Need Some Recommendations for a Beginner's Safety Razor

[Lane101]

Hello there,

I am new to wet shaving and I am looking to invest in my first safety razor. I have been using cartridge razors for years; but I have heard so many good things about safety razors that I want to give them a try.

I am looking for recommendations on a good beginner's safety razor. Something that is easy to use and forgiving for someone who is just starting out with this type of razor. I have done some research and there are so many options out there; it is a bit overwhelming.

I have seen a lot of people recommend the Merkur 34C as a good beginner razor; but I am open to other suggestions as well. My main priorities are ease of use; affordability; and durability. I want something that will give me a close shave without too much of a learning curve.

Also, I have gone through this post: https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/de-safety-razor-for-a-blue-prism.581040/ which definitely helped me out a lot.

Also, any tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated; Things like the best type of blade to use; shaving techniques; etc.

Thankyou in advance for your help and assistance.

Recommend you stay in the $10 - $20 range for a first razor that will provide great performance and good quality construction. Two that I use include the Weishi 9306 Long Handle (around $15) and the Razorock Adjust ($10-$15, rebranded Baili sold by Italian Barber also sold by Stirling Shave). The former is a Gillette Superspeed TTO clone that is proven design while the latter is an TTO adjustable that is only one of two modern production razors using the proven Gillette style adjustment mechanism used in their well regarded adjustable razors from the 1960's to 1980's. My Weishi provides a moderate level of aggressiveness while the Adjust provides a milder range. i enjoy both and my Weishi has been a great performer for the past 4+ years.

For $20-$30 you can consider the King C. Gillette that is a very mild three piece razor that is really well made. From your post it sounds like you may be looking for something more efficient like the Weishi or Adjust.

Note that I have a Lord L6 and found it to be very aggressive with a much poorer quality finish than these other razors that cost just a few dollars more. Also this three piece razor mixes an aluminum handle with a cast razor head that many have reported eventually strips its threads. I used it a couple of times and decided it was too much of a deadly weapon.

If you search I've posted reviews on all of these.

P.S. Are you also looking for recommendations on shaving soap and brushes given your recent post inquiring about bowl lathering?

 

[Lane101]

The Baili TTO (also sold as RazoRock Quick Change) is a wonderful beginner razor.

@tysonzach , Jay21 is right, would put this in a similar class as my Weishi 9306. Don't own one so Jay can comment on how aggressive or mild it is.

 

[Jay21]

@tysonzach , Jay21 is right, would put this in a similar class as my Weishi 9306. Don't own one so Jay can comment on how aggressive or mild it is.

I have both. My Weishi has considerable blade exposure and is aggressive. The Baili has negative blade exposure and is very mild. You have to actively try to hurt yourself with it, which is why I feel it’s a great beginner razor. With good technique, it will get you a DFS or BBS based on your skin and hair.

Also, to correct something above, I believe the Wilkinson Sword is made by Weishi, not Baili. Vikings Blades sells a rebadged Baili and Van der Hagen sells a rebadged Weishi.

 

[Halfbeard]

DS Cosmetics AX-SE Zamack trio is good starting point. For 23€ you get three different blade gaps.

 

[Lane101]

I have both. My Weishi has considerable blade exposure and is aggressive. The Baili has negative blade exposure and is very mild. You have to actively try to hurt yourself with it, which is why I feel it’s a great beginner razor. With good technique, it will get you a DFS or BBS based on your skin and hair.

Also, to correct something above, I believe the Wilkinson Sword is made by Weishi, not Baili. Vikings Blades sells a rebadged Baili and Van der Hagen sells a rebadged Weishi.

Your Baili sounds like my King C. Gillette. How recently did you acquire your Weishi? Mine is around four years old and it is definitely not mild, especially in comparison to my King C. Gillette - I do consider it moderate. Recall lots of folks complaining that the 9306 was too mild though in most cases those razors were purchased years before mine.

Suspect Weishi may have shifted specs towards more aggressiveness over the past few years.

 

[wimbouman]

Our next generation did their research and field testing and settled on on a Muhle Companion
A wise choice. Remarkably easy and effective razor.

 

[Jay21]

Your Baili sounds like my King C. Gillette. How recently did you acquire your Weishi? Mine is around four years old and it is definitely not mild, especially in comparison to my King C. Gillette - I do consider it moderate. Recall lots of folks complaining that the 9306 was too mild though in most cases those razors were purchased years before mine.

Suspect Weishi may have shifted specs towards more aggressiveness over the past few years.

I bought my Weishi about a year go.

 

[profusion]

Welcome to the world of DE shaving.

I've been a DE shaver for a little over a decade, having shaved with cartridge and disposable razors for over 25 years before that. My first razor was a Merkur 34C and my first blade of choice was the Gillette Astra SP. A pretty standard setup for a beginner, and something that would work for you.

That said, I love the suggestion of the Yaqi The Final Cut, even though I don't have one myself (I just got a vintage Gillette adjustable, though). An adjustable razor will help you develop the shave you want.

Get one of those, a hundred-pack of Suneko Amorphous Diamond Super Stainless blades, and a DSC synthetic brush off of Aliexpress, and you'd be ready to go for very little money. You can get a custom lathering bowl, but you could also just just use a cereal bowl until you're ready to get fancy. You could also just using shaving cream from a tube (I like Cremo) until you know how to actually shave. The lathering and soaps and whatnot add another layer of complexity and variables before you even set blade to face. Maybe learn to use the razor, first.

Now, for the more important stuff...technique!

• Pre-shave. Everyone has a different pre-shave regimen to get the face ready. I prefer a hot shower before shaving, and I rub shaving cream on my face while in the shower to begin the process of breaking down the protective coating on the beard hairs. Some people get much fancier. Some tough guys just go right in without anything! I wouldn't recommend that...
• You will need to completely reinvent your technique. My first decade-plus of DE shaving, I was still using too many cartridge-shaving habits, and it was really bad for my face and didn't give me the best shaves. It's only been in the last year or so that I wised up and did better research on how to DE shave properly.
• "Map" your face--meaning figure out which direction the hair grows on various parts of your face. It'll be different in different places. With cartridges, we typically just push the razor around willy-nilly until the beard is gone. That won't fly with a DE, though.
• When you shave in the same direction the hair grows, it's "with the grain," and the opposite direction is (obviously) "against the grain."
• The classic gentleman's shave is three passes: 1. with the grain (usually downwards), 2. across the grain (usually sideways), 3. against the grain (usually upwards; some men just do a second cross-grain pass here to reduce irritation).
• The stroke is completely different. You are NOT "mowing" your face. You make short, delicate strokes of about a centimeter, across and down your face. Don't go over the same territory twice in each pass, if you can help it. It's actually very similar to using a straight razor in that regard.
• Don't press down on your face. No pressure. I repeat, NO PRESSURE. You want that blade to just barely be touching your face as it glides over. You'll get horrible razor burn if you press down. Ask me how I know.
• The angle at which you hold the razor is very important. Start by holding the handle perpendicular to your face with the top of the cap touching the face. As you make strokes, slowly move the handle down to your face until you just feel the blade start making contact (and you will feel it). That's your angle.
  
  You can choose the angle the reverse way (starting with the handle on your face and only the safety bar touching the face) for what's called a "steep" angle, but I don't recommend that to start off with, as it can irritate the heck out of your face.
  
  Each razor is built with a different geometry, so the shaving angle will be slightly different with each. Some have you move the handle quite a ways towards your face, while others engage the blade almost right away from that starting point (the Gillette Tech is like this).

My advice is not to bother getting a bunch of different razors and blades until you know what you are doing. Start basic. Get the motion down, and then you can have fun trying out the endless varieties of razors and blades.

 

[rostern]

I was a cartridge shaver for close to 50 years. I switched to double edge shaving about 2 months ago. I started with the Henson AL 13+ (mild). I have not used a cartridge since the switch. As a modern take on the classic double edge razor, the Henson really makes holding the razor at the correct shaving angle obvious. It has worked well for me with all the blades I have tried, including Astra, Parker, Perm-Sharp, Nacet and 7 O'clock. It is easy to use and very drama free.

 

[gpjoe]

I like the suggestions of a vintage Gillette Tech or Superspeed, which are great, mild razors. You can easily find nice examples on Ebay for under 20 bucks. Either razor prior to 1961 will be solid brass and last a lifetime of shaves.

For a modern razor, I like my Razorock Game Changer. I bought mine just a couple months into DE shaving, and it is one of the few modern razors which I still have, two years later.

The RR 68P is a mild razor, solid stainless steel and a great value at $60. If you "outgrow" the 68P, additional plates (76P, 84P, 105P, or an open comb) cost 30 bucks. Even if you hate them all, the razor and plates are quite easy to sell.

 

[tejolot3]

Many of us here (myself included) use DE razors because carts don’t work well for our whisker/skin types. In my case, cartridge razors result in ingrown hairs and irritation on my neck.

In my case, I use DE razors because blades are SOOOOO much cheaper.

 

[cranewarrior]

Just chiming in a bit late.... I also like the GameChanger and Yaqi Final Cut recommendations. I like the .76P plate myself for the GC.

 

[Brutus]

Hello there,

I am new to wet shaving and I am looking to invest in my first safety razor. I have been using cartridge razors for years; but I have heard so many good things about safety razors that I want to give them a try.

I am looking for recommendations on a good beginner's safety razor. Something that is easy to use and forgiving for someone who is just starting out with this type of razor. I have done some research and there are so many options out there; it is a bit overwhelming.

I have seen a lot of people recommend the Merkur 34C as a good beginner razor; but I am open to other suggestions as well. My main priorities are ease of use; affordability; and durability. I want something that will give me a close shave without too much of a learning curve.

Also, I have gone through this post: https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/de-safety-razor-for-a-blue-prism.581040/ which definitely helped me out a lot.

Also, any tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated; Things like the best type of blade to use; shaving techniques; etc.

Thankyou in advance for your help and assistance.

Strange how, when you first and foremost ask for a recommendation for a safety razor, people tend to recommend all sort of things (occasionally even safety razors)…
I guess, for some your “any tips would be greatly appreciated” fires up their imagination.

Then again, maybe it’s my fault to read this thread fairly late, when it repeatedly has come close to derailing…

To your question:
The Merkur safety razor that you mentioned is a good starting point, but I believe that overall Mühle razors are better built and pay more attention to details and QC. The Mühle R89 is an obvious choice.
If you have shaved with the R89 long enough and have become adventurous, you could buy (only) the head of the more aggressive and closer shaving Mühle R41 and see whether Mühle’s take on the open comb (teeth in the razor head) design are more to your liking.
The only difference between the Mühle R89 and R41 is the head and that can be bought separately as a replacement part cheaply.

For the time being, I suggest to stay away from more “exotic” (i.a.w. less commonly seen) razors. Some members here have a tendency to recommend their own preference, no matter howe rare it may be, while I believe that for a beginner it may be a wiser suggestion to stick in the beginning to “tried and tested” designs that have 10,000 of fans rather than 500.
So have a look what razors have garnered good reviews over the years (not only the last few months) and take it from there. You will find that the Mühle R89, together with the almost identical Edwin Jagger variant, together with some other Mühles and Merkurs will fit that bill.

Now that’s it for the safety razor question. If that’s all you want, feel free to stop here.
But if you want some more general tips, read on…


I also suggest a similar approach to shaving brushes and razor blades. Start with widely known and respected products, For brushes, Semogue and (again) Mühle are a good starting point. For a beginner, synthetics in general, again from well known brands (e.g. Mühle, Semogue, Omega, Simpsons), are another terrific choice, as synthetics are easy to get used to, are robust, dry quickly, and can whip up a great lather. There are also some excellent cheap synthetics on the market, but one has to know the field and do one’s homework to identify those and avoid the cheap rubbish, so better stick to quality names at first. Except for some well known, respected retailers (e.g. Fendrihan, Razorock) who already have done this work for you and back it up by a generous warranty.
Later, there will be a time to get to know badger, boar and (not to forget) horse hair brushes.

Lastly; when you shave, there are many variables that affect the outcome of a shave.
The learning curve may not be as steep as shaving with a straight razor, but a learning curve still exists.
If you want to change things to see if a change works better for you, stick to changing ONE thing at a time.
If you change several (e.g. change the soap, the blade, and the pre-shave routine at the same time) you will find it difficult to identify which change works and which one doesn’t.

And yes, preshave is important - and sometimes evcen overlooked by people who fancy themselves experts.
It does not have to be expensive or com plex, just wash your face with some sponge/washcloth and some (e.g. standard glycerine) soap, leave your face wet, brush your teeth next and then go and shave. That will give the whiskers and facial skin time to soften and absorb some moisture and will improve your shave.


Safety or straight razor shaving are a great way to start the day.
It turns something that used to be a chore into something that you may look forward to every morning.
It will take some time, effort and persistence to come to grips with these more traditional shaving methods, but many of us have found this an enjoyable way to slowly start the day…


Lastly, use the Pareto (80/20) rule.
People are free to post all nonsense, stick to what 80% of people can agree on and ignore the 20% (10% best and 10% worst opinions) outliers.
On a bad day, that may even include me when I slip into the undesirable 20%, which is something that I strenuously try to avoid…



Good luck.



B.

 

[Rusty Blade]

Hello there,

I am new to wet shaving and I am looking to invest in my first safety razor. I have been using cartridge razors for years; but I have heard so many good things about safety razors that I want to give them a try.

I am looking for recommendations on a good beginner's safety razor. Something that is easy to use and forgiving for someone who is just starting out with this type of razor. I have done some research and there are so many options out there; it is a bit overwhelming.

I have seen a lot of people recommend the Merkur 34C as a good beginner razor; but I am open to other suggestions as well. My main priorities are ease of use; affordability; and durability. I want something that will give me a close shave without too much of a learning curve.

Also, I have gone through this post: https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/de-safety-razor-for-a-blue-prism.581040/ which definitely helped me out a lot.

Also, any tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated; Things like the best type of blade to use; shaving techniques; etc.

Thankyou in advance for your help and assistance.

You are getting lots of great suggestions. I would add one: consider picking up a vintage Gillette Fat Handle Tech. A fine razor, mild and a bit of wet shaving history.

 

[Quaznoid]

Tech, for beginners, veterans and everyone in between.