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Hello, its been a while since ive been on here, its just been a really bad year, but i finally went forth and got a safety razor, after today in the shower(i know bad picture)ive had enough and figured id go forth.. so my wife got me my first one for X-mas from the kids, i did a little looking around, and the best one i could find for the $$ and best ratings is this one, any thoughts? JR
Amazon.com: Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor: Health & Personal Care
It's a quality piece and should serve you well. Now starts the fun part figuring out which blade works best for you.
I hope so, to bad i have to wait till after X-mas, i ordered Wilkinson Sword Classic along with it, my neighbor said that they were what he used back in the day,, JRQuote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
This is the exact one that I use every day (most days.) I don't know why they call it the model 180 while other sites call it the 23C...
But anyway, I like it. It's got a very solid feel to it. It shaves well. Not very much else to say about it.
Thanks for the info, I've. Been after a good shave since I started 20 yrs ago, and every razor that I've tried, blade or electric, just hasn't cut it..(literally) so this is the next one to try, hope this works, cuz the only one left is the straight, and I'm to nerves for that.. JRQuote:
Originally Posted by THG
Not too man fans of (modern) Wilkinson blades out there. I'd recommend buying a blade sampler to see what works best for you and your razor.
Definitely get a sampler pack. I made a mistake of not doing that. I just went straight ahead and got a 100 pack of Astra blades.
So the blades I have tried so far are:
1. Merkur
2. Astra (Superior Platinum)
3. Shark (Super Stainless)
I started off with the Merkurs. They don't stay super sharp for long at all. They give a good first shave, though.
Astras are much sharper than either of the other two. I've been using them for months and months, and because they're so sharp, I think that might be the source of so much irritation and skin dryness that I've been getting much of the time.
I just tried a Shark today. While it's not even close to the sharpness of the Astra, it is a very smooth shaver. I can't tell the difference between the Astra shave and the Shark shave in terms of closeness, but my face feels a lot better.
I also got a pack of Derbys and Feathers that I'll be trying soon. Don't make the same mistake I did. Get a sampler pack (or a bunch of 5-packs of different brands) and see what's good for you. What works for you will be different from what works for me.
Astras, Feathers, and Personna Reds work well for me and my 23C.
Yeah, I know what you mean. The worst part of starting to shave with a straight is putting steel to your face for the first time and making that downward stroke.
But, after that, it only gets better.
Well I guess its good that I only got a few, and not 100. But thanks for the advice.. JR
Yea I made the ...mistake? of ordering the Wilkinson blades in a pack of 100 some time ago and I've been slowly going through them. There are better out there. Also depends if you get the German ones or the Asian. I prefer the feathers in all but the open comb DEs where they can really get aggressive.
The previous advice offered by my fellow SRP members on de blade purchase is right on the mark.
Get a blade sampler pack from an online vendor that contains the brands that they have suggested.
I used to swear by Wilkinson and Personna (blue) razor blades, but not anymore. Now the Gillette yellow and blue pack de razor blades have become my favorites.
If you want to know where you can get sampler packs, pm me. I know of at least two vendors who offer them in a wide variety at a reasonable price.
Does anyone know of where you can get a stand that holds all three in one, a safety razor, brush, and soap(kettle would be better) and even better be mounted in the shower?? im new to all this so please bare with me,, JR
Well if anyone is interested i did find one, i wont be using the razor that they give but the other one that the kids are giving me for X-mas, i just have to come up with some shelf for in the shower, maybe a corner pole? JRQuote:
Originally Posted by themadplumbarian
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846
Here's some:Quote:
Originally Posted by themadplumbarian
Mühle RHM8 Razor & Brush Stand with Bowl
http://www.thesuperiorshave.com/imag...RHM8CHROME.jpg
http://www.thesuperiorshave.com/imag...4Piece_Set.jpg
I started out with a Merkur 180 about this time last year and was very pleased with it. It seems to be very well made and I like the circumference and length of the handle better than most other razors.
It seems like questions from beginners with this razor pop up from time to time from them putting the base plate on upside down and wondering why it doesn't shave very well. It is pretty easy to do if you are new to safety razors.
Just don't use the Merkur stainless blade that came with it as your first blade unless you've had training in ATLS (Advance Trauma Life Support) and know a good plastic surgeon. Well, maybe not THAT bad, but MAN was that an aggressive shave. I actually returned the razor. Still using a Futur on occasion, a Feather AS D1 a LOT when I'm not SR shaving, but I've had several people tell me the same thing about the blades Merkur includes w/ their razors on another board. It's not just me. Be careful, and congratulations. YMMV.Quote:
Originally Posted by themadplumbarian
Looks very nice. I don't remember reading any posts from people who don't like Merkur. Merkur is my favorite DE razor. I have a different model but the head looks the same. One thing I would do is go with another make of blade. Not very many people like Merkur blades. My favorites are Medical Personna and Astra Superior Platinum. You might want to get a sampler pack from one of the vendors so you can try several brands and decide what you like best.Quote:
Originally Posted by themadplumbarian
Congratulations and now the process of finding the proper blade and the best razor for you.
Good luck.
Technically, Merkur's official model designation for the 180/23c is 23001. Whatever name one wants to give it, it is a good shaver.
I bought a Merkur vision 2000. Awesomely built razor but I find I don't use it much except when I'm away from home or when I'm in a rush to get out of the house and don't want to mess with the SRs. I do love the Merkur blades though. In regards to a stand etc I ended up when I made a 6 position stand for my SRs with a brush and soap holder I just drilled another hole just big enough for the handle. Sometimes it's easier to just make what you need than try and locate and purchase it. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention.
Well what ever the shaver is i like it, and it does well, my wife got me the stand for X-mas, but thats going to have to go, cause i spoke to a pottery maker, and hes going to make me a custom scuttle, his prices are very reasonable, and is willing to make me one to my standards. So im not going to have any room for everything, and since the scuttle will hold the brush, i just need something to hold the razor now. ah cant wait.. JR