Thread: Personal Preference

Anyone who has read any of my post before knows i dearly love my heavy Sheffield and have said so in many post. I feel i have to amend this statement. I just got through shaving with a #14 Henckel and received one of the closest and comfortable shave so far. But it was a Henckel and so far all the henckels I've used has acted in this way. I know everyone has a favorite razor whether it's the size, shape, or name brand and there's so many out there. It's a shame it is impossible to try them all. My advice is to always keep looking. You never know when your next love affair will happen.

I put this in the razor thread and don't know if this is where it belongs so the mods. can relocate I don't mind.

Yes, personal preference is what it is all about. There is no universal best only what works well for the individual.

Once you find something the works very well for you, be it a razor, brush or soap/cream, you have a decision to make. Do you "settle' for what works very well for you or do you go on a never ending search for the "holy grail" of razors, brushes or soaps/creams.

Most dedicated hobbyists are in the "holy grail" mode which is a lot more fun and interesting than just going for what works very well.

Bob

We few who use DE and Straight razors (compared to the world) are unique. we don't settle. If all it boiled down to is to scrap the face the cheap bic single edge throw away razor would do. but think of the fun we would miss. The comradeship that would be missed. The education on shaving we have gotten and most of all the friendships we've made. Ok let me get off my soap box.

I often will shave with sometimes 3 razors. 1 for each pass. And I do enjoy a nice DE shave once in a while. Outta control. Lol.

I recently honed a Henckels #80 for a friend and I was astonished by the shave. That was one of the smoothest, closest shaves I've had in a while. Just great quality steel, I guess really well matched with the coticule I was using and the hone delivered a very comfortbale edge.

Otherwise I prefer extra hollow ground razors. Over the course of several years, I found they deliver the most comfortable shaves for me. Heavy grinds are fun too, which is why I have a few of those as well

I do use DEs as well, can't say which I like the most, but Gillette New types certainly shave me well, so do open combs in general, be it 2-3-piece, or TTOs. They are fun to try and good for travel. I'm on the road this week (with a bunch of straights to restore and hone) with a Hoffritz slant bar to shave with.

Chasing the grail? Never! A bunch of them chasing me though and I can't seem to ever escape....

Originally Posted by rhensley

We few who use DE and Straight razors (compared to the world) are unique. we don't settle. If all it boiled down to is to scrap the face the cheap bic single edge throw away razor would do. but think of the fun we would miss. The comradeship that would be missed. The education on shaving we have gotten and most of all the friendships we've made. Ok let me get off my soap box.

I don't know if "settle" is really the right word to use or not. I could easily shave for the rest of my life using Arko, a DE/SE/Straight razor, and an inexpensive Omega boar brush and easily get a consistently close, comfortable and long lasting shave. By spending the money to try a good number of different more expensive soaps/creams, brushes and razors I have gained a little in shave quality compared to money spent. It has been fun but in the end not all that totally necessary for me at least.

Bob

I like Theirs-Issard, old Puma, Robert Williams, Sheffield wedges and old USA wedges. Probably others, but that is what comes to mind. Scrtichy brushes and soaps that lather easily and well, even if they are cheap. Williams comes to mind. Wilhem Mandt and Fritz Bracht razors as well as FWE too. I'm going to quit now or the list will get longer.

Hm, I don't really have many favorite brands, but Henckels and Boker speak more to me than others, I like their vintage razors a lot. Bartmann is also nice, just a very nice name and logo.

But more important to me than the brand is that I really like shoulder-less blades. It's mostly a honing thing for me and they look good too.

I've been shaving with hollow grinds most, but lately I got a couple of near wedges and must say they're just bulldozers, I have yet to perfect their shave, but they just plow through everything.

Originally Posted by rhensley

Anyone who has read any of my post before knows i dearly love my heavy Sheffield and have said so in many post. I feel i have to amend this statement. I just got through shaving with a #14 Henckel and received one of the closest and comfortable shave so far. But it was a Henckel and so far all the henckels I've used has acted in this way. I know everyone has a favorite razor whether it's the size, shape, or name brand and there's so many out there. It's a shame it is impossible to try them all. My advice is to always keep looking. You never know when your next love affair will happen.

I put this in the razor thread and don't know if this is where it belongs so the mods. can relocate I don't mind.

It surely is personal preference and that is what makes this lifestyle so great. That said and if I at this moment with what I have experience with HAD to choose a brand............well it would be a tie with a Ralf Aust and Revisor! Both German beauties that are simplistic; well made; and most of all inexpensive!

Originally Posted by Michael70

It surely is personal preference and that is what makes this lifestyle so great. That said and if I at this moment with what I have experience with HAD to choose a brand............well it would be a tie with a Ralf Aust and Revisor! Both German beauties that are simplistic; well made; and most of all inexpensive!

I understand whole heartily. Never tried either though. I have been watching some of the razors from the Netherlands. Can't pronounce any of them but tempted to try one.