Considering the EJ DE86, the Merkur 43C and also the Merkur Progress and the Futur if it's really worth the difference. Thoughts, gentlemen?
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Considering the EJ DE86, the Merkur 43C and also the Merkur Progress and the Futur if it's really worth the difference. Thoughts, gentlemen?
I have been using the MERKUR HEAVY DUTY DOUBLE EDGE SAFETY RAZOR - 34C for two years. I really like weight and overall size. It is very simple. I am sure that you cannot go wrong with the ones that you have listed. I believe you can get the same quality shave at a lower price point. Learning on a razor without the bell and whistles might be the easiest approach. Good luck.
I think I would favour an adjustable as a first razor or only razor. Bring an adjustable you can use it's mildest setting while learning to shave with a DE and as your skill/technique improves you can progressively use more aggressive settings for an even closer shave if you want to. In the same manner you might be able to find a setting that works best for different brands of blades. With a fixed DE you might find a brand that you can't tolerate. Adjustable DEs have easier blade replacement due to being TTO and not 2 or 3 piece designs. I would also throw another razor in as a suggestion, the vintage Gillette Fat Boy adjustable. If you keep your eyes peeled at garage sales you just might find a good one cheaper than on the bay.
Bob
Is this for your first safety razor? You really can't go wrong starting off with an adjustable.
If you want adjustability in your razor, then the Merkur Progress is the razor to go with imho.
If you want a well-made aesthetically pleasing razor then the EJ DE86 would be my choice over the Merkur 43C.
I had a Merkur Futur, but found it way too bulky for my tastes, even though it was, like the Progress, adjustable.
Merkur Progress w/ long handle. I'm also looking at the shape and texture (or lack of any texture) of the handle for grip.
I have to admit that I'm thinking a lot about the Progress Long. Makes a lot of sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by HaiKarate
I have the Merkur 43C which is their heaviest and love it, since the weight of the razor does the work, whereas on my other DE (a Parker and a vintage Gillette) hey are lighter, so I tend to use pressure to compensate, thus getting a less comfortable generally less satisfactory shave, closeness wise.
I'll second, with qualifications, the choice of an adjustable as the first and only DE .. now for the qualifications.
So, the qualifications, in no particular order ..
While the adjustable allows you to dial in your comfort/closeness level, most folks find that one magic setting and stay right there. On a Fatboy, mine is 6, on a Schick Type M Adjustable, it is 8, on a Futur it is 2.5. The vintage Gillettes are of far superior construction to the Merkurs, and if you look can be had for less coin. The Progress isn't recommended, there is actually a guy somewhere who specializes in fixing flaws on the factory ones - hence the "Mergress". I had one, sold it. Fiddly and with pot metal construction compared to plated brass ..
A basic Merkur, though of the same rather dodgey materials, holds value pretty well and can be a decent middle of the road DE. Ditto the Jagger with it's higher finish & pricetag.
BobH has the right idea, a Fatboy is the Most Wanted, but a newer Gillette Slim or Super Adjustable usually goes for less and will give all the benefits.
Just a little more about people finding that one setting on an adjustable and staying there. I used to have my Gillette Fat Boy set at 6 also using Astra SP blades. That is until last week when I set it to the 9, most aggressive, setting and found that after 2 years of daily shaving with a straight had taught me how to shave with a light hand. Light enough to make using the 9 setting no problem. I am waiting for some more aggressive blades to come in and I will dial it back again for those initially then work up again. One of the benefits of an adjustable.
The only new DE I own is a Muhle R41, not recommended for a beginner being very aggressive, and the handle on it is not very grippy and too light. The handles on most older vintage Gillettes are far better for gripping with better knurling. Another non adjustable vintage Gillette that is a TTO is the 1940s style Super Speed. Very nice shaver and not too aggressive. It too can be found cheaply at yard sales as can the Fat Boys.
Bob
I have a few DE razors and the one I return to is my EJDE89.
The Progress looks nice and would have been cheaper than my multiple purchases and allowed me a range of shave options but, at the end of the day, I'm happy with the EJ (and it's quite a nice looking razor).
Just scored my first DE at a yard sell the other day for $2. Merkur 37c slant. I was gonna sell it as I prefer straights, but after using it, I'm keeping it. I love the weight and it provided a great smooth shave. Before this I had only used injector razors when not using straights.
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Attachment 162994
I own and shave with several Safety razors along with my straights. I haven't tried the newer adjustables with the exception of a Russian knock off of the old Gillettes. I trend toward vintage razors. However I have Gillette Fatboy and Gillette Superspeed (Black Beauty) adjustables that I really enjoy.
Having said that I have found that I really don't use the adjustment option on them that much. Usually I shave with them set on 9 and my favorite blade.
As JaimeCobos pointed out if you are looking for a newer razor the Merkur 37C Slant is amazing for the price. I own a couple other Merkurs and an Edwin Jagger DE89. I picked up the Merkur 37C because I wanted to try a slant and didn't want to invest too much in case I didn't like them. I really like the heavier handled 37C. It quickly became one of my favorite DEs.
Just my $0.02. Let us know what your final choice is and how you like it.
I have about 2 dozen DE's (Dont ask,lol) most are vintage, but I do like my EJ89L, Ive never had a bad shave from it, it looks great and the price is good.
Slim adjustable did it for me, it gives good shaves and I have not thought of other DEs ever since I got it.
I own about 20 or 25 DE razors and each one shaves different. I have a Gillette red tip that shaves super well without being to aggressive, several Fat Boys, they shave ok, slims including black beauties and they are ok but buy far my favorite is my Murkur Futura. It is heavy and fairly aggressive without being dangerous, and makes an easy shave with my Astra blades. If your just starting out the adjustable s might be your best bet. Start low and work up and take your time when you use it. The multi head gismos tend to be very safe with few cuts but a single edge DE will bite. Just use a soft touch and the weight of the razor until you get use to it.
I have an EJ89 and a Weber. Both are excellent, but the Weber is stainless and a touch more aggressive. The Weber is currently my favorite, but either will serve you well..
As I see it a DE is an instrument and it should be a part of your hand and should have perfect balance and be maneuverable with no effort. The only razor I've seen that fits that bill 100% is the Feather Stainless. I'd consider that in the quest.
I have had Jagger 89's, a Weber Wave, the second generation Feather Stainless, and an Above the Tie Atlas Open Comb H-2. The latter two are by far the best quality, and are solid marine stainless so should go forever. The Feather is on the mild side for me, the ATT is more effective on my beard. Both of those cost more than twice what the stainless (different alloy I read) Webers go for.
The Weber isn't badly finished but not in the league of Feather or ATT. The Weber is milder than the "H" ATT, akin to the Jagger or the Feather. There's another cheaper SS razor, the IKon, also, but it gets mixed reviews. I had one and sold it, was of the same approximate quality as the Weber but cost half again as much.
