Thread: I'm Liking the look of DE Razors Lately

Originally Posted by Mauri

Hi Carl,

I completely agree with you about vintage tools.

Concerning vintage blades I can report an exception: I had the opportunity to pay a visit to the most important razor collector in Italy less than one month ago, and he gave me a box of the best blades his father produced in the fifties. The box is new, but the celophan cover crumbled in his hands while he took it out of the box to give it to me... the brand is Lorenzi Gold, and he said they are the thinnest blades ever produced: 0,06 mm. The story he told me about these blades is that they had a particular relationship with their monetary value: they used to cost less than normal blades, but also to last less than normal blades. So they was not convenient for the standard shaver. But who wanted a real sharp blade used to buy them, because the quality enhancement was worth the cost of more blades. And it was also good for the producer, for his father had to buy less steel to produce the blades.

Today I went to a fleet market near my home and could buy for 3 Euros a DE razor these blades can fit in (a 3 holes one). Once at home, I could not resist opening one blade and mount it on the razor. Well, it was still in its original grease after no less than 50 years! No rust, sharp edge... it is light as a paper leave and flexible like harmonic steel!

I'm looking forward to start this new experience in DE shaving, which I never did!

Hi Mauri,
I'd be very interested to know how it went and to see some photos of the blades. I've only used two brands of blades so far. I guess it's just the fact that i was able to do three passes, but for me, it was closer than a straight razor shave. Not better, just closer...

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I like these Parker 22Rs.

Amazon.com: Parker 22R Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor & 10 Shark Super Chrome Blades: Health & Personal Care

I also like adjustables, but I sometimes get a little OCD trying to find the perfect setting, aggressive enough and no nicks can be a balancing act.

You know, I actually thought about that, the OCD inducing qualities of an adjustable, some times no choice is the best choice...

Well I have to clean the DE I found yesterday before I can try the blades, but I can post some pics of all the stuff we are speaking about





The blue square is a pocket disposable razor that was produced in Italy in the '80s (another gift by Mr. Lorenzi). The 3-piece razor is still to be cleaned, I don't know when will I have the time to do it, maybe next weekend. All the brownish color you see on the blade is not rust: it is a reflection of the wooden ceiling in this room! The steel color is because of the grease that hindered reflections. On the first picture you can see the marks left in the grease by the razor (yesterday I tested it by mounting the blade on it).
The white paper is a device to dry blades without cutting towels: it's absorbent paper like the one that I used with fountain pens when I was at the primary school, you put the blade between two leaves and press it. I bought the razor together with he steel box and the drying paper.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Hi Mauri,
I'd be very interested to know how it went and to see some photos of the blades. I've only used two brands of blades so far. I guess it's just the fact that i was able to do three passes, but for me, it was closer than a straight razor shave. Not better, just closer...

Is that one of those travel razor cases with strop incorporated, in the background there mate?...More photo's will be required now if it is


Mick

Originally Posted by Mauri

Well I have to clean the DE I found yesterday before I can try the blades, but I can post some pics of all the stuff we are speaking about





The blue square is a pocket disposable razor that was produced in Italy in the '80s (another gift by Mr. Lorenzi). The 3-piece razor is still to be cleaned, I don't know when will I have the time to do it, maybe next weekend. All the brownish color you see on the blade is not rust: it is a reflection of the wooed ceiling in this room! The steel color is because of the grease that hindered reflections. On the first picture you can see the marks left in the grease by the razor (yesterday I tested it by mounting the blade on it).
The white paper is a device to dry blades without cutting towels: it's absorbent paper like the one that I used with fountain pens when I was at the primary school, you put the blade between two leaves and press it. I bought the razor together with he steel box and the drying paper.

Well, I must say the DE you found yesterday look very, very cool...

Yes, it is. You can find more pictures here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...5-new-toy.html

Originally Posted by MickR

Is that one of those travel razor cases with strop incorporated, in the background there mate?...More photo's will be required now if it is


Mick

Just came across this thread. VERY interesting discussion going on. Just thought I'd throw my hat into the ring as well.

I'm a week-end straight user as well. Still trying to get the hang of it....but it's a ton of fun in the learning process. Anyhow, I'm a big vintage DE fan and have a size-able collection. But my two favourites are both Gillette OC's - a 1928 new improved from their "Richwood" set and a 1938 Senator. I use the Gillette 7 O'clock Super Platinum Black "Ninja" blades from India. Usually can get a BBS with 4 passes.





I have recently acquired a Single-Edge Ever Ready "Lather Catcher" from around 1912 (I think). Holy Cow!! I got a great BBS shave on 3 passes. Got a few weepers, though, by not paying close enough attention.

Well, I finally did it. I had my first shave with a DE razor.

Maybe starting with the supreme Lorenzi Gold blades was a little pretentious, and it can be that it didn't allow me to completely understand what I was doing, but after trying the shavette type of razor, the Wilkinson Empire, the Mach 3 and Wilkinson 4, and every kind of grind on straight razors, I think I have at least an idea of the evolution of wet shaving through the last 2 centuries.

My face had about 20 red points on it before I cleansed the soap, but all of them were gone by the time I applied Floid on my skin. Probably it was due just to my total lack of experience. It struck me how easy it was to get a real smooth skin with a single pass!

My personal preference keeps on going to the old wedge str8s from before 1860, but i have to say that while using this DE I was surprised by the easiness of shaving. I did just a single pass (really!) to get a result that was better than a superficial (read "fast") shave with a str8. Also, I must say that the improvement from this kind of shave to the one given by a Wilkinson Quattro is less than half of the one from a hollow ground str8 to a DE.

This is true if we consider the result only. The ritual itself is quite dry, not so different from a Mach 3 one, just you use a brush instead of a spray can. So I think this device is not proper to the man who wants to enjoy his own time with himself, like most of the members of this forum seem to me to be.

I will keep the DE shave as an opportunity to shave fast and well in case of particular needs, although I love my Wilkinson Quattro with battery operated mustache trimmer at the bottom.

But I'll go on with my old style razors. For the best things we can do, are those that make us happy.

Originally Posted by bjmoose01

Just came across this thread. VERY interesting discussion going on. Just thought I'd throw my hat into the ring as well.

I'm a week-end straight user as well. Still trying to get the hang of it....but it's a ton of fun in the learning process. Anyhow, I'm a big vintage DE fan and have a size-able collection. But my two favourites are both Gillette OC's - a 1928 new improved from their "Richwood" set and a 1938 Senator. I use the Gillette 7 O'clock Super Platinum Black "Ninja" blades from India. Usually can get a BBS with 4 passes...
...I have recently acquired a Single-Edge Ever Ready "Lather Catcher" from around 1912 (I think). Holy Cow!! I got a great BBS shave on 3 passes...

Wow, I like the first and second one, the second one is MASSIVE!

Mauri,
I agree with your points about the ritual being 'dry'. Using a DE, for me, at this early stage, does lack some of the awe of using a straight. Last night I shaved with my Klas Törnblom AND my Mühle R 89, using the Mühle for the second ATG pass. One COULD say that is the best of both worlds, however, I'll continue to use a straight every day except Saturday, which will be DE day.

PS, looking at the nice vintage DE razors around I predict I'll weaken and buy one sooner rather than later to add to the new Mühle...

Carl