Thread: Howdy

Hello all,

My name is John and I am currently serving in the worlds best Air Force. i am a bald guy so i shave my head at least once a week. I am thinking of trying out a safety razor but don't want to invest tot much into something that I might not like. I am thinking of starting with the cheap little kit that is sold at Walmart (you know the pawn stars guy one).

Any pointers or suggestions would be great. My mother is mailing me an old (80's) Schick injectable to try as well.

I look forward to hearing from you and considering your suggestions.

John

Welcome and thanks for your service. Deals can be had on vintage de's and if you find you don't care for them you can resell for the same or even a profit. Always check your local antique places they're usually a few in those places. Definitely get yourself a variety sampler of blades as they all perform a little different, and again another thing that can be resold at very little loss.

Hello, John. Welcome to SRP
I would also suggest trying to find a vintage DE. You can often find Gillette Superspeeds for under $10 at antique stores. You can usually find DE blades at local pharmacies, but there are better selections and prices from online vendors like Straight Razor Designs. Some of my favorites are Astra, PermaSharp, and Gillette Silver Blues.

The Schick Injector is a decent razor and can give a good shave. When I was a young Marine that is what I was issued at Parris Island. Along with a can of barbasol. Blades are easy enough to come by, thanks to Amazon. I recently inherited a 1970s model injector, haven't used it to shave yet though. Still getting over how I came by it, but it will get used eventually.
The Micro touch is a decent Twist to Open TTO razor but a little pricey and the blades it comes with aren't the best. You can get the same razor (Weishi Double Edge) online for a lot less. For the price, or a few dollars more depending on the model, you can have a Merkur or Edwin Jagger razor off amazon, both brands are well respected. I just bought a Edwin Jagger Kelvin off amazon and it is my current favorite DE with Feather DE blades.
Shaving with a Single edge (like the injector) or a Double Edge isn't that much different. The schick is really light and the angle is different, but the process is the same. I'd invest in a inexpensive Brush and decent soap or cream to start off. Use the prep and multi pass approach with what ever razor you use now. Then check out the injector with the same prep and see if you still want to try a DE.

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

JFK I will certainly try to find one at a local antique store first and see what they are asking. Then I will just on eBay and see if I can find a used one. I assume I would just soak that puppy in hand sanitizer or lysol to ensure risk of things like hep c are not an issue.

Stove, I am sorry for your loss but do look forward to your comments on the use of that bad boy. I have never really been one to shave ATG so I might still not do that. Maybe with the use of new blades more frequently I will be willing to give it a shot. Is there a decent product at like walmart or walgreens that I could use in the shower to shave with. I don't see an issue keeping the brush in the shower but I assume the razor would need to be stored outside of the humidity of the shower?

John

Leatherstocckings,

What model of the gillette should I be looking for?

John

Originally Posted by JHEBDON

Leatherstocckings,

What model of the gillette should I be looking for?

John

Superspeeds are well made, fairly common, and don't command big bucks. Slim, Fatboy, and Aristocrat models usually are pricey unless you stumble across a deal. Any vintage Gillette, however, should be a good razor.

Ill post some pics in a couple of minutes.

Early Superspeed


1960s Flare-tip Superspeed


Gillette Adjustable "Fatboy"

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Superspeeds are well made, fairly common, and don't command big bucks. Slims, Fatboys, and Aristocrat models usually are pricey unless you stumble across a deal. Any vintage Gillette, however, should be a good razor.

Ill post some pics in a couple of minutes.

I am watching this right now. But it ends in less than 30 minutes.

Gillette 1957 Super Speed Flair Tip Twist to Open Double Edge Safety Razor C1 | eBay

Also, to answer your can I find something cheap local question. Sally's beauty supply and similar usually have inexpensive Chinese TTO razors $6 - $10. My local Sally's also carries persona and wilkinson blades and Pinaud Clubman (talk about nostalgia) after shave.
If you buy a used DE at an antique store. The chrome plated razors clean up easy with toothpaste and a brush to remove soap scum and the remnants of rusty blades - chrome don't rust. The old brass ones take a bit more work.
You can disinfect them with Barbersol, Clippercide, Alcohol or other means. I soak my own razors in Listerine on occassion to keep them sanitary.

Welcome to SRP, John!