Weishi good starter?

[Turnerc346]

Afternoon all!

i got a Weishi as my first DE, I haven't seen much of these on here. Are they ok as a starter before I move on to the bigger name brands?

Regards

chris

 

[Mick]

I had one for a while. I found it to be a very mild razor. It was well constructed but I was really after the clamshell case it came in to protect my travel 37c slant head Merkur. Sold the Weshi but I kept the case

 

[Luc]

That was my first razor. I would say yes. Don't expect it to last 50 years like vintage razors. I mean, it works well, it's cheap but I'm sure it won't last long. However, to get started, yes, I would recommend it, it's a mild razor as Mick said. Keep in mind that mild doesn't mean not good.

 

[Turnerc346]

Very true! I have the case. Think in a few months I'll move onto pastures new, maybe a EJ but the case is staying!

 

[markmars]

I started with a Shaving Factory which I think is Weishi it was a cheap way to get started.

 

[imfallen_angel]

Unless I got a fake Weishi, the one I got is a ultra cheap aluminum piece of crap that I tried to use once and never again.

As I was starting with DE razors at the time, it almost discouraged me from them, but then got a Parker 96R and never looked back.

 

[zygalski]

I started with a Timor TTO which is a re-branded Weishi.
Far too mild for my moderate beard & almost put me off DE shaving. Then I binned it, got a DE89 & the rest is history...!

 

[redinmtl]

I've never used one but i've heard surprisingly good things. For under 3$ it is certainly worth a try!

 

[Turnerc346]

Still getting used to the terminology, I shave daily and don't really get a beard as such. Would this razor suit?

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

I don't think it is a great beginner razor because it has an exact angle where it shaves good and that can be hard to find if you are inexperienced. I think a Tech or an EJ would be better because they are just so easy to get it right with.

Oh and yeah a Weishi was my first DE but I didn't use it for long.

 

[FoiledAgain]

Chris, since you already have it, why not just try it and see if it works for you. If it does and you like it, keep using it. If not, don't judge all DE razors by the Weishi, as they are all different.

I think since it requires the perfect angle to work, it may be a good shaver for you to learn on as it will require you to hold it at the perfect angle more than other razors which give a good shave at a wider variety of angles. This may help you to develop proper technique early on.

Personally, if I was advising someone who hadn't yet purchased a razor, wanted to get started and didn't want to spend a lot of money, I would advise the purchase of a Sodial/RiMei three piece razor from PandaTown on Amazon. They can be had for under $2.30 US. That said, you made the right choice in that you purchased a DE razor. Don't look back.

Do let us know how the Weishi works for you.

Also, for your information, there are several different levels of Weishi razors at different price points, different levels of production tolerances, made of different materials and different weights. If you got one of the better ones, it may well work for you for quite some time. As it is a mild razor, I would recommend pairing it with a sharp blade, such as an Astra SP or a Personna Lab Blue. Just go slow and don't apply much if any pressure. Shave right after getting out of the shower, use a thick slick lather and just let the blade do the work. If it doesn't cut well, experiment with the angles you are using until it cuts.

 

[Haegar]

I think there are several quite differently performing Weishis, at least three of them:

• 3-piece Weishi(s),
• TTO Weishi(s) older model(s), and
• TTO Weishis of the 9306 series.

I am not sure if the older (non-9306) TTOs are or are not the same as the 9306 ones. But you can get those older ones for a couple of $$$ less than the aprox. 20$ - 9306 Weishis.

I only have a 9306, and it is more aggressive than a SS Flare Tip, Merkur or EJ. It has a flatter head than my SS Flare Tip. It is relatively heavy. For these reasons I really like it. Craftsmanship is very good for the 20$ it costs. Nothing to complain about if you can live with a slight rattling of some interior parts and the only plastic part of it which is the handle's end cap. My 9306 is finished with some kind of glossy lacquer I think, which makes it look a bit strange to me and which probably does not last eternally. But well, who cares and maybe it will stay just perfect over many years.

It may be a good razor for you, but nobody else than you yourself will be able to tell for sure because of that YMMV-thing...

Oh, and there's of course that nifty case!

P.S.
I forgot to mention that I don't like very much cleaning TTO razors, cleaning a 2- or 3-piece Razor is so much quicker. Worth a thought IMHO.

 

[Panama]

In the UK you can get the Muhle 89 for 25.80, the same price as EJ, same head. Mitchells Wool Fat soap refill for 6.30. Many here consider these top notch goods. Connaught Shaving London. While you are at it, the Kent nylon brush is like 12.00 In the UK. These are al about half the price as charged in the US.

 

[mastershake]

that was the first one i bought and if i had to do it over NO i would not buy that as your first razor. i did not like mine at all did not cut nearly close enough for me and it is very cheaply made. it looks nice but imo it will not hold up long. my wife even hated it for her legs she uses a de89 daily and likes it but is now looking at other options.

 

[Nomad1600]

I started with one (9306). It received a few decent reviews and was recommended as a starter razor. I didn't use it for very long... soon replaced it with a Gillette Slim. In hindsight I learned the Weishi was way too light (hard to avoid applying pressure and allow the weight of the razor to shave the face when the razor has no weight). I PIF'd to someone starting out, then learned the razor wasn't balanced in blade exposure (that's how little I knew about DE shaving at that time). He seemed to still be happy with it ("I have a mild side and a more aggressive side"). I guess I should have kept the case, as it was probably the nicest part of the package.

I'd probably suggest that even for the sub $10 cost new, it still is better to pay a bit more for a used Gillette SS or other vintage razor or even $20 if you can stretch to get a better razor.

 

[Turnerc346]

Thanks for all the replies and the help! I'll keep it for now and like people have been saying I'll learn on it. If it gets too hard and I'm bleeding out ( which I haven't yet ) and I shave daily for job and see how the irritation goes if it's too much then I'll buy one of the bigger better brands. But i did have a lovely shave last night. Personally think it is good for a beginner as if you so something wrong your going to know about it!

Thanks for for the help!

 

[Haegar]

I started with one (9306). ........ soon replaced it with a Gillette Slim. In hindsight I learned the Weishi was way too light

Let's compare the 9306 with a non-adjustable Gillette, let's say a Super Speed. Flare Tip: 55.6 grams, Weishi 9306: 65.4 grams

 

[Nomad1600]

Let's compare the 9306 with a non-adjustable Gillette, let's say a Super Speed. Flare Tip: 55.6 grams, Weishi 9306: 65.4 grams

My mistake... I had a Weishi 2003M, not the 9306. Could you compare the weights of the 2003M withe the SS? Seems to me there is no way the aluminum Weishi could weigh more...

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

My mistake... I had a Weishi 2003M, not the 9306. Could you compare the weights of the 2003M withe the SS? Seems to me there is no way the aluminum Weishi could weigh more...

The weight of the 9306 is actually heavy enough a little heavier than my Tech or NEW I think, cant remember exactly as I don't have the Weishi anymore.

 

[Haegar]

I never had a Weishi 2003M, but if you say that it is made of aluminum I guess that one should not leave it unattended while the bathroom window is opened or the next breeze could take that thing with it!
Like you, I much prefer heavier razors, they feel so much better when shaving than very light ones.