Three piece DE razor vs TTO one.

[HUF]

I have three piece, two piece and TTO razors. IMHO, the three piece design is the best in many ways. Its beauty is in the simplicity, reliability, functionality, and the cost. I do realize that all progress is due to the lazy man, but how lazy a man should be to consider the beautiful three piece design being cumbersome? Sure, TTOs are fun and the man who invented the concept is definitely a gifted one, but again, is all that complexity, additional cost, bulkiness of the head worth a few seconds one saves when one is replacing a blade?

You can take apart a three piece razor in seconds to keep it dry and clean, or clean it when necessary. You can store it in a more compact way compared to any TTO. You can replace the handle if you do not like it. These are just a few of advantages of a three piece razor compared to a TTO. All comments are welcome!

 

[HoosierTrooper]

The TTO is safer, easier and quicker than the three piece design, which becomes more of a factor as a man ages and the eyes start going and maybe some arthritis sets in. Some guys here tend to way over romanticize shaving, keep in mind that most men back when these were being developed were looking for the safest, easiest and quickest tool to use to drag a blade across their face, just like today, and the TTO offered that.

And, being lazy has nothing to do with it. If so, then everyone who use a safety razor should be considered lazy for not using a straight razor.

 

[dcobranchi]

How are those adjustable 3-piece razors working out for you?

And, BTW, the one-piece SE's are even simpler. Just slide the blade in and close the lid. None of that unnecessary complexity of separate cap, base plate, and handle.

 

[Mick]

The TTO design became the dominant one in the market because of the metal DE razor dispensers that allowed the shaver to load the razor without having to touch a sharp blade.

The marketing skills of the big razor companies made everyone think that they NEEDED this extra layer of "safety". This was the driving force in the injector razor market and eventually the disposable cart razors.

NO need to handle any sharps, let us take care of it for you.

It is surprising how quickly the DE "dispensers" vanished once they set their marketing sights on something new

 

[taco8slo]

I like them all but the 3 piece razors have less that can go wrong with them (mechanically speaking).

 

[Antares600]

I like them all but the 3 piece razors have less that can go wrong with them (mechanically speaking).

+1 A 3-piece razor is the most likely to last (literally) forever.

 

[PFP_Dad]

I tend to prefer the one-piece design for my vintage razors. They tend to have a better weight/handle ratio IMO.

 

[OldSaw]

I like both. The 3 piece is definitely easier to keep clean. The shave is what determines which razor that I use, not the loading mechanism. I love the one piece 40's Superspeeds and have several, but they have all been shelved (except for travel and at my cottage) since getting an Edwin Jagger DE89L three piece razor.

 

[HUF]

While I agree that it is a bit faster and easier to replace a blade in a TTO, I cannot see why a TTO is safer. If someone manages to injure himself with a blade while replacing one in a three piece razor, the same person will likely injure himself while using a TTO.

 

[HUF]

I think it was mostly the marketing hype making people try a TTO. A TTO razor looked so cool and the approach to release and secure the blade was so cute ( I do appreciate it!) that people though "it is expensive, but what the heck! Let me buy one and see!".

Marketing does wonders. How about those five-blade razor?

 

[crfcom]

Three-piece heads tend to be more compact and agile in the tight spots around the mouth and nose. They should also last longest. Also, unlike two-piece and TTO, you can mix and match handle lengths and weights to get the weight and weight bias you want.
The lack of adjustability isn't of much importance when you own 10-30 razors.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Marketing does wonders.

Yep. Without marketing hype Gillette would've had trouble convincing men to give up the straight razor for the very first double rings.

 

[wagstaff]

I have found (with a very limited sample size) that a SuperSpeed is more ideal for "converting" someone to DE shaving than 3-piece razors. It just seems easier for folks and there's something "cool" about the butterfly doors. They give very good shaves for most folks, indeed.
I like 3-piece razors because I'm all addicted to aftermarket handles, now. But for vintage razors I still think my Slim is really hard to beat.

 

[dreadpirate]

For - the TWO piece Merkur (e.g. slant HD) is my favorite design.

 

[Viseguy]

I'm also partial to the 3-piece design, for all the reasons HUF mentions. I also like the fact that loading the blade is something of a ritual that requires slowing down to avoid mishaps -- like filling a fountain pen, one of my cherished rituals. Of course, there will never be a consensus about which razor design is the best, or even "the best in many ways", as the OP judiciously phrased it, because the same phrase can legitimately be applied to 1- and 2-piece designs as well. We'll just have to settle for a rainbow coalition of personal preferences.

 

[john shea]

I do miss the formerly ubiquitous DE dispenser which let's one slide a new DE blade into the TTO razor. Of course, one still had to handle the old blade unless using a drop box. Everyone picked up the old blade and put it into the slot on the bottom of the DE dispenser. The Slim is more complicated than a 2 or 3 piece razor, but works well and seems to last forever.

 

[mmack66]

While I agree that it is a bit faster and easier to replace a blade in a TTO, I cannot see why a TTO is safer. If someone manages to injure himself with a blade while replacing one in a three piece razor, the same person will likely injure himself while using a TTO.

Because with a 3-piece razor, some folks don't pay attention when they assemble the razor, with the blade installed, and end up grabbing the long side of the head of the razor for leverage, and slice a finger.

The first TTO razors didn't have the hook to catch the blade to pull it out of the pack, so it was less convenient that the SuperSpeed razors.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

What about the threads on a three piece? I saw a OC Gillette in good shape but the threads were stripped on the handle. Any fix?

 

[HUF]

If it is only the handle, the easiest fix is a replacement handle. One should pay attention when screwing on a handle. A generous chamfer on the Gillette Tech handle makes the installation very easy. I personally like a better machined and longer threads on the DE89 head and handle. A drop of oil now and then gives an extra protection.

 

[Zagnut]

If I had to go to just one razor, it would be a TTO or Injector. They're simply more convenient. The careful disassembly and blade installation of the three-piece is a nice, calming ritual, but I actually have nicked myself changing a blade while half-asleep trying to get a shave at five in the morning.

The best part of shaving is building the lather and brushing it on. The razor-stuff is for collectors.