Advice on DE choice for a straight-shaver

Hi folks,

I've been using a straight for about two months, or so. Things are going well.
However there are days when I need to take less time shaving, and for those days I end up turning back to my dreaded Mach 3. :(

The resulting shave is quite uncomfortable, even with fresh blades. The most recent time, I felt like my face had been through the ringer afterwards. The discomfort and irritation were contributing reasons to my search for alternatives to the cartridge.

I'm thinking a DE would be a good compromise. Less "dangerous" than a speedy straight shave, but still allowing me to get a decent shave quickly.

So all this said, I'm looking for a recommendation on which DE to purchase. I'd be a DE newbie, and seeing as I wouldn't be using it frequently (less than once a week), it would have to be reasonably priced. Suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Any vintage Gillette in good condition from Ebay, antique store,,,, loaded with a blade of your choice.

I don't mind going vintage, but I would prefer new (for a change)... Any other suggestions?

Not from me, as I only own vintage Gillettes, but someone will soon give you a choice.

Edwin jagger DE89. Shaves mutch like a vintage Gillette, and looks way better. The chrome work on them is out of this world.

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Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Edwin jagger DE89. Shaves mutch like a vintage Gillette, and looks way better. The chrome work on them is out of this world.

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If you want new - the DE89 is a great safe choice.

I started with one, and still have it and some other very nice, new and $$ DEs.
But the only DE I keep in the brush stand is a 1953 Y-4 Gillette SuperSpeed...

They have their own learning curve (angle and pressure along with what blade works for you) but are a useful tool in any shave den.

Smooth shaving...

My choice is always a one pass straight shave. My den is a NO DE Zone. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

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Come on Hirlau, you know it's true! :)

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Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Come on Hirlau, you know it's true! :)

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I knew I woke up for a reason....look better than a vintage Gillette....HAH!!!!....the Edwin Jagger is a wannabe...really...well, back to bed now....glad that nightmare is over! ";"

I find a Gem or Injector to be closest to a straight razor shave--and they are cheap on the auction site. I got a NOS Gem for only $20. However, if you don't want vintage, you can choose something like the King Cobra, Mongoose, or BBS-1 as they use the Kai or Feather single blades. But be prepared to pay since they sell for $150+.

I also have the EJ89 that was my first step into traditional wet shaving. Great DE, but it gets very little use from me, anymore. I have a Merkur slant that I prefer as a new DE.

Try Maggardrazors fire new in the very affordable range

I have an EJ 89, Parker 24C and Parker 22R (TTO). I started with the EJ89, then got the 2 Parkers. 22R is my least favorite, but I also use it the least, so I haven't really gotten to know it yet. Started with the EJ89 and it did very well, but then I got the 24C Open Comb from Parker and love it! Get a sampler pack of several different blades to see what works best for you. GSB, Feather, Kai, and a few others really irritated my skin. Gillette 7 O Clock Super Sharp Yellows and Shark Super Stainless are my 2 go to blades now, I can go thru 4 or 5 shaves w/o any issues!

I am a fan of the Mühle R41, R101 and R101 (identical open comb head design with different handle) razor family.

The aggressiveness of the current models is overstated IMO and these razors give me (with Feather or Astra blades) a shave that comes closest to a straight.

At about 12 mins, it takes me less than half the time of a straight shave and the Mühle remains my default DE razor if I absolutely can't find the time for a straight shave.


Between the time for a DE and straight shave, I also use the Feather AC DX, which gives me a straight shave, but I can do away with the preparations.



B.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

I knew I woke up for a reason....look better than a vintage Gillette....HAH!!!!....the Edwin Jagger is a wannabe...really...well, back to bed now....glad that nightmare is over! ";"

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OK, ok Phrank.

A brand new EJ, and a brand new Gillette. I'd take the Gillette. I guess my 4 are just old and beat up, but I love the way they shave. I grab my two fat techs more than my EJ.

And your right about EJ being a wannabe. The design is almost identical to the 3 piece Gillettes.

It's the chrome man! The Chrome is flawless

A Muhle R41 (especially a 2011 model) with a proper blade is right up there with most straights and actually will outperform a straight razor which might be needing a few strokes on a refreshing hone.

For travel and situations which could result in my R41 "disappearing" or where a straight is not practical, I use a Merkur 33C. Good, reasonably priced, not "too aggressive" (can there be such a thing?). Again the personality of any DE can be altered significantly with choice of blade. That's one good thing about DE razors.

This one of those YMMV things... I started with a Muhle 89 and then got a birth year Gillette slim and a Weber. I am addicted to all things stainless (probably why I started brewing beer many years ago) and now have an ATT.

I use a straight on weekends when I have more time and a DE during the week so I can get out the door on time. Right now I am using the ATT, but that is probably because it is new and in a few weeks will be switching around as the mood strikes me. When I travel I normally take the Gillette slim or the Muhle.

If you are getting a lot of irritation from your Mach with a new blade, you may need to analyze your prep and your technique.

The recommendation on a DE sample pack is great advise. I find some pricey blades are scratchy and nicky while some of the mid-price blades are perfect. I personally find Shark stainless and Bic chrome platinum to be very nice.

I got lucky with the Sharks , I really like them, mainly I'm Shark & Feathers.

Lots to consider here. I had no idea that the blades themselves had such an effect on a DE shave. From an outsiders perspective, I figured a blade is a blade is a blade (at least for DEs - they all look so generic!)

Thank all for your advice - I'll do some shopping, and post my short list and we'll take it from there. :)

I posted a video review of the Parker 99R last week and I think it's a great razor. It's about on par with the Edwin Jager DE89 as far as aggressiveness, but it's about an ounce heavier. That weight with a somewhat mild head and a feather blade seems to really work well for me. I can easily get a BBS three pass shave with no irritation in under ten minutes. I like more aggressive razors too, but a bit milder is better if I'm in a hurry. I have dozens of DE razors and the 99r seems to stand out for me.

Merkur Slant w/ Feather blade, not the prettiest one but I like my short handles...

So I picked up a vintage Gillette for cheap - real cheap, although it looks to be in good shape.
No idea what model it is; but once I receive it I'll post a pic or two so we can get an ID.

In the mean, I saw this one for sale : Fendrihan Alabastron and was wondering if any of you have had experience with it.

Looks to be a reputable retailer and the have the DE89 as well as a slew of others...

Merkur 32C with Feathers. Solid in all respects, travels well.

If I'm reading your initial post correctly, you're looking for a razor that you can use quickly and get a good shave without cuts and nicks on your face. For DE razors, you might consider a Gillette ball-end Tech or a Schick Krona... you can still get a good shave even in a hurry when you're late for work... one of my favorite for that scenario is a Schick injector. Even when I'm running late and in a hurry, I can get a close fast shave without carving myself up.

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Originally Posted by cpool

... you might consider a Gillette ball-end Tech or a Schick Krona... you can still get a good shave even in a hurry when you're late for work...

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That's exactly what i picked up for cheap.
A british Tech (circa 1976) with the aluminium handle - it's very light weight ( <30g ) - but works well for the purpose.
Unfortunately for me, I kind of like it - and so I'm likely to pick up a more "solid" DE with a bit more heft (and some shiny chrome!). I hoope this doesn't turn into a whole other sort of RAD.

I know exactly what your talking about. However, the solution to this may cause you to find less time to use your straight razor. I too had that same problem and if you get proficient at straight razor shaving there is nothing better. That said its still a 30 to 45 minute process from start to finish and I would rather sleep than shave. So I invested in the safety razor wet shaving considering the only real need was a razor and the blades. I got a Merkur 34c nothing crazy and about 25 bucks and it did just fine. My plan was to use my straight on days that I had extra time and de on those tight time days. After learn the de I wanted something that just a tad more aggressiveness to it so reading and reading and more reading I decided to get a Merkur 39c slant bar and that became my goto razor. It shaved well but it never gave me that Wow bbs shave as my straights. Now for the reason for my reply, a month ago I got my 3rd de razor Muhle R41 grande. This is an open comb razor and I swear it shaves as well and as close as my straights. It was pricy 75 bucks but it's a nice razor. If you can swing it get the grande the difference is just the handle but its just the handle that makes it worth it. To my 1st point this razor is by far my 1st choice even over my straights and there is no honing no stropping and new blade every few shaves and the time is 15 minutes for that bbs can't beat it.

Good luck

The DE that competes with the closeness and length of time a straight razor shave lasts is the Muhle R41 (2013 version) with a feather blade. That is my go to DE combo. I did not care for the handle and replaced it with a solid stainless bulldog grip. I like the added weight of the handle and the extremely grippy cut knurling. Close behind would be an Open Comb Gillette with a feather blade. Will be trying a Merkur 37c slant if Can Post ever gets around to delivering it. A unique razor head design and would be surprised and delighted if it out shaved the Muhle R41 but I suspect that will not be the case.

Bob

To the OP. You could also pick up a vintage razor and send it in for restoration. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sourc...PazDNJ1HV81SFw

I haven't tried them but you get the swanky new feeling with a quality build old school.

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Originally Posted by CyberShdw

I haven't tried them but you get the swanky new feeling with a quality build old school.

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I like the idea of a fully restored vintage DE - but my DE use is intended to be limited to rare/rush mornings when I need to get out the door. Seems like a nice service though, for those who would prioritize that sort of thing :)

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Originally Posted by BobH

The DE that competes with the closeness and length of time a straight razor shave lasts is the Muhle R41 (2013 version) with a feather blade. That is my go to DE combo. I did not care for the handle and replaced it with a solid stainless bulldog grip. I like the added weight of the handle and the extremely grippy cut knurling. Close behind would be an Open Comb Gillette with a feather blade. Will be trying a Merkur 37c slant if Can Post ever gets around to delivering it. A unique razor head design and would be surprised and delighted if it out shaved the Muhle R41 but I suspect that will not be the case.

Bob

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I find the feathers very from blade to blade, some real good and some just don't do it (more burn) I seem to get a better shave and more repeatability from the silver blues.

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Originally Posted by Jakobs

I like the idea of a fully restored vintage DE - but my DE use is intended to be limited to rare/rush mornings when I need to get out the door. Seems like a nice service though, for those who would prioritize that sort of thing :)

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I would forget a Muhle R41 for that purpose then, not a DE you want to rush haphazardly with.

Bob

FWIW --

The Fendrihan "Alabastron" is from an unknown maker. Rather than buy it, I'd search local antique / junk shops / flea markets for a vintage Gillette. The price should be similar (but I've been out of the market for several years).

I have three Gillettes and an EJ DE89 "barley" on my wall. The EJ is the one I use regularly. It's fairly heavy, and fairly mild. A pleasure to shave with.

If you want a DE razor that really doesn't want to cut you -- extremely "mild" -- get an aluminum Weishi. They're cheap on the Internet. Even with a Feather blade, and sloppy technique, your face should be OK.

. Charles