First Shave With a Safety

Ive been after a good shave, i have yet to have one, and have tried every thing that has come out, except the $300 electric, safety and a strait, ive been toying with the notion of a strait, but have been to nerves about them, so i got a safety for x-mas, so today was the first time i could use it, as i lathered up, i said to myself, i dont think this is going to cut it another waist, since its been a few days since ive had a shave this is going to be rough, so i took one swipe, didnt feel anything and said ha, i knew it wouldnt do it! so when i looked in the mirror, there was nothing there, no lather, nor hair! oh wow tell me i found something that's going to work, so i finished the shave, had no problem, no rough pulls(my big problem) and after i dried off, i let my wife look it over and she gave it her approval, its been 6hrs and its still so smooth, i am so shocked, looks like i have me a winner!! JR

Congratulations on a superior beginning, and here's to even better shaves in your future. What kind of safety razor was it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ace

Congratulations on a superior beginning, and here's to even better shaves in your future. What kind of safety razor was it?

---

A Merkur Model 180 Long Handled, gotta get used to the balance of the heavy head.. but i think well worth it! JR

Yep, give it some time. Any new tool requires patience and experience.

Now that i looked at the page it was ordered off of, its not the razor that was ordered, its a Merkur 20C, but its not black but gray, i dont see it anywhere, is it a imitation? JR

If your first shave with a DE razor was that good:

. . . don't ask any questions !!!!

Just keep using the razor and whatever blade was in it.<g>

. . Charles

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by themadplumbarian

Now that i looked at the page it was ordered off of, its not the razor that was ordered, its a Merkur 20C, but its not black but gray, i dont see it anywhere, is it a imitation? JR

---

Is it the one with the rubber jacket on the handle?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by THG

Is it the one with the rubber jacket on the handle?

---

Theres no rubber, its bare, but with a really rough grip.. i read somewhere that its not rubber, but just colored? JR

From what I see the 20C is a good razor and is at West Coast Shaving. For comparison purposes, Amazon has both razors you mentioned (and prices listed). Unless you're unhappy with the razor or somehow the razor you have, sold for less than the 180 and you feel you (or the buyer) didn't get full money's worth--you seem to have found a good one. If you google both models you can compare information about them as well. I use vintage Gillettes and Gem's when I don't use a straight; however, many really like the Merkurs (and I probably will use one or more too sooner or later).

But if it works, enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oldsCool

From what I see the 20C is a good razor and is at West Coast Shaving. For comparison purposes, Amazon has both razors you mentioned (and prices listed). Unless you're unhappy with the razor or somehow the razor you have, sold for less than the 180 and you feel you (or the buyer) didn't get full money's worth--you seem to have found a good one. If you google both models you can compare information about them as well. I use vintage Gillettes and Gem's when I don't use a straight; however, many really like the Merkurs (and I probably will use one or more too sooner or later).

But if it works, enjoy.

---

The 20c is $14 more then the 180 on amazon, (so long as its black) i cant find it in gray, i was just after something that had a high satisfactory rating for my first safety, but its got a good grip, a little thin, over all, the only thing that im not liking is the heavy head, but thats going to be any safety so i just got to get used to it. the other thing i was curious is that if it is a fake, since i cant find it in gray? everything else on it matches, just not the black part, and what is the real description, some say its plastic, some all metal? sorry if i sound too concerned, JR

I think it's excellent that you decided to start with a safety. If and when you decide to start straight razor shaving, you will have an excellent fall-back device that you can use to either clean up your shaves with the straight, something to use if you don't have time to use your straight, or just plain variety.

Eventually, as you learn to use your straight, you may come upon a time when you don't need your safety to clean up your shaves with a straight. Even so, I'm sure you'll always find time for your DE.

Congratulations.

Here's a pic of it, it looks the same of as the Merkur20c but no black,, i just can't find it anywhere in gray? it has a head symbol on the bottom of the handle so im guessing its a true? JR
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...s/100_1284.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../merker20c.jpg

If its a Merkur, I surmise that it is a good razor. I have a 34C Hd Heavy Duty, my first De razor, and I love it.

After six months of shaving with it, I switched over to straight razor shaving. However, when I'm in a hurry I always grab my trusty Merkur.

I even bought a Merkur Progress adjustable for my son for Christmas.

Has anyone tried a Merkur stash trimmer, or know how big the head is? JR

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by themadplumbarian

Here's a pic of it, it looks the same of as the Merkur20c but no black,, i just can't find it anywhere in gray? it has a head symbol on the bottom of the handle so im guessing its a true? JR
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...s/100_1284.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../merker20c.jpg

---

Hmm. I've never seen that one before. Now that you mention yours isn't rubber, I'm actually not sure if the black one is rubber in the first place. I've never seen gray before, though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by themadplumbarian

Has anyone tried a Merkur stash trimmer, or know how big the head is? JR

---

I haven't tried it personally, but I have heard people say that it's not worth it because the blades are so bad (people are not generally fond of Merkur blades.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by THG

Hmm. I've never seen that one before. Now that you mention yours isn't rubber, I'm actually not sure if the black one is rubber in the first place. I've never seen gray before, though.



I haven't tried it personally, but I have heard people say that it's not worth it because the blades are so bad (people are not generally fond of Merkur blades.)

---

As ive been looking around for info on the Merkur, ive herd that the black one is not rubber just color, and just a deep groove, that makes it a good grip, thats were they come up with rubber. and ill vouch for that on mine, it dont move, even in the shower.

And thanks for the input on the trimmer, JR

merkur actually does make a flat silver long handled model, but I am not sure that is one. All the DH long handles i've seen have had a sort of round/flanged kind of end, where yours is bullet shaped. Could be new or a model I'm unfamiliar with, however. Is it a 2 or 3 piece razor? I'm curious, but it doesn't really matter that much. Ultimately the brand matters less than whether a razor gives you great shaves (sometimes I use a Yuma).`

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sargon

merkur actually does make a flat silver long handled model, but I am not sure that is one. All the DH long handles i've seen have had a sort of round/flanged kind of end, where yours is bullet shaped. Could be new or a model I'm unfamiliar with, however. Is it a 2 or 3 piece razor? I'm curious, but it doesn't really matter that much. Ultimately the brand matters less than whether a razor gives you great shaves (sometimes I use a Yuma).`

---

Three, I think, the top,middle, and handle? It has on the end of the handle a stamp of merkur head, I'm just curious cause I can't. Find it in the gray, but its the same thing as the black one, maybe they forgot to paint it, lol. JR

I wasn't aware that merkur had colored handle versions of it's long handled 3 piece razors, but that does seem to be what it probably is. If so, it should be similar to their better known 38c (which actually comes in the matte/grey color), but probably be a little lighter and more agile. Should indeed be a heck of a shave.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sargon

I wasn't aware that merkur had colored handle versions of it's long handled 3 piece razors, but that does seem to be what it probably is. If so, it should be similar to their better known 38c (which actually comes in the matte/grey color), but probably be a little lighter and more agile. Should indeed be a heck of a shave.

---

In the post above I put a pic of a merkur 20c in thus is a black handle, yet mine is not, but I can't find it anywhere plain like mine. I must say it is very light weight except the head! That I have to get used to, but sooo worth it, I can't wait to shave again, and I was never one who liked it! Needless to say I have another puck and a mug on order, should be here tomorrow, I wanted a scuttle, but just can't find what I'm looking for.. JR

I did a little more looking, and managed to find other links to that razor, but, like you, they were more or less all in black handle. But, since the 38 models come in the matte coloring like yours, and they do make the 3 piece long handle with colored handles, it seems like that is what you have. It's just not a very well known
model here in the US, so it seems that I've learned something new about Merkurs. :>

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sargon

I did a little more looking, and managed to find other links to that razor, but, like you, they were more or less all in black handle. But, since the 38 models come in the matte coloring like yours, and they do make the 3 piece long handle with colored handles, it seems like that is what you have. It's just not a very well known
model here in the US, so it seems that I've learned something new about Merkurs. :>

---

Well what ever it is im happy with it, i just need to get used to the heavy head.. got me a new shaving mug, came with a puck, so i dropped it in since i have another in the bowl, same with the brush, since i have two, so now i can choose which one im in the mood for. kinda leaning to one over the other though.. just wish i could find the perfect scuttle, ive been looking just cant find what im after, closest one is the one out of Australia, just not going to pay more for shipping then the actual scuttle, Colonel Conk makes one, but ive herd bad things, like the puck doesnt even fit in the top, if the top was lower, and the puck fit, i would have grabbed that one, oh well, only time will tell,, JR

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by themadplumbarian

Well what ever it is im happy with it, i just need to get used to the heavy head.. got me a new shaving mug, came with a puck, so i dropped it in since i have another in the bowl, same with the brush, since i have two, so now i can choose which one im in the mood for. kinda leaning to one over the other though.. just wish i could find the perfect scuttle, ive been looking just cant find what im after, closest one is the one out of Australia, just not going to pay more for shipping then the actual scuttle, Colonel Conk makes one, but ive herd bad things, like the puck doesnt even fit in the top, if the top was lower, and the puck fit, i would have grabbed that one, oh well, only time will tell,, JR

---

Avoid the old style scuttles that is supposed to fit a puck, they aren't that practical. What you want is a modern scuttle made to keep your lather warm. Keep the puck in it's original container.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blix

Avoid the old style scuttles that is supposed to fit a puck, they aren't that practical. What you want is a modern scuttle made to keep your lather warm. Keep the puck in it's original container.

---

Im all new to this, so not to sound dumb, but keep the puck in a mug, get the lather in the mug, then transfer and whip it in the newer type scuttle? all while the brush gets cold? JR

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by themadplumbarian

Im all new to this, so not to sound dumb, but keep the puck in a mug, get the lather in the mug, then transfer and whip it in the newer type scuttle? all while the brush gets cold? JR

---

Personally I don't see the usefulness in a mug either... :) Load your soap in whatever it came in (plastic container, ceramic tub etc) or if you bought a refill puck, a mug might work..
Just wet the brush, shake it a few time to get rid of excess water, then load it on the soap for say 30 seconds, then whip up the lather in the scuttle. You'll be rewarded with nice and warm lather for all passes... :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blix

Personally I don't see the usefulness in a mug either... :) Load your soap in whatever it came in (plastic container, ceramic tub etc) or if you bought a refill puck, a mug might work..
Just wet the brush, shake it a few time to get rid of excess water, then load it on the soap for say 30 seconds, then whip up the lather in the scuttle. You'll be rewarded with nice and warm lather for all passes... :)

---

Im in the middle of having a custom scuttle made. Basicaly the newer type but with a brush warmer and a lid.. cant wait!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by themadplumbarian

Ive been after a good shave, i have yet to have one, and have tried every thing that has come out, except the $300 electric, safety and a strait, ive been toying with the notion of a strait, but have been to nerves about them, so i got a safety for x-mas, so today was the first time i could use it, as i lathered up, i said to myself, i dont think this is going to cut it another waist, since its been a few days since ive had a shave this is going to be rough, so i took one swipe, didnt feel anything and said ha, i knew it wouldnt do it! so when i looked in the mirror, there was nothing there, no lather, nor hair! oh wow tell me i found something that's going to work, so i finished the shave, had no problem, no rough pulls(my big problem) and after i dried off, i let my wife look it over and she gave it her approval, its been 6hrs and its still so smooth, i am so shocked, looks like i have me a winner!! JR

---

I too recently switched to a safety razor, Merkur HD 34C. I switched from cartridge razors to a straight about 5 months ago and have enjoyed using the straight, but it still takes me a while to shave with it since I'm still learning to use it. The safety for me is a good weekday razor. I have been very impressed with how well the safety razor works and how easy it is to use. After a few months I think I'm going to put a Merkur 37C Slant into my arsenal.

I've been thinking about picking up a DE safety as well. Leaning toward the Jagger 89. From my little bit of research, it's on par with the Merkur and read it performed marginally better for the same price.

Anyone got 2 cents to throw in?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BossManBill

I've been thinking about picking up a DE safety as well. Leaning toward the Jagger 89. From my little bit of research, it's on par with the Merkur and read it performed marginally better for the same price.

Anyone got 2 cents to throw in?

---

Try this thread (which I started):

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ristocrat.html

If it doesn't convince you to get the EJ, nothing will.

Charles

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BossManBill

I've been thinking about picking up a DE safety as well. Leaning toward the Jagger 89. From my little bit of research, it's on par with the Merkur and read it performed marginally better for the same price.

Anyone got 2 cents to throw in?

---

I've not read the thread cpcohen1945 was kind enough to link for you. I'll be doing that after this, but, I will say that I have the EJ89l (lined handle) and I absolutely love it. I normally shave with my straight, but I'm not good enough to have the perfect shave with it yet. That will come in time, I'm sure. If I absolutely have to look good, I will clean up with the EJ and it does a great job. Not only that, but it's easy to use. For me, I never get razorburn with it (unless I go crazy) and it's very easy to take apart and maintain. There are no parts to will wear out and break like on a butterfly style DE.

Plus when you open the box you'll think you have a work of art. The chrome is shiny and flawless.

By the way, even my wife uses it. We have Derby and Feather blades. I prefer the Feathers.

Thanks for the link. Definitely sealed the deal. I'm gonna grab one to help finish my straight shaves. (Still a newbie)