Results 1 to 10 of 10
Like Tree4Likes
  • 1 Post By Lynn
  • 2 Post By Hirlau
  • 1 Post By henryconchile

Thread: First razor for a boy coming of age

  1. #1
    Member rannalf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    75
    Thanked: 11

    Default First razor for a boy coming of age

    Ok guys, I'm looking for opinions, so let 'em rip!

    My son just turned 15 and will be ready to start shaving soon. I want to gift him a starting shave set up/den, possibly for Christmas. Here are my thoughts, feel free to let me know if I am making any stupid assumptions. I currently shave with either a straight or a '56 Gillette SS with Personna blades from sally beauty. I think he would be best starting with a DE, and I'd like to get him something new/shiny, as I don't really have an heirloom piece or anything to hand down to him. I don't really know anything about new DEs, but some searching on here has turned up that the EJs are probably a fine place to start, and would last as long as he takes care of it. I do want to start him with a nice-ish brush (although I am currently using a VDH boar!). Honestly, I'd like to get the whole shebang wrapped up for ~$100. This is kind of the direction I am thinking of going, but PLEASE chime in if you see something and think "you can do WAY better than that piece for the same money!"

    EJ DE86 (black) from Amazon - $31.08
    VDH Luxury shave set from Amazon - $29.66
    Blades - ??? probably start with the same Personnas that I use from SBS
    AS/ASB - I have a few AS that he can try to see what he likes, and I use Nivea for men sensitive skin ASB, probably start him there, too.
    Soap/creme (other than the VDH luxury) - I use either C.O. Bigelow creme (Proraso) or L'occitane Cade soap, either of which I assume would be fine for him.

    Seems like this would in fact get the job done in my price range, and surely would be better than some plastic Mach 978 with canned goo. Any better options for the money that you guys and gals know of?

  2. #2
    Member One2mny's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    South East Kansas
    Posts
    94
    Thanked: 12

    Default

    that sounds like a fine first shaving kit. And since you have options for him to try thats even better!
    My OCD thinks that my wallet has no bottom!

  3. #3
    May your bone always be well buried MickR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Brisbane/Redcliffe, Australia
    Posts
    6,380
    Thanked: 983

    Default

    looks good from here, I was going to suggest 'GoodFella' Razors, but I don't know that you would get them in your price range. They're made in New Zealand.


    Mick

  4. #4
    Senior Member MattCB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Kitsap County, WA USA
    Posts
    1,549
    Thanked: 351

    Default

    I know Maggard razors have new DE razors that have been fairly well received. Prices are pretty good as well.
    The older I get the more I realize how little I actually know.

  5. #5
      Lynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,454
    Thanked: 4942
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    If you can swing it, I would recommend an adjustable DE for him if you can find one in your price range. It will allow him to learn with his beard now and give him the flexibility to adjust the razor as he gains more beard.

    Have fun.
    JBHoren likes this.

  6. #6
    Member rannalf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    75
    Thanked: 11

    Default

    Thanks for the advice, all! I can't believe those Maggard razors are as inexpensive as they are! Lynn, is there an adjustable you recommend? I have only ever used the 2 super speeds I have as far as DEs go, so I'm pretty lost when it comes to that. I'd consider a nice vintage that I could have replated for myself at some point, and maybe one for him later, as well. Where that is concerned, has anyone used RazorEmporium's service, and did it live up to expectations?

  7. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth Hirlau's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    13,530
    Thanked: 3530

    Default

    I would get him an adjustable vintage Gillette from ebay or on occassion they jump in our Classified section.
    Also our classified section has a trade area, I'm sure you have something that a member will trade you an adjustible for.
    JBHoren and SirStropalot like this.

  8. #8
    Make ready the heat. henryconchile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Metro Boston, MA
    Posts
    404
    Thanked: 74

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hirlau View Post
    I would get him an adjustable vintage Gillette from ebay or on occassion they jump in our Classified section.
    I agree with the old Gillette adjustable. I have an old Gillette Slim Adjustable DE that was given to me by a coworker. It adjusts to shave great with different types of blades. The Slim and Fat Boy models are sold all over ebay.

    Also, you could throw in an alum block or bottle of witch hazel in the shave set. They'll help with the nicks, irritations, etc.
    Hirlau likes this.
    You can take the boy out of NY, but you can't take NY out of the boy.

  9. #9
    I'm a social vegan. I avoid meet. JBHoren's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Greenacres, FL
    Posts
    3,123
    Thanked: 603

    Default Schick Injector Razors: Where's The Love?

    Yes, they're all "vintage" (curse eBay sellers for destroying that word's worth). And they're lightweight, sturdy, easy-to-use (fixed shaving angle), and oh-so findable and affordable, online.

    Here's the result of an eBay search for "Schick injector razor". The models/styles are many and varied, and the prices are inexpensive; perhaps taking a look together might work well.

    For PTFE-coated, injector razor blades, Ted Pella is the place to go.

    It's like The Most Interesting Man In The World says: "I don't always shave with an injector razor; but when I do, I use a Schick."

    Smooth shaving, my friends!

    Update: This is a particularly good example (yes, I own one). It's a "newer" model, it's sturdy (damn near unbreakable), silver-and-black, the handle has "jimps" the full length on its sides, and the price! $29.99 (including S/H).
    Last edited by JBHoren; 09-07-2013 at 06:59 AM.
    You can have everything, and still not have enough.
    I'd give it all up, for just a little more.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to JBHoren For This Useful Post:

    Hirlau (09-07-2013)

  11. #10
    Senior Member Wayne1963's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Carolina, USA
    Posts
    1,181
    Thanked: 162

    Default

    I would advise the Edwin Jagger DE89. It is the perfect combination of mild yet effective. Plus, it will last you a long, long time.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •