Need a New Razor, Suggestions?

[Boba Fett]

Been DE shaving for about 6 months now, and have used a Vintage model DE and a '64 Gillette Slim SS. Both have treated me pretty well, but I still can't get BBS without sacrificing some comfort, especially on my chin where the hair is thickest. So here is my situation:

The hair on my cheeks and sideburns is fairly thin, and soft, while the hair on my chin and jaw line is dense and tough. My neck is inbetween these two extremes. I have been looking at some new Merkurs, but am a little lost as to what each razor will really do.

A 37C slant sounds awesome, but I think it could be some major overkill, since some of my beard is fairly thin--besides that, I am still pretty new to DE shaving. Is a slant supposed to mimic a straight?

An 11C also sounds good, as I have heard open combs are good for thick beards. This seems ideal for my chin and jaw line, but again, I see where there could be some overkill. Do open combs line hairs up for easier cutting?

I am leaning strongly towards the classic 34C HD, as what I have read in the reviews here on B&B points towards a quality razor with a "medium aggressiveness".

Thanks for reading; I know I cannot know how a razor will treat my face without actually using it, but if none of these seem to work, I have a brother who wants to start wetshaving, so someday, they could be his!

 

[Dennis]

The HD is my regular use razor. It has the "standard" Merkur head that you will find on most of their models of similar style. I also own the Slant and really like it. It does not mimic a straight, but instead, more likely a slicing "Gillette Slide" kind of cut. To be honest, I use the Slant and the HD interchangeably and there is little difference in feel of the razor to me. If you are looking for something different, try the Slant.

 

[bwatts]

I recently bought the slant and it works wonders. You have to make sure the blade is loaded properly as if it is misaligned then it can lead to major razor burn. You can solve that by holding the exposed edges up while tightening the razor.

 

[Fnord5]

Check the forum directly below this one.

 

[luvmysuper]

The Slant is a fine razor, and should be no issue on your "softer" hair. It's a great razor with a scary reputation that I find is really unwarranted.

The open combs are really great shavers, the New mows down my chin and jawline hair without a problem, the Old, with a modern blade is just awesome. The open combs can be a bit irritating if you don't have the angle proper, it's pretty good feedback when your doing something wrong.

I'm pretty sure that the comb was just a pre-runner of the guard bar, a way to keep the blade distance from the face, but allow lining it up without scraping away all of the shaving lather. I can't see how the large gap on the comb would provide any guiding whatsoever on a day or two worth of growth.

 

[Blondie]

You might consider a Gillette adjustable. Another good choice would be a Red Tip Super Speed. Loaded with a Feather, I can get BBS easily. Also, take a look at the thread on the four pass shave, and consider trying that if you have not already. It can be found here.

Helped me immensely with my shaves.

 

[rac]

hi
merkur 1904
merkur 34c
gillette tech
gillette blue tip
or adj .

 

[82R100]

Try a Gem razor.

I like Micromatics but some find them scary.

Find a nice 1912 model. The audio feedback alone is worth the (small) price of admission.

- Chris

 

[workel]

Gem is cool. But is it practicable?

Slant is wonderful - give it a try.
But please start with some moderate blades like RP or so.

Actual Merkur open combs are for girls only.
Much too soft.

Try a British New instead.
Or maybe a Hoffritz open comb.
They are wonderful and cheap.

 

[82R100]

Gem is cool. But is it practicable?

Here in the States it's very practical.

- Chris

 

[workel]

This seems to be true - you lucky ones!
You cannot imagine to get some good SE´s here
in Europe. Hard and realy expensive.
So - if you have the chance to try a good Gem
with a nice blade - just do it.
It´s a great experiance, nearly like a Valet

 

[buddydog]

40s super speed......try it you'll like it.

 

[Boba Fett]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. Now that my RAD is setting in, I might just get all of them!

Still strongly considering the slant, but I have heard some awesome stuff about Gem's. Definitely worth looking into.

 

[Zumkopf]

The Slant is a fine razor, and should be no issue on your "softer" hair. It's a great razor with a scary reputation that I find is really unwarranted.

The open combs are really great shavers, the New mows down my chin and jawline hair without a problem, the Old, with a modern blade is just awesome. The open combs can be a bit irritating if you don't have the angle proper, it's pretty good feedback when your doing something wrong.

I'm pretty sure that the comb was just a pre-runner of the guard bar, a way to keep the blade distance from the face, but allow lining it up without scraping away all of the shaving lather. I can't see how the large gap on the comb would provide any guiding whatsoever on a day or two worth of growth.

+1 on both counts. One thing I like about an open comb is that it holds lather near the blade, so "buffing" with it is a cinch: take your normal stroke, then tilt the handle more toward your face while pushing the razor backwards. [It's easier to do than to say.] Tilted back like that, the comb will lay a nice layer of lather on the area you just shaved, making it easy and safer to go back over it immediately.

The disadvantages of the comb, so far as I can tell, are that it's harder to clean, and by its nature the teeth are longer (project further out) than a guard bar, so you can trim closer to, say, the uppermost part of your lip (under the nose) with a guard bar DE than a big comb.

As far as all-around use goes, +1 on the '40s Gillette Super Speed. Compact, simple, easy to reach anywhere your face needs shaving.

 

[brothers]

I have a son and son-in-law, both in their early to mid 30's, and this year both of them made the move to wet shaving. They both have acquired the standard spread of vintage Gillettes, which is the easiest and cheapest way to get started and have a small variety at the same time. They have the Super Speed, the Tech, The Slim Adjustable, and the NEW. They have both adopted the NEW as the most effective and least troublesome, just starting out. Meanwhile they are able to switch off and use the Tech off and on, and they both find the Adjustable to present a bit of a challenge during the time they are trying to sort out their angles and techniques.

The HD, Progress, and the Futur are all excellent razors.

Straight razors are always an option, but taking up a straight is a whole different ball game, I've done it myself this year, and now I am approaching the ability to achieve a very good shave with both the DEs and the straights, which has been my plan all along.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I like the Merkur razors, and also the Edwin Jaggers. I've tried the HD, and the slant. They've all shaved pretty good, no problem with any of them, but for me its the Merkur 1904. That razor sings when I use it, and of course thats IMHO. Its worth a try though.