First razor advice?

[Herr Noobien]

Greetings from Perth everyone!

I was finally got rid of my Fusion because the thing has ruined my wallet (and face). Everytime I see my beard growing, I begin to sob uncontrollably. The Fusion does not give me a very close shave, my face is about as smooth as a rally course and the cartridges are bloody expensive.

The Fusion is now sitting in a bin while I go out and buy a real razor.

Only problem is, I have no idea where to start (all I know is that I want a double edge saftey razor). I have a moderately thick beard that is very irregular (grain is horizontal on one side of my face, vertical on the other and grows on a diagonal under my chin ). I was considering getting a straight razor, but then I thought that perhaps it would be best not to move things along too quickly.

I was looking at http://www.shavercity.com.au

I don't have a lot to spend on this so the razors in my price range are:

Merkur 12
Merkur 38
Merkur 41
Merkur 42
Merkur 198

Any idea which one to start off with? If there is something else, I'm planning on buying locally. Nothing outside of Perth please.

Thanks.

 

[brentaar]

As a person who is new to DE shaving, I would say you do not want to buy a slant (against Merkur 198). They are known to require good technique, from my understanding.

The others looked good. I have had great success with the Merkur 34C HD.

Are you going to try a sampler pack of DE blades?
And do you have any idea of the pre and post shave items you will use?

That website you mentioned looks rather expensive for both razors and blades. You might want to at least look at the BST and PIF forums. Also, if there are any antique shops around your, they might have something.

 

[Drubbing]

Hi also from Perth.

First, that store actually has pretty good Aust. brick n mortar prices, at least for the Merkurs and Taylors, some of the other stuff like Conk soap can be had elswhere for less. The other shave store in Piccadilly Arc, is a rip off, do not go there, the advice is useless as well.

Check out the Australian shave wiki for other local Perth suppliers - you can pick up Proraso cream at a number of places. I've bought most of my stuff from Mens Biz in Vic. Bigger range of stuff and good prices, excellent service and advice. Get a blade sampler from them is my suggestion - you're unlikely to get that sort of range in Perth, and you will need a sampler of blades. That site only has Merkur blades - they aren't very good, but cost more than the ones that are.

I'd advise against the long handle 'barber pole' HDs, I found them too heavy and not well balanced - if you've got huge hands, you might think different. I learned with, and still use a regular HD, I forget the numbering codes, I think it's the 38C. There are few better razors to learn with. It will seem small, but it is very good.

The Jaggers are pricey. So if you want to buy cheaper, you can get get used from the BST forum, and you can find vintage gillettes for half the prices on that site.

Stick around on here, and you'll find the the Americans get everything for about half what we do, so no one will think those store prices are any good - that's Australia I'm afraid. But I'd still go in that shop and handle a few things to get a feel for them.

 

[Herr Noobien]

Are there any of those in particular that you would recommend?

I havnt quite thought about pre shave products since i just use the basic gillette shaving gel. I use nivea for men aftershave balm though and will look into some better pre shave products.

I was actually going to order this:
http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/king-tut-pak-7-x73.html

I am Egyption and I think Arabs in general have long tough beards so these may work well (being made in Egypt). Plus I'm feeling patriotic this week
I may also try out derby, feather and red personnas after these.

Blades, I will probably buy off eBay or off one of he forum members on here.

Edit: just read your post now drubbing. I'll check out the 38 asap. I don't mind paying extra for razors, but the blades and soaps will be off eBay or another shop in Australia. Just one more thing. Will the 38C still be a good razor to use as a go-to razor as I get better? I don't want to keep switching razors as I get the hang of using a DE.

 

[moshulu]

My first razor was a Merkur, but that was a mistake. I have tried many different razors since then, and I do not hesitate to tell you: get a nice vintage razor instead. They are cheaper, prettier, and are better shavers. Specifically, I recommend a fat-handled Tech. Someone is selling a bunch of these on the BST forum, but in any case they are readily available.

By all means get a blade sampler, but you can't go wrong with popular brands like Derby or Personna. Good luck.

 

[Drubbing]

My first razor was a Merkur, but that was a mistake. I have tried many different razors since then, and I do not hesitate to tell you: get a nice vintage razor instead. They are cheaper, prettier, and are better shavers. Specifically, I recommend a fat-handled Tech. Someone is selling a bunch of these on the BST forum, but in any case they are readily available.

That's nice for you, but don't pass off opinion as fact - my experience with vintage Gillette's is the opposite of yours. Plenty of people have had a great start and experience with Merkurs, and the 34C / HD in particular.

Noobien - don't bother with Mr Shaver, A HD will cost you $100 in there, and Taylors is twice the price you can get anywhere else. Their knowledge and advice is terrible, they only really want to sell you an Electric.

Read the tutes on here. Prep and decent cream or soap is needed to get great results. Don't expect the razor to do it all by itself, certainly not coupled with canned product. It'll take a bit of time and some practice.

 

[Herr Noobien]

No problem. I'll take a look around for decent soaps. I already have a badger brush which I don't really use (at the moment). Is the Merkur 42 any good? I have no problems buying the 38C for $75, but the 42 is much cheaper. It's down to the following 3:
Merkur 38
Merkur 42
Merkur 12

 

[fidjit]

Welcome Herr Noobien

I'm outside of Perth sorry.........the Land Down Under the Land Down Under here

Can't add much to what Roger's advised .

Sounds to me like you need to go to Shavercity, try out all the different Merkurs. Find the one that feels right to you and then.........

Purchase from Mensbiz

Nathans a good bloke to deal with and you can even get a B&B discount.

34C/HD appears to be a good beginners razor, I haven't had personal experience as I started with vintage Gillettes. Doesn't matter, you'll end up with a whole collection of them soon enough anyway

But Roger's given you a pretty poor Aussie welcome by not inviting you to join Great Southern Land ( GSL ). That's where all us Aussies hang out. See my sig to join.

You'll enjoy your stay here, pretty much guaranteed

 

[Drubbing]

"Yes Ian, sorry Ian".

I've fired a couple of PM's to him - there's a certain store here that isn't worth bothering with, and thought it more diplomatic not to mention it by name on the board.

Mensbiz are wonderful people, they're worth supporting.

 

[Herr Noobien]

Joined, thanks mate

I'll have a look around and handle a few to see what fits me. I'll give mensbiz a look once I find what I like

thanks for you help guys!

 

[fidjit]

I've fired a couple of PM's to him - there's a certain store here that isn't worth bothering with, and thought it more diplomatic not to mention it by name on the board.

Mensbiz are wonderful people, they're worth supporting.

Local knowledge, ya can't beat it !!

"Yes Ian, sorry Ian".

Hey Roger, you must be popular with the missus !!!

 

[dpm802]

Welcome to B&B!

I may also try out derby, feather and red personnas after these.

These are good choices for blades to start out with. Use the Derby first, then the Personnas, finish your trial with Feather. Somewhere in there you will find the blade that is right for you and your beard.

Blades, I will probably buy off eBay or off one of he forum members on here.

Check out "dridiot" eBay store. He has a nice assortment of shave-gear and fair prices. He's from Singapore.

Just one more thing. Will the 38C still be a good razor to use as a go-to razor as I get better? I don't want to keep switching razors as I get the hang of using a DE.

Switching razors is half the fun!

The 38C is a fine razor to start with ... But there's no reason to stop at just having 1 razor.

Your beard isn't going to be the same all the time. It will change with the seasons, and it will change every single day. You'll want to have different tools to deal with the varying conditions.

 

[moshulu]

That's nice for you, but don't pass off opinion as fact - my experience with vintage Gillette's is the opposite of yours. Plenty of people have had a great start and experience with Merkurs, and the 34C / HD in particular.

Too true - a preference for vintage Gillettes over modern Merkurs is mere opinion. But sometimes all you need to do is have a good look. Your call.

 

[DerFly]

Herr Noonian,

Don't discount buying from overseas as the quid/AUD exchange rate is like it never has been for a very long time. Recently bought a Jagger DE89L which cost me about A$36 shipped. Amazing!

 

[Herr Noobien]

Herr Noonian,

Don't discount buying from overseas as the quid/AUD exchange rate is like it never has been for a very long time. Recently bought a Jagger DE89L which cost me about A$36 shipped. Amazing!

I'll keep that in mind! That's a great find mate!

Thanks for the help everyone.

Ian, I fully agree with you and will go out and handle a few razors to see what each one feels like. I discussed it with Roger and I think the best way to go is a comfortable, non-ajustable razor with a closed comb and is made by a decent manufacturer. If I can't find an HD, I will try find one that fits the discription.

I suppose there is nothing left to do except go out and have a look around.

I already have a brush, bowl and I have the razor issue sorted. What's left? Pre-shave cream/conditioner, shaving cream/soap and aftershave. Am I missing anything?

 

[fidjit]

Ian, I fully agree with you and will go out and handle a few razors to see what each one feels like. I discussed it with Roger and I think the best way to go is a comfortable, non-ajustable razor with a closed comb and is made by a decent manufacturer. If I can't find an HD, I will try find one that fits the discription.

Yep sounds like a really good start. Don't be suprised by the (lack of ) length of the handles either. A lot of people coming off carts think that the handles on something like the HD are too short and they go for the longer barber pole models ( similar in length as a cartridge ). The shorter handle will actually help you keep pressure off and hopefully reduce the chances of razor burn etc.

I suppose there is nothing left to do except go out and have a look around.
I already have a brush, bowl and I have the razor issue sorted. What's left? Pre-shave cream/conditioner, shaving cream/soap and aftershave. Am I missing anything?

Minimum is the shaving cream/soap. You don't really need the preshave stuff or the aftershave. Again Roger should be able to point you in the right direction for local shops. You can get things even from Coles/Woolies/Priceline. Not sure what's available in the higher end over there.

Don't forget....ask questions, someone will be willing to help you out

 

[Herr Noobien]

Yep sounds like a really good start. Don't be suprised by the (lack of ) length of the handles either. A lot of people coming off carts think that the handles on something like the HD are too short and they go for the longer barber pole models ( similar in length as a cartridge ). The shorter handle will actually help you keep pressure off and hopefully reduce the chances of razor burn etc.

Great advice. I will keep that in mind

Minimum is the shaving cream/soap. You don't really need the preshave stuff or the aftershave. Again Roger should be able to point you in the right direction for local shops. You can get things even from Coles/Woolies/Priceline. Not sure what's available in the higher end over there.

I'll send Roger a PM (If hes not sick of me by now )

Don't forget....ask questions, someone will be willing to help you out .

This really is a great forum. I look forward to spending more time here

I'll try out a few Shark's and ASCO's simply because they're made in Egypt (and quite a few people seem to like them). Then I'll check out Feathers, Red Personnas and the Derby's once I get the razor.

 

[Sid Vicious]

Herr Noonian,

Don't discount buying from overseas as the quid/AUD exchange rate is like it never has been for a very long time. Recently bought a Jagger DE89L which cost me about A$36 shipped. Amazing!

What he said. I love the jagger.

 

[DESkydiver]

No problem. I'll take a look around for decent soaps. I already have a badger brush which I don't really use (at the moment). Is the Merkur 42 any good? I have no problems buying the 38C for $75, but the 42 is much cheaper. It's down to the following 3:
Merkur 38
Merkur 42
Merkur 12

Of those three, I'd go with the 38, but I really like my fatboy and EJ DE89L, both better than my 38

 

[D.Irving79]

first and last: buy a gem.