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I know this is completely an opinion question, but I'm open to all suggestions. What is a good DE razor for someone whose never shaved with one? I do use a straight but am now obsessed with all things,not cartridges, shaving. Any comments will be considered and appreciated.
Ronny
My personal go to is the Merkur slant, when I'm not using a straight.
I like my Edwin Jagger DE89 "barley". It's fairly mild, safe even with Feather blades.
If you want something _really_ mild, the Weishi (aluminum, made in China, and around $12 including postage) is a good choice.
I also have (and have used) a Gillette Tech. They're inexpensive on the used market, and work OK. But since I got the EJ, the Tech hasn't been used much.
. Charles
I started with a vintage long handle Gillette adjustable before I went to single edge razors, then to straights. The Gillette is a good razor and it gives me a good close shave with multi passes, but many guys consider them pretty mild. I don't know as I only have the Gillette for a DE and then went in other directions before acquiring multiple DE's.
I will still shave with it for kicks now and then. Funny, when I first started non-cartridge shaving, the DE blade took some getting used to. I was setting it on 3-4 then. After adjusting to the single edge and then a straight, the DE is permanently set on "9" and I don't even feel it, it feels so mild.
Just to help your RAD a bit--If you're really looking for a nice shave from a safety razor. Look for a patent 1912 GEM, GEM Jr, Every Ready, or STAR single edge. These 100 year old razors give a nice close shave, are easy to handle, and come close to resembling the shave you can get with a straight. I use my 1912's for travel razors so I don't have to carry a strop on the road and I can shave anywhere. You can find them regularly on ebay. Keep an eye on a bunch of them and grab one that's falling through the cracks and not too expensive at end of auction. They can also be had at local antique shops from time to time.
Enjoy!
All of the suggestions above are good. I too like my EJ89Barley, but I would suggest a Gillette super speed. If you can get a 40's model (pre-1955) that would be cool, but all of them are great first DE razors and any of them will last a life time. You can get them for less than $20 bucks on a pretty regular basis on the bay and there's not much that can go wrong with them. Many also like the tech.The GEM or Gem Jr. 1912 was made for decades and they are available cheaply too and work great. I love my straights, but for travel I usually pack a DE. GL.
Hello Ronny:
The British Edwin Jagger razors are fabulous, not only in their workmanship, but also in the silky way they shave. Muhle of Germany produces their shave heads. Muhle razors are also exquisite. The Edwin Jagger 89 "barley" is a good choice. There are other models of Edwin Jaggers and all superb.
The Parker 92R and 99R are both TTO (twist to open) and quite mild. They are similar to the Gillette Super Speeds from the 1950s an the '60s. You'll do well with any of these razors.
Merkur's 34C HD is a little razor and quite popular. It is a touch more aggressive than the Edwin Jaggers. The 38C "barber pole" is also popular.
If I were starting out with the double edge razor, I would choose the Edwin Jagger 89 "barley." It's a beautifully balanced razor and well worth the try as your first razor. Of course, what strikes your fancy is what matters.
A big +1 on the Gem SE razors. I have three 1912, a Micromatic open comb, a 1912 Damaskeene and a 1912 Gem Jr.
Attachment 90349
I stated with a Merkur 34C and then picked-up a Gillette Milord on eBay for $11.
Today was the first day using he Milord with Merkur blades and it was a really nice shave. I tried a 7am blade in my 34C nd didn't like it at all. I don't think you can go wrong with a vintage Gillette.
I own the merkur progress as well as a few other gillette's and a weishi.....I love the merkur out of all....I'm sure you would too as a beginner...it is a bit on the pricey side though...a weishi might be a great choice for a start razor
The Merkur 34C (HD) or its big brother, the 38C Barber Pole, would make a fine first razor and have for many people. There are also a good price and readily available.
Merkur 37C/39C (slant). Work great on coarse facial hair like mine. Smooth, close and comfortable every time. Slices the hairs off rather than chopping them. Best DE razor design ever, imo.
Hi Ronny,Quote:
Originally Posted by rwebb1683
Pick one of those Merkur or EJ razors.....good a place as any to start with. Just stay clear of any open comb or slant types for right now....nothing too aggressive.
You're gonna need some decent blades, and some to maybe stay away from would be the Derby and Merkur. Some people like those but many don't. Don't try a Feather blade either. Best thing's to get a small sampler pack of maybe 10-15 different blades.
Since you already use a straight, you should get consistant good, but not great shaves after a week or maybe less. After that your technique will improve rapidly and that's when things get fun. If a good shave's what you're looking for , it won't take long.
If you want a great shave, that's a totally different thing. Not only do you need excellent technique, but you also need a wonderful razor/blade combo. That set up only comes with experience. The right blade is just as important as the correct razor. The best technique in the world sometimes can't compensate for a poor fitting blade or razor.
Martin
I think the merkur Barber Pole is a good all around razor. If you want to go vintage you really can't go wrong with a Gillette fatboy. The Feather stainless and EJ razors are pricier but they are very fine instruments.
Weight of the D/E is important to consider, I have a few really heavy raxors, like the Futur, that tend to give a more aggressive shave. I don't recommend them for begginers. I do like the Merkur Barber Pole, its really well balanced, and its a razor you can still get feedback from your fingers and face as to pressure. I am also a fan of Parker's classic butterfly razors. I go by how well they feel in my hand, and I like something with a textured surface, ideally. You also need a good brush and soap or cream. You really shouldn't need much pressure at all, infact, the weight of the razor does most of the work. Too much pressure is really irritating, do not try to get all your beard in one pass! Lather up again and be gentle. Blades are also a matter of choice. I am a big fan or Merkur and Feather blades, but again, these are probabley the most aggressive blades, and I would start with Lord or another brand till you really feel confidant. (SRD has some great blade sampler packs) Blades are very personal, and you will soon find out your favorite, and how long it will last you. A really dull, overused blade will cut you or irritate you. When in doubt, toss it out (in a puncture proof container or a blade safe disposal unit) . After shaving, rinse the razor well in hot water, and if there is soap film you can carefully eliminate it with rubbing alcohol.
I don't think you could go wrong trying the LORD L6 for a starter. I still use mine as a daily user, and I have a collection of 60 razors to chose from.
I've never used a modern double-edge but my go-to razor when I don't have time to use a straight is an old 1920's Gillette open comb razor with a Feather blade. It comes as close to a straight razor shave as anything I've used yet. Aggressive, yes. Exactly what I want.
GEMs are about my favorite safety razors. I've had particularly good results with a G-bar and an open-comb Micromatic. The Micromatic is very much like a straight in that the blade MUST be new-blade sharp for it to shave you comfortably, along with little to no pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Theseus
I really like the my Mühle R 89. The workmanship is excellent, it looks cool and it shaves really nicely. Very manoeuvrable too.
I prefer open comb DE razors, like Merkur 11c when not shaving with a straight. Unfortunately Merkur does not produce 11c and 12c any longer. But 15c and 25c are still available.
If you're looking for a new open comb at a reasonable price try the Merkur 1904 OC. Not quite like the original Gillette '04 but if you don't want to fuss with looking for a clean original the Merkur is a good first choice that's easy to find and buy.
Two great razors in my opinion are the Edwin Jagger DE89L and the Merkur Futur.
Hiya,
I'm a big fan of adjustable razors and was lucky enough to have started my DE journey with a Gillette version. Turned out to be a good fit and led to an easier and less accident prone learning curve that what coulda been the case. It wasn't THE razor, but it was a good start in the right direction.
Someone new to DE shaving can set that thing on #3 to start with, instead of the usual #5 setting most safety bar type fixed head razors feel like they're preset to (at least to my face). I have a few of those types in my rotation, but I don't get em out all that often. Yeah, The shaves are very good, but the comfort isn't quite perfect, since the #4 setting is the magical one for me. Picky, ain't I?
The long black handle Super Adjustable is gonna be an easy razor to make the transition to DE shaving. That's the one I'd recommend for a first razor. The earlier ones (pre 1980 or so) with the all metal baseplate's the preferred model, although I've had good results with the plastic version as well. With any adjustable, do NOT mess with the settings for the first month, otherwise you add another variable to the mix (a bad thing).
There you go.....that's best advice I can give you,
Martin
Excellent thread here. I'm just about to get started in the DE world, being well into straight razor Shaving now but struggling when I travel or need a quicker option. Have never tried a DE, so that will be interested, especially after using straights.
Opted for the Parker 99r at a very reasonable price, and should be able to test tomorrow. Will keep an eye out for these vintage Gillette DEs I keep hearing about, although they seem fairly rare in my neck of the woods.
I picked up the DE after having learned the straight, and found (still find) it a lot of fun. More learning curve than I expected, which for people like us is a good thing or else we wouldn't use a straight razor in the first place.
I got one (a vintage Gillette DE) the other day from 10 bucks, polished it up (back to brass on the top plate) and now it looks very cool and shaves very nice and close too. It's an open comb DE and much more aggressive than my Mühle R 89.Quote:
Originally Posted by Suavio
I'd HIGHLY recommend trying one. I have looked at them online before but after getting this one for so cheap I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for more in the local antique shops...
My 99R arrived today and I have to say is a gorgeous looking and feeling razor - it's solid, has a nice handle, the butterfly mechanism feels good and strong, and it seems to close centred. Sorry about the poor photo but have it with me at work - First DE shave later!
Attachment 156164
I've got a 15c and love it. I do wish I had got the longer handle 25c.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rori
Edwin Jagger DE89 "barley" is awesome to start with.
