Thread: Should I use an adjustable safety razor?

I’ve been a cartridge shaver my whole life... I think cartridge razors all the way. My skin is pretty sensitive and it’s the best shave I’ve ever had.
I’m looking to jump into the safety razor game and I was wondering if there was a general consensus on what a popular setup might be for someone just starting out with semi-sensitive skin.

I know it’s all subjective, but any recommendations would be appreciated.

I always thought an adjustable DE would be good as a first DE to learn to shave with. You can start with the razor set low on the scale and adjust to suit your preference from there. You may find as your skill increases you can dial up the aggressiveness of the razor. Sort of grow into it.

Bob

Aloha!

There will likely be no general consensus. Because, as you say, wet shaving his highly subjective.

DE Adjustable razors can be problematic, or a miracle, depending on the person. I started with a DE Adjustable decades ago and got the razor burn from hell for the first 10 shaves or so, even with the most mild setting. I almost stopped wet shaving with a DE razor because of it. Turns out, my DE was a bit out of kilter, and one side of the blade was far more open than the other. Even with this defect out of the mix, some may not be able to tune-in the best shave for them on an adjustable. For some, the adjustment just adds a layer of complexity that they are better off without. A former popular comedian once said in a skit many years ago, "These razor companies go through all this trouble and expense putting number adjustments on these razors, but no matter what number you turn to, you still cut yourself to pieces." That can be the case or not, depending on the person. Shaving style, skin type, blade selection, blade reveal and razor quality all combine to make or break an adjustable razor. Or a fixed blade razor.

Personally, if I were just starting out, I'd go with a fixed mild blade reveal quality razor at a sensible price, like the Merkur 34c long handle. LINK TO AMAZON

This model, and most Merkur fixed safety razors, have a very mild blade reveal that is IMO perfect for a beginner. A small blade reveal (the opening where the blade is exposed), reduces your chances of cuts, nicks and razor burn. A fixed setting means you don't have to worry about "setting" the adjustment, and you are forced to get used to using the razor on a mild setting as you perfect your wet shaving skill.
But even with this, you need to take it easy. Some beginners can PUSH the razor, and that can only lead to trouble, even with tough skin. Let the razor do the work, keep the blade opening clean with frequent rinsing, and take your time. I prefer Japanese Feather blades, but for a beginner, these may be far to agressive. Something more temperate like a Voskhod or a Lord Super Chrome may be a better blade for a beginner. All available from Amazon at very reasonable prices.

If you can master an adjustable, the advantage is, as you progress, you have the option to increase the blade reveal. But someone like me with semi-sensitive skin does not need that. All of my adjustables rarely move off of the lowest setting. To this day, my favorite DE razors are the mild reveal models like the Merkur 34c or the Jagger DE89. So my recommendation is to get a fixed mild blade reveal razor, learn to shave smoothly and comfortable with that, and then buy an adjustable and see how you do. There is nothing that says you can only have ONE DE razor for the rest of your life. Owning one fixed blade and one adjustable is certainly not being extravagant.

Enjoy the journey.

-Zip

I got a beginner kit from Shave Nation that came with a five blade multipack so you can test and see which feel better. They recommended shaving with the feather last. The feather was fine, but I decided that at 1/5th the price the Shark was plenty good for my ugly mug.

Yea, there are a zillion razors out there. For your purposes I'd say either a Merkur or a Rockwell. I would go with a fixed blade closed comb and some middle of the road blades like Gillette yellow packs or even better get a sampler pack.

One you sort things out you could go with a top of the line blade (talking keenness here) like Feather or Kai.

I chose a Merkur Progress and am using Shark Super Chrome blades (because I can get a hundred for about $7).
I go:
first pass on 5 with the grain
second pass on 3 across the grain
third pass on 1 against the grain

BBS and zero effort.