Thread: OMG what am I doing here ?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Is it too late to cancel that sample pack and choose another? 2/4 of those brands are rubbish and most are split on the other two.

Let me guess.... The Merkur and Lords are the 2 of 4 ? I remember something about the Merkurs not lasting long and guessing on the Lords. I read some arguments about Wilkinson's being better than Feather. I see 2 camps on this issue much like the tape/hone thing. There is the (how sharp) and then the (how long do they last) points of view. Of course you have to toss price in there to complicate things but really not an issue with this group. All of course smoothed over by YMMV. My decision was based on scientific fact. The coin will land (proof of gravity) either heads up or .......tails (the odds of it landing on it's edge are astronomical), I guess I lost. But I will still give a newb style review. If none of these work out I'll try your brand. Which is _________ ?

I'm not trying to belittle your choices, far from it. My concern is that you'll try some crappy blades and give up on DE's thinking that it won't get any better. I'm one of the few here that believe with the right blade/razor combo a DE can deliver fantastic shaves, right up there compared to using a SR.

Nowadays my blades of choice are Feather, Astra, Crystal/Personna, a variety of Gillettes and Derby.

Oh, and the 2 I was referring to are Merkur and Wilkinson....

I never see advice as a negative thing. I got 1 right so I am learning a little. Okay, so I give a try with 1 of the others first and won't give up. Feathers are on my list next I just read to avoid them for first DE tries. The ones I don't like will go to a guy at work that uses a DE. He gave up on straights (I tried to help him but he is young and impatient) and he buys his blades at the drug store now. (brand I don't know) Derby was another one I heard is good to try and I think these ..Hey, I got those :<0) Well the trial may begin soon. I got a pile of small boxes today so I have to go play Christmas morning. Will report back soon with pics.

Both Gillette s... And the little bugger tried to bite me already. I was unscrewing the handle holding the head by the ends.(how else would ya ? ) The threads were kind of crusty and gave some feedback and then while I was gripping pretty tight the head slipped out of my fingers and turned 90 degrees. It all stopped with my fingers firmly on the blade and I let go quick. Feel with no cut, pheeww. Welding gloves next time.



I am thinking the big one needs some work. Gawd now I am restoring DE's. You can see in the picture the angle of that bar attached to both doors/covers, whatever they are. When it closed (without a blade in) the one door has some slack in it. The other is tight down. I'll put a blade in it once it's clean. Yikes, something else to look up. Well I wasn't in a hurry for this experience anyway.

You won't hear me recommend those Derby's mate! Hate 'em!


Mick

I am feeling like a ping pong ball on this blade issue. Ever watch somebody watching tennis ?

Hey pups, just ignore em, you might well like blades that others hate. Mick hates derbys Ryan likes em, I wouldnt even bother fannying around, just give the one with the removable handle a bit of a wash, and chuck a blade in it, dunno about the other one with the flappy door things on it.

Without seeing it, I would suggest that he butterfly doors might tighten just fine with a blade in place. Then again they may not. I can only say that my mate favours the butterfly opening system, and he has one with a small bit of play that goes away with the introduction of a blade.

Ed quite right (for a change) too . Blades are a very personal choice.


Mick

Although i don't use them anymore, i still like to collect the DE razors, for reasons already mentioned here, they make a great gift. It is easier to convert friends and family to a DE rather than a straight. I personally don't like the derby blades, but Astra platinum are great, cheap, and good for three shaves at least. I had a butterfly razor just like the one in the pic, it was crusty as, but i cleaned it and soaked it in vegetable oil, and it came right. Not bad for something that probably hadn't been cleaned, let alone been used for 30 odd years. They are a bit of a learning curve though, just like a straight i guess.

Originally Posted by MickR

Without seeing it, I would suggest that he butterfly doors might tighten just fine with a blade in place. Then again they may not. I can only say that my mate favours the butterfly opening system, and he has one with a small bit of play that goes away with the introduction of a blade.

Ed quite right (for a change) too . Blades are a very personal choice.



Mick

Thanks Mick (i think)