I want to introduce my son-in-law to straight razor shaving and thought the best way may be through the DE door. I know nothing about DE razors. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good beginner DE razor?
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I want to introduce my son-in-law to straight razor shaving and thought the best way may be through the DE door. I know nothing about DE razors. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good beginner DE razor?
My recommendation would be a Gillette Superspeed. They are mild shavers and relatively inexpensive. I've only used vintage DE razors so I can't comment on new productions.
Gillette Superspeeds are are a great starting point, but - while widely available - they are also no longer produced and you would need to buy one second-hand or hope for a rare New Old Stock (NOS).
If you want to buy a new safety razor, a Mühle R89 or Edwin Jagger 89 would be a good starting point.
And while you're at it, buy your son-in-law a good Mühle or Jagger synthetic brush and some (Palmolive, D.R. Harris, Valobra, La Toja or Proraso) shaving soap or cream.
You son-in-law will thank you for it.
All above are available on Straight Razor Designs, Amazon or eBay.
Good luck.
B.
CZMark,
+1 on the above posts :)
I think every shaver should have a TTO Gillette :)
The Muhle/EJ 89s are, for me, truly excellent DE razors, and I use mine (a Muhle) regularly.
I would also get him a blade sampler pack, as the choice of DE blades is very, very personal.
Double Edge Razor Blade Sample Packs | West Coast Shaving
Connaught DE Sample Packs
Have fun :)
Best regards
Russ
+1 on the superspeed or similar
Thanks, guys. I found a decent Super Speed on the bay, and ordered a blade assortment from SRD (along with an alum block and styptic pencil). I already have a NIB brush for him, and an unopened container of TOBS Coconut shave cream. Still need to get him an aftershave balm. I hope he likes it.
Heard good things about BarBerry coast Havana and Baxter of Ca aftershave balms.
Haven't tried either but I have Havana in the splash the scent is mild but awesome. RazorRock aftershave wax is good stuff too, I have used that...
Thanks again for the great advice. I ordered a Superspeed for my son-in-law and a Slim for myself. Unfortunately, the Superspeed did not arrive in time, so I gave him the Slim along with a blade sample pack, several shaving creams, aftershave balms, a brush and lather mug. I told him to leave the Slim set at #3 for at least two weeks.
He has been using it for a week now and seems to enjoy it--says his face never felt so good. Another wet shaving convert.
Congratulations on the giving of an awesome present. I remember when my sister in law gave me a vintage straight for Christmas a couple of years ago, it meant alot to me because I knew she had to do a bunch of research, one of the best gifts I ever received.