How many DEs do you have, and why?

[fiacobelli]

Hi all,
After 6 months of shaving with a DE (a parker 22r) I am not sure whether to try a new DE. I like my DE (nicknamed DExter due to my first experience shaving with it), but I see here that a lot of people try new ones all the time and I am not sure of the benefits of trying other DEs, but like most of you... I am tempted just 'cause I can . So, here's my question:

1. How many DEs do you have? If more than one, why did you buy the other(s)?
2. Do you have a favorite? Which one? Why?
3. Do you ever use another DE but your favorite? If yes, when?

thanks!

 

[KeNd0]

1. 93. I have a problem.
2. I have those that I prefer to others, but cannot decide on one favorite.
3. N/A

 

[Judge Kemp]

I have 77 give or take a few. I've acquired them in approximately 3-3 1/2 months of DE shaving. I have another 15 or so SEs and 3 straights left.

My personal rotation at the sink is:

(1) 42 Aristocrat (Top 3)
(2) '58 TV Special (Top 3)
(3) Fatboy (Top 3--new current "favorite")
(4) Pre WW II Tech (Top 4)
(5) Tech 1969
(6) Old Style--Ball End

I get pretty aggressive with the Fatboy, so I can't use it all the timw. The Aristo and 58 TV Special are both amazing shavers.

You'll notice I have all vintage. I no longer own a single "new" razor. I had the EJ DE89L, but sold it on BST after trying vintage Gillettes. They are amazing and fun. There is something to shaving with a vintage.

 

[mcmulvaney]

Like you, I've been wetshaving for about 6 months. I've bought five razors, but only have two now.

When I started, I bought a '66 Lady Gillette, and a late '40's Fat Handled Tech. The Tech was my 'go to' razor until I tried Feather blades. The Feathers made me really concentrate on my technique and the change made me re-evaluate both the blades I had already tried and the Lady Gillette. The LG wound being my 'go to' razor and the Tech got less use. My technique continued to change and improve.

About three weeks ago, I was really feeling that my technique had plateaued. I could get BBS, but it was taking some work. I wondered if a more aggressive razor would make a difference. I did a couple of experiments with my existing razors (shimming the Tech and using the LG with the TTO clamp about 1/4 turn loose - be careful if you try this!) I ended up buying a '59 Fatboy and a '30's New. I have since found that both razors give me what I want but in slightly different ways. The Fatboy on 7 basically allows me to get a 2-pass BBS. The NEW still takes 3 passes to get BBS, but is arguably the smoothest shaver that I've ever had. After a couple of weeks with my newer acquisitions, I traded the LG and the Tech for some cash and a brush.

If you have RAD, there is no end to the number of razors that you may want to try. On the other hand, if you motivation is more like mine (i.e. your technique has taken you where you think it can and you still want to go farther) then you'll still probably try some other razors, but perhaps more in service to the shave.

Keep in mind, this isn't to say that experiencing different razors isn't of some value in its own right, but in the end YMMV (our motto here, I think). Don't change just to be changing unless that's what floats your boat. If you're still developing as a shaver (and at 6 months, if you're at all like me, you are still developing) then your results will be driven my improvements in your technique first and changes in equipment and software next.

(BTW - If you were counting, you may have noted that I accounted for only four of the five razors that I said I've bought. The fifth became part of a startup kit for a friend of mine. It was another 40's Fat Handle Tech only it was nickel plated and in much better shape than my original gold one. Sometimes shiny outweighs practical ).

 

[Gafer]

Hi all,
After 6 months of shaving with a DE (a parker 22r) I am not sure whether to try a new DE. I like my DE (nicknamed DExter due to my first experience shaving with it), but I see here that a lot of people try new ones all the time and I am not sure of the benefits of trying other DEs, but like most of you... I am tempted just 'cause I can . So, here's my question:

1. How many DEs do you have? If more than one, why did you buy the other(s)?
2. Do you have a favorite? Which one? Why?
3. Do you ever use another DE but your favorite? If yes, when?

thanks!

1. 10 in all. Mostly vintage.
2. Merkur Slant
3. No. Not sure why I still have all the others. Once I tried a slant I was done trying different razors.

 

[mdevine]

Hi all,
After 6 months of shaving with a DE (a parker 22r) I am not sure whether to try a new DE. I like my DE (nicknamed DExter due to my first experience shaving with it), but I see here that a lot of people try new ones all the time and I am not sure of the benefits of trying other DEs, but like most of you... I am tempted just 'cause I can . So, here's my question:

1. How many DEs do you have? If more than one, why did you buy the other(s)?
2. Do you have a favorite? Which one? Why?
3. Do you ever use another DE but your favorite? If yes, when?

thanks!

1. Twelve. I started with a Parker 65R. After finding B&B, I was intrigued by the many members who raved about vintage Gillettes. After scouring the review section, the one that I decided to try was a Slim Adjustable. It had many great reviews and I figured any razor with nine different settings had to be better than an older model with a fixed head. I tried to bid on several Slims om ebay but someone always outbid me at the last second. Finally, I saw one for sale on BST as part of a four razor lot. In addition to the slim, I got a Tech, a Gem Featherweight and a NDC 1940s Superspeed. I instantly had a razor "collection". I liked both the Slim and Featherweight but, to my surprise, was blown away by the SS. Since then, I have added a variety of vintage Gilettes; from TTO models like a Diplomat and HD Rocket to multiple open comb razors. I find all of the open combed Gillettes to give very close and comfortable shaves.

2. This is kind of like asking which of my children I love the best.All things considered, my favorite is that NDC SS. It just edges out the four OC Gillettes I have (Tuckaway, Senator, New and New Standard). The open combs shave as close and maybe a touch closer, but the Superspeed is foolproof. It doesn't penalize poor or hurried technique and isn't particular about which blade I use. With an Iridium, the four OCs will shave at least as well as the SS, but there are blades that don't work as well with each of these. For example, while I get a fantastic shave with the New Standard/ Iridium combo, when paired with a Feather, it can be a dangerous instrument with the slightest lapse in concentration.

3. I use the SS more than any of the others, but I enjoy variety. On those days that I have the time and inclination, I go with one of the more aggressive razors. Furthermore, the open comb razors encourage good technique and the tracks in the lather that a poor blade angle induces gives rapid feedback. This helps fine-tune my technique and I find it improves my shaves with the Superspeed in doing so.

If I had to, I could pick one razor and stay with it, getting consistently good shaves every day. But, as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. I now enjoy my morning shave and plan on continuing to look forward for my short but relaxing morning respite.

 

[njpaddy]

#1. Had as many as 15 DE's at one time. Some I never used. My buying has since shifted to creams.
#2. A '52 SS is my favorite DE. It also happens to be the first DE I bought.
#3. I used a Merkur 34G (my second purchase) all summer. The SS and Merkur are the only razors I use anymore, rotating every them every few months.

Why to any of this? Who knows? Probably because shaving suddenly became pleasurable. As my wife says, there are far worse things I could spend money on.

 

[SSGDPM]

1. 17 in all, 3 new Merkurs (HD, open comb HD, Slant) and the rest are vintage Gillettes. I started with the HD and picked up the Gillettes to experiment/collect as I find them fascinating. Recently picked up the other 2 Merkurs to use.

2. The HD is my favorite because I get the most consistently great results from it. May change my mind as I learn the technique on the Slant though.

3. I do use (or have used) all of my razors except a cased Gillette New that is pretty much in pristine condition as I have another of them to use that isn't in as good of shape. I use a different razor when I want a different shave. Day to day it's the HD but an open comb works well if I skip a day of shaving and most of the Gillettes are nice to use when I want a milder shave.

All in all I think it's sort of a hobby for me now and a relatively inexpensive and practical one at that.

 

[Slivovitz]

1. How many DEs do you have? If more than one, why did you buy the other(s)?

Over 40 DE, over 30 each SE and injectors. At first, I was looking for the best shave. After a while, I realized that there were plenty of good options for that, but I'd become fascinated by the wide variety of razors available.

2. Do you have a favorite? Which one? Why?

Gem Junior Bar or Gem 1912 SE, any of several injectors. They give effortlessly good shaves. Out of the DEs, which is what you're interested in, my preferences aren't really all that strong.

3. Do you ever use another DE but your favorite? If yes, when?

I'm rotating razors all the time. I mostly use DE razors for travel, and shave with injectors and SE razors at home, but don't have any real rules for myself.

 

[bikermonster77]

I have 4 DEs in my shave den.

1. Merkur Futur was bought out of impulse and without research as the initial jump into the DE shaving world
2. Used Gillette Super Speed was purchased because I wanted to try a non-adjustable razor
3. Merkur 38c because I wanted a new DE just for the heck of it
4. Edwin Jagger 89L, to try a razor that was praised numerous times on B&B.

I have favored the Edwin Jagger for its smoothness and consistently good shaves, but I am branching out the the Merkur 38c in search of a more aggressive razor.

 

[Swampfox]

I think I have 9 DEs.

 

[michiganlover]

1. How many DEs do you have? If more than one, why did you buy the other(s)?

I presently have six DE razors:

Gillette Super Adjustable
Gillette Ball End Tech
Gillette Fat Tech with the triangular holed base plate
Gillette Aristocrat
Muhle R89
Merkur 38C w/ red handle

I started out with the Ball End Tech, which was PIFed to me. It's a great shaver, and since it has sentimental value to me, I had it replated.

Early on in my wet shaving career I had a Merkur 38C in red. I later sold it; I just purchased another one to replace it.

On most days I shave with either the Muhle R89, or the Gillette Super Adjustable. These are both excellent shavers, but also have longer handles than my other razors (beneficial since I have larger hands).

In my 1.5 year wet shaving career, I have probably sampled at least 20 different DE razors. I make an effort to keep the collection manageable; I also have 3 Gem's, 3 Injectors, a Trac II, an Atra, and a Sensor to round out my collection.

 

[FL shaver]

I have 3.

Tech, travel tech, and an HD. I use the HD daily. I throw the tech in for a blade's worth every once in awhile for a change. I use the travel tech when...well...traveling.

The HD is the daily shaver because it is a bit more aggressive than the tech and gives me a closer shave.

 

[treewhale]

I have 3. A '71 Superspeed, a travel tech, and a Merkur 37c.

Why do I have more than one? Because I didn't buy my Slant first, and the Travel tech came with the Superspeed.

Do I use my non-primary razor? Yes, my superspeed is relegated to my travel kit.

 

[darkwing1]

2 here.....a merkur HD and a 1956 red tip. The HD was my starter, and the red tip is current daily user.

 

[diverdoug]

4 Merkurs (37C, 39c, progress, Futur), an EJ89L, and a Gillette SS. All bought in the last 7 weeks. I am pretty much using only the 39C sxcept when I travel. I travel with the EJ because it's 3 piece design is very compact for mmy carry-on bag.

 

[Obi Wan]

I have 7 (one for everyday of the week) a super adjustable,slim adjustable,ball end tech,weishi,DE89L, a 1950s rocket and a black handled SS.

My favorite is the long handled super adjustable but the rocket is used the most often.

I got most of them after reading around the forums.The Rocket,SS and tech were gifts from my brother.

 

[klm099]

1. 62, but only shave with 16 of them
2. merkur hd open comb, gift from someone special who passed away
3. sure, most vintage and modern razors can give a great shave

ken

 

[bluemantra]

I have 4 DE's. 3 vintage Gillette's and an HD. Also have one vintage straight. I think 4 is a good amount for me. I alternate between my red tip and the HD for daily use.

 

[Saltchuck]

Counting how many DE razors one has is a serious mistake! Also, don't keep them where SWMBO might see them all together at the same time!

My current favorites are a 40s SS, Rocket of about the same vintage, a couple of ball-end Techs (rectangular slots), and a Long Comb New.