MerKur HD VS Gillette Slim Adjustable

BullGoose · Post by **BullGoose** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:49 pm

I have only been shaving with a DE for a little over three weeks. For some reason I can get a BBS shave with no irritation when using my Gillette slim adjustable but cannot do the same with my Merkur HD. Is the learning curve for the Merkur HD steeper than it is for the Gillette slim adjustable or is it just an idiosyncratic preference?

King-D · Post by **King-D** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:17 pm

The Gillette adjustable can be very kind to your face. I use it whenever I want to use the sharp Feather blades. I don't think it's a matter of two different learning curves, only that the adjustable is more forgiving.

goose · Post by **goose** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:39 pm

The Merkur razors are typically considered to be more aggressive razors than the Gillette equivalents. After trying out quite a few different razors when I first started shaving with a DE and I eventually trimmed down my stash to a Gillette Slim and a version of the Gillette Super Speed. Merkurs just didn't work as well for me.

Clint

BullGoose · Post by **BullGoose** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:24 pm

goose wrote:The Merkur razors are typically considered to be more aggressive razors than the Gillette equivalents. After trying out quite a few different razors when I first started shaving with a DE and I eventually trimmed down my stash to a Gillette Slim and a version of the Gillette Super Speed. Merkurs just didn't work as well for me.

Clint

I think I am coming to the same conclusion. I may decide to get rid of the HD

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:54 pm

BG, Personally, I prefer the vintage Gillettes also ( well, they weren't 'vintage' when I started using them in 1964...chuckle ), but basically, no matter which of the two one prefers, the fact is that their head geometries are different. Of course, with the adjustable Gillettes one can alter the geometry to some degree. An adjustable set on 8 or 9 is NOT a mild shaver you may be sure. I use them set on 3 myself.
Regards,
Gordon

King-D · Post by **King-D** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:03 pm

BullGoose wrote:I think I am coming to the same conclusion. I may decide to get rid of the HD

May I recommend holding onto the HD. A few months from now, you'll be wishing you did. The same thing goes for blades you don't like, or creams and soaps. You'll be surprised how your views will change about a product after you become a more experienced wet-shaver.

Blue As A Jewel · Post by **Blue As A Jewel** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:31 pm

King-D wrote:
BullGoose wrote:I think I am coming to the same conclusion. I may decide to get rid of the HD
May I recommend holding onto the HD. A few months from now, you'll be wishing you did. The same thing goes for blades you don't like, or creams and soaps. You'll be surprised how your views will change about a product after you become a more experienced wet-shaver.

Great advice - as your skills improve the experiences and preferences will change. I primarily use soaps now, but didn't really care for them initially and stuck with creams.

My first razor was an HD and my experience is the opposite of most others here - I have a number of Gillettes including adjustable, superspeeds etc - and while I can get a decent shav out of them I don't enjoy their weight - or the final shave as much.

The cool part of this is that I haven't used my Gillettes in quite a while, so I just might try one out tomorrow and fall in love all over again! So, no - I rarely get rid of any of my shaving gear (there might be one exception coming up - my Merkur Slant.... I have absolutely no affinity for this beast of a razor!).

notthesharpest · Post by **notthesharpest** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:50 pm

BullGoose wrote:I have only been shaving with a DE for a little over three weeks. For some reason I can get a BBS shave with no irritation when using my Gillette slim adjustable but cannot do the same with my Merkur HD. Is the learning curve for the Merkur HD steeper than it is for the Gillette slim adjustable or is it just an idiosyncratic preference?

1. For now, stick with what works.

2. Unless you truly miss that money, keep the HD around for later.

The learning curve isn't steeper - but the razor's head is literally steeper. You have to hold it a bit differently.

GollyMrScience · Post by **GollyMrScience** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:03 pm

You will never regret holding onto the Merkur. It is an excellent razor that will be a good addition to shaving variety.
Holy Cow the guy is was talking about actually getting rid of a Merkur Heavy Duty!!!!! Oscar where are ya when I need ya??!!!

Well calling on Oscar won't help because even though he loves his Merkurs he wants you to enjoy your shave and if the Merkur isnt doing that for you he would be the first to tell you to go with what you enjoy.
Hold onto that Merkur though....trust me.

BullGoose · Post by **BullGoose** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:34 pm

Thanks for the great advice. For the time being I'll use my slim adjustable and other mild shavers (Superspeed, Tech). However I will hold onto the Merkur and keep experimenting. Hopefully once my skills improve this more aggressive razor will give me a great shave. If nothing else, it will help keep things interesting.

Racso_MS · Post by **Racso_MS** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:28 am

BullGoose wrote:Thanks for the great advice. For the time being I'll use my slim adjustable and other mild shavers (Superspeed, Tech). However I will hold onto the Merkur and keep experimenting. Hopefully once my skills improve this more aggressive razor will give me a great shave. If nothing else, it will help keep things interesting.

Bull,

Technique, Technique, Technique...
It's not a race, It's your face...

As has been noted, I'm a big fan of Merkur razors (and blades)...

It really doesn't matter though. Once you've perfected your technique, the razor will be a matter of preference. Some enjoy the Vintage Gillettes, some prefer Single Edge Razors, some prefer adjustables (Gillettes and Merkurs). My point being, perfect your technique, then experiment with various razors until you find the one(s) that you enjoy.

The above advice is solid. Hang on to the HD. It is the work horse of the modern non adjustable razors. You will find a few, but very few, who do not like the HD. And after all the object of the game is to...

Enjoy Your Shave...

Batmang · Post by **Batmang** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:42 am

As a recent (one month) convert to DE shaving I've been using a SuperSpeed Redtip and a recently acquired Merkur HD with the yellow 7 o'clock Gillette blades and find the Gillette to be more forgiving. (I usually rotate daily with an occasional return to the Mach 3 when I am in a hurry.)
I am hopeful that my technique will improve with practice, unfortunately my RAD has peaked and I have more razors on the way...Sheesh!! So many soaps/creams, so little time...

Nathan

BullGoose · Post by **BullGoose** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:59 am

Batmang wrote: I am hopeful that my technique will improve with practice, unfortunately my RAD has peaked and I have more razors on the way...Sheesh!! So many soaps/creams, so little time...

Nathan

I feel your pain; RAD is a disease and members of SMF are enablers. I'm only a little more than three weeks in and I'm up to 6 razors (including the two on the way).

Books · Post by **Books** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:00 am

Funny- When I'm in a hurry it's a Slant with a feather, 2 passe's I'm done.

Like everyone else said stick with the HD.

I get great shaves from short handle razor's Merkurs or Gillettes, but have struggled with my Chatsworth. Rather then selling it, I'm going to hang on to it and try again later.

My theory is:
If you truyly don't like it, then sell it. If you like it, but it isn't working correctly, then it's a matter of Technique.

Let us know how it goes.

Racso_MS · Post by **Racso_MS** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:13 pm

Batmang wrote:As a recent (one month) convert to DE shaving I've been using a SuperSpeed Redtip and a recently acquired Merkur HD with the yellow 7 o'clock Gillette blades and find the Gillette to be more forgiving. (I usually rotate daily with an occasional return to the Mach 3 when I am in a hurry.)
I am hopeful that my technique will improve with practice, unfortunately my RAD has peaked and I have more razors on the way...Sheesh!! So many soaps/creams, so little time...

Nathan

NATHAN

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Enjoy your shave...

)There's plenty of time(

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:43 pm

Hey Nathan, welcome aboard.

BG, hang onto your Merkur for now, if it doesn't work out later you can always sell/swap it here.

Batmang · Post by **Batmang** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:03 am

Squire wrote:Hey Nathan, welcome aboard.

BG, hang onto your Merkur for now, if it doesn't work out later you can always sell/swap it here.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm hanging on to it; I'm in for the long haul.

Nathan

MerKur HD VS Gillette Slim Adjustable

MerKur HD VS Gillette Slim Adjustable

Re: MerKur HD VS Gillette Slim Adjustable