Suggestion on first DE buy

Hello all,

I've been MIA from SRP for quite some time, missed it here. The point of this thread is to get some recommendations and suggestions on what kind of DE I should purchase. I am familiar with Straight Razors, but not so much with Safety Razors and am considering dabbling in that field.

SO any suggestions on what kind of DE I should purchase. I found some on Amazon. I prefer a new one, but a nice used good condition one will do. IN the price range of less than 60 (no big bucks here haha).

But I am also open to suggestions on what kind of DE blades that you guys have, and so forth.

Thanks,

Huizar6

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huizar6

Hello all,

I've been MIA from SRP for quite some time, missed it here. The point of this thread is to get some recommendations and suggestions on what kind of DE I should purchase. I am familiar with Straight Razors, but not so much with Safety Razors and am considering dabbling in that field.

SO any suggestions on what kind of DE I should purchase. I found some on Amazon. I prefer a new one, but a nice used good condition one will do. IN the price range of less than 60 (no big bucks here haha).

But I am also open to suggestions on what kind of DE blades that you guys have, and so forth.

Thanks,

Huizar6

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Huizar,

First welcome back to SRP...

As for your question...If you want to purchase a new DE razor, take a good look at the Merkur DEs. They come in a variety of styles and short or long handles. I own a Merkur HD or Heavy Duty and love it. I have several friends who I convinced to switch to DE razor shaving and they purchased the Merkur Classic. They love the shaves they receive from it.

There are a number of SRP members who really like the Edwin Jagger DES. They are quite stylish and also deliver top quality shaves.

Several of the vendors who advertise here at SRP sell DE razors. Check them out. There is also this site which has a wide variety of DE razors for sale: Double-Edge Safety Razor

If you're looking for vintage DE razors IMHO the vintage Gillette DEs can't be beat. You can probably find one in a local antique store or on ebay for a good price.

I hope that this helps.

Take care--and smooth shaving...

+1 on the Merkur DE's.

I have this one:

Merkur - Heavy Duty Double Edge Safety Razor (34C): Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty

Its a great little razor and very well made. I'd definately recommend them.!

Hello, Huizar6:

I cannot say enough good things about two of my favorite double edge razors: the Edwin Jagger L89 and the Muhle Pinsel R89.

I like the Merkurs, as well, and have had them through the years. The Edwin Jagger and the Muhle Pinsel, however, I still prefer. I find them slightly milder than the Merkurs, and their workmanship is impeccable.

Regards,
Obie

As far as blades go a sampler pack from an outfit such as West Coast Shaving here is a good way to go. When I was still shaving with DEs a couple of years ago the best blades for me were the Gillette Swede or the Feather DE blade.

The former was the sharpest and smoothest while the latter was equally sharp but slightly less smooth to my particular mug. The Derby blade and Israeli Personna were also popular back then. Wilkinsons were good and Merkur blades seemed to be love them or hate them depending on the individual. I always thought they were good.

This is why a sampler pack is a good idea. If you do a search for DE blades on forums you would be amazed at the differing opinions on which are good and which are not. A very individual thing. For razors the Merkur HD mentioned previously is frequently recommended as a starter razor.

The Gillette Super Speeds tend to be mild shavers while the adjustables give you a bit of choice in terms of mild to aggressive and the Gillettes have the TTO (twist to open) feature which is convenient. My favorite Gillette was probably the Red TIp Super Speed. Gillettes are plentiful used. The Merkur is a two piece and there is nothing wrong with that but it is not as convenient AFAIC.

+1 on the sampler pack. I was lucky to find one of the cheapest blades (Red Personna) works best for me. Sharper is not necessarily better as far as DE blades are concerned - in contrast to straights, skin irritation is a bigger factor with DE's and the sharper Feathers and Swedes tend to do that more often.

Same principle applies to the razors themselves. The more aggresive razors like the older open comb gilletes can give you weepers very quickly.

As to your razor purchase, there really are two camps - do you want a vintage razor or a new one? For vintage razors, there are tons of Gillettes out there to experiment with. They look classy and are well made. Check ebay and some of the DE oriented forums' classifieds.

For modern, Merkurs are pretty hard to beat. Easy to use and also well built. Look around at the online vendor sites like SRP, Vintage Blades. For Merkurs, the Heavy Duty (34c) and its variants are popular to start with, or as a one and only razor. I personally like the version of the heavy duty with the heavier barberpole handle (38c). I have not used it in sometime, but I take it along when I travel.

Another + for the Merkur is you can pick one up for very little money up front.

It's a pretty good deal for a nice DE. I got a Merkur "1904" open comb for $23+ S&H and couldn't be happier with it.

A Merkur would be a good choice. However, the new Edwin Jagger/Muhle razors are excellent as well. I'm using straight mostly now, but I still have four DE razors. I kept one Merkur 38c and 3 of the EJ/Muhle razors -- Chatsworth Barley, Bog Oak and Stylo African Black Wood. I picked up the EJ/Muhle razors at bestgroomingtools.com

+1,000 on the blade sampler pack. Different people like different blades.

As for which razor, I haven't tried any of the new production models. I'm kinda partial to the vintage ones. Dad used a Gillette Super Speed and that's what I learned on. I picked up a Super Speed and an old Gillette 3 piece old type at an antique store for $4.50 each. Cleaned 'em up and the Super Speed looks almost new. I polished the 3 piece and it looks good now too. Pics. of them before clean up are here http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ought-des.html

After clean up are here http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ing-guess.html

3 piece from bought condition to after polishing are here http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...p-project.html

If you go new, I would suggest looking at the Edwin Jagger razors. They're wonderful. Interestingly, I hear they actually use Merkur heads for many of their models, but I find they tend to have a more classy look (IMO, of course).

Count me as another one agreeing on the blade sampler; you never know which blade will work best for you. I personally found Derby to be my perfect go-to blade, but I know plenty of others prefer different brands.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vulcan500rider

If you go new, I would suggest looking at the Edwin Jagger razors. They're wonderful. Interestingly, I hear they actually use Merkur heads for many of their models, but I find they tend to have a more classy look (IMO, of course).

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Hello, Vulcan500rider:

You are so right about the classy looks and the quality of the Edwin Jagger double edge razors. The old Edwin Jaggers used Merkur heads. The new models, however, use the Muhle-Pinsel shave heads. Unless, of course, further changes have taken place in recent months.

Regards,
Obie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vulcan500rider

If you go new, I would suggest looking at the Edwin Jagger razors. They're wonderful. Interestingly, I hear they actually use Merkur heads for many of their models, but I find they tend to have a more classy look (IMO, of course).

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You guys are bad. I haven't heard about these since I have not used a DE in a long time. Despite that, I find myself thinking of buying one! yeah, they do look nice.

My dear Ray:

I know what you mean. I shave straight, but I have kept the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley in my rotation for variation. Also I use it when in an absolute rush.

The other day I ordered a Muhle-Pinsel R89, because I couldn't resist it. That is really a well made razor, and gorgeous, that along with the EJ's. They both use the Muhle-Pinsel shave head.

I had sold all my Merkurs, Edwin Jaggers — except for the barley — and the Muhle-Pinsel R89. Now I plan to include the Muhle in the rotation, too, just for variation. By the way, my Feather Artists Club straight has remained in the rotation — I didn't want to hurt its feelings.

Regards,
Obie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Vulcan500rider:

You are so right about the classy looks and the quality of the Edwin Jagger double edge razors. The old Edwin Jaggers used Merkur heads. The new models, however, use the Muhle-Pinsel shave heads. Unless, of course, further changes have taken place in recent months.

Regards,
Obie

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Thanks for that, Obie; I didn't realize that EJs had stopped using Merkur heads. That might explain some of the claims I've heard that EJs typically have a nicer chrome finish to them than the Merkurs--though I can't substantiate those claims, as I only own the EJ.

I can't get rid of the DE, even now that I'm starting to use straights. For now, it serves for my ATG pass (still working toward getting a BBS with the straight, so I often need an ATG touchup). Hopefully in the future it will just be for use when I'm in a hurry.

Hello, Vulcan:

Yes, now the Edwin Jaggers use the Muehle-Pinsel shave heads. They are beautifully made and great shavers. I like the Merkur razors, too, mind you, but I do prefer the Edwin Jagger and the Muehle Pinsel.

I no longer have my Merkur razors. I have kept my Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley, and I have a Muehle-Pinsel on the way. I do have a pair of Gillette Super Speeds, including a Red Tip, which I have restored, but I don't particularly like Gillettes and never use mine.

It's all a matter of taste and preference, really. Some gentlemen swear by the same Gillettes I don't particularly like, some by the Merkurs, and some, as I, by the Edwin Jaggers and Muehle-Pinsels. So it goes. What matters is what the shaver prefers.

If you need to use the double edge in the hard spots on your face, I don't see anything wrong with it. As you say, eventually you will not depend on the double edge except when in a rush.

Regards,
Obie

Well, since nobody else seems to have said it, my vote is for a 40s or 50s Gillette, probably a Superspeed. I know of nothing better and there are plenty of bargains around.

Did somebody mention blade sampler packs? You pretty much need to get one because blades are a personal thing. Try to stick with each type of blade for a week or more before deciding whether they're for you or not. Once you find out what you really like, buy a lot, because if you don't chances are they'll get discontinued - this happened to me with the UK made Wilkinson Sword blades, and Swedish Gillettes. Once I found my replacement for these (Super Iridium, for what it's worth) I bought a thousand, even though I use a straight 90% of the time - once bitten ...

I agree about giving a new blade brand a decent test. I've tried blades and been underwhelmed at first, then later decided I liked them. As to the question about best DE razor for a newbie: I'm a firm believer in the Merkur HD. I love the old Gillettes, but I think its probably best to develop a good technique prior to starting in on them. Knowing what works for yourself, and having a good idea exactly which razors would satisfy you could save a LOT of time and money.

+1 on Edwin Jagger 89L

To the OP,

I'd suggest starting out with a fixed head razor. Get to know your angles and get a good feel for DE shaving before moving on to adjustables. Adjustables are nice, especially for the experienced shaver, but it's yet another variable to think about when you're just starting out.

Oh, and +1 for Merkur...

Hello, baby123:

The Edwin Jagger L89 double edge razor is one of the best made today. The shave head is by Muhler-Pinsel, whose own version of the razor is the R89. They are both fabulous double edge razor. The R89 usually costs a little more. The workmanship on the razors is impeccable and the shave quite comfortable. Either razor would be my recommendation for you.

Regards,
Obie