Thread: Razor advice!

Originally Posted by szarvi

I used an Edwin Jagger DE89 safety razor and was/am really satisfied with it. I don't think I could get another which is better than that. What I mean is that probably you can get a lot of very good safety razors, do not worry much about the brand.

But do worry about the blade itself. Just one example: I use/d Derby DE blades and they perform very well - for 1=one (only one) 3 pass-shave (I mean not in general, only for me). After that, they still seem to be sharp, but it is uncomfortable to shave with them, basically I can't do the ATG pass during the second shave, it is VERY uncomfortable.

So if you do not know your face and happened to go ATG unintentionally with a not-brand-new blade... it can be the problem.

I take maybe 4 passes to get the main bits cut, but i'm still left with some missed bits. And because of the in-grown hairs i'm unsure when to stop shaving, if you see what I mean.

And if an admin could move this thread, as I put it in the wrong section- thanks.

Check your PMs. It looks like you left the state off your address.

AledJ,

For the razor, I would suggest the Edwin Jagger DE 89BA11 Barley Chrome. The Merkur 34C is also a good razor. I have both, but if I had to choose between the two, I would take the Edwin Jagger. It is slightly milder than the Merkur and the shave silkier.

After trying scores of blades, I have settled on Gillette 7 O'Clock "SharpEdge" in the yellow packets, Derby and Personna "Reds." I also have Feather, but I find them good for only one shave — for me, anyway. My other top blades are the Super Iridium, but they are hard to get, and I guard my stash within a perimeter lined with claymore mines.

For soap, my friend Pinklather is correct: Provence Sante Verlaine is superb. It costs around $10. What's more, any shaving soap named after the great French poet Paul Verlaine is okay with me.

If you need more help and advice, please don't hesitate to send me a personal message.

Originally Posted by Obie

AledJ,

For the razor, I would suggest the Edwin Jagger DE 89BA11 Barley Chrome. The Merkur 34C is also a good razor. I have both, but if I had to choose between the two, I would take the Edwin Jagger. It is slightly milder than the Merkur and the shave silkier.

After trying scores of blades, I have settled on Gillette 7 O'Clock "SharpEdge" in the yellow packets, Derby and Personna "Reds." I also have Feather, but I find them good for only one shave — for me, anyway. My other top blades are the Super Iridium, but they are hard to get, and I guard my stash within a perimeter lined with claymore mines.

For soap, my friend Pinklather is correct: Provence Sante Verlaine is superb. It costs around $10. What's more, any shaving soap named after the great French poet Paul Verlaine is okay with me.

If you need more help and advice, please don't hesitate to send me a personal message.

I will check out the razor you have suggested, thanks!

Any tips on how to get the angle right so that I don't do more and more passes? And can too much soap on the face prevent the blade from cutting? And maybe a novice question.........but do different makes cut differently?

Thanks all!

Had a look on Amazon and found this, but it says its a DE89bl not the DE89BA11.

Originally Posted by AledJ

Had a look on Amazon and found this, but it says its a DE89bl not the DE89BA11.

Some vendors will not use the complete numbering system, from what I gather. Here is the Edwin Jagger barley:
Edwin Jagger DE89BA11 Double Edge Safety Razor, Barley Chrome

Moved this over to the safety razor forum. I have the Merkur 34C & 38C that I'll alternate with for my head shaves. I also use the 34C when traveling.

Originally Posted by AledJ

I will check out the razor you have suggested, thanks!

Any tips on how to get the angle right so that I don't do more and more passes? And can too much soap on the face prevent the blade from cutting? And maybe a novice question.........but do different makes cut differently?

Thanks all!

The general rule for razor angle is 30 degrees. General rule. Beyond that, there are variations. Experiment and see what works best for you. That's a far more reliable test.

Too much of anything is too much. Your lather should not be too thin or too thick. Here, too, you need to play with the amount of water you add to your lather. There comes a point when you feel the lather is too thick and too dry. Of course, this will not work well. Also, lather will not work all that well if it's too thin and water. Experimentation is the only way to get the proportions right.

Different razors will shave differently. But there is more to it. The blade you use will also make a difference. The size of the razor will make a difference in the way you hold it, and that might influence the shave. Some razors, such as the Joris or the Muhle R41 open comb are aggressive. The Feather stainless steel is on the mild side. The Edwin Jaggers, I have found, are slightly milder than the Merkurs. I find them silkier shavers, too. Others will have a different view. But, yes, as a general rule, different razors shave differently. The differences are nuanced, with much influence generated by the blade you use and by your technique.

AledJ, if you haven't watched them, there's a ton of DE shaving videos on YouTube posted by Mantic59. His videos were invaluable when I was starting with DE razors.

Originally Posted by Obie

The general rule for razor angle is 30 degrees. General rule. Beyond that, there are variations. Experiment and see what works best for you. That's a far more reliable test.

Too much of anything is too much. Your lather should not be too thin or too thick. Here, too, you need to play with the amount of water you add to your lather. There comes a point when you feel the lather is too thick and too dry. Of course, this will not work well. Also, lather will not work all that well if it's too thin and water. Experimentation is the only way to get the proportions right.

Different razors will shave differently. But there is more to it. The blade you use will also make a difference. The size of the razor will make a difference in the way you hold it, and that might influence the shave. Some razors, such as the Joris or the Muhle R41 open comb are aggressive. The Feather stainless steel is on the mild side. The Edwin Jaggers, I have found, are slightly milder than the Merkurs. I find them silkier shavers, too. Others will have a different view. But, yes, as a general rule, different razors shave differently. The differences are nuanced, with much influence generated by the blade you use and by your technique.

Thanks for the advice! Had another look for the one you suggested, but can't find a seller here in the UK (will keep looking, closest U could find is this) But if there is anyone from the UK on here, is there a good website for this?

Originally Posted by myersn024

AledJ, if you haven't watched them, there's a ton of DE shaving videos on YouTube posted by Mantic59. His videos were invaluable when I was starting with DE razors.

Cheers! I will take a look at the videos for some extra tips