Razor wanted for tough stubble

[NZDavid]

I am wanting to get a razor for tough fast-growing stubble. It seems a more aggressive razor may be the way to go, but what? Merkurs seem to be popular but there are so many! 37C slant, 38C HD, 39C HD, 11C HD, 12C, 15C, 25C....
Don't say try them all! Any others? I was also considering the Goodfella, but may be not quite as aggressive.

 

[mdunn]

what about adjustable?

that way you can fine tune it to an agression level that works for you

 

[rm71]

what about adjustable?

that way you can fine tune it to an agression level that works for you

Good suggestion. Gillette Redtip is more on the agressive side as well.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

I recently used a Red Tip on some serious stubble. I don't grow brillo-whiskers, but I have a medium-coarse beard and had 4 or 5 days growth and the Red Tip was a DFS in two passes.

I hear those Goodfellas are darn pricey. The Red Tips are cheap enough so you could try one out and experiment with blades. If it doesn't work out, you can get rid of it easily enough on the BST.

Good luck.

 

[NZDavid]

Thanks guys for speedy replies. Choices, choices! Is someone familiar with those Merkurs listed above, eg 12C v Slant, etc?

 

[Fnord5]

I am wanting to get a razor for tough fast-growing stubble. It seems a more aggressive razor may be the way to go, but what? Merkurs seem to be popular but there are so many! 37C slant, 38C HD, 39C HD, 11C HD, 12C, 15C, 25C....
Don't say try them all! Any others? I was also considering the Goodfella, but may be not quite as aggressive.

See forum just below this one.

 

[heirkb]

I've heard slants are good. I still can't get BBS (super tough stubble under jaw and chin), but I get pretty damn great shaves with my gillette adjustables.
Gonna get a slant for my birthday and I'll see how it works.

 

[wundergussy]

Slants seem to find stubble you were not aware of.

 

[NZDavid]

See forum just below this one.

Ah, the straights! Maybe later.

 

[D.Irving79]

a gem will solve all of your problems. it can even walk the dog.

 

[spinyeel]

a gem will solve all of your problems. it can even walk the dog.

+1.Gem's carve through heavy stubble with consumate ease.

 

[NZDavid]

Well, there's so much info here, all very helpful. 12C, 11C and 38C Merkurs all look possible. Checked out the Gillette Red Tip - interesting. Gem would be, too, but just not sure about availability of SE blades.

 

[40_Caliber]

Also consider the 39c Sledgehammer Slant. It'll carve your stubble like a Christmas goose! Good looking too.

.40

 

[Seamaster]

Slant plus a sharp blade.

 

[Bertilak]

a gem will solve all of your problems. it can even walk the dog.

+some more.

I have very tough wire-like whiskers on chin and upper lip. A GEM blade in a GEM razor slices through them, ATG, with ease. Knife through butter. OK, it's not that easy, but easy enough.

I gotta try that dog thing! Except I don't have a dog

EDIT: SE Blades are easy to get. Walgreens and the like. Or http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/gem-superstainless-single-edge--5-p5.html or http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[soapbox]

Thanks guys for speedy replies. Choices, choices! Is someone familiar with those Merkurs listed above, eg 12C v Slant, etc?

With the Merkurs, I'd choose the Slant (I don't own the 39C, the "Schraeg Vorschlaghammer") or the Futur for the really tough stuff. I like the Progress, but I haven't got much experience with it yet.

Red Tips are great, and I have several, but if you're headed down the "tough stubble" route, you either need a Gillette adjustable, possibly a NEW open-comb, or an aggressive Merkur.

Additional shout-out to the Muehle-Pinsel 89, though I don't own one. It's probably the next razor I'll buy, but I've got plenty of razors so it's not a "NOW NOW NOW RAD MUST HAVE NOW" thing.

 

[SavantStrike]

See forum just below this one.

+1

If you don't go for a straight, at least stay away from the Goodfella. I hear they are habitually mild.

 

[ScYcS]

Quite honestly....i think any razor is good enough to remove even the hardest stubble. It all depends on how many passes you are willing to make with which blade.

That being said, try an open comb razor, maybe a Gillette NEW with a feather blade.

 

[English]

Most guys with a tough stubble end up with a heavy straight.

They plough through stubble easily. DE's are really quite tame by comparison.

Bite the bullet, you know it makes sense.

 

[pablo_h]

If these are you first razor purchases, I recommend the vintage gillette slim adjustable and the GEM 1912 SE. If I could tell my past self what to buy first up, they would be the two. Both are very cheap to find on US ebay or the buy/sell/trade forums here, and you get a lot for your money.
Blades are easy to find for both DE and SE over the internet, postage is cheap from the UK, better off getting any blades locally or from there, US postage for blades is quite expensive. I'm sure if you do get a GEM, most AUS members would be willing let you know where to get them from. I've had no problems getting them from the UK pretty cheap, postage from there is a lot cheaper than from the US.
A three peice DE is also recommended (tech, NEW), but if you start with a GEM, there's no reason to try them unless you love the slim adjustable and hate the GEM.