Looking to upgrade

[daven1986]

Hi all,

I currently have a Wilkinson Sword DE razor which is very cheap and made of plastic with a metal weight in the handle. It is a very nice razor to use however from the reviews I have read and my experience it isn't quite aggressive enough to get a BBS shave.

I have only been shaving DE for about a week and I can shave without irritation / nicks doing a 3 or 4 pass shave (WTG, XTG, XTG(180), [ATG]). I think I am ready now for a "proper" DE razor.

I have been looking at a few (34C and 23C) and have a few requirements:
- better than my current one!
- cheap!

The 23C looks cheaper than the 34C but seems to get similar reviews. Would either of these be a good upgrade from my current one?

Many thanks

Daven

 

[MikeLip]

Either one would. I would also look at the BST here and watch for Superspeeds or Techs. Either will be quite inexpensive and give you a great shave. The Tech is a 3 piece and less aggressive than most Superspeeds. I'd go for the SS. You ought to be able to find one for well under $20. In fact there is a nice one there now for $12!

 

[daven1986]

Thanks.

I know I am being picky but I'd rather buy new. I am in the UK as well so would rather not deal with international shipping!

Are the 23C and 34C the same in terms of aggressiveness?

 

[bwatts]

Mike he is from UK and from my experience trying to find a cheap razor on ebay is nigh impossible.

Have a look at this these are the main online stores:
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/UK_shaving_supplies

I bought both my Futur and my slant on timothy edwards free next day delivery.


If I remember correctly the 23c is more aggressive

 

[daven1986]

Thanks, I was looking at Timothy Edwards as it has free delivery and good prices

Are both more aggressive compared to the wilkinson sword DE?

Thanks for the help.

 

[MikeLip]

Mike he is from UK and from my experience trying to find a cheap razor on ebay is nigh impossible.

Have a look at this these are the main online stores:
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/UK_shaving_supplies

I bought both my Futur and my slant on timothy edwards free next day delivery.


If I remember correctly the 23c is more aggressive

Not eBay - B&B BST! It won't cost much to send one from the US to the UK if you ask - a padded mailer will do. But if you want new, Merkur is a good choice and either of the razors you are looking at will do a good job.

 

[bwatts]

I was like you. I tried the Wilkinson Sword safety razor then migrated to a Futur. I think inherently they are more aggressive as the weight of the razor will press down on your skin more unlike the plastic Wilkinson one plus I think the Wilkinson blade exposure is less so than the Merkur's.

 

[daven1986]

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[daven1986]

One more quick question. Is there any real benefit, at my stage in the DE learning process, to go with an adjustable?

Thanks

 

[bwatts]

I started with one good thing is you can dial it down to 1 and play it safe until you get more comfortable then begin experimenting with the settings until you find something you like mine is (on the Futur):
3 WTG
2 XTG
1 ATG

but I might leave it on 3 from now after playing around.

If you like the idea of adjusting to cater for your face then it's a plus if you just want something mild then the 34C is good

 

[daven1986]

Thanks bwatts, I think I may look into adjustables because although I want to start with something mild(ish) I am curious to see what effect more aggressiveness has with respect to my face / how it cuts my hair.

On the other hand I may get the 34C and then later get the slant if necessary!!

But more seriously, adjustability seems like something quite useful.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks bwatts, I think I may look into adjustables because although I want to start with something mild(ish) I am curious to see what effect more aggressiveness has with respect to my face / how it cuts my hair.

On the other hand I may get the 34C and then later get the slant if necessary!!

But more seriously, adjustability seems like something quite useful.

I have three adjustable Gillettes, and the adjustablility can be helpful. I think the slant is a little more aggressive though. It shaves ALOT easier than people here make it seem. You just make sure you load the blade right, and go to town.

 

[daven1986]

Thanks. Ahh decisions decisions!! I can see how RAD develops!!

 

[brg]

Are both more aggressive compared to the wilkinson sword DE?

The 34C is more aggressive. But when you get the hang of it (mostly the angle which is slightly different), you will get closer shaves every time.

 

[daven1986]

Thanks, I just found the "Mergress" to mull over!!

 

[Hughies_online]

Not interested in the Superspeed?

 

[daven1986]

All the gillettes I have seen have big heads, the HD, slant and progress seem to have smaller heads. I have a small angular face so would prefer a smaller head.