Gentlemen: I'm wondering if I should purchase a slim of super speed, and if ss, the 40s, 50s, or 60s model. I have been using the Merkur HD and it's a little rough for me--I have fairly sensitive skin and somewhat light of a beard (nothing too thick, maybe "normal"). I do have a lot of nooks and crannies in my face, a lot of contours, I guess, that make the Merkur hard to get into. To be honest, I've considered giving up DE because of this, because it's hard, without hacking myself, to get a BBS shave--seems like my old Sensor could round the contours a little better. Anyhow, I've decided to stick it out once more nd go for an old Gillette, since everyone says they're the way to go. I've got my eyes on a slim and the ss models of the 60s primarily because I've red these ss models have a thinner head. I have trying this for around three months now and am near the last resort here. So, what do you gentlemen think my best choice would be? Or, should I try another razor I haven't yet considered here?
Last Resort: Slim or SS?
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Consider a Gillette Tech. They are much more gentle than a Merkur and even more gentle than a SS. They also have a thinner head than Merkur or SS.
The Tech is the one I go to after I get too greedy for BBS and irritate my face. It's very forgiving yet gives a nice close shave-especially with a sharp blade like a Feather or a Shark. Hang in there.
The Tech is the one I go to after I get too greedy for BBS and irritate my face. It's very forgiving yet gives a nice close shave-especially with a sharp blade like a Feather or a Shark. Hang in there.
Slim
For me, the 60's flair tip superspeed with Astra Platinums is a magical shaving combination. It's so easy and irritation-proof that I'm worried it's teaching me bad technique. YMMV, but for me, after trying about 25 different razors (not including a slim), the flair tip + Astra combo is what I use when I want to be sure of a nick-free shave even if I'm feeling a bit careless or hurried.
That said, I have a rounder face without the nooks and crannies and not particularly sensitive skin. As with everything here, your mileage may vary.
And I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't suggest you get both. If you don't like them, you can always sell them again, although you may lose $5 or so. But that's only 2 cartridges! So really the risk and reward involved make it a pretty good investment.
That said, I have a rounder face without the nooks and crannies and not particularly sensitive skin. As with everything here, your mileage may vary.
And I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't suggest you get both. If you don't like them, you can always sell them again, although you may lose $5 or so. But that's only 2 cartridges! So really the risk and reward involved make it a pretty good investment.
Slim for me, no contest.
+1 for the Tech...a very "manuverable" forgiving razor...give it a try...there are lots of them, they are inexpensive and just a sweet shaver
I didn't read your whole post first time around. If you look into a Tech type razor I'd suggest a Star. They give a better shave than a Tech in my opinion, and they can be pretty cheap on the Bay; somewhere in the sub-$5 range.
A descent slim adjustable. Dial it down to about 3 for a mild shave. A blue tip SS would also be a good choice. A tech is inexpensive; but I like the SS or the slim. The tech is (IMHO) too light.
I would say slim. You will be able to adjust it down to be far milder than just about any non adjustable razor.
Get a Slim for the adjustability...get a Slim soon as frustrated Fatboy bidders are now after Slims
Don't have a Tech though I've heard good things about them, do recommend an SS though. I like the 40's and 50's style preferably not a 60's due to that little rattling noise(I have one and it rattles). Also have a Merkur HD which I never use because I prefer my SS it's much milder and I get just as smooth a shave.
+1
So long as you keep the adjustments low (3ish), the Slim will be great. I, too, had an HD and the same problems you had--note the past tense there--and I found a SS took care of much of the problems, but a Slim (or Fatboy) on 3-4 was better yet. (OK, I'll say it: get 'em both!
)As to the Tech, they are generally mild, cheap, and (for me) pretty effective; so, you'd hardly break the bank trying one of them out, too. I've found, however, that the Tech does end up being a bit too light for me, too.
If you are currently using a Merkur HD, the head geometry is not all that different than a tech, and a slim or superspeed will actually be a little bigger top to bottom. The silo doors add a little more bulk. What you may consider trying to find is an "L" type injector. Fairly mild, and will really get into those nooks and crannies. They truly go places Merkurs and Gillettes can only dream about, and the angle is pretty well set, and it is very similar to a cartridge. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you get the Schick blades they sell at drugstore.com. You can read about them in the wiki here.
This is what they look like:
This is what they look like:
I love my slims, they give excellent shaves! Havent tried a Tech as of yet. Probably never will. 
This is excellent advice. There are fancier, more beautiful razors. But the homely Tech probably gives the mildest, easiest, most forgiving shave. I've had mine silver-plated!
A Slim would be a good option - it has a lower profile head which gets into tricky areas easier, plus the fact that it's adjustable. You'd want to try different blades out as well because this can make a huge different in the quality of the shave.
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