Thread: More aggressive DE?

So I've been shaving with straights for a couple years now and actually found joy in a task that used to be at best a necessary evil. Unfortunately, i love to sleep and often find myself getting up late and without adequate time for a properly paced straight shave in the morning. Thus, I've ben relegated to Mach 3 shaves more times a week than i'd like to admit.

Anyway, this frustration has led me to pick up my first DEs to be used when i am too lazy (or short on time) to give myself a straight shave. Based on a decent amount of research and a desire to start inexpensive with DEs, i bought a Jagger de89lbl and 1956 super speed.

I had my first shave using a derby extra on the Jagger and was shocked (in a good way) on the quality of this first shave. I admittedly had a bit of trouble keeping a consistent and effective blade angle but finished the shave thinking "heck, i don't think I could have cut myself if i wanted." so, here is my question...

Should i already start thinking of picking up a more aggressive (or adjustable) razor (as the shave wasn't as close as my dubl duck 13/16) or should i give it a few more weeks of play before i start looking? If i do decide to get another DE, does anyone have a suggestion of a decent step up in aggressiveness in the <50$us price range?

Before you respond, keep in mind that I have a slight problem with acquiring shaving supplies and will probably get something in the next month no matter what.

Also, just replaced my jemico russian with a srd English bridal and am really in love. It's just a joy to strop with it.

Well, I'm no expert and it sounds like you'll be buying anyway, but here goes...

If the DE doesn't seem as aggressive as the straight, that's because DE's aren't as aggressive. With a DE, you can expect to take more passes of beard reduction to get the same effect as 1-2 passes with a straight.

If you want to get a more aggressive DE for under $50, I might suggest the Merkur Futur adjustable, which can be found for right around $50 on the B&B buy/sell/trade (b/s/t) forum if you look a bit. If you really want to get aggressive, you can also look for the Merkur 39C "slanthammer." It's a slant so it may present a bit of a curve in getting used to it but it delivers mightily in the aggression department. The 39C can also be found for under $50 on B&B b/s/t forum.

anaxalotl,

If you don't mind pre-owned razors, I would suggest you try an 'E' model Schick Injector, or one of the GEM/Ever-Ready models.

These can be found for very little monies, and shave great

Not DEs, but great razors none the less.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

As well as the razor, blade selection has a role to play. I don't know what blades you have tried other than Derby but I find them to give a mild shave where as Feathers, Super Irridiums give a more agressive shave. I'm not a fan of either of those blades but many are I find that Gillette Super Thins and teh Yellow boxed 7 o'clocks give me the best balance but everyone is different.

The Merkur Futur is an excellent razor with a broad range of adjustment so you can set the level of aggressiveness. Some people find it too bulky to use easily and think the blade changing and on the fly adjustment is dangerous. Personally I think that although you need to adjust your technique a little due the the size its fins and I can't see why it would be dangerous although if I do adjust it while shaving I tend to hold the head with a towel just in case.

Also worth a try if you are in a hurry are Bic Sensitives yes the cheap orange single blade disposables, not aesthetically pleasing but a great performer none the less. Had I discovered them before DE's I may never have developed RAD!

Merkur Vision, Gillette adjustable, Barbasol, Gillette red tip super speed and the fore mentioned Merkur slant are all considered aggressive.

Originally Posted by PhatMan

anaxalotl,

If you don't mind pre-owned razors, I would suggest you try an 'E' model Schick Injector, or one of the GEM/Ever-Ready models.

These can be found for very little monies, and shave great

+1 IMHO, the stiffer, thicker blades of a single edge make them pretty comparable to a straight razor shave with regard to quality. Were I you, my target razor would be a 1912 Gem Jr. You can likely pick one up on The Bay fairly economically. Apply some Scrubbing Bubbles and elbow grease with a toothbrush and your off. SE blades can generally be found on line or at a local Walgreens or CVS. I haven't found a DE to compare with one of these (or a straight) for aggessiveness. However, if you insist on a DE I'd recommend a Gillette Old Style, or a Fatboy or Slim Adjustable (slammed to 9 of course). These are also pretty readily available on The Bay or in the classified of one of the many shave forums.

Is your 1956 super speed a red tip?? I have the 56 red tip and love it and my son tried it and he stole it from me!!!!!

Originally Posted by anaxolotl

Should i already start thinking of picking up a more aggressive (or adjustable) razor (as the shave wasn't as close as my dubl duck 13/16) or should i give it a few more weeks of play before i start looking? If i do decide to get another DE, does anyone have a suggestion of a decent step up in aggressiveness in the <50$us price range?

Lots of good suggestions above, but even with a Feather, I do not think that any of them will give you a shave as close as your DD, just more irritation.

If you still want to try a more aggressive razor and blade combo (and I am betting you will ), I would wait until you are getting completely BBS shaves with your present setup, ie when you have perfected your technique.

The reputation of the Merkur slants is based on what they look like, not how they shave. A Progress on 4 is more aggressive.
I think the adjustables have more capability of aggression. So with Gillette that would mean the Super Adjustable because this worked with a wider range of settings than those that went before it.

Originally Posted by BruceOnShaving

The reputation of the Merkur slants is based on what they look like, not how they shave. A Progress on 4 is more aggressive.
I think the adjustables have more capability of aggression. So with Gillette that would mean the Super Adjustable because this worked with a wider range of settings than those that went before it.

I just bought a 39c Slant it dosen't seem any more "agressive" than my 178. Guess I need to give it a few more shaves but I seem to get good yet similar results from both.