First Razor Suggestions for Friend

[bigdog]

I've dialed in here for the last few months and have acquired some great stuff and am a convert to DE shaving. I spent some time with a colleague this week and he was complaining about shaving. Well...I described to him my experiences and we stumbled upon a CO Bigelow store where he purchased a tube of shave cream (Bigelow/Proraso) and a super badger brush. He is using a cartridge razor and is interested in DE. What do I recommend?

I started with a slim adjustable with good results and found my ideal match in a slant with feathers. OK guys...what say you? I've thought about surprising him with a B/S/T razor just for fun.

 

[Carlin]

I hear Merkur HD's 34C and Gillette's Techs are popular for new people, but I want to find out what other people think are also good beginner razors.

 

[mretzloff]

I would say a Merkur HD. I started with that and am happy I did.

 

[michiganlover]

Get him either a vintage Gillette Tech (Ball End, or Fat Handled), or a vintage Gillette Superspeed. Both will serve him really well for many years to come, and your initial investment will be quite low ($15-20).

Both of these choices are fairly mild, and will thus be forgiving of his less than perfect technique.

Make sure to hook him up with a blade sampler as well, or a good amount of quality blades.

 

[DSB]

I personally recommend starting with a Gillette Tech, and not a Merkur HD. I think the HD is too aggressive to learn on (MANY others here disagree with me on the HD). I normally shave with a Gillette SS red tip, and still don't like my Merkur HD. If you decide on the HD, send me a PM and I'll sell you mine for a reasonable price.

The Tech is the perfect razor to start. I still use mine on a regular basis.

The Proraso/CO Bigelow you bought is a great cream to start with! Actually, it's just a great cream, period.

And another one joins the fold.

 

[Luc]

A Gillette Tech. Cheap, easy to find, mild!

 

[moonshine44]

Another vote here for either a Tech or a Super Speed. I personally would add an extra vote for the SS, even though I myself started with a Tech. I just like something a trifle more aggressive than the Tech, but either one is a good starter...

 

[GMen]

A Gillette Tech. Cheap, easy to find, mild!

+1 or a Merkur 23c, long handle, I tend to like the long handled razors, I guess that's why I love my long handled super adjustable

 

[guru]

I agree that the Tech may be a good starter. Easy shave, harder to cut yourself, but of course possible. Though a nice SuperSpeed may work. The adjustables at a low number to start may also work. That would give him the possibility to step the numbers up if he needs to.

 

[bamamckay]

+1 Merkur 23c or tech

 

[dmnall]

+1 for a Superspeed or +2 for a Slim Adjustable.. Both are great razors!

Cheers,

 

[Ohio]

I personally recommend starting with a Gillette Tech, and not a Merkur HD. I think the HD is too aggressive to learn on (MANY others here disagree with me on the HD). I normally shave with a Gillette SS red tip, and still don't like my Merkur HD. If you decide on the HD, send me a PM and I'll sell you mine for a reasonable price.

The Tech is the perfect razor to start. I still use mine on a regular basis.

This is wisdom for the beginner, though the perfect DE razor is a Goodwill or a NEW.

A newbie is quite well served with a Tech. Very well indeed.
For one with no technique, the forgiving nature of the Tech will prevent damage and the oft encountered "wet shaving is dangerous" moment.
Though I started with a Feather, I would counsel thee to provide a Tech to the brash young one to the art of classic shaving.

Then, once some skill is gained, yon newb may attain a NEW to achieve nirvana of wet-shaving. If properly nurtured, str8 blades will be in view.

Then true manliness may be seen. If he is sufficient to the task,


ETA: See what happens when you stay up late reading historical fiction and drinking beer?

 

[bigdog]

Thanks for everyone's input...I scored a Tech via B/S/T and having it sent directly to him.

 

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

Thanks for everyone's input...I scored a Tech via B/S/T and having it sent directly to him.

Good friend! I love my Techs. I have a pretty good assortment of razors and my techs always get the love. They're mild and they make great razors to buff with.

 

[Jarmo P]

I would recommend Merkur HD though I was not happy myself with it until a few months. The Tech is a really nice razor.

In generel Gillettes are subpar shavers to Merkur fixed heads IMO, their guard design sucks, but a good Tech is a nice razor too and maybe even better introduction than HD.