about to take the final step

VANCE

VANCE

Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
13,878
howdy,
heres what im working w/ thus far..
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ive been lurking around here & trying to figure out which DE to make the final piece of the puzzle fit. these cartridges are just too pricey & cutting into my knife funds


any suggestions? im willing to spend up to $100ish

i think i have my mind set on the DE89..
im looking for the easiest razor to get started with.


thanks!
 
I started with the EJ DE89L and it is a great razor and very affordable. No matter what razor you get be sure to get a blade sample package that offers as many different blades as possible so you can better match the blade razor to your face.
 
Adjustable vintage Gillette. I'd assume you are used to the longer handled cartridge shavers, so I'd recommend a long-handled "Black beauty" model.

You can find them on ebay or at flea markets at prices varying from ~$15-50 or so depending on condition.

Works for me anyway.
:thumbup:
 
I've been watching some excellent condition Fat Boys on ebay lately & the prices have been approacing $200 in some cases.
Apparently they're becoming very popular.
 
Rick in KY said:
Adjustable vintage Gillette. I'd assume you are used to the longer handled cartridge shavers, so I'd recommend a long-handled "Black beauty" model.

You can find them on ebay or at flea markets at prices varying from ~$15-50 or so depending on condition.

Works for me anyway.
:thumbup:
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thanks ill check them out.

i have shaved in the past w/ a wilkinson disposable razor.the handle is about the diameter of a #2 pencil
 
Go with the Merkur 34C (also called the HD) or the Merkur 38C (Barberpole) or the EJ DE89L. These are the razors that are almost universally accepted as great DE starting points.

The Futur is good but some find it frustrating to use. Get a sample of different blades because they really do cut differently and you need to find the ones that cut your beard and leave little irritation.
 
i ended up with a ej de98l & purchased the 65blade pack from westcoastshaving..
i have had it a few weeks. the old guys at work got into my head with stories about cutting themselves all the time back in the day.
first of all... the delivery time was incredible.iirc i ordered on a tuesday & received it on friday of the same week. the fit & finish on the razor was perfect & seems like a nice assortment of blades.

so i bit the bullet this afternoon & gave it a go.
i loaded the razor w/ personna platinum,turned on the hot water & i was off. i took my time and went slow like the videos on youtube said.(thanks mantic...your videos were very helpful)

no cuts!


in my novice opinion though..the personnas didnt cut as close as i was expecting...is it just me or is that a "mild" razor?


thanks for eveyones advice & comments
 
VANCE said:
in my novice opinion though..the personnas didnt cut as close as i was expecting...is it just me or is that a "mild" razor?
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I can't comment on those types of blades, but what kind of passes did you do (with the grain, across, against, etc.)?
 
i didnt want to push my luck so i only went w/ the grain. i started to shave up from the bottom of my neck & immediately felt something wasnt right..like i was about to get cut...

it may just be my technique...ill try again tomorrow
 
It will get better with practice. In a few weeks, you will be very happy.
 
It does take some time to get the technique down, and to get the close smooth shaves. The EJ is a mild razor, but will produce a BBS shave if done right. I actually miss my EJ89L, I gave it to a friend that I got started on DE shaving, but I think I might buy the new EJ89 Barely razor to replace it.

Take your time go slowly and get the visions of cutting yourself out of your head. I have been DE shaving exclusively for just over a year and have only had 3 real knicks and one of them was because there was a bur on the razor tab that I didn't notice. I have yet to get another blade like that but I always check now.
 
Yes, there is a learning curve. Keep using that blade, getting comfortable with it. Then after you get more comfortable with it, change the blade and see if you get a closer shave. DM
 
VANCE said:
i didnt want to push my luck so i only went w/ the grain. i started to shave up from the bottom of my neck & immediately felt something wasnt right..like i was about to get cut...

it may just be my technique...ill try again tomorrow
Click to expand...

Make sure you know where your hair changes direction. For my neck, WTG is up, but right above, it's down. The change is sudden, so I have to be able to stop at the "line."

Also, make sure you're using more of your arm and less of your wrist. I've only been using a DE for about a week, and I saw immediate improvement after I corrected this. If you use your wrist too much to move the razor, then it changes the angle.

Let's see if the DE pros agree with me haha
 
Not a pro by and stretch of the word, but to gat the razor from point A to point B I move my arm and use my wrist to maintain the proper angle
 
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