Thread: What is the best DE razor?

I find that at this time of my life I can't really fit straight razors into my routine. However I have moved away from cartridge razors and canned foam and want to take my DE shaving to the next step.

What is the best DE razor? Feather or Merkur?

Let me know the pros and cons.

I have a Merkur Slant 39C and a Edwin Jagger DE89L I like the EJ day to day and the 39C when i need to take off several days growth.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,
--Shoki

With DE razors and DE blades, I think it is more what you find works best for your beard type.

Mostly, I believe it is personal preference and trial to find the right combination for you.

My favorite is the Merkur 37or 39C slant. I also like the old Barbasol, the Gillette "New" Big Fellow, and the British Gillette Rocket. Any of those with a Feather or preferably a Gillette 'Swede' except I don't think you can get the Swedes anymore. Not sure, I haven't shaved DE in a couple of years.

Grump is right, in my eyes. What feels good for one may not feel good for another.

That said, the general consensus seems to be that the Feather is the best. But it's also 200 bucks, which pretty much guarantees that I'll never have one.

I have two safety razors myself- a Merkur 34C and a 1966 Gillette adjustable. I find the Merkur to be smoother on my face, while the adjustable can become a bit more aggressive (and give me a better shave.) So the Gillette wins by a small margin for me.

Which is the best? Why the one you have on hand of course. I use a Merkur HD 34c. I don't know if it's the best, but with some Astra, Treet or Feather blades, it suits me just dandy.


Mick

Shoki,

I would also consider trying an SE safety razor; the vintage GEM & Ever-Ready's came in a variety of models, and when paired with the GEM PTFE Coated Stainless blades are (for me) the best shaving safety razors I have ever used

All of the GEM/Ever-Ready's are well priced in the United States, usually running at prices much lower than vintage Gillettes.

The 1912 would be a good model to start with.

For DEs, try a vintage Gillette New Open Comb; they shave superbly and are priced well

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

There is no clear cut answer I can give to you. It's a journey to find your favorite razor. Some will work for you and be absolute crap for others. BUT if you stick with quality companies, you will find a razor that should last you for the rest of your life.

My personal favorite is the Gillette Fatboy with Rapira blades. Smooth and comfortable shaves.

Good luck finding your combination

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?