My first birth year razor arrives tomorrow, Brian.
3 DE Safety Razor Choices...
- Thread starter TripleB
- Start date
Aggression is really determined more by the razor and its geometry. For blades, most people are interested in factors such as sharpness, comfort and longevity. Several of these factors can be measured, but there's some subjective preferences, too. So, you will not find universal agreement about blade choices.
You might think it would be better to start with a duller blade, but actually it's better to find the sharpest blade that is reasonably comfortable to you. Longevity is mainly an economic factor. Who cares if a blade lasts a long time if it's horrible to shave with?
There has been a ton written on this forum (and elsewhere) about blades over the years. It would be nice to have something more organized and current. I'll just point out a few things...but there is always the search feature...
Recently, @helicopter has been doing a research project of systematic blade testing that may shed some light. Over 190 blades so far, and continuing to grow, with measurements and even micro photos. Here is an index post:
Blade Sharpness Measurement Data and Index
border="1" data-sheets-baot="1" data-sheets-root="1" dir="ltr" id="isPasted" style="width: 100%" |- | Blade Sharpness Test Index | |- | Blade | Test |- | 7AM Plus Hi Platinum | 5 |- | Apache | 66 |- | Assured For Men (AFM) blade from Dollar Tree | 2 |- | Astra SP Green India | 19 |- |...
www.badgerandblade.com
How many shaves do people get from a blade? There is a thread where people can report their experiences. Systematic and organized, it isn't. Use the search feature within the thread to find references to a particular blade, or just browse recent posts:
Which blade did you toss today? After how many uses?
This thread is similar to the "which blade did you use today?" thread. I'm interested in seeing average blade life. No worries if you are a "throw away after 2 days no matter what" person.. :) We'll see if this catches on.. Super Platinum (4)
www.badgerandblade.com
The razor blade sub-forum...you can search this forum by thread title:
This is just touching the surface. I know it would be nice to have a magical website where everything is kept always current and organized, but...this may help.
Mine is arriving tomorrow as well!My first birth year razor arrives tomorrow, Brian.
Excellent, my friend!
Subjective opinion, start in the middle. Most middle-of-the-road blade is probably Astra SP. Somewhat sharper: Perma-Sharp Super, Nacet. Lateral move: Treet 7 Days, Lord Platinum, etc...
My first birth year razor arrives tomorrow, Brian.
As usual, I am late to the party and behind... What is the significance of "birth year"?
Nothing really except for getting Gillette razors that was manufactured during your birth year and even birth quarter. Mine is S-2 which is 1972, 2nd quarter. Gillette had 4-5 razors in production at that time. This may vary depending on the year. Just getting my first one.
I’m an M-4. December 1967. I have collected all of my birth year razors. All of them but one are the proper quarter as well. It’s a rewarding hunt. And I tend to break them out for a full week of shaves during my birthday week.
These are the birth year razors for 1967:
Tech
Black Handle Super Speed
Techmatic (aka the space razor)
Slim
Slim Twist / Knack
Lady Starburst
Back to the original topic….
I find the Astra SP from Russia to be the best beginner blade. It is so much in the middle of the road. The perfect combination of sharpness versus smoothness. The only caveat is that production of these blades is no longer in Russia. So I don’t know how the new ones stack up. But I also think the Chinese King C Gillette blades exhibit this same personality. Voskhod too. This is the sort of blade I use when first trying a new razor. And great for beginners.
- Thread starter
- #49
I started out with Muhle R89. Very good razor. Added a slant about 8 months later to compliment it. Excellent combo. Then I tried the Rockwell 6C and with the right plate it perfectly handles any amount of growth. As I realized it was all I will ever need I sold off my razors and picked up the stainless steel version, 6S with lifetime warranty (if purchased from their website). The 6S has been my only razor now for over a year.
- Thread starter
- #51
Thank you for that clarification. I heard the term and I guess I was trying to sound "smart" when I really had no clue what I was talking about. I felt like the aggression value would be a good indication of if I was more likely or less likely to cut myselfAggression is really determined more by the razor and its geometry. For blades, most people are interested in factors such as sharpness, comfort and longevity.
You might think it would be better to start with a duller blade, but actually it's better to find the sharpest blade that is reasonably comfortable to you.
Recently, @helicopter has been doing a research project of systematic blade testing that may shed some light. Over 190 blades so far, and continuing to grow, with measurements and even micro photos. Here is an index post:
Blade Sharpness Measurement Data and Index
border="1" data-sheets-baot="1" data-sheets-root="1" dir="ltr" id="isPasted" style="width: 100%" |- | Blade Sharpness Test Index | |- | Blade | Test |- | 7AM Plus Hi Platinum | 5 |- | Apache | 66 |- | Assured For Men (AFM) blade from Dollar Tree | 2 |- | Astra SP Green India | 19 |- |...
Thanks for pointing that out about the sharper vs duller blade...that makes a lot of sense about finding a blade that's the best combination of comfort and closeness for the individual person!
I appreciate you putting that link up. I'll definitely check it out real soon as my variety pack of blades come in on Friday.
Thank you very much for this information. It definitely gives me an idea of where to start my journey!
For me, I just thinks it's pretty cool to have something (that I'll actually use) from my birth year - 57 years ago is a long time ago and to find something in excellent enough shape to still use is pretty awesome! Especially if it's better than newer razors, as some on here have mentioned.
Thanks for posting this.
I honestly think I'm going to go with the 6c - I know some have mentioned that it takes extra time to change the plates during a shave (compared to the turning of a dial), but as a beginner I'm going to be going slow anyway - which will hopefully mean I'll be safer. And once I find a plate I like, I feel it will be interesting to try out various blades to see if I have to move up or down a plate to find a sweet spot for that blade. If I don't get an adjustable razor and a blade doesn't work well for that razor, then I would veto it immediately. With the 6c, I could change the plate and see if that blade just works better being paired up with a different plate. Could be an amazing blade that just needed to be put with a different plate to reach its full potential.
Again, thanks to everyone...you have been a true blessing as I start my journey!!!
TripleB
...I felt like the aggression value would be a good indication of if I was more likely or less likely to cut myself
Don't worry, you will get the hang of it after a bit of practice. Cutting yourself will be fairly rare.
I can literally change/flip a plate in as little as 15 seconds - with my eyes closed. (Ironically it would take me more time to change an adjustable dial since I would need to put on my glasses to read the number). A flip might be between plates 4/2. 3/1 same time of course but I really have no use for plate 1. I started with using mostly plate 3. Then when growth was greater, I did plate 2 and 4. Now I use plate 3 for 1 1/2 days growth and plate 5 for 2 days with no changes. Of course the key is a good slick soap and sometimes a preshave like Proraso.
Also, the Rockwell seems to play well with most blades but the poorest blade I tried are the included Rockwell blades. My favorite blades are Perma-Sharp, also Nacets and Gillette 7 O’clock Black. I stocked up on Russian made Perma-Sharps late last year, $10/100 at the time, so I am good for another 4+ years.
If you go with Rockwell make sure you wait a few week for the black friday sales. They can be huge and that is when I bought my 6S with the stand. Plus, you can double dip during that sale by adding a discount code to the sales price. Thank is what I did. Remember, if you buy from Rockwell you will get lifetime warranty and 30 day trial. Search: 40 results found for "6c" - https://getrockwell.com/search?q=6c&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
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In the not too distant past acquiring birth year razors was all the rage. I admit I got caught up in the mania, too, and I was lucky enough to pick up a Super Speed and a Red Tip, both in year and quarter (A3). I use them every now and then, but mostly they lay in the razor bin. Like others - I have the EJDE89. My first few shaves with it were great - but then, like others have noted, I started getting tiny weepers every time I shaved - mainly on/around my chin. The Henson looks quite nice - maybe I will find a used one at some point. Can't see paying triple-digit prices for some of the new ones, though. I think the OP is on the right path with razors and that sampler pack, too. I really with the Try-A-Blade website was still up and running.
And - directly to the OP -- when you go one YouTube for videos - be sure to check out the shaving videos done by Mantic59. They are a few years old, but still have great advice.
And - directly to the OP -- when you go one YouTube for videos - be sure to check out the shaving videos done by Mantic59. They are a few years old, but still have great advice.
I was a newbie like you, still am to be honest and i had the same questions. I went with the Merkur 34c and haven't looked back. Its all I use. As for the blades, I bought the 100 pack with all the different blades and I can say you do notice a difference. Some go blunt quicker than others. For me, the Gillette king ones were the winner. I've just finished the 100 pack and will stick with the Gillette myself.
Sir, the DE razors you mention above are all excellent and NOT ONLY for newbies. After +30 years of wet shaving mild razors like the EJ DE89 and Mühle R89 are still my favourite choice. Also, once you find the level of aggressiveness that works best for you I suggest investing a bit more money on a Stainless Steel DE razor, which will last a lifetime.
Here at your disposal for any further adive or help.
- Thread starter
- #57
Just a quick update to let you know about my razor purchases. I've purchased a '67 Gillette Super Speed and a Rockwell 6C. I'm currently liking the SS a little better between the two, although I like the adjustability of the 6C.
I tried a friend's Parker Variant and much preferred the Rockwell 6C.
Since I'm liking the SS a bit better, I'm sure my next purchase will be a vintage Gillette Slim adjustable or a Gillette Super adjustable.
Thanks to everyone for all of your help throughout this process!!!
TripleB
I tried a friend's Parker Variant and much preferred the Rockwell 6C.
Since I'm liking the SS a bit better, I'm sure my next purchase will be a vintage Gillette Slim adjustable or a Gillette Super adjustable.
Thanks to everyone for all of your help throughout this process!!!
TripleB
- Thread starter
- #58
Quick update from my one week update from my update last week:
I compared the Rockwell 6C, Gillette Super Speed TTO, and a Leaf Twig. The Leaf Twig was the stand out of the three...smoother, more consistent, easier to use, and less irritation. I wasn't very consistent using the 6C (missed a lot of spots) and I got a lot of skin irritation using the SSTTO.
I had a chance to hold a Pearl Flexi today and wow - that razor has some heft to it! The shorter handle and heavier (much heavier than expected) weight really made the razor feel awkward in my larger hands. I won't have the chance to try it so I won't get to see what an amazing razor it is, but if I went by how it felt in my hands I'm not sure it would be the razor for me!
TripleB
I compared the Rockwell 6C, Gillette Super Speed TTO, and a Leaf Twig. The Leaf Twig was the stand out of the three...smoother, more consistent, easier to use, and less irritation. I wasn't very consistent using the 6C (missed a lot of spots) and I got a lot of skin irritation using the SSTTO.
I had a chance to hold a Pearl Flexi today and wow - that razor has some heft to it! The shorter handle and heavier (much heavier than expected) weight really made the razor feel awkward in my larger hands. I won't have the chance to try it so I won't get to see what an amazing razor it is, but if I went by how it felt in my hands I'm not sure it would be the razor for me!
TripleB
I’m a newb and I love the Merkur 34C HD. I’ve gotten great and comfortable shaves with it so far with an Astra Platinum blade (green box).
That's great, good results came quickly? Nice work, welcome to B&B!
