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

Hello, carlmaloschneider: Double edge razor shaving has its own pleasures. I use straights most of the time, about 90 percent of the time, I should say, but still make room for the double edge once a week, maybe once every two weeks. Also, when short for time, I switch to the double edge. That does not mean I rush my double edge shave. No, not at all, because the double edge is sassy in its own way and can't be rushed. The ritual takes less time than that of the straight razor.

Be careful with the blades you choose, though. I have found most of the old blades rough compared to the new. Might as well start on a good footing. Try anyone of the following blades and you will do well: Personna reds packs, Gillette 7 O'Clock "Sharp Edge" yellow packs, Feather (probably sharpest blade on earth), Astra, and many more. I'm sure other gentlemen will offer their own preferences. Better yet, order a sample pack that will include a variety of these blades.

The Gillette slim adjustable is a good razor. The Gillette Fatboy, its hefty brother, has a thicker handle. Both are good razors for vintage. My favorite is the Aristocrat, from about 1948, 49, or so. I find it the sweetest of all the Gillettes I have tried through the years.

Remember, many of these old Gillettes will have some plating loss. If they work mechanically, you're okay. Oh, one more thing, if you're just starting out, I suggest going with a closed-comb double edge. I find the open comb a touch more aggressive.

On the other hand, you might want to embrace the new model double edge razors. My recommendation, as before, goes for the Edwin Jagger 89L. There is a newer model of that, but I have not tried it yet, although it is bound to carry the Edwin Jagger quality.

Carl, as usual, Obie is dead on. And I can vouch for the EJ Barley!!! EXCELLENT razor! (If you put it together correctly. Right Obie? LOL) Also the Slim and Fatboy are in my stable. Also fantastic shavers. Personally I would stay away from vintage blades. Just no telling what they have been in or through. I really can't tell a difference between the Gillette yellow or blue. YMMV Fantastic shaves from DE!!!!

Paul

One of the pleasures shared by both DE's and Straight Razors is the wetshaving aspect. This pleasure in and of itself goes a long way to us wishing our beards would grow faster so that we can enjoy our shaves sooner. There are some great double edge razors out there and DAD (Double Edge Acquisition Disorder-I thought DAD was better than DEAD) is a bootiful ting........

Have fun!

If I get another DE, I think this will be on my list.



Just looking at it is nice. (No idea how it shaves though.)

Yes I would avoid vintage blades. In those days they were mostly carbon steel with no coatings on them. In all those years the chances of rust and corrosion on those thin edges could play havoc with getting a good shave. When I bought my Fat boy a few years ago it was pretty much pristine in it's original box with 5 blades. I would never think of using those blades now.

I haven't tried every blade out there or even most of them but I like the Feather the best. The original iridiums were good too if you can still get them. I also like the mercurs. I'm using some German made Wilkinson and they are OK.

I sneak in a DE shave once in a while. My favorite is the Merkur 37c slant. Amazingly smooth in use, and is wonderful with Feather blades.

I just got a new Muhle R41 "tooth comb" which I have used for a couple shaves now. Now that's a different beast, might be the most aggressive DE ever made. Must be used with care, almost like when shaving with a straight.

Hi all,
Thanks so much for the advice, very much appreciated. I found a Gillette Three Piece that I like the look of, I spent a LONG time looking (too long) and found on close inspection a lot of the razors were pretty shabby. I'd like a vintage DE rather than a new for the same reasons I like vintage everything else (history, the energy has already been put into it (environmentally friendly, i.e. re-using instead of throwing away and making another), etc). I understand though that I'll need to be careful about what I buy. How does this look:
eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

I'll take the advice and stay away from vintage blades.

Would the experts advice a three piece or a TTO (is that what they're known as)? Is an adjustable DE a good idea or not worth the bother (more moving parts to 'stuff up')?

Ah...the Merkur Futur! I have one in polished chrome and I use it about 95 percent of the time and I have for the last 2 years. I just started using straights a few months ago and I'm still primarily using them on the weekends when I have more time. Personally, I think the Futur is one of the best designed DE razors out there.