Injector Razors: Ideal for Newbies?

[ackvil]

The usual advice newbies here is to buy a tech, Merkur, or EJ razor. Supposedly these are easier for a new shaver to master.

The past few days I have been using an injector razor - the first ones I have ever know. Based on my experience, these are the easiest razors to use - bar none. Once you get a new blade in the razor - which I must admit can be tricky - all you have to do is to keep the head flat against your face or neck. Blade angle should be a non-issue. I have tried two injectors and think you really have to go out of your way to cut or nick yourself. As ouch said in one of his posts, "If you can't shave with an injector, find another hobby."

What do you injector fans think? Are these the easiest razors to use?

 

[tfinch]

I've just tried my first injector pretty recently too and my experience is the same. It's the easiest shave I've ever had, even more worry free than with cartridges. If I had tried one first, I might have not even bought any other razors. Also, loading the new blade is fun =D

 

[menghai]

I agree that they are ideal for newbies. I started with an injector, and seriously considered never using anything else. Why bother--the shaves I was getter were fantastic. I've since gotten PIFed a few DEs (like a SS black tip), as well as buying a Merkur 39c slant. While I really like the slant, I'm not convinced it shaves better than my injectors. For a newbie, it certainly takes one variable out of the equation.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[The Kiwi]

It's too long ago to remember all of it any more, but I ended up using some sort of old Gem for my first couple of years of shaving. I had no tutor for a DE, although I had my choice of three heirloom Gillettes, and I nicked myself too often. A couple of years later, I changed to an Injector from the SE, and was using that through my last two years of high school, and my college years. Exactly why I chose DEs somewhat later, after an abortive try with electrics, I can only guess it was the fad of bushy facial hair, particularly sideburns.

That was happening while the Gillette 195 Adjustable came and went. I bought a Slim in 1965, and another one for a toiletry travel bag resident, in 1967.

This past spring, I have reacquainted myself with Injectors. IMO, you get a very good shave with very little effort, and I would suggest them to any beginner wanting the best of traditional shaving results.

I just wish there was a (reasonably priced) source for brand new ones.

P. S. I think that the current member "label" is very appropriate ("Injector Inspector", preserved for all time, even after I've earned some other title).

 

[lowjax]

I've never used an Injector and now I want to. Sounds like it would be great. I'll have to put on on my Christmas list.

 

[Niles]

I agree too, Jim. I have found that getting a close, comfortable shave with my Inector to be easier accomplished than with my DEs.

 

[Haggises]

It's easy.
Almost too easy.

 

[dougr]

Absolutely, and when I travel it is my go to razor. My wife and daughter have both switched to injector Paul Revere's; unfortunately, I bought one for myself and lost it to my wife and then the second to my daughter. It took almost a year to find the third one. It is fun to shave with the adjustables, Pal Injecto-Matic, Stick, Grip, and Easy Rider (named after the Fonda movie). Around the nose and mouth area, these are the mark to hit for other razors. And, for a fast shave or early morning groggy shave, injectors are fail-safe for me.

Congrats on your first injector experience.

 

[htownmmm]

Using an injector coming from cartridge shaving is much easier than going to the DE. Effortless and no thought process involved.

 

[superbleu]

injectors were the cartridge shavers before they were cartridge shavers, so yes they would make a great intro razor for a newbie.
Dead simple and give great results.
The cobra classic is an injector on steroids.

 

[ShavinBacon]

Injectors...so easy a caveman could use them!

 

[michiganlover]

The Schick Injector, so easy to use it feels like cheating!!

 

[duokun]

I really am going to have to try an injector one of these days aren't I?

 

[gearchow]

injectors were the cartridge shavers before they were cartridge shavers, so yes they would make a great intro razor for a newbie.
Dead simple and give great results.
The cobra classic is an injector on steroids.

this. The injector style razors (an SE) won the razor battles. Mass produced razors of today are SE razors*. One of the reasons may have been cost of manufacturing, but most likely, men liked the way they shaved, compared to what they had before. All shaving history has been the relentless engineering to produce the easiest, fastest and best shaving device. From the straight razor, to the Double Ring to the Tech to the Adjustable to the carts. Carts are just another way to attach a blade to an SE razor that takes the form of the Schick injector.

just my take on it. But if you disagree with me, go to any drugstore and look in the shaving isle.

-jim

* yes, they are multibladed monstrosities, but each blade has a single edge.

 

[brianw]

I love my injectors, and they are by a long shot one of the easiest to shave with.

 

[Mike H]

My go to razor when time matters... like this morning - used a Schick J1.
I found the older types to be a little more aggressive. YMMV

 

[wagstaff]

Are injector razors ok for travel? To take on airplanes?
Injector blades, in the metal thing with the injector thingamabob?
A loaded injector razor?

I've haven't used one in forever. Decades. But I just got -- by mistake -- a set of blades. So I'm thinking about getting a razor for them.... and I'll ask my other SE questions on another thread, I guess!

 

[mftoms59]

The usual advice newbies here is to buy a tech, Merkur, or EJ razor. Supposedly these are easier for a new shaver to master.

The past few days I have been using an injector razor - the first ones I have ever know. Based on my experience, these are the easiest razors to use - bar none. Once you get a new blade in the razor - which I must admit can be tricky - all you have to do is to keep the head flat against your face or neck. Blade angle should be a non-issue. I have tried two injectors and think you really have to go out of your way to cut or nick yourself. As ouch said in one of his posts, "If you can't shave with an injector, find another hobby."

What do you injector fans think? Are these the easiest razors to use?

I agree too, Jim. I have found that getting a close, comfortable shave with my Inector to be easier accomplished than with my DEs.

It's easy.
Almost too easy.

Using an injector coming from cartridge shaving is much easier than going to the DE. Effortless and no thought process involved.

Injectors...so easy a caveman could use them!

I agree, though this is why many poo-poo Injector Razors, for me the comfort and enjoyment of Injectors cannot be matched. I have used my DE razors for two weeks since January of this year and my SE Razors for maybe six weeks, including SEptember. I still have my Fat-Handle Tech, 59 SS & Schick Krona DE's.

My RAD was satiated after getting my Injectors; E, J, Adjustable and I enjoy using the Vintage Blades; Schick Plus Platinum, Krona, Gillette Injectors. I have some current production Personna blades as back-up if I can't replenish the Vintage Blades.

 

[akokandy]

Injectors are very easy and extremely effective. The hardest part of injector shaving is finding blades. After that, almost anyone can get a DFS.