Favorite razor---a changing preference

[Leisureguy]

I have a British Shorthair cat, and it's interesting to see how her preferences gradually change over time---e.g., where she likes to nap.

Same with me. I started with shaving creams, and now I use only soaps. I need to return to the creams... real soon now.

And the razor. My first favorite was the Vision. Then the Slant Bar. Then I tried the Super Speed---pffft! What's the big deal? But then, after a few months, I tried again: great little razor. I just didn't have a flexible enough technique that I could adapt to a different razor.

My feeling now is that any good razor will deliver the perfect shave if (a) your technique is sound (and adapted to that razor), and (b) you're using the right blade for you. The razor is, after all, just a device for holding the blade and presenting it to the beard.

Some other favorites that have developed: the Gem G-Bar, the Schick Injector, the Gillette Fatboy... heck, they're ALL good.

[Michael]

I don't even know if my favorite has a name. I understand it was made between 1906 and 1921. It's a 3-piece Gillette that I found in an antique store a couple of weeks ago. I have a couple of Superspeeds, a Gillette "New" and a slant. This one beats 'em all (for me anyway).

[PalmettoB]

My preferences have changed over time with experience, too. I used to love my Merkur Classic long handle (still a great shaver) but I don't use it very much at all now.

I currently rotate among three, with an occasional diversion: A Fatboy, a slim-handled Gillette adjustable, and a gold Tech with a ball handle.

[Queen of Blades]

My favorite is my Ladies Gillette.

I have a gorgeous little travel razor I should sell.

[rick]

My fave ???
....the one I'm gonna use today !!

[PalmettoB]

I don't even know if my favorite has a name. I understand it was made between 1906 and 1921. It's a 3-piece Gillette that I found in an antique store a couple of weeks ago. I have a couple of Superspeeds, a Gillette "New" and a slant. This one beats 'em all (for me anyway).

Hey Michael, does that thing have a serial number on it? Looks like a double ring, but I hadn't seen the gold ones. I have a silver-colored one from 1907. Nice!

[Michael]

Hey Michael, does that thing have a serial number on it? Looks like a double ring, but I hadn't seen the gold ones. I have a silver-colored one from 1907. Nice!

Nope, single ring. No serial #, just the Gillette diamond and Made in USA. Got a PM from, uh elsewhere, which said..."The single ring Gillette 1906-1921 was sold in a chrome/silver plated version and in a brass/gold plated one...Afaik the two are identical apart from the metal used to make them."

Go Gamecocks! (just kidding) :D

[sparky5693]

At the moment, its my merkur hd. The slightly thicker razor feels better in my hand, and gives me a better shave than the fatboy

[Mottern Man]

HD baby!

The slim isa nice ride too.

[PalmettoB]

Nope, single ring. No serial #, just the Gillette diamond and Made in USA. Got a PM from, uh elsewhere, which said..."The single ring Gillette 1906-1921 was sold in a chrome/silver plated version and in a brass/gold plated one...Afaik the two are identical apart from the metal used to make them."

Ah, good. I wasn't sure, but that solves that.

Go Gamecocks! (just kidding) :D

Lucky for you I don't have mod status! :D

[Scorpio]

Well, I started with the Gillettes adjustables then I bought a few SS's and then a Gold Slant. For the last 4 Months I have been shaving exclusively with straights and I dont see myself going back to DE's unless something happens like I cut an ear off or chop a lip in half something along those lines. I have become acustomed to the blades and the close shave I get from them. There are some spots around my neck I just can not get with a straight so I finish with one quick pass from a DE. Well sometimes I get lucky and dont need the DE pass. Preferences do change.

Raf

[Michael]

Lucky for you I don't have mod status! :D

No problem, Blair - I can always go back to TOP! :rolleyes:

[peacefrog]

I only have the HD and some cheapo razor I bought in Italy. The Italian one is truly aweful, so I stick with the DE. Really, I'm not tempted to own lots of razors and brushes. I figure on sticking with one. But soaps, creams, and ASBs...that's a different story!

[madmedic]

I originally started with a Futur, and then moved on to less aggressive razors. Now that my technique has improved.....I find myself moving back. I love my Futur, Slant, and the HD Open Comb (11C)

[Lyrt]

I started with a Feather AC, then I bought a Merkur HD, then a Slant, which I preferred, then a Sticky, which remains my favourite DE. Since then I acquired a WWII bakelite Gillette Tech and I’ve just won a lot on eBay. This is silly because I almost exclusively use my Feather AC now.

Here’s some shaving porn:
http://www.shavemyface.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11795/normal_SOTD_07_02_03.jpg

[DragonBoy]

My main razors I use alot is:

Gillette slim Adjustables (both Normal and Super)
Merkur HD
Merkur LH Classic
A couple of Swedish Swing DEs
Gillette Rocket

And lately my Straight :D A nice pre-honed Dovo 5/8 from Tony.

I can only agree with Michael, I can get at least a very decent shave from basically any razor - its technique more than anything.. Hopefully I will get there with the straight as well =)

[Mama Bear]

I started with a Feather AC, then I bought a Merkur HD, then a Slant, which I preferred, then a Sticky, which remains my favourite DE. Since then I acquired a WWII bakelite Gillette Tech and I’ve just won a lot on eBay. This is silly because I almost exclusively use my Feather AC now.

Here’s some shaving porn:
http://www.shavemyface.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11795/normal_SOTD_07_02_03.jpg

I think I am really going to love the water series...!!! Wow... :)

[Mama Bear]

I don't even know if my favorite has a name. I understand it was made between 1906 and 1921. It's a 3-piece Gillette that I found in an antique store a couple of weeks ago. I have a couple of Superspeeds, a Gillette "New" and a slant. This one beats 'em all (for me anyway).

Can you put your finger on what it is that you specifically like so much about it??

[SSLSTudio...]

I started out with Gillette Thin handle I bought it off Ebay around feb 2006 or so (old man of 76 year old wasnt safe anymore his daughter claimed the razor and bought him an electric in return he HATES the electric but as his hands shake alot now he had to depart from his DE shaves )

I didnt do my homework so much as in to know that its basically a normal razor thats plenty off on ebay on top of it I had made a mistake thinking it was a Fatboy so I bid plenty on it. in the end total cost was $29 including shipping.
The razor arrived fast but I was still waiting on my first razorblades the Israeli Personna's off Ebay aswell. my 1st cream I got 2 500ml tubs of Proraso Green.
1st Brush was a Tweezermann also off Ebay.

Then I won a Fatboy immediatly it became my fav. razor because of the extra weight it has somehow I got better shaves ,in the meantime I also bought the Derby Extra blades which were so much better for my face I ditched the IP's immediatly ..

My next razor was the Gillette No66 also known as The Silver Aristocrat. I could not get a BBS shave compared to the Fatboy. but slowly I understood that razor more and more and found the perfect combination for it to work with a Derby blade it only performs so,so but with a Feather in it its MAGIC.

so I would like to add to Leisure guy's statement he is correct with it all but there are combinations that work and combinations that work less. im sure I can get a good shave with the No66 and a IP but not as great as the No66 + the Feather that is something you have figure out yourself.

Since I have run great tests of DE blades in the past on Sharp V1 ,SharpV2, 7Am V1+V2+V3 that point has always comes straight forward some men would get a decent result with the Merkur HD ,but the same blade used in a Progress used on highest setting would suddenly transform the medium performing blade to a great performing blade with good results.

My thoughts about this are , somehow the blades weight versus its angle tension and blade gap (which is different for each model razor ) gives out a certain X result.

Each safety razor blade has a cutting force Coefficient which basically tells how sharp it is ,I can tell you which you all already know the figure for a Feather blade is of high HIGH Quality compared to for example a russian Gillette. this is just one of the data formats DE razorblade manufactors work with.

Thats why I like to have different razors and tune up each with the best blade for it to use because I like variety with blades aswell and a Feather blade will always be tricky the danger of more irritation lies easier beforehand then using any other blade.

Yukio as soon as you get tired of that STicky.. you can always send it to me, ill send you tons of Feather blades in return. :D

[PottyDoctor]

I've tried most of the vintage Gillettes and several Merkurs. Turns out I am primarily a Merkur Guy!

My Razor Rotation (Approximate):

1] Merkur 1904 -- 40% of the time
2] Merkur HD -- 30% of the time
3] Merkur Classic -- 15% of the time
4] Gillette Sensor -- 10% of the time
5] Vintage Gillette or BIC Metal -- 5% of the time

There you have it! I'm down to 6 razors in use...out of the 20 -25 in my little collection.

[Michael]

Can you put your finger on what it is that you specifically like so much about it??

Other than it looks classy and gives me closer shaves? Nah.

[msandoval858]

These days the only DE I'm using is the Slant for Method Shaving. When I shave with creams or soaps, usually go back and forth between the HD and the Long Handle. When I travel I don't care for carrying all the Hydrolast gear with me so I usually use the HD or the fold up travel Merkur I just obtained the other day.

I had a few old Gillette SS and Adjustables but traded them off as I enjoyed the Merkur razors more.

Current line up:

Merkur HD Slant
Merkur HD Open Comb
Merkur HD Standard
Merkur Long Handle Classic
Merkur Travel Razor

[PalmettoB]

No problem, Blair - I can always go back to TOP! :rolleyes:

Nah, just kidding. Parts of that (TOP) I wouldn't wish that even on Gamecock fans. :D

[qhsdoitall]

Sorry, I'm DE challenged at the moment. I'm still new at this so have been concentrating on everything else but the razor. I use a Merkur Futur at 1 - 1.5 for now. I'll be adding a new razor every 3-4 months from now. I've seen a lot of ones on here and other places I'm interested in. Out of curiosity, has anyone ever used one of these Feathers?

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/906442.htm

[Queen of Blades]

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever used one of these Feathers?

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/906442.htm

I believe Trader Joe has one.

[Baron]

I've been exclusively using a Slant for awhile now... although I recently bought a gold plated one, so I guess technically I alternate, but they're both still Slant's...

I might try switching again in the future, but they've been the best for me

[Leisureguy]

What blade in the Slant, Michael?

[TraderJoe]

Sorry, I'm DE challenged at the moment. I'm still new at this so have been concentrating on everything else but the razor. I use a Merkur Futur at 1 - 1.5 for now. I'll be adding a new razor every 3-4 months from now. I've seen a lot of ones on here and other places I'm interested in. Out of curiosity, has anyone ever used one of these Feathers?

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/906442.htm

Rich, I have both the Feather razors: the one in the link above (which has a plastic/polymer handle) and the Feather "Portable" which is a metal three-piece.

-> The plastic-handled model is often scoffed at as feeling cheap, but I find the length of the handle and overall weight & size of it to give the razor an interesting feel and it handles quite well. Its not a constant in my rotation, but I usually enjoy it when I do use it.

-> The "portable" is an excellent shaver, very similar to the gillette techs, but a little heavier. It also has a more aggressive blade exposure than the techs. Shaves well with a Feather DE.

Both of these razors will shave VERY differently and fell VERY differently than your Futur, and of course don't offer adjustability.

Here's a pic of the portable:

58

[berzerkeleyan]

...Here’s some shaving porn:


You know what's amazing about that shot? You can actually imagine the razor is some hot gal (or guy) with water/sweat dripping seductively off their bo--

I mean...uh, nice shot. :ashamed001

[Lyrt]

Sorry, I'm DE challenged at the moment. I'm still new at this so have been concentrating on everything else but the razor. I use a Merkur Futur at 1 - 1.5 for now. I'll be adding a new razor every 3-4 months from now. I've seen a lot of ones on here and other places I'm interested in. Out of curiosity, has anyone ever used one of these Feathers?

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/906442.htm

I just scored both of them (http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1963&postcount=18) for $17 shipping fees included. If you’re interested, contact Pauldog on ShaveMyFace (http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13153).

As Joe said, the Portable is similar to a Tech. I didn’t try it yet but it is very solidly built.

I shaved with the plastic “Crap” one yesterday. Again, I concur with Joe. It actually is a gentle shaver with an interesting balance. The materials used are underwhelming but in no way do they impede your technique.





(Manuel, you’re crazy)

[qhsdoitall]

Thanks for the info. I'll check with Pauldog. They won't mind?

[Bronco]

Just goes to show that razors (and blades) each have their own personality.
We just have to find the right combination to match our own. Then comes along a day that we are really happy or really sad....things change.
I bought a 58 Gillette TV, didn't care for it, sold it......then got one in a group of razors, tried it again and loved it. It's in my regular rotation now. I guess i really need to try a Merkur but just haven't gotten around to it.

[Htownmmm]

I used to have favorites(VISION,FatBoy,Slant) in that order. However, my 'favorite' is not on the market as of yet(but I know it's coming!) That would be a slant on the order of the new Merkur 38C. Larger, heftier, and slantier(I hope!)

Since they have finally come around to combining the HD with Long handle, its only a matter of time before they add the Slant head to a heftier, longer chassis. Vroom,vroom!



Marty