Safety razor selection

[shavingRUS]

Good evening, everybody! Somehow I came for this moment in my life, I'm trying to switch on safety razors, despite of this I got some questions for BADGER&BLADE users. So.. shortly, i'm 23 y.o., I got SENSITIVE skin(sometimes I got irritation and so on..). I'm shaving once in a week/two weeks, after this I got beard all over the face, just love how me beard looks

. Beard - not tough, not soft, something in the middle, how I think.

1)Is safety razor best way to shave??? Also, I got cartridge razor Gillette Fusion Power and electric shaver Braun 1-series. Any alternatives for my situation?

2)I've lurked around shaving forums/pages, as I get best options for novice in safety 'razoring' is EDWIN JAGGER DE89, MERKUR 34/38C and MUHLE R89, OTHER CANDIDATES?
1.1)What other letters and numerals after EJ DE89 mean? DE stands for double edge.., 89 - head, but other, such as L/BL/BA, etc..? As regards, MERKUR 34/38C - C means chrome? G means gold, yes?
1.2)What open comb razor actually does? Whats the difference between closed combs? As regards, MUHLE R89 vs MUHLE R41 and EJ DE89 vs EJ DE87?
1.3)Last one, EDWIN JAGGER = MUHLE, sure? The difference is handle and price, yup?

I appreciate all the answers, thanks!​

 

[Ton Eighty]

The best way to shave is the one that you decide is best for you. In the opinions of a lot of people here, it is for them. There is an acronym here where we say "YMMV" which means "Your Mileage May Vary" everything is different for everybody. The best options for a new person do seem to be a DE89, Muhle R89, etc if you want a new production razor. Any of the vintage Gillettes are good choices too. If you are looking for something particularly mild, I would reccommend something from their Tech line, or a '40's Super Speed. An open comb razor exposes more of the blade. Theoretically the more blade is exposed, the more aggressive it is. In vintage razors you see the open comb go out of style and the safety bar take over as time progresses. A lot of speculation on this is because people were used to shaving less frequently (ie only when they visited the barber) so the open comb went through a thicker growth more easily. I have had wonderful shaves with both. As far as the acronym designations on the models, just look around on the companys' websites, they usually have a comparison, but generally speaking if the numbers are the same, the head is the same then the handle is different. Either a different material or a different length. EJ vs Muhle, yeah, they are very similar.

Buy quality and perfect your technique. I know this sounds crazy, but you don't know how to properly shave with one of these razors if you have been using a cartridge. So you have to learn how to shave all over again. I am in month 6 now and am finding that how I started with a DE was AWFUL and am only now getting consistent, irritation free shaves. Good luck and feel free to PM me whenever if you have anymore questions or others you just don't feel like posting publicly. I will do whatever I can.

Most importantly, WELCOME!!!

 

[StuMcB]

+1 to above. For me the Merkur range offered to best choice of mild razors. THere are other real nice vintage razors. I found the Gillette Slim adjustable was for me the best razor when I got stuck back into DE Shaving. I learnt my lather technique from You tube, lurling of forums etc anf then though I need a razor that can cover all the bases. THe slim can go from super mild to nice and aggressive. but again YMMV.

 

[shavingRUS]

Thank you mates for helpful answers!
Just bought full PRORASO white line for sensitive skin, but still lookin for razor..
Last questions i got:
1)Why everybody talkin about MUHLE R89/MERKUR 34C/EJ DE89 as a starter razor? Is it neccessary to change the razor when i possibly.. became more skilled? Or what does this opinion mean?
2)Is it possible with safety razor normally to cut 2 week beard? It's approx 0.5cm lenght, if its possible i'll EXTREMLY happy! That solves a lot of problems for me.
3)So, after few days of research I came to clearer picture of my wishes.. It is EDWIN JAGGER DE89 BARLEY(I hope it's good choice), razors will be elected after some experiments(packs).
4)Article: DE89BA11bl, stands for default EJ DE89 BARLEY model, sure?

Thank You a lot!

 

[Beerhunter]

I was beat to the punch by Ton, Stu,shaving. All are great replies. All I can add is a warm welcome and enjoy B&B.

 

[DevilDog0402]

Not sure how heavy or thick your beard is, but 2 weeks is a lot of growth. I would never attempt to shave 2 weeks of growth without taking it down with electric trimmers first.

 

[Ton Eighty]

I too, wouldn't try and shave 2 weeks of growth, that is pretty thick. I would trim it down first, definitely. The model you mentioned does, in fact, sound like the barley handle 89. The reason that it is often recommended to a new person is that it is quality made, yet relatively inexpensive in addition to being not too aggressive, nor too mild. Something that is right in the middle so as not to discourage someone who doesn't know what they like yet.

 

[alex2363]

I too, wouldn't try and shave 2 weeks of growth, that is pretty thick. I would trim it down first, definitely. The model you mentioned does, in fact, sound like the barley handle 89. The reason that it is often recommended to a new person is that it is quality made, yet relatively inexpensive in addition to being not too aggressive, nor too mild. Something that is right in the middle so as not to discourage someone who doesn't know what they like yet.

I 2nd this opinion.

 

[shavingRUS]

So, as regards razor I have decide to buy EJ DE89 BARLEY Chrome as I mentioned upstairs (but till tommorow I'm still open for Your offers). And the last thing is.. razors.. Which razor manufacturers are need to be tried? I'm lookin for perfect razor for me, as You already understand.
Thanks for everybody answers, I absord them like a sponge.

 

[Ton Eighty]

Buy a sampler pack to get started. You should get at least 5 blades of each manufacturer, that way if one of them is defective (although it RARELY happens), your opinion won't be spoiled. The big names around here that are the most popular are Feather, Astra Superior Platinum, Derby, Wilkinson Sword, and Lord Platinum Class. I think royalshave.com has a sampler with all of those in it (maybe a couple others??) for around $25 usd. But if I had to pick any set for a new person to start with, it would be those.

 

[shavingRUS]

So, finally.. after about a week of researching i've bought full set(IMO) for shaving. Btw, first shaving is scheduled at 8th of March!
There is some photos of purchasing process and some photos i've made @ home.
Set:
1)Razor - EDWIN JAGGER DE89BA11-BL=EJ DE89 BARLEY;
2)Blades - DERBY Extra, SOLINGEN Timor(Never seen this blades before, Your opinion?)
3)Brush - OMEGA, yeah.. exactly that one which comes in PRORASO package, not sure about the model, feel free to advice about that;
4)Pre-shave, shaving soap, after-shave - All PRORASO white line. Also, I got old package PRORASO green line tube cream...
Thank everybody for helpful answers, I appreciate!

 

[76GTfan]

That brush will make your journey easier with lather. Very fast and easy to build a good lather. It is the Omega pro 48. One of my favorites for boar.

 

[Attila]

Good equipment, especially the razors.. The boar will require some "break in". Which means the lather you get at first will likely be not as good later on when the brush wears in a bit more. I would do a couple of test lathers that will help soften up the brush and get rid of the funk (some boar smell, especially noticeable when the brush is wet) plus get you practice at making a good lather. Make sure to look up some info on how to create a good lather on this site. There are lots of good articles and you should read them. A good lather is critical to getting a good shave. I myself am not too fond of the blades you have but they are worth a try to see if they work for you. Some folks like them, but many here don't. I would recommend a blade sampler with some of the types that are more well liked; Astra, Personna Platinums, Gillette 7'oclock, Bolzana, Rapira and my favorite but the sharpest Feathers. But I suppose try the ones you have and don't get discouraged early on, everyone has a learning curve and feel free to ask some questions whenever you feel the need. Folks here are very helpful. Enjoy your journey!

 

[Wingnut]

First, I've got to say WELCOME to B&B ShavingRUS!

Great choices, but I've got to second the idea of getting some different blades besides those Merkurs. A blade sampler will solve your problem, IF you can stick to one brand until you shave through the pack. Given your enthusiasm for hardware and software so far, good luck with that!

Good luck on your first shave on Friday, and let us know how it went!!

If you get a chance, head over to our Hall of Fame and introduce yourself. While you're there, why not say hi to the good folks at the Newbie Check-In and Shave Clinic forum as well? If you have questions about shave #1 (or afterwards), it's a great resource for you--as are all the links in my signature. Enjoy your time at B&B, and happy shaving!!

 

[shavingRUS]

Blade sampler will come after those blades which I have already, if nothing will meet my expectations.. So.. just bought Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus(5 blade pack) only for 1$. So.. I got a list of 3 blade types.. which one is better to start with? GILLETTE Rubie Platinum Plus/SOLINGEN Timor/DERBY Extra?