Does it matter which razor blade i use in which razor ?

Hi

I am new to shaving with a DE safety razor. I recently bought the only razor i could find in my local shops which is a (see picture)

Attachment 169549

But i know there are several differnt brands on the net like Merkur, Edwin Jagger, parker, etc and then there are different flavour of blades like Derby, Astra, etc but does it matter which razor i use with which razor blade ?

The razor in the picture is none of these brands, its just a cheap safety razor made in China which i got for £2.00 It came with not so good looking but free BTC razor blade. The only one thing i noticed is although it looks and feels good when you try to open it and put a razor blade in it feels a bit flimsy like when you try open one part of it another part opens etc but thats what i get for what i paid for.

So, do i really need a Merkur, Edwin Jagger, parker or any of the other razor brands or can i just put any razor blade in any razor and shave ?

Hi and welcome to the forum. Any DE razor blade will work but each razor is a little different and each brand of blade will feel different too. Some blades are sharper than others. Some are harsher and some are smoother. I would recommend you try a sampler pack of blades from one of the many online dealers and see which work best for you.

As for razors, you generally get what you pay for. The very cheap ones are manufactured with little to no quality control. I would recommend starting with an Edwin Jagger DE89 or similar. It is a forgiving razor and well made. It will give you a predictably smooth shave. You may find that it is everything you need or you might explore and try other razors. Also, there are a lot of members here who swear by the vintage razors. Eventually you may try a second razor. Then you start trying different blades again. Each combination feels a bit different. Watch for member sales in the Buy Sell Trade forum. You might just find what you want.

I'm new also but I bought a variety pack off the bay. Got 8 different blades, and Ives used three different blades in 3 razors. DERAD bit me. Some blades might not agree with your face try a bunch and find out what you like.

Steve can type faster than me :)

Jaffacake2000,

The choice of blades for a DE razor is very, very personal : one shavers superb blade is anothers 'total crap' !

Please PM me your address and I will send you a wide variety of different blades to try :)

Have fun :)

Best regards

Russ

I always figure that one should get used to the razor with one blade first before experimenting with other blades.

Jaffacake, welcome to Straight Razor Place.

I suggest two things to do:

1. Dump the low quality razor you purchased and select a topnotch brand that is sure to give you a good start: Edwin Jagger, Muhle or Merkur.

2. Take up my gentleman friend PhatMan on his generous offer of the blade sampler.

yes to what has been advised, the razor you have might be ok , but the chances are slim. the quality will transfer to the shave,if the bar is not even or the exposure to the blade not exact you will not have a good experience,, and +1 on the offer of blades , it takes the razor and blade team to create the shave your looking for good luck tc

Jaffacake2000,

I have just had a look through my safety razor drawer, and I have a Merkur HD razor you are welcome to have.

Have fun :)

Best regards

Russ

Hello all,

Thank you for welcoming me into the site, and for all the info, just been looking at a video on youtube as well, but doesnt the Edwin Jagger DE89 seem a bit aggressive looking at the gap and comb ? (just looked at it on ebay)

For a total newbie like me, shouldn't I start with the black wilkinson sword plastic and metal razor, then move on to the boots
(7 O' clock) razor and then onto the Edwin Jagger DE89 ?

So, if i go in that order the amount of blade exposed gradually increases ?, I have already cut myself 1.5 cm on the jawline with the one I have, but most of the shave went well. I think the BTC blade is very mild though. I know was doing some bad techniques with it thats why i cut (was going a bit quick and applying some pressure), cant avoid it yet when i been using cartridges all these times, bad techniques become automatic.


btw, does anyone know anything about the razor i posted in the pic or BTC blades which came with it ? i cant seem to find anything.

I dunno if the BTC that came with the razor is any good, looks a bit dodgy and maybe not so sharp, i dunno really, i think i was almost at speed with whacking it on my face like i'd use a cartridge and nothing much happend to most my face so today I ordered some Personna (blue ones) from ebay, if that goes well i might go for derby next.

This is the planned order i intend to go through:

It seems BTC and Merkur blades are aike from what i read, they pull on the stubble, then would come:

Personna Platinum (Israeli)
Derby
Gillette blue platinum

then:


astra and
shark

?

I looked at sampler packs and they seem expensive like what if i dont like some blades then they'll go in the bin, so the personna cost me just £1.90

what would you say ?

Thanks.

:banghead:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaffacake2000

Hello all,

Thank you for welcoming me into the site, and for all the info, just been looking at a video on youtube as well, but doesnt the Edwin Jagger DE89 seem a bit aggressive looking at the gap and comb ? (just looked at it on ebay)

For a total newbie like me, shouldn't I start with the black wilkinson sword plastic and metal razor, then move on to the boots
(7 O' clock) razor and then onto the Edwin Jagger DE89 ?

So, if i go in that order the amount of blade exposed gradually increases ?, I have already cut myself 1.5 cm on the jawline with the one I have, but most of the shave went well. I think the BTC blade is very mild though. I know was doing some bad techniques with it thats why i cut (was going a bit quick and applying some pressure), cant avoid it yet when i been using cartridges all these times, bad techniques become automatic.


btw, does anyone know anything about the razor i posted in the pic or BTC blades which came with it ? i cant seem to find anything.

I dunno if the BTC that came with the razor is any good, looks a bit dodgy and maybe not so sharp, i dunno really, i think i was almost at speed with whacking it on my face like i'd use a cartridge and nothing much happend to most my face so today I ordered some Personna (blue ones) from ebay, if that goes well i might go for derby next.

This is the planned order i intend to go through:

It seems BTC and Merkur blades are aike from what i read, they pull on the stubble, then would come:

Personna Platinum (Israeli)
Derby
Gillette blue platinum

then:


astra and
shark

?

I looked at sampler packs and they seem expensive like what if i dont like some blades then they'll go in the bin, so the personna cost me just £1.90

what would you say ?

Thanks.

---

I'd say listen to the advice already given get a decent razor like the EJ or Merkur by the time you've spent your money on cheap razors you may as well have gone for one of the ones recommend.
Take up the offer of the razor and blade samples, those blades you don't like could always be gifted on to the next newbie.
Personally I'd stick with one razor and one type of blade until you get your technique right. If you keep chopping and changing it's difficult to set a benchmark for comparison.
I could also oblige with some samples.

if you ask ten guys what the best blade is,,,,you may get 9 different replies. Every beard/face is different. Just experiment with different blades and when you find the right blade for you,,,, you will know it. My buds SWEAR by persona blades and I sell several at my barber shop, but they give me the worse shave of my life. I like Treet blades and my buds hate them, so you will just have to find your specific blade. Good luck and welcome!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anthony1954

:banghead:

I'd say listen to the advice already given get a decent razor like the EJ or Merkur by the time you've spent your money on cheap razors you may as well have gone for one of the ones recommend.
Take up the offer of the razor and blade samples, those blades you don't like could always be gifted on to the next newbie.
Personally I'd stick with one razor and one type of blade until you get your technique right. If you keep chopping and changing it's difficult to set a benchmark for comparison.
I could also oblige with some samples.

---

ok then, im assuming that means the EJ wont cut me even though it looks aggresive/scary (?)
The razor im using now, on one side the blade is exposed more and looks dangerous - i dared not use that side, and i used the less/mininally exposed side instead.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaffacake2000

ok then, im assuming that means the EJ wont cut me even though it looks aggresive/scary (?)
The razor im using now, on one side the blade is exposed more and looks dangerous - i dared not use that side, and i used the less/mininally exposed side instead.

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The EJ DE89 is in my opinion relatively mild and if you get the angle and pressure right will give you a really smooth shave. I presume you're doing more than one pass starting with WTG. The razor you're trying to shave with now sounds like cheap junk especially if the blade exposure is uneven on each side, you should be using both sides as you shave to maximise blade wear. Do yourself a favour order a decent DE razor at just short of £25 the DE89will pay for itself in no time when you compare the price of multi blade cartridges. Also when you find a DE blade you like you can buy them in hundreds for no money.
Go on spoil yourself and splash out on a decent razor!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anthony1954

The EJ DE89 is in my opinion relatively mild and if you get the angle and pressure right will give you a really smooth shave. I presume you're doing more than one pass starting with WTG. The razor you're trying to shave with now sounds like cheap junk especially if the blade exposure is uneven on each side, you should be using both sides as you shave to maximise blade wear. Do yourself a favour order a decent DE razor at just short of £25 the DE89will pay for itself in no time when you compare the price of multi blade cartridges. Also when you find a DE blade you like you can buy them in hundreds for no money.
Go on spoil yourself and splash out on a decent razor!

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Yeah, i think you're a right, it is a piece of junk - i got what i paid for, its a bit flimsy at the top. I only shaved 2 or 3 times WTG only, it was my first time and i dont know how to hold it to get the 30 degree angle Accross the agrain and Against the grain so, when i realised the shave wasnt clean i finished off using my Fusion.

My aim or ambition is to get a close shave like Sean Connery and Steven Segull :)


Attachment 169824

Attachment 169825

Attachment 169823

Those shaves are awesome, looks like the hairs have plucked out by the razor, only DE's can achieve that. These are my motivation to work my way up the razors and ultimately i will get those close shaves not just BBS.
(other people that have close shaves like that are mafia)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaffacake2000

My aim or ambition is to get a close shave like Sean Connery and Steven Segull :)


Attachment 169824

Attachment 169825

Attachment 169823

Those shaves are awesome, looks like the hairs have plucked out by the razor, only DE's can achieve that. These are my motivation to work my way up the razors and ultimately i will get those close shaves not just BBS.
(other people that have close shaves like that are mafia)

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Ok you don't have to work your way up, just get one of the recommended razors and learn with it. There are plenty of videos to show you how to shave with a DE razor. Your preparation is important too so make sure you are using a decent brush and soap. It sounds to me like you're trying to move too fast, just slow down a little. If you're using the same strokes and pressure as when using your multi blade you're going to shread your face and give yourself some great razor burn. I'd stop right now until your proper razor arrives. Have a look at the EJ site
Here
The English Shaving Company brings you an extensive range of handmade Edwin Jagger razors, shaving brushes, shaving accessories, shaving creams and aftershaves
If you then go to their home page there's a code to give you 20% off meaning you can get a DE89 for less than £20. So what's stopping you??
And just to give you something to think about next, you can get an even closer shave with a straight razor!

ok, but how do i maintain the correct angle and correct amount of pressure at all times ?

I think i will return when this thread hits page 50.

There are about 1000 videos on youtube, and a lot of information on SRP. Search in the box in the upper right hand corner for SRP info or watch this one and some others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhShulgYLUA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaffacake2000

ok, but how do [1] i maintain the correct angle and [2] correct amount of pressure at all times ?

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Those ARE the questions. The two best answers I got were pretty simple. Prep your face and lather up, then:

[1-2] Put the top of a safety razor flat against your sideburn with the handle sticking straight out from your head; slowly let the razor draw down under its' own weight as you gradually tip the handle downward. Suddenly you'll feel/hear the blade taking whiskers; that is the pressure and that is the angle you want to keep throughout a shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Those ARE the questions. The two best answers I got were pretty simple. Prep your face and lather up, then:

[1-2] Put the top of a safety razor flat against your sideburn with the handle sticking straight out from your head; slowly let the razor draw down under its' own weight as you gradually tip the handle downward. Suddenly you'll feel/hear the blade taking whiskers; that is the pressure and that is the angle you want to keep throughout a shave.

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I tried but i cant feel the blade so what i did was put the blade on my skin directly at an angle (yeah, i know, i dunno what im doing)

so, the blade should just only touch the skin lightly on the surface without applying any pressure ? and as i lightly lower the whole thing, the blade will cut itself i presume ? How do i keep control of it so it doesnt drag down the skin surface ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaffacake2000

I tried but i cant feel the blade... ...i dunno what im doing...

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Perhaps.

Quote:

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...as i lightly lower the whole thing, the blade will cut itself i presume ?

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No. The blade won't cut itself - but it may cut you. :)

Quote:

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How do i keep control of it so it doesnt drag down the skin surface ?

---

Lets be honest. This is the part called "shaving." Your fingers must hold on to the razor with a light grip and then steer the blade part through the lather, around your face and swished clean in water. Good luck with the Connery look but it calls for a makeup department! Have a ball!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jaffacake2000

Hi

I am new to shaving with a DE safety razor. I recently bought the only razor i could find in my local shops which is a (see picture)

Attachment 169549

But i know there are several differnt brands on the net like Merkur, Edwin Jagger, parker, etc and then there are different flavour of blades like Derby, Astra, etc but does it matter which razor i use with which razor blade ?

The razor in the picture is none of these brands, its just a cheap safety razor made in China which i got for £2.00 It came with not so good looking but free BTC razor blade. The only one thing i noticed is although it looks and feels good when you try to open it and put a razor blade in it feels a bit flimsy like when you try open one part of it another part opens etc but thats what i get for what i paid for.

So, do i really need a Merkur, Edwin Jagger, parker or any of the other razor brands or can i just put any razor blade in any razor and shave ?

---

Hi,
Check the positioning of the blade. If it is placed evenly across the gap, you should be good to go.

I don't mean to be a downer for you Jaffacake, so don't take this the wrong way, but...I don't feel like you're listening to or absorbing what people are saying.

Let me try to simplify:

1) watch some videos. I searched Youtube for DE shaving and got 100s of them. Watch as many as you can stand and pay attention to the ones that make sense to you (and are not selling something).

2) you seem to have a piece of junk razor. If more blade is exposed on one side than the other, then something is wrong with it. The razor needs to be precisely aligned to hold the (very sharp) blade aligned.

3) the razor needs to be closed all the way, tightly to accomplish # 2. If it is closed tightly and you still have uneven exposure, you need a different razor.

4) you need to lather up well before shaving.

5) after doing #'s 1-4, grip the handle lightly and lay the head on your face just under your sideburn. Pull it down a little to get the feel, then move it back up and start again, BUT the second time rotate the handle away from your face slowly as you move down. When you hear (and feel) whiskers being cut keep that angle relative to your face until you've done one whole side...the do the same thing on the other, rinsing the razor under running water periodically to clean out the soap and (hopefully) whiskers. Then move on to other parts of the face.

Good luck and please understand that what you're asking and we're trying to do is like teaching someone to drive a car by email. You're going to have to watch videos, read some DE posts and learn what you can and then experiment carefully. But first, please make sure you have the right tools in hand not a junk razor and blade I've never heard of.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I don't mean to be a downer for you Jaffacake, so don't take this the wrong way, but...I don't feel like you're listening to or absorbing what people are saying.

Let me try to simplify:

1) watch some videos. I searched Youtube for DE shaving and got 100s of them. Watch as many as you can stand and pay attention to the ones that make sense to you (and are not selling something).

2) you seem to have a piece of junk razor. If more blade is exposed on one side than the other, then something is wrong with it. The razor needs to be precisely aligned to hold the (very sharp) blade aligned.

3) the razor needs to be closed all the way, tightly to accomplish # 2. If it is closed tightly and you still have uneven exposure, you need a different razor.

4) you need to lather up well before shaving.

5) after doing #'s 1-4, grip the handle lightly and lay the head on your face just under your sideburn. Pull it down a little to get the feel, then move it back up and start again, BUT the second time rotate the handle away from your face slowly as you move down. When you hear (and feel) whiskers being cut keep that angle relative to your face until you've done one whole side...the do the same thing on the other, rinsing the razor under running water periodically to clean out the soap and (hopefully) whiskers. Then move on to other parts of the face.

Good luck and please understand that what you're asking and we're trying to do is like teaching someone to drive a car by email. You're going to have to watch videos, read some DE posts and learn what you can and then experiment carefully. But first, please make sure you have the right tools in hand not a junk razor and blade I've never heard of.

---

N
+1 on all of the above. Now watch the videos, get a decent razor, re read this thread from start to finish, and take notice of the advice given .Then come back here when you've done all that and I'll bet you'll be shaving like a good 'un.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Perhaps.

No. The blade won't cut itself - but it may cut you. :)

Lets be honest. This is the part called "shaving." Your fingers must hold on to the razor with a light grip and then steer the blade part through the lather, around your face and swished clean in water. Good luck with the Connery look but it calls for a makeup department! Have a ball!

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should it touch the skin or just the lather ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I don't mean to be a downer for you Jaffacake, so don't take this the wrong way, but...I don't feel like you're listening to or absorbing what people are saying.

Let me try to simplify:

watch some videos. I searched Youtube for DE shaving and got 100s of them. Watch as many as you can stand and pay attention to the ones that make sense to you (and are not selling something).

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I am totally very new to this, I have been watching videos on the tube but as you know its not easy and watching a video is one thing and trying it in real is another but i will try my best to give it another go. I know its nothing really for those who are experienced but I just need to find where the correct angle is and find how not to apply pressure but drag the razor in between the lather and the skin - i think it is a very fine and perfectionist process i have to achieve.

We were all new to this once...before the internet.

They are also called safety razors because they are 'safer' than the straight razors that were in wide use before them.
That piece of steel below the blade serves as a guide and limits quite a bit how the blade interacts with your skin. It really it's not that easy to cut yourself as long as you move the blade perpendicular to the edge. If you move it parallel to the edge you will get cut, period.

The 'aggressiveness' is something different, it's basically the angle that the razor blade makes against your skin. That is pretty much fixed with the razor (unless you have one of those 'adjustable' razors and then you can vary it a bit). The sharper the angle towards your skin the 'milder' the razor is. This is probably counterintuitive but that's how it works.

The main thing to worry about is dragging the razor perpendicular to the blade, and just touching the skin. You can't bear on like you can with the multiblade cartridges, and you don't have to. If you're not cutting hair change the angle of the handle a bit and it will start. You can try it on your arm first if you want - it's pretty flat and much easier to observe how it works. If you don't want to shave the hairs (they do grow back) do it on the underside, just lather first so that you don't just scrape your skin.
I think once you pass the mental issue about cutting yourself with it you'll be fine.

Sorry, but I think this thread has become a farce and with that I shall leave to wash my hair!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anthony1954

Sorry, but I think this thread has become a farce and with that I shall leave to wash my hair!

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I'm sorry you feel that way Anthony, i'll try & say no more.

I hope you don't clam up, but rather hang around, read, watch and learn, and try some of the suggestions before posing your next question. This forum is about just that...learning...and having fun doing it....and ultimately enjoying good shaves.

some times just do it is the correct answer

Feather platinum DE blades are my favorite and sharpest.