What would you consider "Must-Haves"?

[PalmettoDuckhunter]

A quick, but decidedly provocative question, if you please.

If you were interested in starting a modest collection of safety razors, what do you consider to be in the "Must-Have" core of this collection? SWMBO just rolled her eyes and muttered something about "Here he goes again!" :eek:

Thanks for the feedback.

[Mr. Tadashi]

For me, the absolute bare minium is the Merkur HD.(I perfer Merkur's over Gillette, and it is the only DE I use.)
And a progress(for an adjustable)

But including Gillette's the super speed and slim adj's are ones that I would also go after.

[DragonBoy]

Merkur HD
Edwin Jagger Chatsworth
Slim Adjustable


If you get those, you have what you need..
If you want more..

Merkur Progress
Schick Krona

Thats about what you need.. IMHO

[blue_monkey]

I perfer Merkur's over Gillette, and it is the only DE I use.

Then you must have one of these:
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/43037/2196066850103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2196066850103320373ifsScF) http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/18714/2243601560103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2243601560103320373OsbfVY)
http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/40868/2926683600103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2926683600103320373Wvpmsu)

Or these:
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/40975/2361947850103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2361947850103320373PJEzxH)

Good German steel, baby! :D

[DragonBoy]

Then you must have one of these:
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/43037/2196066850103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2196066850103320373ifsScF) http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/18714/2243601560103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2243601560103320373OsbfVY)
http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/40868/2926683600103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2926683600103320373Wvpmsu)

Or these:
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/40975/2361947850103320373S500x500Q85.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2361947850103320373PJEzxH)

Good German steel, baby! :D

Youre missing a Progress :D

[Padron]

Andy,

I really like these, but my DE collection and knowledge is pretty limited....:o

Merkur Slant
Merkur 38C

the only Merkurs I have bought so far.....:o

Gillette 40's SS
Gillette FatBoy ........I really didn't like the Slim though :confused:

I have a EJ Georgian (http://theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/LHGSR%7C%7C@cTraditional%20safety%20&%20double%20edge%20razors@bEdwin%20Jagger%7C0%7Cus er%7C%7C13%7C) razor that I really like too :cool:


Neale

[blue_monkey]

Youre missing a Progress :D

I know, and a Futur. This is still a work in progress. ;)

[Mottern Man]

1. Merkur HD

2. Gillette 1940's Super Speed

3. Gillette Adjustable (Slim)

[PalmettoDuckhunter]

Thank you, folks - I have owned a Merkur HD and Futur for a number of years - I shave with one or the other of them every day, so I guess my question should have been a bit more specific. I was actually asking brands and models of somewhat older models of safety razors.

Thanks again.

[rodd]

I would say an English Gillette is a must have. Some of my favorites.

[Single Wedge]

A must have is a Gem/Ever-ready 1940 or earlier or Kampfe Brothers lather catcher style.

[rick]

1. Merkur HD

2. Gillette 1940's Super Speed

3. Gillette Adjustable (Slim)

Agreed....but:
I would replace #1 with a Slant

Now you have 3 razors that will go from mild to wild in no time flat !
Thats all you really need.

Dial "9" BABY !!

[shavingidiot savant]

A quick, but decidedly provocative question, if you please.

If you were interested in starting a modest collection of safety razors, what do you consider to be in the "Must-Have" core of this collection? SWMBO just rolled her eyes and muttered something about "Here he goes again!" :eek:

Thanks for the feedback.
Hi Andy,
Welcome to this place, and get used to those eyes rolling back in your wife's head every now and then.....heh. With any luck, she'll only tease you a little, (and with good reason). Tell her it could be worse..........you could be a timepiece collector. Now THAT can get ugly in a hurry, cash wise. If I knew you better I'd call you a sick, compulsive person, and I'd also say you should fit in nicely here if that's the case.........
Andy? You wanna collect those razors to shave with, or just to have? I mean, are you possibly planning on using those 'must have' razors in your rotation, or just to display (and maybe touch a little......heh). You're gonna have probably half a dozen or more good recommendations, but it doesn't mean they'll all fit your face right.
Definitely buy many different models, since that's the only way to find the perfect one(s). Oh..... I bet Mrs Andy liked that idea a lot......heh. But as far as using all those beautiful looking razors and getting great shaves with all of em..............ain't gonna happen.
Trial and error's the name of this game, and I don't keep razors that don't perform for me as I like. I'd rather someone else get better use outta those. As a result, my rotation consists of exactly one razor........the model that I found after lots of that T&E thing. Only get one shave a day.......sigh.
Now.....as far as collecting them goes...............maybe I have a few beautiful looking razors I know I'll never use, but love to look at em. That's all I'll say on that. Hehe, I'd bet a few members have razors like that also.
Anyway............good luck on your shaving journey,
Martin

[JayKay]

Everything!

[PalmettoDuckhunter]

Hi Andy,
Welcome to this place, and get used to those eyes rolling back in your wife's head every now and then.....heh. With any luck, she'll only tease you a little, (and with good reason). Tell her it could be worse..........you could be a timepiece collector. Now THAT can get ugly in a hurry, cash wise. If I knew you better I'd call you a sick, compulsive person, and I'd also say you should fit in nicely here if that's the case.........
Andy? You wanna collect those razors to shave with, or just to have? I mean, are you possibly planning on using those 'must have' razors in your rotation, or just to display (and maybe touch a little......heh). You're gonna have probably half a dozen or more good recommendations, but it doesn't mean they'll all fit your face right.
Definitely buy many different models, since that's the only way to find the perfect one(s). Oh..... I bet Mrs Andy liked that idea a lot......heh. But as far as using all those beautiful looking razors and getting great shaves with all of em..............ain't gonna happen.
Trial and error's the name of this game, and I don't keep razors that don't perform for me as I like. I'd rather someone else get better use outta those. As a result, my rotation consists of exactly one razor........the model that I found after lots of that T&E thing. Only get one shave a day.......sigh.
Now.....as far as collecting them goes...............maybe I have a few beautiful looking razors I know I'll never use, but love to look at em. That's all I'll say on that. Hehe, I'd bet a few members have razors like that also.
Anyway............good luck on your shaving journey,
Martin

Well now, Martin -

Sick??? Compulsive??? Who?? ME?? :happy102 You're on the right track. You've got to be a bit of that to be jump out of perfectly good airplanes, or chase daffy duck on mornings sane people stay in bed...... but I digress.

Actually I'm interested in a little of both working, usable razors and those to play touchy-feely with (and scratch my head and ask why anyone would put this to their face).

Thanks for the humor - I needed a grin this evening.

[rodd]

Everything!

There is a guy with his head on straight! That is what I like to see! :happy102

[JayKay]

You cant just collect random razors. I mean, if your going to "collect", than you have to collect them all. Or maybe narrow it down. TTOs? 3pc? Gold? modern? vintage? NOS? Theres so many options out there. You should probably just start buying 20 razor lots on the bay and figuring it all out from there. Of course you need all the hard to find impossible razors. How about brushes though? Simpsons are popular to collect. Maybe Plisson? I havent seen to many people collecting them. Better get to it!

[msandoval858]

The only two DE's I really *need* are

Merkur 23c (Classic Long Handle)

Merkur 34c (Heavy Duty)

Either of those have always been my top recommendation. I'm not giving up my Trumper Warwick anytime soon though ;)

[blue_monkey]

I'm not sure what your definition of "modest" is, but I like to think that I have established a fairly decent foundation for my collection. :D

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/39671/2730427080103320373S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2730427080103320373mnsfpb) http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/19497/2837405260103320373S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2837405260103320373zzBNqO)

[D.irving79]

at this point, nothing. i have a nice collection of GEMs and EVER READYs that im pretty content with. in the past few weeks ive acquired a 1903 and 1905 gillette double ring and a 1910 old type. the newest razor i use (and i dont even use it that often) is a 1938 gillette senator.....more for you guys ;)

[DanOK]

Well if you are going to have a shaving collection I would start with looking for the following, I believe that searching antique store's and a little elbow grease will provide you with a starter collection and some nice shavers. All of these razors are easily found with a little effort.

1. Gillette Slim Adjustable
2. Gillette Fatboy Adjustable
2. Gillette Tech 1940's
3. SuperSpeeds in the 50's, the 50's were a real heyday for Gillette
Red tip
Blue Tip
4. any of the Lady Gillette

These are all readily available and are good shavers.

[D.irving79]

guess i lied :D

on its way:

gem junior, circa 1902-1906

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1299.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1301.jpg

gem stropping machine

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1304.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1305.jpg

original owners record of all shaving items purchased, blade sharpenings, maintenance, etc.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1310.jpg

the box

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1298.jpg

[Queen of Blades]

original owners record of all shaving items purchased, blade sharpenings, maintenance, etc.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/DIrving79/RAZORS/DSC_1310.jpg



:eek:

[jfever311]

1. Slim adjustable
2. Gillette Platinums (SWEDES)
3. TSD soap
4. Aqua Velva after shave
5. Aqua Velva cologne

[MTgrayling]

My basic must have razor list would be:

A Tech, older US fat handle or an English Tech.
A NEW
A Super Speed, 40's style or flare tip.
An Adjustable, Fat Boy or Slim
A Rocket/Parat
An Injector, type E, type G or adjustable


You could go crazy and try to get them all like me (not recommended).

[rbaloha]

Merkur Slant
Feather
em's soaps and creams

[D.irving79]

:eek:

and i thought my OCD was bad.

:D

[MaxP]

;) Hot lather and a sharp blade! ;)

[blue_monkey]

You could go crazy and try to get them all like me (not recommended).

But, it's so fun! :whacky011