Thread: Recommendations for first double edged razor purchase

Hello again guys,

I recently posted the obligatory straight razor newbie post - the "look I bought this random razor on eBay without doing any research, isn't it awesome?"

Which is not to suggest, of course, that my purchase was in any way ill-advised. On the contrary. I'm taking it to be professionally honed (rather than attempting to butcher it myself) and then it will be a thing of beauty. So there.

However, I thought I might take a more measured approach to purchasing my first DE razor.

Can anyone make any recommendations based on the following information-

1. I have a light, sparse, beard. I have very fine blonde head hair, my beard hair is obviously somewhat thicker and darker in colour, but still quite fine, I'd say. Nothing compared to the black thicket-like formation my markedly hirsute brother inherited.
2. I have a long, large line of scar tissue running just underneath my chin bone, as well as a few other smaller scars around my neck.
3. I get acne periodically. I don't have any geological formations that need navigating or anything, it's just information as to my skin type.
4. I do have sensitive skin (whatever that means). If I don't shave every day I tend to get dry skin on my face.

And as far as preferences go -

1. I am damn tired of the Mach 3 / mentholated face anaesthetic routine. Something more awesome is called for.
2. I'd prefer to blow money on the straight razor business, not the DE. Cheaper is gooder.
3. Either new or second-hand is fine. The cheapest new DE I can find is the Merkur Classic for just under 50 bucks shipped. Vintage razors seem to be selling for only ten or fifteen dollars short of that.

I realise that the lathering business is just as important as the razor. I've acquired a bowl of Floris JF soap, and have a brush from whippeddog.com currently on the way across the vast oceans to me now (I'm in Melbourne). My shaving mug is currently a small Asian ceramic bowl that happens to fit my hand nicely. I was thinking of splashing about some epoxy in the bottom of it to create some ridges and texture - I'd guess that the super-smooth ceramic would hinder lathering.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

For vintage I would definitely look at a Gillette Fat Boy adjustable. Nice weight, good build and the adjust ability lets you fine tune the blade somewhat for your face. Love mine enough not to have bought another DE aside from picking up a spare Fat Boy for back up.

Bob

For a beginner, I would suggest the Merkur Progress. Not expensive, adjustable from very mild to very aggressive and it gives you lots of audible feedback as it cuts the beard. This makes finding the proper head angle very easy. For a non-adjustable razor the Merkur open comb razors are very good. They shave a lot like the Gillette old type. You can buy the cheapest model you want as all the heads are the same. These are my regular razors and I commend them to you based on my experience with many other DEs.

After trying several DE razors, it is still hard to beat the Merkur 34 HD. A vintage adjustable Gillette Slim is also very good as well as flexible.

Sounds like a mild razor would be best for you. The Merkur 34C is a fine choice, but the Edwin Jagger DE89 is reportedly less aggressive (I've never tried one).

As for vintage, I don't think there's much more milder razors than the Gillette Tech. Adjustables are good too, since they can be as mild or aggressive as you like.

I have a SuperSpeed Adjustable with Derby blades. I'm not into DE's, never did any reading on how to use them, never pay much attention when using one. This one does the job every time. Gentle shaver, no nicks, quick and easy. It's a true "safety razor."

If you can't find and adjustable, the normal SuperSpeeds are just as gentle. I used to have one.

Gillette techs are amazing shavers and can be found at antique stores and ebay dirt cheap. +1 for Gillette tech.

I had a good look around for the razors you've all mentioned, and haven't yet found any at a price I'm happy with. I know that a few will turn up, though, so I'll keep my eye out.

In the meantime, I paid almost nothing for this:



It's a 1912 Gem SE. Going to pick up some blades now. Will report back.

Originally Posted by EdwardRoland

I had a good look around for the razors you've all mentioned, and haven't yet found any at a price I'm happy with. I know that a few will turn up, though, so I'll keep my eye out.

In the meantime, I paid almost nothing for this:



It's a 1912 Gem SE. Going to pick up some blades now. Will report back.

That looks pretty nice! I know I probably don't need to say this but I will for sake of saying...the single edge blades you see at hardware store are not for this I've seen some at the grocery store in the shaving section, never tried them though.

Report back on the shave with this, looks like fun.

I've some Teflon-coated GEM industrial blades on the way. Apparently they do the trick. Also still waiting on brush.