I went and got a Merkur shaver with the screw knob on the bottom. This is what I noticed about it
1. The cutting of the beard was louder.
2. It did not hold water in the shaver as well as the Mach 3 Turbo. I of course dip it in water after every short stroke. So with less water, it was a little more painful in cutting.
3. When or if you cut yourself with the Mekur, the cut was alwys bigger with it than it ever was with the Turbo.
I know I need to practice with it more, but I am also a little scared going across the grain with this unit. I was told going down to let the blade out a little more. Then across the grain bring it in a little to protect your face.
I also learned there is a sharp and dull side on the razor which makes it pretty flexible. Plus the adjustability of the blade also makes it very nice and custom izable. Plus the Merkur blades are sharp and are a lot cheaper than the Turbo.
However, I get the best shave with the Turbo 3, I can shave quicker since the way the blades and fins are situated, you are less likely to cut yourelf.
I will continue to try the Merkur, but I do not see myself staying with it at this point.
TWO WEEKS LATER
FYI: I can go north south on my Merkur with no cuts. It is going across the grain where I have the issue. I have not given up hope yet though. I like the exact control I have with the Merkur while with the Turbo, there is not control. Just put is on your face and go down. There is angle control on how much the blade is going across your face, and control of how much blade you want out on the Merkur. Very nice, very nice indeed.
I will continue to try the Merkur, its just I got one annoying cut on my neck with it the day I responded and I was like dang, is this for me? Shaving with an electric was a drege-ery for me in the past, and I hated it. Then with going with the standard foam and cheap blades was something I wanted to get down as fast as possible in the morning. Now with my great shaving cream (Art of Shaving which has the exact same ingredients as Trumper and in the same order) and my silver tip brush, I find it enjoyable to shave for the first time. Now if I can shave just as well with the Merkur as the Turbo, I will be all set
TWO WEEKS LATER
I finally learned how not to press the razor against my face. This took a long time to learn since I was using a Mach 3 Turbo for so long. Now I turn the dial just one turn. That's all I need. (one turn still allows the blade to be further out that the Mach 3 Turbo) I let the weight of the shaver go down, and I rarely ever get cut. Then I pass the 2nd and then 3rd time (when I have time on 3rd time) keeping it on the one turn of the knob.
I also learned that the cream on your face has to be wet. I use a cup to mix the cream, and the cup helps in keeping the water in the brush which in turns gives me wetter cream. One problem I also had was putting the blade out too much. That is why I cut the cuts as well.
I love the Merkur now and cannot see ever going back to the MAch 3. Now instead of $11 for 4 blades, I get 10 blades for $5.
