A thought on changing from vintage to modern DE razors-

[endcycle]

I normally use a wonderful Gillette Fatboy to shave, and occasionally break out the superspeed (which is my standard travel razor) as well. I also own some Kronas and various other vintage razors.

My modern collection up until recently was: merkur slant. That's it. The slant rarely got any action, and was mostly for days when I had to mow down a 3-day growth or similar.

I decided to treat myself to a new razor recently, and snagged an Edwin Jagger DE-86 (black handle) from ShavingEssentials.net. It's a beauty - absolutely gorgeous, very well made, and very solid. The handle is a touch on the slick side, but that's okay. I don't mind it at all.

I loaded it up with a feather blade and went at it the next morning with DR Harris Marlborough cream (also a new purchase). The shave did not go well. It was rough and irritating all the way through. I found that odd, since I was using a feather and USUALLY those cut through hair as if it wasn't even there. I was pretty sure I could safely blame the shave cream on that one- I didn't like the feel of the lather, and I wouldn't have minded tossing the tube into a BST thread if necessary. The scent, honestly, was annoying. Thankfully, it was weak. Now, I never reject any product on a single use, so I gave the DE86 another try the next day - this time using my standard "nothing is better than this shave" soap, Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet. I threw on a bit of jojoba, lathered up fully, and shaved. Still a bit more pulling and irritation than I would have liked - and I actually nicked myself, which NEVER happens anymore.

The next morning, I gave it a try with another "can't miss" combo - art of shaving sandalwood soap and kiss my face's Patchouli (superlather). THIS time, I consciously started over with my technique, and checked my angle continuously... and this shave was damned near perfect.

So here's the thing I learned about the modern razors vs vintage - the angle is different! I had no idea how different the angle actually could be, but man it was worth it. I'm totally in love with this razor now - it does a KILLER job.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've mostly moved from a Fatboy to a DE89L, with several detours along the way and occasional other razors tossed in.

While I didn't nick myself with the DE89L, it also took me several shaves to get the angle down right with it. Since I got it down, I've had nothing but incredible shaves! The Fatboy and others always do a good job, but the EJ head is something special.

 

[njpaddy]

I don't find much difference between my vintage razors and the Merkur HD, but I found a big difference between my vintage and EJ Chatsworth Barley. The barley is a heavy razor, with most of the weight in the handle. My first two shaves with the barley were smooth and close, but I gave myself a nice nick on the chin and some serious irritation in one spot on my neck. I came to the same conclusion as you...blade angle. The barley's up next in rotation this week and I will be paying closer attention this time around.

 

[Nils]

A cautionary word about the use of the word 'modern': The Slant is a 1931 design and has not been changed since.

 

[cooncatbob]

There probably hasn't been any advancement in DE razor design since the Gillette adjustables in the late 50s.

 

[SUMMERSRL]

I have used several vintage Gillette's (SS, Fatboy, Slim). I have been using a Merkur 11C this week. Boy... talk about a difference in angle! The first shave was rough. The second a bit better. The third was getting there. And, today's went well. I think I'm going to love the 11C, but it has been a bit of a challenge to make that happen!

 

[Futur]

I have a SS and compared to that, my DE89 is way more aggressive and much less forgiving of bad angles. With the SS, I don't think I could nick myself even if I tried to. The DE89 bites hard if I don't watch what I'm doing. I normally do a 1 pass with touchup in the morning, with the SS that gives me a CCS, with the DE89 I get a DFS.

I have to say that my Merkur Futur outperforms both of them, I get about the same DFS as the DE89, but with even more comfort and ease of use than the SS.

 

[GEM-AHOLIC]

I went backwards, recently started back shaving with the DE89L, then found a Gillette New Deluxe in the antique shop, no more DE89L for me.

 

[Austin]

I ditched my vintages 2 years ago. I am happy with my modern razors. It's doubtful I will ever go vintage again.

 

[chrislols]

Yeah, I had this problem when going from a Merkur 33c, to a '64 Gillette SS. Roughly a 48 year difference. Although I still favor my Merkur more, I do LOVE my Gillette. Although I wouldn't go so far as to call it 'vintage' per-say.

 

[mblakele]

I went backwards, recently started back shaving with the DE89L, then found a Gillette New Deluxe in the antique shop, no more DE89L for me.

The New Deluxe is a fine razor. But I am quoting your post for the benefit of newcomers, in order to emphasis an iron-clad rule: do not select a razor as part of your username.

Slantman shaves with an SE, you have a New Deluxe - there are many other examples. Any day now I expect to see luvmysuper announcing a sell-off because he has found his one true injector.

 

[jakespoppy]

I am currently in the process of selling off my vintage razors, with one possible exception, as my rotation now includes a Merkur HD, Edwin Jagger DE89L, and Muhle R89. The heads on these "modern" razors work amazingly well for me, a clear step above the rest. The one exception, for now, is a British Rocket Flaretip. That one may still prove equal in performance, for me, to the modern razors.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

I am going to have to try one of these Edwin Jagger razors...

 

[dreadpirate]

I started with a Merkur 38C (which is not for me, too big), then discovered I liked the Gillette TTO's, then the Gillette open combs. So I figured, if I like the Gillette open combs, what about the Murker open-combs? What about a slant? I see merit in all of them.

 

[Andy]

I have quite a few vintage gillette razors and always recieved a good shave from them.
A few months ago I switched to a Merkur Futur and the results have been amazing, while the head is larger than a normal safety razor after a little practise it can be just as good (or better) in the smaller areas (under the nose)
Not sure if it is limited to the futur but I have found that while the angle is different compared to the vintage gillettes (YMMV) the futur gives audio feedback when you have the correct angle (sounds like scraping a knife over toast).

 

[GoldenMonkey]

I started with a Futur, then a 55 Super Speed, then a Fatboy, then one of Bob's Bull Mastiff/NEW combos, then a 34 Aristocrat...and went back to the Futur as my regular shaver. It's just consistant, well balanced, adjustable, and works best for me. Don't get me wrong, the SS and the 34 'Crat are great, and the Bull Mastiff/NEW is phenomenal, but I always know where I stand with the Futur.

Of course, now I have a Brit #21 Aristocrat on the way, so...who knows!

 

[Stubblefield]

I'm the opposite: I started with EJ/Merkur and ended up switching to Kronas and Rockets.

Should have made my Screen name "Rocket Man."

 

[GoldenMonkey]

I'm the opposite: I started with EJ/Merkur and ended up switching to Kronas and Rockets.

Should have made my Screen name "Rocket Man."

Just for you, my friend...an oldie but goodie:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MGN899yE[/YOUTUBE]

 

[ctakim]

I started with a Merkur HD but then moved on to slims, Fat Boys, 'crats, and SuperSpeeds. Now I've never looked back. I am the opposite of this thread.

 

[Doublefelix]

Funny, I thought the blade angle is about the same as the vintage NEW's.

Just purchased a DE89L and I couldn't be happier.

The angle is slightly different than a HD, and I think it is just a tad more aggressive when the angle is right. But just a tad... nothing to really worry about.

Then angle, to me, isn't any more of a challenge than going TTO to any 3 piece.

I will also say that the DE89L is a beautiful razor. Solid, well built, absolutely smooth without any rough edges, and the chrome, oh the chrome.