Printable View
What's your favorite razor & blade combo? Different razors have different traits, and as such may shave better with different blade setups.
So, what works for you, and what doesn't work? If you're using an adjustable model, what setting are you using?
Personally, I'm a Merkur HD & Derby guy. A Gillette SuperSpeed with a Derby blade is a good combo for me as well. Either of these shaves pretty well with a Feather blade. Not a fan of the Merkur blades in either.
I've only ever used a SuperSpeed (non-adjustable) with Derby blades; I keep it around for quick, water only, WTG passes and it works quite well. I've been told it's a pretty mild setup, and I would have to agree on the grounds that I have sensitive skin but she's never given me any irritation.
Kyle
My two favourite set ups currently are an old Gillette "New" with a NOS Wilkinson blade, and an L Type Schick Injector with an American made Schick Injector blade. As for what doesn't work for me, I've never been fussy on Super Speeds (though oddly enough I like Techs). The Gem Micromatic is not a favourite either, although I think that may have more to do with lack of practice on my part than poor quality or design on the part of the razor.
goshawk
Dovo - Merkur Rasierer 41, vernickelt with red Personna blades. The open comb is a nice challenge, and the Personna blades are more forgiving than the Dovo Platinum ones I used to use before. That said, I only ever use this setup at 04:00 before flying to England, and that happens only one or two times per month, thankfully.
I seldom shave with a safety razor anymore unless in a big hurry.
Then I use an old Super Speed with Crystal blades. Best combo I have found.
Tried Derby and Feather blades and did not like them. Crystal just right.
There are some DE-s in my collection, but the one i use is a LORD DE with metal head, and long plastic handle, and LORD blades. The razor with the 5 blades, and a blade dispenser cost me about 2 bucks, and for that money it's very good. The razor is a bit heavy headed, but isn't too bad.
I used an old Gillette open-comb, it's very agressive, and another from the '70-s that's not too bad. It's in my travel equipment.
That is a tough question to answer as I have several razors and blades. My Futur with a Gillette Yellow blade is a perfect combination that cannot be beat but I also really enjoy my Chatsworth, Progress, English #58 and Cooncat Bob Bull Mastiff with a New head among others.
The Gillette Yellow (Sharp Edge) seems to stand out as my blade of choice no matter what razor I am using.
A '39 tech head with triangular guard slots combined with a bobs razorworks handle for the extra weight using a 7oclock sharpedge, israelie crystals or derby's.
you couldnt pay me to daily shave with feather blades.
I've been using a Gillette adjustable and AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange)brand blades. They run just $1.25 for a 10 pack. How crazy is that.
Merkur 38C Barberpole and Red Personna. Not the most aggressive razor nor the sharpest blade, but that combination is perfect for me. Easy, irritation free BBS shaves every time.
For me it's a Gillette Old Type open comb with either a Feather or a Gillette 7 o'clock yellow. I like the aggressiveness.
A Gillette "Fat Boy"
With the Gillette Swedish Blades :tu
A Gillette Travel Tech with Feathers; and everything else with Super Iridiums. I have a silver SS, a black SS, a Merkur 1904 open, and a Feather Portable. My injector currently uses ASR blades.
A Merkur Vision with Wilkinson or Birman blades (small family factory and shop in Basel where you can buy wonderful sharp and comfortable blades - the man who was making the blades is now dead but they still have a small stock)
A Gillette Fat Boy with Feather blades.
Lewis
I've only got one :( I bought the 18 dollar feather with derby/feather/lords blades with it.
I've shaved like 5 times now with a DE and I've had 1 great shave, 2 with irritation, and the rest where I would call normal.
I think the feather razor, with a feather blade is great if you take your time :)
It's a toss up for me between a Futur/Derby Combo or a SuperSpeed/Feather combo.
Gentlemen,
I have an Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley, an Edwin Jagger Mock Ivory and a Cyril Salter. After experiencing a parade of blade bands I have settled on Feather and Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow packs). They work equally well in all three shavers.
Obie
I enjoy my 47 Gillette SS with a feather blade.
I'm a fan of the slant (vintage Merkur) with Feathers. I also like a '50s Aristocrat with Derbys. Two different kinds of shaves, but I like them both.
Merkur Progress with an Israeli Personna (white w/blue lettering wrapper), and set between 2-5, is about my best DE setup for consistent shaves within a week.
Tech and Feather work very well for me... However, I rarely use anything but straights now.
Fat Boy razor and Feather blades
Slant and either a Derby or Personna(Israeli)
For SE, a Gem 1912 with Ted Pella PTFE blades. I was a Fatboy user for many years, but much prefer the heavier single edge blade if I'm using a safety razor.
The blades I have used so far are:
astra stainless superior
supermax platinum
gillette super thin
Razors I have used are:
Gilette-
Red tip
ss
fatboy (@5 setting)
slim (@5 setting)
I like the the super thin blade(w/ any razor) w/ the slim the best so far I still have to try higher settings on the slim and fatboy.
Also am experimenting w/ gillette 7'o clock's and feathers right now.
I hate the astra in all the razors feels like shaving w/ a tin can. The supermax just are too mild takes forever to get a smooth shave. The super thin work awesome but only last about 3 shaves.
I was out doing errands today getting ready for an upcoming cruise, and stopped by this antique shop just on the off chance they might have something of interest to a fedora wearing, double edge shaving, bearded big guy like me. After ten minutes or so something caught my eye as I looked around one of the consignment booths. There was a locked case in the corner with just the edge of some gold tone DE's, sticking up above their boxes as they rested on the top shelf. They were above my 6" tall eye level and all I could see were the price tags, purposely hung down over the front edge. Don't really know what they were but to my budget at this time, they were overpriced ($65 and $80). I walked a short way further and saw a display with two DE's on it just sitting out in the open with some other items on top of an old jewelry case. The one that caught my eye was the adjustable. I picked it up and checked it out making sure the operation was smooth and even. A few minutes later I walked out with a Gillette Fat Boy in great shape for $5.49 tax included.
I ordered a new razor and a package of blades the other night on line, so I'll have to scout around the drug stores locally for a decent blade to put in the Fat Boy until my other stuff get's here on Thursday.
Don't know if I did well, but I thought it was a "YES" moment.
38C and Feathers
Mine to like a small sports car with a big engine. Handles like a dream but be careful of the powerQuote:
Originally Posted by vior
My best DE setup is a Merkur Futur with either a Super Iridium or a Shark blade. For me a BBS is easily obtainable with this setup.
When I get good enough with my straights to match my Futur shave I will be pretty happy.
Hi,
My beard really likes sharp blades so:
'48 Gillette Aristocrat with Feather/Russian Gillette 7' clock/Astra Keramik blades.
Best regards
Russ
Merkur Classic and a Gillette 7 O'clock green. Perfect combination of a sharp but forgiving blade and a slightly aggressive razor.
Have a 1956 red tip and I like the Feathers and the Astras. BBS almost every shave. I tried the red pack Israelis tonight and they worked good. Not a Feather but ok.
Gillette K1 with Blue Bird blades
I have a few best setups. Derby has been a brand that works really well for me. not too sharp, pretty good consistency between blades/packs, and inexpensive :)
Favorite: British Rocket HD w/ Derby
Excellent: Muhle R41 (Old Model) w/ Derby
I have since sold both of those razors, and am beginning to greatly regret it, as they were the best razors, and very difficult to come by!
I used to be a Derby man too, but I had to switch.
So I'm using an Edwin Jagger 89 with Shark blades. BBS every time with no nicks or cuts.