AliExpress Razor Recommendation for Sensitive Skin, Thick Beard

[cowsarecute]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some expert advice on choosing a new razor. I've been using the Vikings Blade Chieftain for a few years now and it's been okay, but I'm ready to upgrade and hopefully find my "one" now that I have more experience with wet shaving.

I'm looking for a razor specifically for shaving my neck, and I'm planning to start shaving my head in the future as well. I don't shave my face, but it's important that the razor allows me to create clean, accurate beard lines. My beard is quite thick, and my skin is sensitive and prone to bumps after shaving, so I usually shave every 2-3 days.

AliExpress is the easiest and most accessible shopping option where I live, so I've been focusing on Chinese brands. From my research on the forum, these models seem like potential contenders:

- DS Cosmetics: V92, V95, S9
- Yaqi: Bohemia, Ghost models (70/90 SB), Trifecta

I'm open to other suggestions as well! Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[DesertIguana]

Have you look at Vintage Slim Adjustable.

 

[ShavedPeeps]

No experience with AliExpress, but watching thread to see what I can learn.

Good luck on your quest

 

[spacemonkey42]

I’d recommend getting a razor from a company that doesn’t steal designs. How about a Razorock Game Changer or Lupo? They have similar costs and many base plate options.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I have two Yaqi razors now.... but they are clones of ancient razors in one case... the stainless steel Mellon... and the other one is a clone of the Merkur 37C but in stainless steel that no other company has at the moment.

I totally agree with @spacemonkey42 . I avoid copies of razors still in production. I know other people have reasons for doing so... Cost being the main one. For someone on a limited budget, they consider all the options... I get that. I also know AliExpress is an attractive option for some because other products, with the added VAT, can become cost prohibitive.

For those outside the States or Canada, RazoRock can get pretty expensive. That's unfortunate, because their prices and quality are pretty amazing for those of us living in the States or Canada.

 

[dmshaver]

Check the B & B Buy Sell trade (BST) section of the forum.

 

[Mike M]

Your beard is never as thick as you think and your skin is never as sensitive as you think. The bumps you get after shaving sound like razor burn which can occur from applying too much pressure, or going over a spot where there is no soap. I know you've been doing this years, but hear me out.
Try applying little to no pressure as you shave, you may find at first the finish is not as smooth as you like ,but stick with it because there are things you can do.
There is no mention of what blade you are using or whether you have tried different blades. There is also no mention of what soap you use. Whilst most decent soaps will give you a decent shave soaps are not all born equal, some will be much slicker than others so some experimentation might help. There is no mention of how many passes you do, 1, 2 or 3? With, across or against the grain? If you do more than 1 pass going back and doing 1 pass then building back up from there may help.
Finally you asked about razors, I've owned a couple of Chinese razors, but even when you compare the copy to the real thing there is no comparison. If money is important and you need something cheap then by all means get whatever tickles your fancy, but remember cheap Chinese razors are not all they are cracked up to be. You will find that many European and American companies produce well thought out and researched razors rather than one that just looks like a well premium razor. Am I saying you need to spend a fortune, not a chance. My favorite razor is a Muhle Rocca that I payed €80 for and I have a couple of other razors by the same manufacturer that cost half that and still have great performance. You can order a razor from almost anywhere in the world delivered to your door in a couple of weeks, don't limit yourself to one supplier go nuts look at what other people are interested in whilst you look at blades and soap, but remember technique is everything if you haven't got that you have nothing.

Sorry about the long answer but I seem to have become long winded in my old age

 

[helicopter]

A lot of the designs are revived discontinued razors, Pagoda Mirabilis, Final Cut, Duomo, Ultima, Harlequin, Mellon, Knight Helmet.

The liveben and shield razors that come up with a "316l razor" search are an excellent value. All of the Yaqi and DSC razors I have are very well made and finished, but ĺ haven't really explored the milder options.

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

There was a Merkur 34C that just sold on the b/s/t for $25 shipped (probably a bit more international) but yeah I would never go to temu, aliexpress or any of them looking for a quality shave product. As saying that I have bought a lot and my GF is addicted to buying from there, so it's not "i'm too good for Chinese stuff" attitude and my budget is very, very limited. But to each his own.

 

[Cal]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some expert advice on choosing a new razor. I've been using the Vikings Blade Chieftain for a few years now and it's been okay, but I'm ready to upgrade and hopefully find my "one" now that I have more experience with wet shaving.

I'm looking for a razor specifically for shaving my neck, and I'm planning to start shaving my head in the future as well. I don't shave my face, but it's important that the razor allows me to create clean, accurate beard lines. My beard is quite thick, and my skin is sensitive and prone to bumps after shaving, so I usually shave every 2-3 days.

AliExpress is the easiest and most accessible shopping option where I live, so I've been focusing on Chinese brands. From my research on the forum, these models seem like potential contenders:

- DS Cosmetics: V92, V95, S9
- Yaqi: Bohemia, Ghost models (70/90 SB), Trifecta

I'm open to other suggestions as well! Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your help.

I definitely recommend the Yaqi Stainless Steel Mellon.

Here's mine on its custom olive wood handle:

 

[cowsarecute]

Have you look at Vintage Slim Adjustable.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will take a look.

I’d recommend getting a razor from a company that doesn’t steal designs. How about a Razorock Game Changer or Lupo? They have similar costs and many base plate options.

Thanks for the recommendation! I understand the concerns about cloned designs. Razorock is a bit difficult and expensive to get where I live (for example, the game change .84 is 110$), but they are definitely on my radar. I will research them more.

I have two Yaqi razors now.... but they are clones of ancient razors in one case... the stainless steel Mellon... and the other one is a clone of the Merkur 37C but in stainless steel that no other company has at the moment.

I totally agree with @spacemonkey42 . I avoid copies of razors still in production. I know other people have reasons for doing so... Cost being the main one. For someone on a limited budget, they consider all the options... I get that. I also know AliExpress is an attractive option for some because other products, with the added VAT, can become cost prohibitive.

For those outside the States or Canada, RazoRock can get pretty expensive. That's unfortunate, because their prices and quality are pretty amazing for those of us living in the States or Canada.

Thanks for sharing your experience with Yaqi. I understand your point about avoiding clones of razors currently in production. It's helpful to hear different perspectives on this. As you mentioned, accessibility and cost are big factors for me, so I'm initially looking at AliExpress. I'll keep exploring all my options though.

Check the B & B Buy Sell trade (BST) section of the forum.

Thanks for the tip! I'll take a look at the BST section.

Your beard is never as thick as you think and your skin is never as sensitive as you think. The bumps you get after shaving sound like razor burn which can occur from applying too much pressure, or going over a spot where there is no soap. I know you've been doing this years, but hear me out.
Try applying little to no pressure as you shave, you may find at first the finish is not as smooth as you like ,but stick with it because there are things you can do.
There is no mention of what blade you are using or whether you have tried different blades. There is also no mention of what soap you use. Whilst most decent soaps will give you a decent shave soaps are not all born equal, some will be much slicker than others so some experimentation might help. There is no mention of how many passes you do, 1, 2 or 3? With, across or against the grain? If you do more than 1 pass going back and doing 1 pass then building back up from there may help.
Finally you asked about razors, I've owned a couple of Chinese razors, but even when you compare the copy to the real thing there is no comparison. If money is important and you need something cheap then by all means get whatever tickles your fancy, but remember cheap Chinese razors are not all they are cracked up to be. You will find that many European and American companies produce well thought out and researched razors rather than one that just looks like a well premium razor. Am I saying you need to spend a fortune, not a chance. My favorite razor is a Muhle Rocca that I payed €80 for and I have a couple of other razors by the same manufacturer that cost half that and still have great performance. You can order a razor from almost anywhere in the world delivered to your door in a couple of weeks, don't limit yourself to one supplier go nuts look at what other people are interested in whilst you look at blades and soap, but remember technique is everything if you haven't got that you have nothing.

Sorry about the long answer but I seem to have become long winded in my old age

Thanks for the detailed advice! You've given me a lot to think about regarding technique. To answer your questions:

• I'm actively testing different blades right now. I have a large sample pack with about 30 different models to try. My last shave was with Astra Stainless, which I'm currently finding to be my favorite.
• For soap, I'm actually using regular hand soap at the moment. I know, I know, it's not ideal! I'm definitely planning to upgrade to a proper shaving soap or cream soon and am researching options.
• I usually do three passes: two with the grain and one against the grain. I find that going against the grain as a final pass doesn't add any more irritation compared to doing a third pass with the grain. It's the same for me in terms of irritation, but the ATG pass gives me much better results and a cleaner shave.
• I will add the Muhle Rocca to my research list, thanks for the recommendation.

I'll definitely work on my technique, particularly pressure. Perhaps a new razor, combined with the right blade and proper shaving soap, might help me refine this further and reduce the bumps I sometimes get. I appreciate your insights!

A lot of the designs are revived discontinued razors, Pagoda Mirabilis, Final Cut, Duomo, Ultima, Harlequin, Mellon, Knight Helmet.

The liveben and shield razors that come up with a "316l razor" search are an excellent value. All of the Yaqi and DSC razors I have are very well made and finished, but ĺ haven't really explored the milder options.

Good to know that many of these are based on discontinued designs. Thanks for the specific recommendations – I'll check out the Liveben and Shield razors too!

I definitely recommend the Yaqi Stainless Steel Mellon.

Here's mine on its custom olive wood handle:
View attachment 1983284

That's a beautiful razor and handle! The Mellon is getting on my list of potential options. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[albsat]

Aliexpress?

I have recently bought DsCosmetic Ax- Se zamac that comes with 3 plates. I enjoyed a lot one of those 3 plates. Cost was under 20 usd. A safe bet.

 

[Mike M]

For soap, I'm actually using regular hand soap at the moment. I know, I know, it's not ideal! I'm definitely planning to upgrade to a proper shaving soap or cream soon and am researching options

The lather from hand soap dissipates quite quickly and is not designed to provide the kind of slickness you get from a proper shaving soap. You don't need to spend big bucks, even the cheapest shaving soap will provide an infinite improvement over regular bath soap. That could easily be the reason you are experiencing irritation and is the very first thing I would change before looking for a new razor.

I'm actively testing different blades right now. I have a large sample pack with about 30 different models to try. My last shave was with Astra Stainless, which I'm currently finding to be my favorite.

Good to see you are using a sample pack, don't forget different blades will perform differently in different razors so save some to try with your next razor purchase.

I usually do three passes: two with the grain and one against the grain. I find that going against the grain as a final pass doesn't add any more irritation compared to doing a third pass with the grain. It's the same for me in terms of irritation, but the ATG pass gives me much better results and a cleaner shave

Try one with the grain, one across the grain and one against the grain. Something that might be of benefit is to map your beard growth. Let your beard grow a bit, a few days should do it and then feel which direction the hairs grow in. You may find that your beard grows in odd directions and this might help you to adjust your shaving passes accordingly. I found, through much trial and error that on my second across the grain pass if I come from my ear down towards the middle of my neck and then do a small turn (like a J) under my chin I get a closer smoother shave.

I appreciate your insights!

You are very welcome and always remember there are no silly questions here, people are always ready with answers and suggestions.
I hope this thread helps you to find the shaving improvements you seek.

 

[Umma2gumma]

After a few years of wet shaving and trying some newer razors, I found that the ones that work the best for me are Gillette vintage designs, especially the Superspeeds. It took me a while to get proficient with them - but once I did, there's no modern razor - at least from ones that I've used - that provides the same degree of shaving comfort and allows a certain level of carelessness while still being efficient.

A user-grade Superspeed can be had for a song.

 

[edsonmenini]

I have two Yaqi razors now.... but they are clones of ancient razors in one case... the stainless steel Mellon... and the other one is a clone of the Merkur 37C but in stainless steel that no other company has at the moment.

I totally agree with @spacemonkey42 . I avoid copies of razors still in production. I know other people have reasons for doing so... Cost being the main one. For someone on a limited budget, they consider all the options... I get that. I also know AliExpress is an attractive option for some because other products, with the added VAT, can become cost prohibitive.

For those outside the States or Canada, RazoRock can get pretty expensive. That's unfortunate, because their prices and quality are pretty amazing for those of us living in the States or Canada.

Not judging whatever anyone is doing or thinking but yes, I have purchased some stuff from ali. Just as a perspective, our currency right now is running at BRL 6.00/USD or 0.17 cents of a dollar. Whatever we purchased outside is taxed at a rate of 73% on the purchase PLUS shipping, which usually doubles whatever we are buying. That translates into 12 times the amount in USD to our local currency. Whatever your currency is that is a tough hit.

The only times I buy from US/Canada these days is if I have someone bring it to me as a personal carry on item that goes through customs without the taxes.

Some of you mentioned the B/S/T section, I have been following that and due to the shipping cost the great majority is announced as "CON US ONLY", so those are not really an option most of the times, although I did sign up for a forwarding service that ships for less. Regular ebay shipping rates run at USD 40

I have purchased some locally produced Gillette vintage TTO on auction sites and street fairs and luckly there is this guy that started his restoration service and does not charge an eye for it.

That's that.