Thread: What is the best DE razor?

I prefer my Muhle R106. It's my only modern razor (right now).

Pros:
-Smooth head unlike my Gillette TTOs (you notice the little bar that sticks up on the TTOs after using this)
-Weight - it isn't too heavy, but not light either
-Design, it can carve through anything easily (especially with a sharp blade) without the fear of irritation
-It is also VERY easy to clean!!
-Muhle takes care of you if anything happens (I had a problem with my handle and notified Muhle...within 2 weeks of e-mailing them I had a replacement handle in my hand...Thanks Muhle!)

Cons:
-3-piece desing makes it so you may cut yourself (you have to try to though)
-It's closed comb, so not as aggressive as other razors (if that is a con for you)

I hope it helps.

My razor footprint is fairly large and encompasses SE, DE and straight razors. More times than not, the safety razors are used on my dome and my face shaves are about 85-90% straight razor. Before taking to the straight razor, most of my shaves were from SE Gems/Ever Readys. The DE razors came out every once in a while but they never really had the spot in my heart that SE razors did. Not to suggest that DE razors weren't fine and functional shave gear but the SE razors seemed to be just a bunch more aggressive. In fact, now that I shave with a straight, SE razors are really the best simulation of a straight razor shave out there. I've never shaved with a "new school" DE but based on what I have in my rotation here are my picks in order of preference:

SE
Gem Lather Catcher
1912 Gem Jr.
Micromatic Open Comb (My first safety razor ever. It takes some bad press because it is REALLY aggressive and pretty quirky with regard to blade angle and pressure but once you figure all this out, it's consistently a damn fine shave)

DE
1960 Gillette Fatboy (Cranked up to the higher settings this razor is plenty aggressive and has a nice heft to it.)
1908 Gillette Single Ring (Open Comb 3 piece, probably the most aggressive DE I own)
Gillette Tech (Ball End or Fat Handle) Techs in general are pretty mild mannered (some say anemic) but the heavier models tend to shave consistently pretty decent

This! (kidding....of course!) Hay Shoki! Where ya been?