Thread: Interested in Getting a DE

I hear a lot of talk about the old Double-Edged shavers around here, and I think I'd like to give one a try.

I've got quite a few of the flat, DE blades -- I bought them to use with my disposable straight. I'm looking to get a shaver that will be able to use them. If that's not possible, no big deal.

I know there are various makes and models out there, so which of them do you guys suggest I get?

Also, does anyone have a spare one kicking around? I've been cruising eBay for cheap ones, but I wasn't sure which one to buy.

The Merkur HD is my favorite. I don't see many of them on ebay. You might check ebay for Parker DE razors. They have been getting decent reviews. I've not tried one, but I understand that they are copies of of older Gillette razors. One Gillette you can normally pick up cheap is the Lady Gillette. It's a long handle DE and came in several colors. I have the blue one. They also came in pink and silver. If you can get past the name, it's just a razor. Search ebay for "Lady Gillette" and you should find a few.

RT

I'll second the Merkur HD. I have the slant bar version, which looks scary, but I find it gives the same kind of "English" that I put on w/ a str8 w/out trying! My 17 yr old son hijacked mine a few months ago, which got me back into using my few old str8s. Also, I have my Dad's old Gillette Super Speed which works very well. Gillette Fat Boy 1-9 adjustables are also good. I had two, gave one to my wife yrs ago. She loves it. The other I recently gave to my 15 yr old son.

Merkur HD or my favorite the Long Handle. Their cheap.

I guess if your looking for vintage the old rolls from England were the the top of the heap. In modern day stuff the merkur is tops. I have a vision its a little pricey but it gives an outstanding shave. Not as close as a straight but very close.

I like the Gillette 1-9 adjustable razor. They are the razor of choice from Gillette. I have picked them up in nice conditon for under $10 including shipping.That was a year ago or so, now they can get kind of pricey.

Glen

The Gillette adjustable is a great DE and you can usually find them on eBay for under $50. If you have sensitive skin, you'll like the Gillette adjustable. I bought a Merkur HD and I find it a bit aggressive. I use my Gillette adjustable on setting 2 and get great shaves. Not as nice as a straight but when you're in a hurry, a DE works great.

Definitely the Merkur HD. I use that when I'm short on time and it shaves like a beaut. The additional fact that it isn't adjustable is a good thing for me. I'd probably mess with the settings too much trying to get the closest shave possible if I could.

If you've learned to shave well with a str8 you won't be happy with the Gillettes. The closeness won't cut it. The Merkurs, like the HD, are much better.

But it will take alittle practice befor you can get a close shave without knicks. The DEs are used with n pressure, and you need to get used to that after using a DE. After you learn, you can get the ultimate shave by using Feather blades. I shaved with a DE for over 45 years before I discovered them, and they made the biggest difference of anything in my DE shaving.

I have a few Gillette adjustables. Shoot me an email if you want to try one and I'll loan it to you. But......If ya gots ta has one, I second both the Gillette adjustable and the Mekur. Be careful. Less to no pressure works fine with these. Have fun. Lynn