Help! Contemplating an electric shaver/safety razor for my boyfriends 21st!

ssarm10 · Oct 19, 2013

Hi there,

I've been looking at an electric shaver for my boyfriend for his 21st next week. The one he is using is ancient(hand-me-down from his father), and I was thinking of upgrading it for one of the Phillips series 9000 wet and dry shavers. However, it has been suggested by a few of his friends to get him a DE safety razor because they are better for your skin. I've had a read of a few forums on this website, but when people put down the electric shaver they don't mention what brand or model, and things seem to vary a bit when it comes to experiences with safety razors.

My boyfriend is capable of growing a relatively thick moustache in a month, and has to shave daily. I don't think he has sensitive skin but I'm just looking for something that will be good for his skin, not be too time consuming to do each day(he's on call a lot) and potentially can be engraved.

Thanks!!!

Simona

deruitem · Oct 19, 2013

Good to see you made it here. I would go with an edwin jagger 89l or one of the merkur standard razors like the 34c 38c or a 1904. It would also be a good idea to get him a blade sampler. Hope this helps

aimsport · Oct 19, 2013

First, what a thoughtful gift idea for your boyfriend! He will be thanking you over and over again, no doubt.

Edwin Jagger DE89L
A blade sampler or Astra SP blades
Napa Soap Ocean Blend set which will get him a nice ceramic mug with lid, fantastic shaving soap, and a synthetic brush.

Shaving DE can take more time at first. His father's electric is probably more rugged and dependable than most new electrics. He can still use that in a rush until he gets faster.

All the best!

PS: The soap is great for beginner and expert alike. The lather is protective even when not lathered up well. Don't take my word for it regarding Napa Soap... here's what another longtime shaver wrote :

My favorite shaving soap

Posted by Zach on 17th Apr 2011
There is a large online men's traditional shaving community, and a few people know who I am. I have been shaving with soap and a brush for 30 years; I have tried every brand of shaving soap there is. The best performing soaps that I have ever used are the ones that are no longer available: the classic Yardley, the original formulation of tallow based Trumpers, and the classic Old Spice shaving soap of decades past (which are still available for a lot of money on eBay).
Of the best shaving soaps you can buy today, most will agree the list includes Cella, Valobra, Mitchell's Woolfat, and Tabac.
Truth be told, your soap is not better than any of the above products, but costs as much or more than the soaps that are still available.
So why then is this my favorite shave soap?
Because it makes me happier than any of the above I have listed. The scent (Ocean Blend for me), the clean list of ingredients, the quality and ease of lather, the performance of the shave, and the clean rinse and subsequent lightness on my skin are all reasons why this is my favorite shave soap, and likely the only reason more people don't feel this way is because they've not tried it yet.

Jeff_H · Oct 19, 2013

I also think the Edwin Jagger 89 would be a great choice. It's relatively inexpensive, is a mild shaver and most people, even new to DE shaving, find it agreeable and easy/comfortable to use. I would assume someplace like Things Remembered or other similar places may be able to engrave either the head or handle, depending on where you might want it.

You can get the razor, a very decent badger brush and a nice cream and still be at or under the $100 mark. For the times he is in more of a hurry there are brushless creams like Cremo Creme which can be purchased at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and a lot more places I'm sure. He can simply rub this on his face with his hand. It doesn't make a thick creme like with a badger brush, but it is amazingly slick and will let him get in and out quicker when he needs to.

Best of luck.

ssarm10 · Oct 19, 2013

Thank you all!!! That is most helpful!!!

Hopefully I can find most of these easily in Australia

Thanks again! I really really appreciate it!

Simona

jazzguy · Oct 19, 2013

The EJ is an excellent choice.

alex2363 · Oct 19, 2013

ssarm10 said:
Hi there,

I've been looking at an electric shaver for my boyfriend for his 21st next week. The one he is using is ancient(hand-me-down from his father), and I was thinking of upgrading it for one of the Phillips series 9000 wet and dry shavers. However, it has been suggested by a few of his friends to get him a DE safety razor because they are better for your skin. I've had a read of a few forums on this website, but when people put down the electric shaver they don't mention what brand or model, and things seem to vary a bit when it comes to experiences with safety razors.

My boyfriend is capable of growing a relatively thick moustache in a month, and has to shave daily. I don't think he has sensitive skin but I'm just looking for something that will be good for his skin, not be too time consuming to do each day(he's on call a lot) and potentially can be engraved.

Thanks!!!

Simona

Welcome to B&B. I would also suggest a Sivertip brush so he can apply the shave cream and exfoliate the skin before he shaves. The prep is very important to achieve a great shave result. I would also get Prorasso shave cream which is popular with B&B and many other shave sites. Here are some resources and shave help;