What is everyone's preference...I've never used anything new. I have 8 assorted Gillettes and a gem 1912 on the way. There is something romantic about a vintage razor for me. What do you prefer and why?
Mike
Mike
New or Vintage?
- Thread starter mdkraus13
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I prefer vintage razors. I think they were made with higher quality, there's a lot more variety available (and some oddball razors out there to try), and as long as you aren't going for the rare vintage razors they are a lot better value.
+1 They just don't make 'em like they used to.
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- #4
That's my feeling too...some of those new ones look pretty nice. And then the mergress...getting harder to resist.
Vintage is better, for the most part.
The only exceptions I would make are in blades. They really are made great today.
Oh, and Merkur changed up the cap in their slants. That was an improvement, though I'm not sure exactly when that change took place. They went from smooth caps to one that's scalloped. It really reduced drag for me.
The only exceptions I would make are in blades. They really are made great today.
Oh, and Merkur changed up the cap in their slants. That was an improvement, though I'm not sure exactly when that change took place. They went from smooth caps to one that's scalloped. It really reduced drag for me.
I like vintage razors. Gillettes and GEM's really shine. The Murkurs I have owned bent the razor instead of having it lay flat. I find that gave me more razor burn than vintage Gillettes where the DE is not bent.
As much as I like my EJ89L, I haven't touched it in awhile
It all started with a Rocket Flare Tip, and quickly moved to my current favorite a H3 Slim Adjustable. I keep looking at the EJ and I know I will use it again sometime I am just worried that when I do I wont like it as much as I use to.
It all started with a Rocket Flare Tip, and quickly moved to my current favorite a H3 Slim Adjustable. I keep looking at the EJ and I know I will use it again sometime I am just worried that when I do I wont like it as much as I use to.
NOS if you can get it, the best of both worlds 
I would say the late '60's/early '70's blades were the best ever made, but YMMV, obviously.
For my favorite single edge and injector razors, vintage is the only choice. For DE razors, my vintage models just have more interest for me. I enjoy the history behind them, and models like my Gillette New, late 40s Super Speed, and Fatboy all work great. That doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with the modern razors. If I had only been concerned with getting a good shave, I could have stopped with the Merkur 23C and been doing fine.
I have one of each- a late 40s super speed and a merkur hd 34c. I love both of them, but tend to use the gillette more.
My first razor was a Merkur HD, but once I started with my Red Tips, Fatboys, and Slim Adjustables I didn't look back. I did pull out the HD recently and it shaved well, but certainly no better (and really not as good) as the vintage Gillettes.
Plus, I love the butterfly doors of the TTO razors. They seem a bit safer when changing blades also. It's one of the reasons the Merkur Vision looks so cool to me.
Plus, I love the butterfly doors of the TTO razors. They seem a bit safer when changing blades also. It's one of the reasons the Merkur Vision looks so cool to me.
I am probably in the minority but........ my only two razors in rotation are "new" merkurs. At one point in time I had probably 20 vintage razors I have purged my den of most of them. Nothing wrong with them, just found myself using the merkurs more and more. It's kinda silly having razors just sitting collecting dust when someone out there wants 'em. I have saved a few "show" pieces though.
My goto razor is a Merkur Progress and EJD89L for a modern built razor. However, as echoed by other memebers the vintage models from Gillette are hard to beat (love the Super Speeds and NEW's). I find the build quality is tight and the tolerances are better than what you can find from today's razors. The materials and plating of yester year razors is fantastic. My Progress is showing signs of some flaking in the chrome plating.
I own and use regularly a red tip, fatboy, slim, new, superspeeds,an injector and several Gem single edges, about 15 razors in all. I've given some thought to buying a modern razor, but seriously don't think I could get a better shave than I'm getting now.
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- #18
really the perfect situation!!!
NOS if you can get it, the best of both worlds
simon1
Self Ignored by Vista
Of the 14 razors that I have (3 straights and 11 safety razors) the only newly manufactured one is a 5/8 Dovo that I got a couple of years ago. The rest cover every decade from late 1800s (6/8 straight) to the 1950s (1956 SS).
My main users are the 1912 Gem, the 1901 Ever-Ready Lather Catcher, and the 1914 Ever-Ready.
Oh, and the G1 Schick injector.
My main users are the 1912 Gem, the 1901 Ever-Ready Lather Catcher, and the 1914 Ever-Ready.
Oh, and the G1 Schick injector.
Vintage for me.
With exception of my British NEW and the ABC Pocket, most all my shaving is with one of my several SE razors. That includes the GEM/Ever-Ready variants and Schick injectors.
So, I really have no choice with regard to the SE.
There is just something satisfying about using a razor with a long and mysterious history.
David
With exception of my British NEW and the ABC Pocket, most all my shaving is with one of my several SE razors. That includes the GEM/Ever-Ready variants and Schick injectors.
So, I really have no choice with regard to the SE.
There is just something satisfying about using a razor with a long and mysterious history.
David
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