One chance to convert Dad - Advice?

[tm3]

I always favor an adjustable as a first DE. The Rockwell is a great option and they ran a really good sale last BF.

Likewise, Henson was available at a nice discount last BF.

I'm a huge fan of the Merkur 34 but for the circumstance you describe I would give the nod to the Rockwell or Henson.

 

[Talal]

@Tathlum posted at the same time as me. What he said!

A Gillette Guard and a couple hundred cartridges.

Buy him a nice synthetic, a tube of Proraso Blue and let him have at it.

It's pretty much a fail safe razor,.single blade, cartridge conformer but DE closeness.

Indeed i have got him a tube of Lea and a tube of Proraso White and the Brickells After shave, these are excellent products

 

[Tathlum]

thank you kindly. Ive tried to look this up but was unsure what you meant , can you confirm by providing a link please? there was a few that popped up.

2 Gillette Guard Razor with Blade Cartidge + 12 Blade Cartidge Men Shave | eBay

A single blade with room between the guard ensures the razor will not clog. Great for head shaving or travel.

www.ebay.com

 

[Talal]

I always favor an adjustable as a first DE. The Rockwell is a great option and they ran a really good sale last BF.

Likewise, Henson was available at a nice discount last BF.

I'm a huge fan of the Merkur 34 but for the circumstance you describe I would give the nod to the Rockwell or Henson.

The Mild Henson would still cut through a tough beard i assume eh?

 

[Tathlum]

he currently uses the ones pictured above, the blue plastic ones with dual blades... i assume these are more effective in your opinion?

Yes in my opinion the guard is a much better shave.

 

[Frito Ray]

Ooof, just had a flashback of when I tried to do the same with my father.

He was older than yours and had first started shaving with a DE and converted to carts when they first appeared and never looked back.

He had “no time for that nonsense” when I offered him a DE.

 

[Dtownvino]

Hello friends,


My father has been cartridge shaver all his life (sensor excell), and at 67 years old has switched over to the plastic disposable cartridge razors.. he has very sensitive skin and complains often of the irritation. Ive helped him with creams and after shaves but for the first time ever he is willing to try a DE razor to see the difference.. He has tried them in his youth he said and would nick himself so i think just has bad initial experience with it that lingered.. I have no idea what he tried probably really poor ones out in the mid east.

In your opinion if you were to pick a razor for him to try in this case what would you pick to recommend? he has a thick middle eastern style beard and sensitive skin.. I was thinking maybe the mildest henson but they are so expensive.. ive never tried one myself so I dont know .. I use the R41 and Fatip Lo Storto open comb slant and thats it but those would be too intense for him.

Maybe Merkur 34c? I really want it mild and and to make him cutting himself almost impossible.. maybe a modern adjustable? i dont know I dont know the mild world of the DE realm being on the aggressive end..

Thank you for your thoughts.. I only have 1 shot at this and I want to make it count..

Yaqi Ghost .70 or Karve Overlander for modern razors.

Gillette Tech or Gillette Superspeed

 

[Talal]

Yes in my opinion the guard is a much better shave.

Thank you i have purchased it with 12 blades ! i think ill just go for this.. hes so so fussy.. and you and another member have said it will give a DE like shave so ill do that as a first start then maybe try to get a DE for him when he sees how awful the twin blade thing he uses is. he goes over the same area with many strokes its agonizing "Scrape scrape scrape scrape scrape"

Ooof, just had a flashback of when I tried to do the same with my father.

He was older than yours and had first started shaving with a DE and converted to carts when they first appeared and never looked back.

He had “no time for that nonsense” when I offered him a DE.

ahhahaha i think we understand each other brother

 

[BigJ]

The 34C is a good choice IMO! I suggest you have him focus on doing a good prep and lather. Then, the standards: watch and maintain razor angle and, mostly, NO pressure. Best of luck!!

 

[brucered]

If I want a trouble free, no brain shave, I reach for my Guard. It is also my go-to for travel and camping.

I DE shave regularly but have also used the Guard for multiple months stints, as long as 8-10 months at a time.

During that time, the inexpensive, plastic handle has not failed. The cartridge swap is easy and never failed.

 

[Talal]

If I want a trouble free, no brain shave, I reach for my Guard. It is also my go-to for travel and camping.

I DE shave regularly but have also used the Guard for multiple months stints, as long as 8-10 months at a time.

During that time, the inexpensive, plastic handle has not failed. The cartridge swap is easy and never failed.

I think we have the winner , i wanted to hear from a seasoned DE user that this is still a good shave.. i thank you . Indeed i went for a handle with 12 blades as a starter for him, surely this will be a step up .. I may have to put the DE idea on hold until i get this baby step going as I dont need another reason for him to tell me im wrong

 

[No1Up]

Honestly, the Henson has been doing a fantastic job at converting people… it’s almost made for it!

 

[The Coffee Bandit]

Rockwel 6C. Smooth as butter and several plates for him to choose from.

Absolutely seconded.

I'd get him a Rockwell 6C, I'd recommend he start on plate 3. Gillette 7 o'clock green is a good, versatile blade that will offer him a good chance of compatibility that is sharp but also gentle.

A Henson/34c will force you to essentially guess as to what level of aggressiveness he will respond positively towards and, therefore, be a greater gamble than necessary.

If he's going to build his own lather, get him a decent synthetic brush and a soft cream like Speick so he doesn't have to simultaneously learn to use a soap and risk the under loading that results in frustration for so many newbies.

 

[creamgravy]

^ Yep, good prep is more important than the razor if you have sensitive skin.

Based in the UK? The cheap Wilkinson Sword brush with a nice cream like Palmolive is top place to start (face lather with cold water etc)

 

[Talal]

he is Mid east based! Loves his Nivea cream and after shave as well haha.. Ill keep you folks posted he seems excited to try the Gillete Guard when i showed the packet, he asked for them to be included as opposed to the DE stuff.. Old habits die hard

well if he notices a difference surely it will be a good stepping stone to the DE

 

[Talal]

Absolutely seconded.

I'd get him a Rockwell 6C, I'd recommend he start on plate 3. Gillette 7 o'clock green is a good, versatile blade that will offer him a good chance of compatibility that is sharp but also gentle.

A Henson/34c will force you to essentially guess as to what level of aggressiveness he will respond positively towards and, therefore, be a greater gamble than necessary.

If he's going to build his own lather, get him a decent synthetic brush and a soft cream like Speick so he doesn't have to simultaneously learn to use a soap and risk the under loading that results in frustration for so many newbies.

Yes he does already lather and brush and has for many many years.. He sticks with the Nivea cream and balm and used to use Palmolive once upon a time.

Now with the step up with Proraso white and LEA shaving cream as well as the incredible Brickell after shave im gifting him alongside the Guard , im sure Dad will be very very happy

 

[Frito Ray]

ahhahaha i think we understand each other brother

If your father is the type who has a hard time accepting nice gifts from his kids, say you got the razor for free.

You could say something like you ordered a razor for yourself and the store sent the wrong one, and when you contacted them to make them aware of the error, they sent you the correct one and let you keep the first one for free.

Since it was free, it could make acceptance easier.

 

[Rudy Vey]

I also have quite sensitive skin, and found a few DE's I really like.
Rockwell 6 S, right now they have a Black Friday sale. I use mine on the plate #2, also very mild. Another great razor is the Timeless Ti 0.68, Lambda Athena and Karve Bison. Personally, I would recommend that you get him a razor that is adjustable, either by changing the base plate or adjustable within the razor, Oliworks adjustable is also a good one.

 

[borwish]

@Talal Your choice of the Gillette Guard is an excellent one. Several years ago I was a Gillette Good News user and the Gillette Guard is superior. It not only gives a better shave with no clogging, but it also lasts much longer than the Good News did for me. I think your father will be pleased.

You mentioned interest in the Henson while being wary of the cost. The Simple Clean Shave / The Razor Company razor is very similar in design while being only $45. It is negative exposure while I think the Henson is neutral exposure. Italian Barber has just released the Cyber razor which many here are liking for $40??? Black Friday will drop the price of these razors if you're still interested in a DE.

The Leaf Twig was also mentioned and is a great choice especially if he is used to disposables.

 

[Talal]

Gentlemen this Leaf Twif Razor appears to use a Single EDge design.. interesting.. Is this a quite mild razor youd say folks? quite a neat look to it i must say

I will be sure to update on how my experiment went