I have the Merkur set you linked. It's my first safety razor, and I really like it compared to the Mach 500whatever razors. I'd say I only use the shaving soap about half the time I shave, though. I don't see much benefit over regular old shaving foam. After I eventually use up the solid soap bar, I want to try some other non-solid shave gels.So I've been comptemplating a straight razor for awhile now since I am tired of the whole changing blades on this mach crap. I have been using normal shaving cream with a brush prior(I got it from The Body Shop for a gift.)
Would this set be ok? its sort of similar to some of the linked ones, but I wanted one with a cup/bowl for the soap.
http://www.amazon.com/Shaving-Merkur...=pd_sbs_hpc_42
or
Would this one be better with just the set peices?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Honestly that all depends on who you ask also. I personally think the soap and blades are a tie simply because I would get terrible razor burn using regular shaving cream. I know a lot of people that insist that regular shaving cream dries your face out due to certain chemicals and that the shave soaps have more natural moisturizers and therefore lead to better shaves and better skin afterwards. But in the end its whatever the fuck you like best.For me, most of the benefit of using a brush + shaving soap/cream is the brush itself. Massaging my stubble with the brush for a minute or two while it applies the lather helps the hairs stand up, and they're easier to cut. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'd still get a pretty decent shave even using something as simple as Barbasol shave cream or Gillete Fusion Pro Gel, as long as I applied it with the badger brush. With DE shaving, I think the order of importance of items goes blades > brush > cream/gel/soap.
Don't buy any Merkur sets. They are overpriced and not worth it. I own the Edwin Jagger 89L and have been using it for 1.5 years now. It's a decent razor, but I would prefer a more aggressive shave after being more adept at wet shaving. I would also recommend the Merkur 34C HD. This is the most popular safety razor in the world, so it must be doing something right. I would go with the Omega Pro 10048 for brush (also what I use). Cheap and good. It's a boar brush so it will have a smell when you first get it. Soak it in hot water and wash it a few times with shampoo or soap.So I've been comptemplating a straight razor for awhile now since I am tired of the whole changing blades on this mach crap. I have been using normal shaving cream with a brush prior(I got it from The Body Shop for a gift.)
Would this set be ok? its sort of similar to some of the linked ones, but I wanted one with a cup/bowl for the soap.
http://www.amazon.com/Shaving-Merkur...=pd_sbs_hpc_42
or
Would this one be better with just the set peices?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For what, my fuckin' bikini line?