***The Official Manly Shaving Thread***

I bought a Merkur Futur 761 a few weeks back to add to my collection and frankly I am not getting on with it at all, slices my neck up a lot. Anyone got one, got any pointers on settings or appraoch?
 
My experience of the 761 was to start on the lowest setting and stick to it for weeks as it is quite an aggressive razor. The other thing I found compared to other merkurs was that the required head angle was quite different and I had to relearn what angle to hold the razor at relative to my skin. I'd start with it at 90 degrees and move down until it just starts to shave and stick with that angle for a while.
 
Alex_L said:
My experience of the 761 was to start on the lowest setting and stick to it for weeks as it is quite an aggressive razor. The other thing I found compared to other merkurs was that the required head angle was quite different and I had to relearn what angle to hold the razor at relative to my skin. I'd start with it at 90 degrees and move down until it just starts to shave and stick with that angle for a while.
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Thanks. I have used it on lowest setting but I think your point about angle is interesting and I also think blade choice might be an issue too. I am using Feathers in it at present. 34C I have zero issues with, but this one I do. I also find it a little ungainly.
 
It is rather ungainly especially for the top lip although ultimately I found it can give a very close shave (albeit it's quite a slow shave). I also found that without regular cleaning it can get very stiff to adjust. Ultimately I don't use it very much now unless I have plenty of time as I can get 95% of the shave with a 34C in half the time.
 
Alex_L said:
It is rather ungainly especially for the top lip although ultimately I found it can give a very close shave (albeit it's quite a slow shave). I also found that without regular cleaning it can get very stiff to adjust. Ultimately I don't use it very much now unless I have plenty of time as I can get 95% of the shave with a 34C in half the time.
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34C is my favoured one too
 
My first experience with DE did not go well. Roll on 30 years of electric and I'm about to try again.

My return to DE started in February this year.
On holiday in Canada my electric shaver died so I purchased a 3-blade Wilkinson/Schick clone and a travel sized can of Gillette Sensitive Gel. On my return home I decided to continue with cartridges and started with Wilkinson Quattro and Hydro Sensitive Gel. I've since moved onto a Wilkinson Brush and shaving soap.

Today I purchased a Merkur Futur Gold and a sample pack of blades from Connaught. Just waiting on delivery now! I'll carry on with the Wilkinson brush and soap as I have no problems with them.

I'm also trying to find my dad's old adjustable butterfly Gillette.

BTW for those looking for something to store their Palmolive stick, search for 'empty lip balm tubes'
 
So had my 3rd DE shave this morning, starting to get the hang of it now I think. Still not quite as close a shave as I could get with a mach3, and takes probably 3 times as long with a 2-pass shave, but the feeling after is much better and it's a much more enjoyable experience. I'm sure the closeness and speed will improve with practice.

One thing I wanted to ask, does anyone else have trouble de-gunking the blades mid-shave? I swish it in very hot water after each couple of strokes, but it still gets full of lather and hair really quick, to the point where I have to unscrew and clean it off. And this is with 2-day stubble and I don't think my lather is especially thick. I face lather, but I don't think that should make any difference. Is there any trick I'm missing here? My razor is a Merkur 33C

Have used the Merkur blades that came with the razor so far, bought some Derbys and Astra Platinums with my original order. I figure I'll try the Derbys first as I bought them having read they were good for beginners, but have since heard they aren't very good so want to get them out of the way.

Also, is it bad I've come to quite enjoy the badger stank? :eek:


Tomsk said:
BTW for those looking for something to store their Palmolive stick, search for 'empty lip balm tubes'
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I was wondering about something to put mine in but it's doing OK by itself I think.
 
The best way to do it is to fill up your bathroom sink with warm or hot water, leave your razor and brush to soak in the water for a bit (this helps soften the badger hair bristles and warms the razor blades so that they glide over your skin more easily), then when you come to shave make sure that you are only using short strokes, going over small sections of the face and neck. You really need to wash your razor after every pass, by swishing it in the hot water in the sink.

If it's still getting clogged up then it could just be that you have particularly thick stubble or maybe you're using a bit too much lather.
 
Thanks Nicktay, I'll definitely try getting the blade as hot as I can.

Out of interest, how do people find the quality of the bundled blades you get with razors?
 
Just finished my first shave with the Futur.

Used a Derby blade, Wilkinson soap and brush in the shower.
Got one nick on my bottom lip (note to self - wipe away shaving soap before starting!) and three small nicks on my chin/neck where I got my angles wrong.

Did just one pass WTG (as I did with my Quattro) and the result is just as good.


My DIY fog-free mirror
Ux693W4.jpg
Mirror from somewhere I can't remember. The hanging hook broke off when I tried to expand it. Small plastic container with the corner hacksawed off and stuck on with Sugru. Fill it with hot water from the shower and stick it between the shower taps.
 
Tomsk said:
Just finished my first shave with the Futur.

Used a Derby blade, Wilkinson soap and brush in the shower.
Got one nick on my bottom lip (note to self - wipe away shaving soap before starting!) and three small nicks on my chin/neck where I got my angles wrong.

Did just one pass WTG (as I did with my Quattro) and the result is just as good.


My DIY fog-free mirror

Mirror from somewhere I can't remember. The hanging hook broke off when I tried to expand it. Small plastic container with the corner hacksawed off and stuck on with Sugru. Fill it with hot water from the shower and stick it between the shower taps.
Click to expand...

Can't work out what's going on with that mirror, can you try a photo from a different angle?

Is that your first DE shave, using a futur whilst in the shower? Fairly brave going on my limited knowledge..

Had my 4th shave tonight, wasn't getting close enough with WTG XTGx2 so as I only had 36 hours growth though I'd try a simple WTG ATG. It worked really well, don't know if I'm better practiced or the new Derby blade I tried is better than the supplied Merkur one, but I'm really happy with the result for a 2 pass shave
 
dl8860 said:
Can't work out what's going on with that mirror, can you try a photo from a different angle?
Click to expand...

The picture shows the back of the mirror.
The pointy bit at the bottom is where the hanging hook used to be.
Ideally it needs a bigger water reservoir on the back that would cover more of the mirror.


dl8860 said:
Is that your first DE shave, using a futur whilst in the shower? Fairly brave going on my limited knowledge..
Click to expand...

Yep. First shave.
I chose the Futur because it's adjustable (and it looks good). I could start on it's mildest setting and work my way up.
I also purchased the sample pack from Connaught as suggested in the OP and started with the Derby blades as I read they're not too sharp.
 
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My 3 year old Edwin Jagger 89l broke last week. The chrome came off the threads of the top piece and the zamac pot metal rotted away. One email to EJ and I've now got a replacement. Pretty happy with that service!

Consequently I've ordered a fatip grande, since it's made of brass and I like knowing that my things should last.
 
Enjoy the Fatip, that was the razor i moved to after my 34c. A very smooth efficient shaver, but they do bite if you don't pay attention.

I reach for a NEW Deluxe or ATT Kronos H2 mostly these days.
 
This arrived last week. Merkur 34C.

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Shaved twice so far. First time had a small nick on my neck but other than than its excellent. 100x better than my electric shaver. I actually look forward to use this now. I've just ordered a stand and holder too... I'm going to end up spending a lot of money on shaving equipment now! :)
 
Been suffering from spots caused by shaving lately, wether I use my catridge razor or electric foil razor, so decided to try out a DE safety razor, wet my feet with a wilkinsons sword jobby from boots, a few shaves in and im not getting spots anymore!

Might have to delve into different blades and such to find my fit!

Edit: just gotta work out how to do my chin as im scared to go near it :D
 
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