Baseline Razor

[marathonman74]

I have been in the mood to try new blades lately. I picked up some new blades and am ready to give them a whirl. I know what razor I will be using.

What razor do you use as your 'baseline razor'? The razor you can use to judge blades by?

 

[blzrfn]

Edwin Jaeger, Muhle, or Merkur would fit the bill nicely

 

[xxvaleria]

+1 on EJ De89.

 

[Gabeson]

For me, its always a Muhle R89 Grande. Such a wonderful razor, and always my go-to, especially for testing new blades.

 

[Eeyore]

Schick Krona

 

[dpm802]

For blade testing, I use a FrankenRazor ... Stahly head on a Tradere handle.
This is my go-to razor for 2-day shaves, usually with AstraSP blades.

If I had to nominate a readily available razor, though, it would probably be a Merkur HD or a Gillette Tech.

 

[Cosmos Mariner]

Gillette NEW LC

 

[Neil-O]

Pre-war triangle Gillette Tech.

Neil

 

[fightingillini22]

'56 Superspeed. It's a completely neutral razor, perfect for determining aggressiveness and longevity of the blade.

+1 on the SS.

 

[MammalMan]

An Gillette Old Type.

 

[polishaver]

76 black handle super speed or my 61 slim set on 5

 

[BSAGuy]

Agree. This is my baseline tester.

Schick Krona

 

[WildWest74]

I only have two DE, but if I am testing new blades I will throw them in my MTO before trying them in my Tech.

 

[Frugalshave]

Merkur HD 34c

 

[19TPL91]

Old Type OC clone that I picked up from the 'Bay. It's my go to if I want to shave quickly or test a new blade. I've yet to find something to beat an Astra SP in there. In fact, I've yet to find any razor that I prefer any blade other than an Astra SP in. What a delightful blade!

TPL

 

[Dog Whiskerer]

My Merkur 1904, mainly because I used it almost exclusively for nine months and am most familiar with how it shaves. Before I "understood" shaving, I used a Gillette Super Adjustable for over 30 years. You'd think that would be my baseline. But it's not. I suffered through a lot of inconsistent shaves with that razor.

 

[Pepin]

Gillette New Style, followed by the Gillette Old.

 

[BigJ]

Actually have two: EJ89 (old standard) and Wolfman SB (new, improved standard).

 

[imcndn]

Merkur HD 34c

+1 Same for me

 

[dionesius3]

Gillette New LC or Fat Handle Pre-War Tech