Thread: picking a safety razor

If you want something to try, you can try a Gillette Tech. Very common razors, very mild, and you can get one in good useable shape for dirt cheap (I just picked up a gold finish one for $9 including shipping)

Originally Posted by Sunbird

Have a look here. These razors have the same charecteristics as EJ razors at a good price. There is even a starter pack with blades. Looks to be good value.

Maggard Razors Safety Razors | Maggard Razors - Straight Razor Restoration, Custom Scales and Wet Shaving Products
Sunbird

I ordered the mr1 from them a few days ago. it'll get here in about a week (it has a long way to go), if you care for a first hand opinion. that been said I mostly use str8s, and can compare it only to my Gillette slim 64. from what I found the reviews were favorable, but not detailed. I'll post an update when I get it.

If you want cheap DE blades with free shipping, check out Amazon.ca and look up vendor Wish4blades. He has an amazing selection blades, boar brushes, and DE razors. Ive bought from him many times with no hassles.

Here ya go Amazon.ca At a Glance: Wish4Blades

You're shaving with a straight so know how to treat sharp steel with respect, meaning that you don't absolutely have to start with a mild DE. I currently own 3, with a Tradere OC on order. Use them while travelling or when time is too short for a straight shave.

Don't know what budget you have in mind but these are mine, in increasing order of aggressiveness (as perceived by me):

- Feather all stainless (old version): magnificent brushed steel finish and impeccable construction, very mild (perhaps too mild) shaver.

- Ikon OC, late 2012 version: Dito as above, all stainless construction but a lot more aggressive with more blade exposure.

- Mühle R41, 2013 version (a bit tuned down): Shiny chrome finish, good construction quality but not in the same league as the above but then neither is the price (if memory serves the razors mentioned above will cost about 200 USD, the Mühle about 50 USD). I don't like the chrome finish, am partial to brushed/satin finish SS. Very, very aggressive with massive blade exposure, you really need to be careful here and closely watch your angle, taking care to go slowly and use absolutely minimal pressure.

For completeness' sake: I also tried the Pils DE razor for a while but it was nothing for me: very expensive, good construction but unfortunately the stainless grip was too slippery for me. It used to rule the roost here in Europe but frankly, the coming of iKon and from what I hear the Tradere razors make it uncompetitive given its price. It's also a very mild shaver.

Unsurprisingly, the choice of blade will have a huge impact on your shaving experience, best advice I can give is to order a blade pack with different brands and see what works best for you. I use feather DE blades and for my face and shaving technique they work best and last about 5 shaves. ymmv, trying is the only way forward.

There are many DE combo's on the market, no doubt some of them are exceptional quality (some of the vintage Gilettes) but I'm only familiar with the 3 mentioned above and of course aesthetics not to mention what you're willing to spend on it play a major role.

Looking forward to receiving my Tradere OC :-)

I decided on the Edwin Jagger de87. I'm going to get some astra platinums, derbys and feathers with it and then order some iridiums as I've heard good things about them. Looking forward to trying it out!

Should be here sometime this week...it was shipped on Friday but probably won't be taken anywhere until tomorrow because of Canada day...should be here between wednesday and friday. I got a ten pack of astra platinums, derby and feather blades as well as Edwin Jagger sea buckthorn and limes and pomegranate soaps. I ordered some iridiums off of ebay as I've heard that they are as sharp as feathers but a lot smoother. I now wait in anticipation and curse the mailman each day that my mailbox is empty.
Oh, I also have some dorcos coming with a shavette that I ordered a while ago too.

I might just put all of the blades together and send it to gillette as a new prototype mach 50

Or just shave with it. Probably just shave with it. I'll post a picture of the haul when it comes in lol

I honestly can't stand any of the new DE razors; and, when I shave my face, it's always with a either a vintage Gillette DE razor, or (sometimes) a venerable Schick SE; but (like my straight razors), it's always a "previously-owned" instrument I'm wielding.

Take a few days -- you're spending money, for goshsakes! -- and take a look on that "auction site by the Bay" to see what's-what with vintage Gillette safety razors; also, do some reading over on that "bed and breakfast" website -- and don't forget the SOTD photos!

Don't end-up regretting whatever you purchase.

Smooth shaving!

Originally Posted by JBHoren

I honestly can't stand any of the new DE razors; and, when I shave my face, it's always with a either a vintage Gillette DE razor, or (sometimes) a venerable Schick SE; but (like my straight razors), it's always a "previously-owned" instrument I'm wielding.

Take a few days -- you're spending money, for goshsakes! -- and take a look on that "auction site by the Bay" to see what's-what with vintage Gillette safety razors; also, do some reading over on that "bed and breakfast" website -- and don't forget the SOTD photos!

Don't end-up regretting whatever you purchase.

Smooth shaving!

Just because you don't like new doesn't mean others can't

Originally Posted by kwlfca

Just because you don't like new doesn't mean others can't

I tend to agree. While vintage Gillettes are nice I just don't think they deserve the reputation they have as the best DE's produced. The new DE's seem to be much more user friendly. JMO of course, as I'm sure many will disagree.