Thread: New guy- Cartridges to DE safety razor, list of 4 possibles

I know probably the single most commonly asked ? is "which razor (or blade) is best for beginner?" so I won't ask that .

The last time I shaved with a DE safety razor I was probably 19 (52 now) and used one of the unknown handles (and whatever blade was in it) that was on the wash basin ledge of my grandparents house. I think I just stopped bleeding last week. Since then it has been cartridge or disposables but thanks to some new to me products and techniques I've recently begun to actually enjoy and look forward to a fresh shave so I'm ready to give it another try. The Track II cartridges are becoming harder to find locally and I do like the idea of picking the actual blade I want/like rather than the CVS brand generic Track II refills that are the only ones I can find here. Plus, my trusty old heavyweight Track II handle recently came apart and is now held together with Gorilla Glue (and working just fine) but I can't be sure it will stay that way much longer.

After some research and scouring the various forums and reviews I've narrowed my choice down to the following:

Merkur 38 HD Barber Pole
Parker 99R Long Handle Super Heavyweight
Viking Godfather
Viking Chieftain

Since I've been using that Track II handle of mine (which is quite long) for so long I do like the idea of the longer handle DEs. The Chieftain is kind f the odd man out being a shorty but reviews are so numerous and seemingly all good that I figure to add it in as a choice.

My instinct is telling me Merkur 38 HD since from what I've read it seems that is a "safe" choice (kind of like in the IT world we used to say "nobody ever got fired for buying IBM") but the other three I'm sure would be just fine especially with the myriad of blade choices probably having as much to do with the results as the handle.

I'll almost certainly get a blade sample pack to try different ones but initially focusing on Wilkinson Sword, Feather, Gillette Blue, and Astra.

So please, I would appreciate thoughts, suggestions, comments on my selections or others not in my list. It's not like its a financial burden to buy another if the first doesn't fit the bill ...just trying to maximize my chances at a somewhat enjoyable first foray into these waters. I know there will be a learning curve, hopefully not too steep.

Thanks again and regards to all.

Natty

Hi Natty, welcome to SRP, and the wonderful world of wet shaving. I can say from personal experience that you can't go wrong with the Merkur HD. For my money, not to muddy the waters ........ but ........ the Merkur 37C 'slant' is an even better bet. Looks intimidating at first sight, but once you get going it is a great shaver. I haven't tried any of the other brands you've named.

For blades my current go to are the Feather, and the Gillette 7 O'Clock (yellow). A blade sampler pack is a great idea, because with blades, one man's meat is another man's poison.

I would stick with a Merkur 38 HD if it were me. There's nothing wrong with the slant, but it can be a bit more of a slicer than the HD if I recall correctly.

The HD is not as heavy as a barberpole style, but it's more than heavy enough! *ANY* pressure applied by your hand to the razor will be too much... I don't grasp an HD, but rather just cradle it loosely in my fingers.

A sample pack is the way to go.... everyone has a different preferred blade. I have many DE razors i don't use any more, but each one has it's own preference in blades that felt good to me. Try each pack of blades and remember, occasionally you might get a dud blade in a pack and it's important not to judge a brand by a single blade.

Your comment on bleeding after your first attempt points to angle and pressure problems. Start with the top cap of the razor resting against your face, drop the handle until it starts to shave.... NEVER start with the guard against your face and raise the handle until it starts cutting... that will be the scraping position.... useful on occasion when you need it, but it has to be done without any pressure and only when absolutely needed (for final blade buffing if you are so inclined).

When done correctly, a DE shave can be as many as 3 or 4 complete passes and results in zero irritation, never mind blood. Done incorrectly, the bleeding will start well before the end of the first pass.

The difficult areas such as the chin will require YOU to move the razor correctly. These newfangled cartridge razors do that by themselves, and if you try to shave like that with a DE, once again, the bleeding will ensue.


Just remember, NO PRESSURE and start with the cap of the razor touching the face and drop the handle until it starts cutting. The weight of an HD is more than enough, some of the heavier razors will actually require you to reduce the pressure of the head on the skin... not the easiest thing to do when starting out.

Good luck.

Christian

Thank you Jimmy. I just checked out the 37C Slant and I see they also have the 39C Long Handle Slant Bar. I think I lean more toward the long handles models given the long handle of the shaver I've used for the last 25 years that Ive grown accustomed to.

Good to know re: the Gillette 7 O'Clock yellow blades...they are in the sample pack I plan to buy

i tried the parker 99. read tons of good reviews. got it and didnt like it. i prefer the merkurs much better. i have the 34 hd, long classic and 1904 open comb (with a heavier longer handle) love them all.

i have feather blades. but i use the gillette blues and astra more often.

Thanks Sloan and Kap!

So Kap, you feel a non-HD type DE is a better choice for a newb?

Natty,

The original Merkur HD is about as heavy as I'd suggest going.... I see now I goofed in my first reply... the 38c is the barber pole version... a fair bit heavier than the 34C that I meant. The 33c is slightly lighter with a thinner handle, and the 23c is the long handled version of the 33c. All these razors use the same head (the slant is the notable exception). I'm very comfortable with the 34c, but the 33c or 23c are also fine razors, and you may chose whatever appeals to you. You may decide down the road that you prefer a heavier razor or perhaps a lighter one... maybe shorter or longer.... it's a fickle thing, this choosing a razor.

Today we have money to spend and razors are cheap.... In the mid 1900s it was a different story, you paid your money, took your choice and you lived with it....

You've had a previous experience that has stayed with you for a long time, I would suggest doing everything you can to make your second time around, successful and pleasurable.

Regards

Christian

Actually, I would steer you to the Mongoose single edge razor. It gives a really superior shave and when mated to feather blades puts you in straight razor territory. However if you want to stick to a DE read through previous posts here and you will be educated as to all the new great DEs that have come out in the last few years.

Personally I started with the 38c and it's a fine razor. Kind of like the Chevrolet of DEs.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Actually, I would steer you to the Mongoose single edge razor. It gives a really superior shave and when mated to feather blades puts you in straight razor territory. However if you want to stick to a DE read through previous posts here and you will be educated as to all the new great DEs that have come out in the last few years.

Personally I started with the 38c and it's a fine razor. Kind of like the Chevrolet of DEs.

Thanks for the suggestion...not sure I'm ready for that yet but duly noted and in the memory banks .

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Actually, I would steer you to the Mongoose single edge razor. It gives a really superior shave and when mated to feather blades puts you in straight razor territory. However if you want to stick to a DE read through previous posts here and you will be educated as to all the new great DEs that have come out in the last few years.

Personally I started with the 38c and it's a fine razor. Kind of like the Chevrolet of DEs.

The Mongoose is a helluva razor. It is one that even veteran wet shavers have to approach with a high level of respect. Those Feather Pro SE blades are wicked sharp, and the geometry of the razor is such that you have to proceed with caution. Great results if used with care.

I've heard that the Above The Tie SE, which uses the same blades, has a more forgiving design, and while it gets the job done, is milder. I haven't had the opportunity to try one. To me one or the other would be good once you've had some DE shaves under your belt. I wouldn't suggest it for starting out though.