Men’s Shaving Tips: Third shave with the Merkur Progress safety razor
It’s been a few days since I’ve started shaving with my new safety razor, I’ve been learning a lot about shaving and, by extension, skin care.
First thing was mantic59’s comment not to increase the dial too quickly on the Merkur (since it is an adjustable safety razor after all), which I did. Except I made the mistake that higher numbers (and therefore larger gap between the razor and blade) was less aggressive. Well the bloody mess from yesterday’s shave proved me wrong.
Good thing Ronald in his comment, got me thinking that I had it backwards. I little research on the Badger and Blade forum for Merkur Progress and found my answer.
Today’s shave (set at 1.5, first was 2.5, yesterday 4.5) was awesome.
I’ve also been trying some more of the products I received from Kala Style to try out.
Yesterday was the Valobra soft-shave menthol creme, which I lathered up in a ramekin (good thing I’m a cook too) and that was very, very nice. Even though I was doing some experimenting that shave (Tea Tree oil on the face and razor set way too aggressive), I’m going to try it again. It smelled very nice, and lathered well.
Today was even better. I used the Lightfoot’s classic shave bar and wow. I didn’t think that a pine-scented soap would be nice, but wow it was.
This shave today just rocked.
I don’t have any other way to describe it. No nicks, no cuts. My skin is getting used to this new technique.
I’m not at baby butt yet, but my skin is looking better and I’m getting better at using the razor. It’s the angle that gets me most of the time.
Practice makes perfect. At least it isn’t practice makes blood loss!
Tags: double-edge razors, Lightfoots traditional shave soap, mens shaving tips, Merkur Progress safety razor, safety razors, shave soaps, shaving tips, Valobra shave creamRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Shaving tips for men
1 opinion for Men’s Shaving Tips: Third shave with the Merkur Progress safety razor
Leisureguy
May 21, 2008 at 6:30 am
The Progress is a great little razor. I like the chunky heft of it, and it delivers a fine shave. I currently shave with it at 2.5 but I took quite a while working up to that. (Because the Progress doesn’t always “zero” correctly, the number can be misleading—e.g., one guy’s 2.5 can be another’s 2.0.) For comparison, I have a Gillette Fat Boy adjustable (runs 1 to 9) and I shave with that at 5 (after months at 3 and another couple of months at 4).
The blade you use is really the key. You might be interested in this post on the varieties of blades and how to find the one(s) best for you.
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