Is this razor any good???

I started with one; it's decent but not great. The plus is that it's more the length and weight of the average cartridge razor (I had 20+ years with an Atra). The minus is that you'll try to shave with it as though it's a cartridge razor. DEs require a much lighter touch than cartridge razors do. You also have to make shorter strokes to keep the correct angle.

I think you'd be better off bidding on a vintage Gillette or similar razor. From what I've seen many of them appear to go for the $20 range unless they're pristine or a rare model.
 
The Feather Popular has a reputation for being a well made, mild shaver. Made in Japan, it's probably the only decent current production twist-to-open double edge safety razor. It's reputed mild shaving characteristics probably make it a good match for the exceptionally sharp Feather blades.

A very good low cost three piece DE razor is the Egyptian made Lord 1822 with the Merkur-like cast head. These can be had on Ebay new for as little as $12 delivered. If you look for one, make sure it has the Merkur styled head, not the Gillette Tech-like stamped head, which is OK, but not quite as nice a shaver, IMO.

Feather also makes a model called the Portable, which is a three piece razor very much in the old Gillette Tech style. More aggressive than the Gillette Tech it's inspired by, it's a pretty decent shaver in it's own right, solidly built. Though the handle is a little shorter than average, it's not as small as the old Gillette Travel Tech, and easy to handle. This model is discontinued, but often available new from a few vendors on ebay for very reasonable price.

Vintage razors can be very good, and very inexpensive, but they're a bit of a gamble, being used and all. The above razors will work fine. But with a little luck, you could find a decent and clean vintage Gillette Super Speed for a very reasonable price.
 
I have a gillette tech(1936ish) and a superspeed (mid-70s) both work great. hit your local antique stores and see what you can find. I picked up a gillette TTO (not sure they model) for a buddy for $5 because it was really grungy, a little elbow grease and it was back to like new condition! sure the fit and finish on the new high dollar handles will be nicer than the cheaper ones, but they all work, so grab one you like the look of and try it. Lots of guys seem to try two or three before they find the one they like, so might as well try the cheapies.
 
Waynejitsu, if you wish, I can send you a vintage Gillette. No cost. Your choice of a '51 Tech three piece with Bakelite handle, or a '66 flaretip Super Speed twist-to-open. Both are perfectly functional. Plating on both is marginal, highly worn on the Tech, worn with some discoloring and flaking in some spots on the Super Speed. They shave fine. Personally, I like the SS better, as it's a little more aggressive, but the Tech is probably more foolproof and allows lots of touching up with minimal irritation. PM me your choice.

ETA: I almost forgot, I also have a Gillette Old type, from the 20s, I think. It's an open comb, very nice, not too aggressive, yet easy to use for a very close shave. I think this is a franken razor, not originally a set, but functional. The ball end hollow handle has very typical cracks, has been mended, and is sound. If you want, I'll try to get pics.

If you want any of these, drop me a line. I'll put it in the mail.
 
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Thanks everyone (especially for the offers:)
I bought a Super Speed today off of ebay. In the pics, it looked almost new, but will have to see when it gets here.
Another question..., what is the best way to clean and disinfect it before using?

Anything I need to know about the SS before using it?
Was it a better choice than the Feather or do you recommend I also get one of those?

Now..., the next thing on the list is razors. I "thought" a blade was a blade was a blade, but after reading, it seems like there is a lot of difference there also.
what is recommended?
If it helps, I did like the Sensor but never even considered a DE, I did not even know they were still made or in use or so popular, LOL!
My "routine" is to shave with a foil, electric razor, then finish with a Sensor, using a shaving cream and mix of something else that gives a closer shave. I hate to shave, but it is not that bad when something is new, LOL!! I do confess, I am nervous about cutting myself. Are they any more dangerous than a Sensor? With a Sensor, it is almost impossible to cut yourself, if you are half way careful.

So..., any recommendations for the blades?

Next, what about shaving cream, gel, lube, etc???
Does the "regular" shaving cream work as well, like we use with the cartridge razors?

What about the brush thing? Can't you just apply it with your hand, like "regular" shaving cream?

Thanks for your help:)
 
waynejitsu said:
Now..., the next thing on the list is razors. I "thought" a blade was a blade was a blade, but after reading, it seems like there is a lot of difference there also.
what is recommended?
Click to expand...

Try a sampler pack. I got mine from West Coast Shaving; Amazon sells them, and so do other places. It's largely a trial-and-error process. If you read through this forum, there are differing opinions on what blades work best. It depends on your beard type, skin type, how well you prep, how often you shave, etc. The factors that affected how well you shaved without a DE are likely the same ones that will affect it with a DE. Blade quality varies, though.

waynejitsu said:
I do confess, I am nervous about cutting myself. Are they any more dangerous than a Sensor? With a Sensor, it is almost impossible to cut yourself, if you are half way careful.
Click to expand...

It's easier to nick yourself, but it's not the same as using a straight razor. You won't do yourself any serious injury, if that's what you're worried about. Just use light pressure and shorter strokes than your cartridge razor.

waynejitsu said:
Next, what about shaving cream, gel, lube, etc??? Does the "regular" shaving cream work as well, like we use with the cartridge razors?
Click to expand...

Try reading the "shave of the day" thread. You'll see many who prefer brushes and soap rather than "modern" products, and they're overall cheaper. There's also at least one guy who uses his DE with water only. Me, I use hot water and Shave Secret oil because I'm shaving around a beard.

waynejitsu said:
What about the brush thing? Can't you just apply it with your hand, like "regular" shaving cream?
Click to expand...

Again, lots of those here prefer the brush as it helps stand up the hairs. Since I just use oil, I use my hand and call it good. I believe the traditional soaps (correct me if I'm wrong, guys!) require a brush to get them to lather.

Upshot: don't be afraid to jump in and try it. You're not using a straight razor here. I've not heard of any severed arteries with DEs, even with slant bar DEs.
 
I find that shaving with the DE I get fewer nicks then I did with my multi bladed razors. The trick is to use no pressure and make multiple passes and rinse and re-lather between each pass. Watching mantic59 videos on youtube will help a lot.
I use to hate shaving too until I got hooked on the traditional wet shaving with a DE razor. You can shave with canned cream but you would be missing out on a large part of the pleasure of traditional wet shaving, making a good pleasant smelling lather.

Watch a few of the videos and jump in with both feet, chances are you will love it.
 
Shave Secret oil, that is what I use, but I mix it with a shave gel in a tube stuff and make my own mix.
After shaving, I use a mix of a burn cream (contains Lidocaine) and green alcohol. It is AMAZING!!
Ya know when you get razor burn, then put on after shave, the "burn from the burn"..., this mix instantly opens the pours (alcohol), has a burn for an instant, then the Lidocaine cream takes over and no burn and smooth. It works incredible...
I always got razor burn, especially under my neck. There are some areas REALLY hard to shave, so, it takes multiple passes to get, so it always gets burned.

Question, how do you get to the hard to get to areas with a DE?
They look much bigger.
 
go slow, and gentle, and don't go for baby butt smooth right away. I find that I can get what I call, work smooth, with one pass, with the grain, good enough to look civilized at work. once you get the hang of things then start adding some simple across grain strokes, and finally against the grain if you need to. I find that if I shave aggressively over a razor burned area, it will stay irritated no matter what I do, but if I take a day off, then I can try again, and have better success.
waynejitsu, if your shave cream is a soap base (not all are as I understand) then it will be breaking down the shave oil, just a thought. the oil or soap has two functions, one is to lubricate the skin, and help the razor slide, the other is to hold extra water in the hair, making it easier to cut.
final point, you should not be getting any burn at all. burn is bad, I use a low alcohol which hazel as my aftershave, and I only get burn when I've been to aggressive. try to focus on your prep a bit more, and shave a bit less, and you should have that go away. When the skin is wet the hairs are pushed out a little, so if you try to get them right down you are irritating the skin, but if you let your skin dry, those hairs get "sucked" back down. baby butt smooth is what lots of people talk about, but in truth few get to a point where it is a consistent and pain free event.
 
Thanks:)
This is crazy, LOL!!
Who would have thought there was so much to shaving... (I am 48).
All these years I used a disposable, Sensor type or electric razor or both to shave.
There is a real science to shaving "the old way" and seems you guy's that shave with a DE are real gentlemen, like a whole different class of folks from the rest of the internet:)
You guy's have been most helpful and "real". I am glad to have stumbled on this part of bladeforums, I was lucky to have met such a great bunch of folks, helpful, polite, generous..., just the Best!!
Thank you- all, for your help!!
PS- I am sure I will be having more questions, for quite a while:o
 
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