DE curious - Merkur or Gillette

[mbrando]

Hi,

I'm curious about trying a DE. Any thoughts on Merkur or Gillette? Or is there a particular model I should look for or avoid?

I recall seeing a vendor here that sold a sample set of razors that has many different DE brands. Anyone know which vendor this was? I think they had an ebay store.

- Mike

 

[mmack66]

Hi,

I'm curious about trying a DE. Any thoughts on Merkur or Gillette? Or is there a particular model I should look for or avoid?

I recall seeing a vendor here that sold a sample set of razors that has many different DE brands. Anyone know which vendor this was? I think they had an ebay store.

- Mike

A 40's style Gillette SuperSpeed would be a great starting razor. The sampler that you have seen was likely for DE blades, and not the razors themselves. West Coast Shaving has a sampler pack of blades.

 

[luvmysuper]

A 40's style Gillette SuperSpeed would be a great starting razor. The sampler that you have seen was likely for DE blades, and not the razors themselves. West Coast Shaving has a sampler pack of blades.

+1
Great advice right there!

 

[mbrando]

Hi,

Thank you. Yes, the blades I meant. I'll look for West Coast Shaving on ebay.

- Mike

 

[mdevine]

I agree with the above posts. A Gillette Superspeed and a blade sampler would serve you well.

 

[mbrando]

Hi,

Great. Then I'm on the move. I have bid on a Gillette Super Speed safety razor 1953 and just found www.westcoastshaving.com I'll look for their sample pack.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jeff2011]

Bolingbrook...I am right up the road from you.

+1 on Gillettes--you can pick one up on BST fairly inexpensively with a bit of patience.

If the bug bites you and you get into Chicago once in a while you can hit the Merz Apothecary. I went to the one on North Lincoln and had the chance to compare a Muhle Open Comb and Merkur H.D. side by side...and took the Muhle home. It is in regular rotation with a few vintage Gillettes. In addition, I got to check out a nice lineup of Simpson brushes that I narrowly avoided drooling on.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

I highly recommend an 1980s version of the Gillette Super Adjustable. It's the one with the black plastic cap under the head and the metal black handle. Here's mine...

 

[PhatMan]

mbrando,

I think every wet-shaver hould have at least one Gillette TTO razor; they are part of shaving history and are very competent razors.

Saying that, my favourite Gillette is the English New long-comb two piece (part of the #77 or #88) set !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[narativesoul]

i would say start with a tech. i know its a bit more of a pain to load but great starter shave

 

[SRock]

Vintage is the best way to go! IMHO Vintage Gillette's are much better shavers than their modern counterparts.

 

[mbrando]

Vintage is the best way to go! IMHO Vintage Gillette's are much better shavers than their modern counterparts.

Hi,

What makes one DE a better shaver than another if the blades get replaced? Is it type comb or head design or how the blade is held by the razor?

I currently use a straight. I know for me with a straight razor it has more to do with how sharp the straight razor is and technique.

So what makes a particular DE a good shaver?

Thanks,
- Mike

 

[mbrando]

I highly recommend an 1980s version of the Gillette Super Adjustable. It's the one with the black plastic cap under the head and the metal black handle. Here's mine...

Hi,

What is adjustable on it?

- Mike

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Another vote for vintage.. A Super Speed or Tech, you cannot go wrong with either of them.

 

[mbrando]

Bolingbrook...I am right up the road from you.

+1 on Gillettes--you can pick one up on BST fairly inexpensively with a bit of patience.

If the bug bites you and you get into Chicago once in a while you can hit the Merz Apothecary. I went to the one on North Lincoln and had the chance to compare a Muhle Open Comb and Merkur H.D. side by side...and took the Muhle home. It is in regular rotation with a few vintage Gillettes. In addition, I got to check out a nice lineup of Simpson brushes that I narrowly avoided drooling on.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks. I think I'll add Merz to my next stop when in the city. A friend was telling me he buys his shave soap there. merzapothecary.com

- Mike

 

[drandall]

there are some solid choices either way. here are my suggestions....

if you go vintage gillette: superspeed or tech (ball-handled or fat handled)

if you go merkur: get the HD

but to this list, i'd add one more: the edwin jagger DE89.

in my experience, it's one of the best modern razors made today. it's neither overly tame nor overly aggressive. they're beautifully made and very affordable.

 

[mbrando]

there are some solid choices either way. here are my suggestions....

if you go vintage gillette: superspeed or tech (ball-handled or fat handled)

if you go merkur: get the HD

but to this list, i'd add one more: the edwin jagger DE89.

in my experience, it's one of the best modern razors made today. it's neither overly tame nor overly aggressive. they're beautifully made and very affordable.

Hi,

I'll take a look. Thanks.

Mike

 

[diverdoug]

I would vote for the EJ89 or a Merkur Progress. A blade sampler pack is a great way to go.

 

[darkwing1]

I was using a Merkur HD for about 8 months and moved over to a Gillette Red Tip and will never go back to the Merkur. The Red Tip is smooth as can be....2 passes is all I need for a better shave than the Merkur with 3 passes.

 

[resj]

Can't go wrong with a 38c