My Five Aces

Gentlemen,

If I were to go away for a long time and take five double edge razors with me, I would take what I call my Five Aces. They are the following, in no particular order:

1. Gillette Aristocrat (1948)
2. Gillette Fatboy (late 1950s)
3. Edwin Jagger 89 modified in the iKon Bulldog handle
4. Muhle Sophist in the light buffalo horn
5. Merkur Progress

They would be accompanied with my Five Aces in blades:

1. Feather
2. Super Iridium
3. Personna red
4. Gillette 7 O'Clock yellow
5. Derby

Gentlemen, what about you? What are your Five Aces?

I know a lot more important things are going on around the world, but it's a cloudy Monday afternoon here in the province and I'm sitting around with a cup of tea and don't feel like doing a thing.

Obie, is your Aristocrat an adjustable?

My list is short as I have only tried a few DEs and tried only one brand of blade so far.

DE
1. New York Shaving Company TTO tied with my Classic Gillette black Handle TTO.
2. Gillette Blue tip TTO.
3. Gillette Travel (3 piece).

Blades
1. Personna Red (only one I have tried so far, but very satisfied).

I am looking for an Aristocrat for less than $40 (wish me luck), and I have feather blades on their way.

Hello,
No, mine is the glorious TTO non-adjustable from around 1948. I just love the Aristocrat.
Yes, good luck in finding an Aristocrat for under $40. On the other hand, you might find one in need of makeup.

If I find an Aristocrat that needs some love and care, I'm definately willing to send it out for cleanup and plating. I just haven't found the right one yet.

I am with you Obie, as far as my favorite DE goes, mine is my 1946-47 Aristocrat, it is just a wonderful shaver, and I can't help but wonder who it was bought for as I shave with it. I also love my 1958 Red Tip.

#3 would be my Merkur Slant
#4 would be my 1914 Ever Ready SE
#5 is a 1951 Gillette Black Tip that just does a great job.

I hope you will allow me to slip that one SE into the group!!

Feathers are the prefered blade, but not in my slant, it is just a little much. Red Persona, Gillette 7 O'Colck Yellow and my stash of English Wilkinson Sword blades are my go to blades.

Will N.

1. '46-47 Aristocrat
2. Edwin Jagger 89 w. barley handle
3. '53 Gillette Super Speed
4. 30's Gillette "new" open comb
5. '61 Fat Boy

If I were to replace one (and it would be very tough) I would move my 1912 Gem Jr. from the 40's into my #2, (it's a SE) and leave the open comb off the list (but I like it very much and would certainly miss it).

As for blades:
1. Yellow 7 o'clock
2. Feather
3. Astra
4. Shark
5. Derby

My list would kind of be short too
1. Gillette Slim Adj.
2. Merkur Progress, short handle
3. EJ 89

blades
1. Astra
2. Dorco
3. Vintage Gillette thin, gold blades

those are my aces :)

Hmm.....if this was a DE only choice, then:

1) Apollo 2-piece
2) Fasan OC Slant
3) Brit Aristocrat Jr.
4) Cooncatbob modified Progress
5) NEW Deluxe Belmont

Blades -

1) Feather
2) Permasharp

No others.

If this was a Safety razor choice then -

1) ER Streamline
2) GEM Junior LC
3) Apollo
4) Fasan
5) 'Crat Jr.

Blades would have the addition of the GEM 'Ted Pella' SE blades.

And I thought I was goung to see 5 Genco Easy Aces.:nono:
Just kidding:D

I don't use more than 1 DE razor, but I have quite a few.
Hoffritz Slant
Nothing else comes close, so I guess I'm just ace high. LOL
I wouldn't consider anything else even a face card, well maybe a Hoffritz HD or the Merkur Futur.

Blades:
Feather or Kai

"Well they can't all be winners, can they." -- Billy Bob Thorton, "Bad Santa"