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For the past year I have shaved with straights, but for the previous 20 years with DEs. My sons, 20 and 23 use electrics but have expressed an interest in going DE. I plan to give them soap/cream, brush, DEs and blades this Xmas. Ideas? I have a merkur slant and mergress; and previously used a futur, but thought that a closed comb 38c might be a good choice for a first razor. I'd appreciated all suggestions. Thanks
Jim
The Merkur 34C also known as the HD is a first class razor, it may be the first and only HD he ever uses - its that good.
The Edwin Jagger R89 is another very well liked razor. Some say better than the HD.
If you & he don't mind second - or more- hand, you could pick up a flare tip rocket off Ebay. They too are fantastic shavers.
Good on ya for converting the young fella to the right side :beer1:
When I shaved with a DE the Merkur slant was my favorite. I don't know if I would recommend it for a beginner. I've never had one but so many speak highly of the Merkur HD that I would certainly consider it.
In the vintage DEs the Gillette red tip super speed would be an excellent choice IME. The regular super speeds are nice but a bit too mild for my taste. The adjustable Gillettes are cool too.
I have a Merkur HD34C and its great! Great chrome finish, a good weight, well made and it looks good too!
I have no plans to buy another DE, this one is everything I need.
Thats a great choice of present as well, I'm sure they'll love 'em..!
Merkur HD (34C). It's a hefty, quality razor that will last forever. Feed it some Derby or Feather blades and you're set.
My dear Jim,
I recommend the Edwin Jagger 89L. This is a fabulous razor in every way, from workmanship to shaving. Its counterpart, and slightly more expensive, is the Muhle Pinsel 89L. Both are beautiful and great shavers.
Regards,
Obie
I'm with Obie - I recently bought my first DE (an EJ 89) and it was such a phenomenal shaver I have no intention of trying another DE in a long long time. I bought mine at an excellent price from the English Shaving Company, so as well as being a great shaver it's rather affordable too. I would recommend though that you buy the one I've linked to (with the ridged chrome handle for one extra pound in price), as I've found that the smooth handle on mine can be a little slippery. It comes with 5 Derby blades, but I've already found that I prefer Astra blades in mine - smoother shavers, and they last longer.
im still in that crazy long leraning curve so i also still use a DE to finish up and touch up areas that i cant get with the straight i found a lot of gillette DE on the ebay for cheap cleaned them up and started using them i really like the superspeed....gave one to my roommate after having to listen to him whine for 30 min about the price of the 5 blade face destroyers.....he seemed to like it pretty good
The fist DE I tried was a Gillette superspeed and always suggest them when people ask what safety razor to start with. As others have said they are a mild shaver and that's what makes them great for new shavers as it is hard(er) to cut ones self with them. They are also very cheap and easily found, this combined with a blade sampler pack and I think your boys will be on thier way to becoming proper wetshavers :)
Once they get the hang of it then they can decide to upgrade to more aggressive razors like the slant for closer shaves.
If you can get a Gillette Fatboy in good shape I would recommend that. However the mercur like the barber pole model is great. Stay away from the slant it's not for a beginner.
Hi Jim,
You might want to consider a Long Handle Classic (LHC) Merkur. I own this razor, as well as some of the other’s you mentioned. The LHC is an extremely forgiving razor, and was recommended to me by a very popular (DE and SE) vendor as the razor he used every day (I was buying a DE for my brother as a wedding present and asked his opinion for a great razor). I bought one for myself (in addition to one for my brother) and love it. It has the disadvantage of being a 3 piece razor (a little harder to load), as well as the advantage of being a 3 piece razor (including being able to inexpensively change handles, change heads from open comb to closed comb, etc.). You might even want to consider getting one of your sons a LHC open comb, and one a “classic” (shorter handle) closed comb. Between the 2 purchased razors, you could construct 4 different razors, and each son could customize the correct combination for himself (realizing, that both may select the same combination, requiring another razor purchase in the future).
Please feel free to PM or post other questions if I can be of further assistance.
V1
I am fairly new to DE razors myself, but have found that the British Rockets (Gillette razors) are a good razor. I have one and use it daily; I like it better than the Gillette super speed and blue-tip (the only other DE's I have and tried). My bro, when not using straight razors, goes to his Merkur HD, which I hear is a great razor too!
I hope this helps. Good luck with the gift!
As a gift I think something new, as opposed to a vintage, would be more appropriate and better appreciated. The vintages are more likely to be appreciated by someone who really get interested in DE shaving.
For new razors Merkur has lots of choices. I kind of like the 1904. I think it is a beauty. The nickel plate as opposed to chrome has a subtly more elegant look. It can be had in both "guard bar" and "open comb" configuration
The first image gives a much more accurate representation of the nickel plate.
+1. I have both, and though I don't consider myself a DE beginner anymore I can confidently recommend either one as a good choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Anyhow: Israeli Personna, Merkur Platinum, Derby. In that order. I use Merkur DEs exclusively (if that matters), and like the gentleness of the Israeli Personna blades. When using my open comb DE, the Merkur Platinum give an extra kick, as they
I appreciate the responses to my post. I bought son Sam (20) a Merkur HD34C based on my experience with the Slant 39C. Also picked up some Israeli Personna, Harris soap, a decent Vulfix super badger brush a chrome stand, a tube of Proraso cream, Nivea sensitive balm.....and some sample aftershaves and colognes. A pretty decent haul.
The best part was showing him my technique for mixing a great lather and offering some advice. He wanted a DE and appreciates that a mundane task is now cool, fun.....etc
Perhaps some day he'll use the straights I leave behind!!
Best to all, and Happy New Year.
Jim
It appears that your son is well on his way to some incredibly close and satisfying shaves. Congrats!
Is there a DE wiki on this site? all i can find is the str8 wiki. I'm mostly looking for tips on angle, kinds of razors, etc.
Hello, Salazch:
I don't seem to find information on DE shaving in the Wiki either. Unless I am staring at it and not seeing it.
This is a bit off topic, but I'll give you a quick rundown of my shaving method with a DE: I use almost the same method as with a straight razor, though with less stretching. With the straight I use both hands; with the DE mostly the right hand. Divide the face into geographical regions. Three passes, generally WTG, XTG and ATG. Keep the pressure low, and try not to go over the same spot too often to avoid razor burn. The preparation is the same, as is the post shave ritual.
Regards,
Obie
As far as DEs goes I like the Gillette Aristocrat. I think I still have it somewhere....
Also give him a sampler pack of blades. Different faces prefers different blades.
The first DE I used regularily was a Fatboy. If I'd had a choice,knowing what I know now, I might have chosen a Gillette Slim Adjustable for the slimmer head profile but the Fatboy certainly worked well for me. In fact any of the Gillette adjustables on the lower settings would work well for a beginner . The other possibility is of course the Tech. They are inexpensive, widely available and mild shavers.
Best Regards
goshawk
+1 on the Tech, I'd also recommend a Superspeed or Rocket for a beginner. I hear very good things about the Jagger razors, but I only have vintage Gillettes so really can't comment.