Surprise Razors?

[ElliotR]

Back in the spring I got a very inexpensive British aluminum Gillette Tech from the 70's (from GDCarrington)


At first glance, it doesn't look like anything special, it's very lightweight, not a classic - but boy does it shave well.
It's as good as anything in my collection. Every time I pick it up I am just blown away with how well it works for such a simple looking razor. It's just smooth as silk...anyone else have any "surprise" razors?

 

[Agravic]

Cadet OC - the least expensive razor in my arsenal. Based on initial reviews posted, I bought it expecting it to be a decent shave, useful perhaps for travel and such. Ironically, it is now my favorite, keeping up with and perhaps outperforming razors costing up to 10x more. A gem!

 

[ElliotR]

Cadet OC - the least expensive razor in my arsenal. Based on initial reviews posted, I bought it expecting it to be a decent shave, useful perhaps for travel and such. Ironically, it is now my favorite, keeping up with and perhaps outperforming razors costing up to 10x more. A gem!

Wow, that's quite an endorsement - I may just have to add that one to my collection too.

 

[alex2363]

The Barbasol...I was blown away how aggressive yet mild results it gave me.

 

[fcdiscus]

The Barbasol...I was blown away how aggressive yet mild results it gave me.

I agree with Alex! The floating head Barbasol is a really mild shaving tool with results of agressive razors. I expected it to be hard to shave with, but it was a Pussycat!

 

[mdevine]

Mine would be a pre-war Tech. I wrote it off after a couple months of DE shaving, under the assumption that I needed more aggressive razors to get a close shave. I was surprised when I reached for it a year or so later and ended up with an effortless BBS shave. I've since picked up a second Tech. Although they cost less than anything else I own, nothing outperforms them. If I had to reduce my shave den to one razor, I would hold onto a Tech.

Mike

 

[celestino]

EJ89 with one shim
Weber DLC with one shim
Both great and smooth shavers.

 

[edgerunner]

Schick Krona - a more efficient than a Super Speed TTO razor, with a long, ergonomic, and very comfortable handle

 

[Quigg]

Thanks for the inspiration! I'm going to revisit my Techs and Krona. I am curious about adding a shim to a razor. I have an Old Type, a New Long-Comb, an EJ89 and a New Short-comb. Which of those razors benefit most from a shim? Does it make the razor more aggressive or less? How do I go about making a shim?

 

[ElliotR]

Thanks for the inspiration! I'm going to revisit my Techs and Krona. I am curious about adding a shim to a razor. I have an Old Type, a New Long-Comb, an EJ89 and a New Short-comb. Which of those razors benefit most from a shim? Does it make the razor more aggressive or less? How do I go about making a shim?

YMMV
but adding a 1 shim to my Aluminum Tech makes it a super razor - perfect aggressiveness -
Also my Fat Handled Tech benefits from one shim - never tried shimming my Short Comb or my Twist To Open TTO razor like a Krona
has anyone?

 

[wimbouman]

My Old Type, from around 1916-1926 as I learned from some feedback on this wonderful forum.
A remarkable effective, maneuverable and modern razor.

 

[ElliotR]

GEM single edge razors. Had a bad experience my first shave. I thought I would use it like I use a DE.

After asking for help in the SE forum these things shave like Buttah. I get brilliant shaves from them. Truly surprised me!

As far as DE razors I'd have to say my Gillette NEW's. I found the old types way to aggressive for me but the NEW was great.

I have always been intrigued by those GEMS but they look at bit brutal - like scrapers to me
What's the secret to using one? And where do you get properly sharp razors for those? are they different than your everyday single edge blades you buy at the Home Depot?