let-down

[CzechCzar]

Halp! After spending weeks researching the best safety razor to buy, the best soaps, brush, etc., I wound up with a merkur 38c, tabac soap, a shave bowl and brush from edwin jager which set me back quite a bit, and the requisite pre/post shave tonics. All in all I am very pleased with myself but I can't help feeling let down.

My question is, where do I go from here? Are there any "must-own" razors that are worth the additional money? With cremes and aftershaves, I will acquire more over time, of course. I just want to know if it's worth it to go out and research and buy some more razors. If so, what do you recommend?

 

[DunEdinRanger]

The Barber Pole Slant Bar Razor

Wait... what blades did you get? Personally, Astras and RP Personna's work best for me.

 

[82R100]

For some of us there's the part where you try using the stuff.

- Chris

 

[CzechCzar]

feathers and derbys... so far the feathers are better methinks.

 

[thermographer]

I have the Merkur 38C, and also scored a Gillette Red tip superspeed. There is a vast difference in how they shave. I find the red tip much more aggressive, but very enjoyable.

You might think about some vintage razors, Score a deal on ebay, or get into the antique shops and wheel and deal. For some here, it's a hobby, not just the shave.

 

[mainaman]

yeah try straight razors, custom handled brushes, there are tons of soaps/creams to try. Restorations if you feel crafty. That's the few off the top of my head.

 

[T Rick]

From a relative noob who's acquired RAD, I'd suggest... well, try what you have and get comfortable with it. I'm now itching to try one of my shave ready vintages, but my 1904 Classic Merkur (same head as yours, different handle) is what I'm learning on, so I am resisting temptation for now (I'm almost a week into the DE shave, though I've been lathering with a brush for a bit over a month).

There are any number of popular vintage razors if you want to go that route. From the basic Tech and New models to the very cool Superspeeds and adjustables (like the Fat Boy and the Slim Adjustable).

I've heard many referred too as great shavers. I guess we really need to discover what we like. To that end, I am destined to build a decent little collection (got a decent start this week, with two vintages delivered and now shave ready, and seven more inbound for next week ). So really, comes down to what do you want? (No reason the 38C couldn't get the job done for you for the rest of your life if you wanted. Me, I like collecting things ).

If you haven't gotten a blade sampler yet, that might be the perfect start, so you can try what's out there and decide what you like with that razor.

 

[gaseousclay]

For some of us there's the part where you try using the stuff.

- Chris

 

[spanx]

Halp! After spending weeks researching the best safety razor to buy, the best soaps, brush, etc., I wound up with a merkur 38c, tabac soap, a shave bowl and brush from edwin jager which set me back quite a bit, and the requisite pre/post shave tonics. All in all I am very pleased with myself but I can't help feeling let down.

My question is, where do I go from here? Are there any "must-own" razors that are worth the additional money? With cremes and aftershaves, I will acquire more over time, of course. I just want to know if it's worth it to go out and research and buy some more razors. If so, what do you recommend?

No razor is "must own" but there are plenty of livis' I'd love to have.

 

[mdunn]

you dont need anything else, just pick stuff up that appeals to you as you continue shaving and reading the board

 

[Jimmi]

I too have the 38C, good shaver. As Thermo said, once I tried a Red Tip with a Feather, there is no going back. The 38C is good, but the Red Tip is great. A must try in my book.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Feathers are definitely better than Derby blades, but other good blades include the Astra and Red Pack Personnas

 

[dpmtherrien]

I've tried quite a few, and they were all pretty good. For me though, my "must have" is the Merkur 1904. Hands down this is the best razor I've used. Thats IMHO.

 

[ateace]

I've tried quite a few, and they were all pretty good. For me though, my "must have" is the Merkur 1904. Hands down this is the best razor I've used. Thats IMHO.

Nice to see some love for the 1904.

 

[MrFusion]

I've tried quite a few, and they were all pretty good. For me though, my "must have" is the Merkur 1904. Hands down this is the best razor I've used. Thats IMHO.

Open comb?

 

[Biffo]

For some of us there's the part where you try using the stuff.

- Chris

and +1

 

[Dpflaum]

I have personally not had much luck with vintage razors. Despite hours searching and purchasing only near mint razors, somehow they are never as well kept and shave ready as a new piece of equipment. I definitely love my new Edwin jagger 89L razor, and I too shelled out the money for the pure badger brush and the shaving bowl. Personally, I have had much much more luck using CREAM opposed to SOAP, but thats just me. As far as blades go, I recommend the Derby Extra blades most people talk about, and the less well known Shark blades. They are equally good, and can be found cheaper if you look around.

 

[Bertilak]

My question is, where do I go from here? Are there any "must-own" razors that are worth the additional money?

There is nothing you *must* own or do. There are lots of things to try out!

• Different soaps and creams -- learn the difference between molded and milled soaps. Between talllow and vegetable based soaps. Hard and soft soaps (the Italian soaps).
• Different blades. Get a blade sampler pack.
• In addition to DEs, try SE's and injectors. (See next bullet.)
• Vintage razors -- look at the B&B BST (Buy/Sell/Trade) forum. Get brave with eBay (expect some disappointments).
• Really vintage razors -- look for the 1900/1901 or earlier "Lather Catchers". This is tricky because some only take blades no longer in production, essentially little 1+3/4 inch straight razors! Can be expensive, too. Maybe the Auto-strops will interest you.
• Straight razors -- This opens you up to a whole new world of equipment, strops and hones.

Hard to get bored. Also a challenge to keep costs down. Look for bargains but not beaters.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Halp! After spending weeks researching the best safety razor to buy, the best soaps, brush, etc., I wound up with a merkur 38c, tabac soap, a shave bowl and brush from edwin jager which set me back quite a bit, and the requisite pre/post shave tonics. All in all I am very pleased with myself but I can't help feeling let down.

My question is, where do I go from here? Are there any "must-own" razors that are worth the additional money? With cremes and aftershaves, I will acquire more over time, of course. I just want to know if it's worth it to go out and research and buy some more razors. If so, what do you recommend?

There are dozens of models of razors that I see as must owns. They are called Gillette vintage razors.

 

[Bulldawg]

:Are there any "must-own" razors that are worth the additional money?

Gillette HD Rocket.