Safety Razor

Triton

Triton

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2000
Messages
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Okay guys, so I've had it with the idiotic razor industry. I've been using the same old gilette sensor for the last 15 years or so, but the blades seem to keep getting more expensive. So I thought I would take a look and see what's out there in the new razor market. Huh? Why the heck do I need a razor that shoots electric "micro pulses" out as it shaves? Do I really need 5 blades on independent shocks? Do the blades really need to cost 250,000 dollars for a set of 4? I think not. I just want a shave.

So I was doing some checking and I found that one can purchase a brand new safety razor for about 30 dollars and then buy packages of double edged blades for next to nothing. Sure it's like 1940s technology... but it should still shave just fine right?

So the question. Is there some brand or model that is superior to others? There's about a million different Parker models available on Amazon. I thought about rolling the dice, but I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks!
 
if only there were a razors, scissors, and personal grooming subforum...
 
Most of us probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between different models when we start out. I recommend getting something like the merkur heavy duty ($35-40) and then getting a sample pack of different blades so you can see which blades you like best.
 
There are a few current brands. Merkur is my favorite. Another option is vintage Gillette razors. Many of these 50, 70, 90 year old razors still have another 50 years left in them. They just don't make them like they used to.

Check out the Show Off Your Gear thread for some pics.


My advice: If you must buy new, start off with a Merkur HD. You could do just fine with that razor alone for the rest of your life.
 
I was in your position a year ago or so and did exactly what markksr suggested. I bought a Merkur HD and I haven't felt the need to upgrade or change it.

I would suggest buying a sample pack of different kinds of blades so you can try a few out and decide which is your favorite. For me it was Feather, but it's a matter of personal taste.

Once you get the hang of it you will probably get a better shave than you did with the disposable Gillette cartridges.
 
Merkur is one option, and so are the vintage Gillette razors, but don't rule out Edwin Jagger either, The 89 in all its variations in one heck of a razor with a beautiful finish on it.

I have a few vintage Gillettes coming my way in the next week or so and there is 3 Gillette Techs in there. Being that I already have a 1938-41 Canadian Tech I would like to compare it to the newer Fat Handle and Ball End Tech, after that if you would like to try a mild vintage razor I may be willing to part with Techs, after I try them out, for the price of shipping.

Going from the pictures they are user grade, nothing pretty, but more than functional.
 
I switched to a safety razor last summer and have not regretted it one bit. Cost..forget about it.... I purchased 200 Derby blades that average out to roughly .07 cents a blade.

I went the "fleabay" route and scored a 50's era Gillette Fat Boy adjustable razor. Built like a tank.

I get a very good shave with less cuts/nicks that with the 5 bladers I used for years. I recommend an adjustable safety razor because it will take you a few weeks to dial in your technique and the adjustment flexibility helps ease the process.
 
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I hit the same decision point as the OP about 2 years ago. I agree with Iron City, get an adjustable. I got a Merkur Futur. Its about $70, but I doubt I'll ever buy another razor. It does take a little getting used to, but I'll never go back. Try the Feather blades, they are a little spendy, but nice.
 
Wow! Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate the input. I think I'll look into the Merkurs. Unky_gumbi, a special thanks to you for your kind offer. Somehow I just don't think would be comfortable with a used razor. I know it's silly but for some reason for me it would be like using a used toothbrush... :) You are really top flight for making the offer though and I sincerely appreciate it!
 
Also I wanted to add, that I'm glad I'm not the only one who has started scratching his head and thinking "wait a minute" just what's going on in this razor racket anyway!
 
Hmmm, so I was reading Merkur amazon reviews trying to decide on which one to get and wondered something... do you have to use shaving soap with one of these things or will the foam or gel out of a can work all right?
 
Its up to you. I went with shave soap when I made the change. It's cheaper than the others I think I pay 2.50 and it lasts for several
Months. My face prefers the shave soap too. Bad news you can get carried away with accessories and brushes to apply it. Some great web stores for
Classic shaving with lots of info. I wish I switched years ago the prices for new razors/ blades are crazy and they aren't all the hype now some
Of the old school stuff definitely lives up to the claims.
 
Triton said:
Okay guys, so I've had it with the idiotic razor industry. I've been using the same old gilette sensor for the last 15 years or so, but the blades seem to keep getting more expensive. So I thought I would take a look and see what's out there in the new razor market. ...


So the question. Is there some brand or model that is superior to others? !
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Sounds exactly like where I was just over two years ago. I had used a Gillette Sensor for probably 17 years and was entirely happy with it. But the cost of the blade cartridges had gone sky-high... when you could find them for sale.

I did some math and figured out that on blade cartridge costs alone I could save about a dollar per day. So, I bought a Merkur Futur, matching brush, and stand. It's a fancy kit, that's for sure. But at almost a dollar a day in real savings, I calculated that it would be paid for in seven months. So, I committed to myself that I would stick with it for seven months -- unless it was just insufferable, in which case I could chalk it up to experience. Even if I decided to give it up after seven months after it had paid for itself, I could still sell it on eBay for at least half of what I paid for it. That was over two years ago and I haven't looked back.

My advice is to splurge a bit and get a Futur and a nice brush and stand and bowl and commit to yourself to stick with it for seven months. You've literally got nothing to loose with this plan. The kit will pay for itself.

And that paid-for razor of mine? I can tell you that it has many many more years of reliable service left in it. After all, it's a German thing.

Buy quality and you'll only cry once.
 
Canned foams and especially gels have oil in them, often vegetable oil. They don't work well with DE razors. I prefer a hard soap. Unfortunately, my favorite, The Gentleman's Quarter, is not currently taking orders. But I'm sure that there are other fine soaps out there. You DO NOT have to turn to an expensive, european soap. There are plenty of good soaps in the less-than-ten-bucks-a-puck range.

You also probably don't need a lot of fancy and expensive pre- and post-shave products. My pre-shave is a hot shower. My post-shave is a cold rinse and drugstore rubbing alcohol. This works great for me. Some guys find that a pre- or post-shave product works well for them.
 
Oh, and another thing to know is that shaving does not have to become a hobby unto itself. If it interests you and you want to make it a hobby, then that opportunity certainly exists. Many guys collect razors and brushes. Many guys make it their life's quest to try every conceivable brand of razor blades on the face of the earth constantly scouring stalls in markets and bazars in third-world back-holes for some "undiscovered" brand of blades that they can be the first in their forum to report on. Many guys amass huge collections of shaving products. This is all fine if you find it interesting and fun and enjoyable for you. But if you just want to mow down your beard every morning quickly, effectively, and inexpensively, you can take that approach too.
 
Triton said:
Wow! Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate the input. I think I'll look into the Merkurs. Unky_gumbi, a special thanks to you for your kind offer. Somehow I just don't think would be comfortable with a used razor. I know it's silly but for some reason for me it would be like using a used toothbrush... :) You are really top flight for making the offer though and I sincerely appreciate it!
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Its OK I am not insulted by the refusal, just means another razor for me:p I felt the same way when I started, now my EJ sits in its box most of the time:o There is nothing wrong with using a vintage razor as long as you clean and sterilize it first. For me it is a soak in hot water with dish soap, then after a good rinse I soak them in Scrubbing Bubbles for a bit and scrub them with a soft tooth brush, rinse again and follow that up with a bath in alcohol or barbicide. In the long run a razor isn't much different than a spoon or fork, clean it up and its good to go:D

Now using someone elses used blade is a different story:barf:.
 
Gollnick said:
Sounds exactly like where I was just over two years ago.
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:) As usual I'm just a little behind the curve. Hey at least this time I'm only two years behind. Thanks for the other advice as well, especially the bit about not having to make it a hobby. I'm sure that's probably a bit heretical in this forum. :) Truly, I just want to make sure I get rid of my facial hair in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible every morning. Before anyone mentions straight razors I have to say that convenient doesn't include going to the emergency room to have my head reattached after a bad shave. ;)
 
unky_gumbi said:
Its OK I am not insulted by the refusal, just means another razor for me:p I felt the same way when I started, now my EJ sits in its box most of the time:o There is nothing wrong with using a vintage razor as long as you clean and sterilize it first. For me it is a soak in hot water with dish soap, then after a good rinse I soak them in Scrubbing Bubbles for a bit and scrub them with a soft tooth brush, rinse again and follow that up with a bath in alcohol or barbicide. In the long run a razor isn't much different than a spoon or fork, clean it up and its good to go:D

Now using someone elses used blade is a different story:barf:.
Click to expand...

Oh heck... you had to point that out about forks and spoons didn't you? Off to buy some plastic cutlery...
 
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