Thread: would like to have some advice of DE razors

Hi folks,

now i'm shaving since 1 year and half with my straight razors which i like to use, prepare and to have them. for my opinion, this the joy of the life. but sometime, it arrives me to be so tired, or to harry to move out, not so many time, need a quick shave. that's why i open this thread, i would like to have some advices and information to chose a DE razor ( i hope i'm in good section to post this).

as i saw there some kind of DE's. papillon, 3 pieces and also stright bord and grill bord. i would like to know the differences about these; sensation of shaving... which will help me to chose a DE.

DE razors just like straights are a personal preference.
Some people say that open comb models are ore agressive, some do not find differences. The aggressiveness comes from the blade exposure/blade gap , which vary for different models and makers.
You can try Gillette slim adjustable, which as the name suggests has adjustment for the blade gap. That model may just be the only razor you will need to try since it will probably have a setting that will work for you.
From the modern crop of razors, Merkur 34 C is very popular and highly regarded. Parker and Edwin Jager also are very well received. I personally like Maggard Razors V3 very much, it is very inexpensive well made and gives very close shaves.

One thing to also keep in mind is that the same razor will shave differently depending on the type of blade used. Get sample packs of blades and test which owrk for you with the razor of choice.

Good luck

+1 to Stefan's post. With a Gillette adjustable or some other adjustable you could have a DE that is all you would ever need. You can begin at a mild setting and as your DE technique improves you can slowly change the setting towards a more aggressive one. It is as good a one size fits all DE solution as you are likely to find.

Bob

thanks for advices. these adjustable ones are old razors or new?

Originally Posted by Oustoura

thanks for advices. these adjustable ones are old razors or new?

Gillette DE razors are vintage razors. Current production Gillette are not double edge but rather multi edge razors.

Originally Posted by Oustoura

thanks for advices. these adjustable ones are old razors or new?

The Gillette adjustables are old/vintage DEs but there are some new ones currently made by Merkur such as their Progress and Futur models.

Bob

yes i saw those merkur ones', they are too expensive that i rather to pay for a stragith razor and not on a DE. i think i will look around for a Gilette DE as you recommended.

Originally Posted by Oustoura

yes i saw those merkur ones', they are too expensive that i rather to pay for a stragith razor and not on a DE. i think i will look around for a Gilette DE as you recommended.

I don't know if the Gillette ones in good condition are much less expensive than the Merkur ones if you are looking on ebay. Over here they still can be had inexpensively at yards sales if you are patient. Good luck with your search.

Bob

Gotta say, I recently went a bit crazy and got some vintage DE razors. I too, thought that a slim, or a fatboy, will be the way to go, for the reasons already mentioned. Truth is, for me, Gillette slim adjustable lacks the balance, so I sold it as soon as I got a Fatboy. As far as adjustables go, for me, Fatboy is the way to go.

Then I got a few more DEs, some bought, some received from fellow wetshavers to try out, etc.

Today I can say, the adjustable factor is not as important, as I thought it would be. In fact I believe it isn't important at all. My best DE shaves were delivered by (all vintage here) English Gillette New type long comb, especially the one with raised flat bottom - RFB, the New improved silver Bostonian, heavier TTO aristocrats and similar heads (like #58 and 1934 TTO aka #15 OC aristocrat). All of these razors have one thing in common - they weigh around 60-70g on average and I like that - Shave me well and fit great in my hand, with great balance.

I almost forgot to mention my Hoffritz slant (or its modern day brother, Merkur 37C slant bar), which is a totally different beast and with a slightly different technique, deliveres an amazing shave.

The blades however, will make the real difference - just repeating whats been said. Pol silver, Voskhod and Rapira are highly regarded as sharp and comfortable blades that last more than a few shaves. Feather is high on my list, too, but not everyone likes the sharpness and aggressiveness it offers.

I was a DE shaver for years before I started with straights. I've owned quite a few DEs and still have waay too many. I only use one.... a Merkur HD. I have a Merkur Vision adjustable, a Futur adjustable and I had a Progress adjustable. They all ended up with about the same gap setting as a fixed Merkur HD and so they proved to be pointless. Perhaps the worst thing about an adjustable DE is that you never stop fiddling with the adjustment.... Also, different weights of DE razors mean you will probably find different blades are better in each one.

I've had a few Gillette vintage DEs that are adjustable, and none of them shaved me well... It wasn't the razor, it was my face and beard that just prefers a more open and exposed blade. Some gents swear by the Gillettes... I swear at them. OK, except for ONE Gillette Tech I found NOS and that shaved me like a dream. I foolishly gave that one to a friend, thinking I could find another one and I did... but it did not shave the same as the one I gave away. So, I went back to the Merkur HD and have not bothered with anything else since.

I have a couple of different brands of blades I like in the HD and so if I ever find myself without a honed straight, I'm set. With 30+ straights, that's not very likely! <grin>

Don't forget about the Feather Artist Club straights, they have replaceable blades, are meant for shaving with, and, are wicked sharp/smooth. You need a very light touch with one, but they shave great if you keep up your end of the bargain. These razors are not cheap, nor are they the same as the cheapo "shavette' ones that use half a DE blade which I find are just good for nicking yourself.

So, a Merkur HD (34C) and a blade sampler and you should be fine.

Regards

Christian