- Thread starter
- #21
Well I say I ordered 2 but currently it won’t let me… says worldwide postage but keeps erroring as I live in the UK!
Waiting for customer service to get back to me
Waiting for customer service to get back to me
Choosing a second DE: Problems with the Merkur 34C
- Thread starter RickRoberts
- Start date
Great suggestions above!
I also endorse trying a Tech, or if you wish to save a few $ a Lord L6 like the one I used this AM.
I also endorse trying a Tech, or if you wish to save a few $ a Lord L6 like the one I used this AM.
@RickRoberts - if you're in the UK then you have the same dilemma as I faced just a few weeks/months ago.
Many of the great razors recommended by our friends in NA can be quite hard to get hold of in the UK - or if you can, they cost a significant chunk more in the UK which skews the playing field quite dramatically in terms of relative VFM.
From my own research and wanting to move on from my Muhle R89 (great razor by the way - immaculate finish, zero blade alignment issues and should be found new for <£35 - very mild in terms of efficiency), I would have purchased both of the Game Changers for circa $55 each from Italian Barber and used the one I liked most. In the end, they wouldn't ship to the UK and I couldn't easily source them in the EU for much less than £100 each - and I thought there were probably better options in terms of VFM.
To cut a long story short, I ended up with a Green Cult 2.0 with a level II plate - fully CNC machined from stainless steel and precision personified - forget about blade alignment issues! I purchased it from a Spanish retailer Your Shaving which I'd used before and there were no import fees/VAT - around £70 delivered. If you can fit it in your travel kit I'd strongly recommend you consider this razor - it's now my daily driver.
The GC 2.0 took a little learing - my experiences are linked below. Wouldn't go back now, though.
Lastly, some have recommended a Gillette Tech - I haven't tried one but that's next on my list......
Good luck and if you need any further advice from anyone, just shout.
Green Cult Steel Razor
I wasn't aware Sailor made the AS-D2 for Feather. I remember reading about the head design of the AS-D2 razor here on B&B. I'm sure I misread the information. I know I was left with the impression, the head was plated over ____. I thought it was plated Zamak but I am glad you corrected me. I...
www.badgerandblade.com
Green Cult Steel Razor
I’d love to try the #1 plate, and I may seek one out if mine doesn’t sell. $77 shipped from their esty shop is a bit steep, so I’ll probably hold off on that. Maybe someone on the forum will offer one up for sale at some point. It isn't in stock now, but is likely less expensive from the...
www.badgerandblade.com
If I were traveling I would probably take one of my $10 Ebay Gillette Techs. I like the pre-war or post war, but prefer the fat handle.
For home I like the Razorock Game Changer (68P), Feather ASD2, or Timeless 68SB.
All fairly mild shavers, and no fiddling about with blade alinement on any of those.
For home I like the Razorock Game Changer (68P), Feather ASD2, or Timeless 68SB.
All fairly mild shavers, and no fiddling about with blade alinement on any of those.
I don’t believe I have had an issue with my 34C. Same blade alignment with an Astra SP every weekly blade change.
That is its second head, however, as I dropped it and broke the threaded rod off.
That is its second head, however, as I dropped it and broke the threaded rod off.
If you don't get any joy with the the shipping try Maggards. They delivere to the UK I've a razor from them that should be here today.
I didn’t really notice, blade alignment issues. First razor that wasn’t cartridge. Sliced the side the of my nose.
First DE razor from AOS in’09 after that for a few years went. To OC old type. Now it’s FaTips OC. But I shave every 2-3 days.
First DE razor from AOS in’09 after that for a few years went. To OC old type. Now it’s FaTips OC. But I shave every 2-3 days.
I nearly order some brushes from there but thought to hold off due to messing about with VAT and post etc …. Didn’t want the gain lost as it were … (found a TSR50 code -10% over £50 - ended up getting a jade omega and butterscotch SOC from Connaught instead)@RickRoberts - if you're in the UK then you have the same dilemma as I faced just a few weeks/months ago.
Many of the great razors recommended by our friends in NA can be quite hard to get hold of in the UK - or if you can, they cost a significant chunk more in the UK which skews the playing field quite dramatically in terms of relative VFM.
From my own research and wanting to move on from my Muhle R89 (great razor by the way - immaculate finish, zero blade alignment issues and should be found new for <£35 - very mild in terms of efficiency), I would have purchased both of the Game Changers for circa $55 each from Italian Barber and used the one I liked most. In the end, they wouldn't ship to the UK and I couldn't easily source them in the EU for much less than £100 each - and I thought there were probably better options in terms of VFM.
To cut a long story short, I ended up with a Green Cult 2.0 with a level II plate - fully CNC machined from stainless steel and precision personified - forget about blade alignment issues! I purchased it from a Spanish retailer Your Shaving which I'd used before and there were no import fees/VAT - around £70 delivered. If you can fit it in your travel kit I'd strongly recommend you consider this razor - it's now my daily driver.
The GC 2.0 took a little learing - my experiences are linked below. Wouldn't go back now, though.
Lastly, some have recommended a Gillette Tech - I haven't tried one but that's next on my list......
Good luck and if you need any further advice from anyone, just shout.
Green Cult Steel Razor
I wasn't aware Sailor made the AS-D2 for Feather. I remember reading about the head design of the AS-D2 razor here on B&B. I'm sure I misread the information. I know I was left with the impression, the head was plated over ____. I thought it was plated Zamak but I am glad you corrected me. I...
Green Cult Steel Razor
I’d love to try the #1 plate, and I may seek one out if mine doesn’t sell. $77 shipped from their esty shop is a bit steep, so I’ll probably hold off on that. Maybe someone on the forum will offer one up for sale at some point. It isn't in stock now, but is likely less expensive from the...
Ta confirming that they’re good and no additional vat - I’ll try them in future
Muhle Roccas had alignment issues at first, which they corrected very nicely. I have both the birch bark and black handle models. No alignment issues at all with either.
There are some NEW (NOS) MILITARY ISSUED, type TECH's on Ebay around 45-50 bucks.
Henson has perfect blade alignment and it’s very good for sensitive skin. Also it’s really light for traveling. Only problem could be handle length
I have the 34G, no issues with blade alignment. I will second the suggestion for the Gillette Tech. I also travel for work 1/2 of the year and use my Tech as a travel razor. It's small, light, mild, and forgiving if you have bad technique. I prefer a Feather, GSB or Nacet in my Tech, I have a coarse beard, the combo of a mild razor and an aggressive blade is efficient enough for my face.
My suggestion would be to think out of the box and try a vintage razor, whether DE, SE or injector. You can buy one of each on the Internet for a few bucks each. I started with new DEs, then moved to vintage DEs and then moved on to vintage SEs and injectors. Currently, my DEs, both modern and vintage are gathering dust, while I use SEs and injectors exclusively. I prefer SEs and injectors because the blades are more rigid and thicker and don't have the wobble of DE blades.
I have a 34C with the same sloppy blade alignment problem. The diameters of the top cap blade posts are too small. I used some electrical heat shrink tubing to increase those diameters a bit and that resolved it for me.
FWIW, you might try the Mühle R89 (same head design as the DE89, except a little better build quality). Very similar head design but much better blade alignment (at least for me).
FWIW, you might try the Mühle R89 (same head design as the DE89, except a little better build quality). Very similar head design but much better blade alignment (at least for me).
