and is manual operation. I am so impressed with the Dovo and Merkur and recommend them to anyone.
Welcome to TSD, great first razor and glad to hear your first shave was a success. It will only get better from here.
We welcome you to the club man. A razor is a good tool and its nice to see you know how to properly take care of it, oiling it and drying it.
Thanks all for replying. I was surprised I didn't have any trouble shaving with the Merkur. I got the impression that DE shaving was difficult. Is it those who are moving from electric shaving that are having the most difficulty?
Welcome to The Shave Den! Not necessarily. People just have different skill sets. Some people don't realize bad habits they have picked up with other shaving methods that don't transfer so well to shaving with a double edge, like applying pressure.
Welcome to The Shave Den. Great to hear your 1st DE shave went well. The 38C is one of the razors I use also. Being you achieved a BBS shave using the sorbolene lotion there isn't any reason to change except to broaden your experience.
Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
Thanks to all of you for welcoming me to The Shaving Den. This forum was the first one I visited when I researched what I wanted in a razor and their characteristics. Thanks to the information in The Shaving Den your members helped me choose the Merkur 38C razor and turned out to be the right choice. I am also a member of another prominent shaving forum, but was put off commenting on that one by negative experiences other new members have endured like being accused of trolling and being flamed on their very first post. It's highly unlikely I will use that one at all. I like the humourous quality of the various user IDs I've seen on threads. Very good.
I have to say, I am a. Member of about five, I think, possibly six, forums and this is the only one I really post at. I won't throw stones at the other forums, but this is the best and most welcoming one of all. Welcome aboard.
I had thought of getting the Merkur 39C but due to it's asymmetric design I wondered whether it suited right handed users more than left handed users like myself. Has anyone who is left handed used a 39C? Thanks LD.
I was put off by the elitest attitude at the other big forum. I was made to feel right at home here and everyone gets along, its like being in a big virtual barbershop.
to TSD sweeny.....I hope you enjoy it here as much as we do... I'm glad your first foray into "traditional shaving" has been so successful! You might want to consider buying a large blade sample pk so you can try many blades. You can also look forward to many more wonderful years of shaving as time goes on..I know exactly how you feel right now, as I shaved with a Trac2 for 30+ miserable years until I discovered "traditional shaving" about two years ago...
