Thread: Gift to beginner -- which DE razor?

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

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.