Welcome!...try a better cream..Godrej Menthol/regular/Fresh Lime..also Derby from Turkey Ishtar as good n cheap :mrgreen:
feels great n lathers easily!
Sorry to hear that the RSC cream caused you trouble. It is made by the same company which manufactures creams for some of the well known upmarket British brands, and as such represents a notable bargain if you get on with it. Are you sure that it wasn't a problem with the blade or your technique?
... the Room.[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]
EJs and Merkurs are pretty much of a muchness - both very good machines; so are Parker 3-pieces in general, though their TTOs are a bit hit-and-miss, quality control-wise I mean (always check to make sure your blade is seated evenly basically).
Some will tell you that you must get a (vintage) Gillette/Schick/SE/straight/(most-modern-as-can-be) cartridge razor (delete as required) for a great shave, but I found a variety of razors to be equally excellent - everyone's shave experience is different (mine's not! ... but I digress - some surprise there!).
If you're fine with buying online, I CANNOT recommend Nanny's soft shaving soaps highly enough! She's a member here (soapalchemist), and her soaps are allall-natural, as far as I know. ... and all consistently FABOO too.[/list:u][/list:u]
Stick with it, have fun, and you'll find your faves.