What anniversary razor should I buy?

[shawnsel]

I'm wanting to buy one double edge razor (or razor set, or maybe two razors) that will be both useful and sentimental for the rest of my life (and hopefully after as well). I'm 43, and I'll likely live into my 80s or perhaps longer. I've been DE shaving for less than 9 months, and currently I favor very mild DE razors.

Of the razors I own, I slightly prefer my RiMei/Sodial head over my EJ89 head. Both of which I much prefer over my Merkur 37C Slant and RazoRock Little Bastone OC and RazoRock Slab heads. I don't cut myself with any of my razors, and I usually don't get weepers, but even the mild razors seem to give me some razor burn despite careful attention to angle and pressure and avoiding ATG strokes. That said, I suspect that my shaving skill will improve, and certainly my skin and beard will change over the decades to come. So while I may love a mild razor today ... it is possible that I may prefer an aggressive razor in 20 years.

I love the feel of my stainless steel RazoRock Slab handle. I shave with oil, so a good grip is very helpful. I also think I'm more aware of the razor's pressure and angle with a heavy handle.

I favor stainless steel as it should be less likely to rust or break, and if it does rust or scratch it should be possible to clean or buff out. I would prefer that the stainless steel not be plated with chrome or the like ... since this would likely hinder long term maintenance of the razor. I prefer the flexibility of a three piece razor, and I want something that is easy to keep clean. Additionally I would slightly prefer something made in the USA (although I will bend on this for a better shave).


So, what new "eternity" stainless steel razor(s) should I buy?
(ordered by price)

1. Weber Polished Head
2. Tradere All Stainless Solid Bar Razor
3. iKon 5 Piece Set (OSS, OC, and SB baseplates)
4. Above The Tie Atlas 5 Piece Set (M1, R1, and H1 baseplates)
5. Tradere SB + Tradere OC
6. ATT Atlas 5 Piece + Weber
7. Above The Tie 7 Piece Set (M1, R1, and H1 baseplates)
8. ATT Atlas 5 Piece + Tradere SB
9. ATT Atlas 5 Piece + iKon 5
10. Other (please comment)

 

[Triad]

I voted other for the Feather AS D2 sounds like it might be one you would like but if i had to pick from your list it would be Tradere SB

 

[alex2363]

I'm wanting to buy one double edge razor (or razor set, or maybe two razors) that will be both useful and sentimental for the rest of my life (and hopefully after as well). I'm 43, and I'll likely live into my 80s or perhaps longer. I've been DE shaving for less than 9 months, and currently I favor very mild DE razors.

Of the razors I own, I slightly prefer my RiMei/Sodial head over my EJ89 head. Both of which I much prefer over my Merkur 37C Slant and RazoRock Little Bastone OC and RazoRock Slab heads. I don't cut myself with any of my razors, and I usually don't get weepers, but even the mild razors seem to give me some razor burn despite careful attention to angle and pressure and avoiding ATG strokes. That said, I suspect that my shaving skill will improve, and certainly my skin and beard will change over the decades to come. So while I may love a mild razor today ... it is possible that I may prefer an aggressive razor in 20 years.

I love the feel of my stainless steel RazoRock Slab handle. I shave with oil, so a good grip is very helpful. I also think I'm more aware of the razor's pressure and angle with a heavy handle.

I favor stainless steel as it should be less likely to rust or break, and if it does rust or scratch it should be possible to clean or buff out. I would prefer that the stainless steel not be plated with chrome or the like ... since this would likely hinder long term maintenance of the razor. I prefer the flexibility of a three piece razor, and I want something that is easy to keep clean. Additionally I would slightly prefer something made in the USA (although I will bend on this for a better shave).


So, what new "eternity" stainless steel razor(s) should I buy?
(ordered by price)

1. Weber Polished Head
2. Tradere All Stainless Solid Bar Razor
3. iKon 5 Piece Set (OSS, OC, and SB baseplates)
4. Above The Tie Atlas 5 Piece Set (M1, R1, and H1 baseplates)
5. Tradere SB + Tradere OC
6. ATT Atlas 5 Piece + Weber
7. Above The Tie 7 Piece Set (M1, R1, and H1 baseplates)
8. ATT Atlas 5 Piece + Tradere SB
9. ATT Atlas 5 Piece + iKon 5
10. Other (please comment)

 

[shawnsel]

@RADdicted: Thank you very much for your insights. Do you think the chrome plating on the Feather AS D2 would peel or bubble or cause other problems in 20 years? This concern is the only reason that the Feather AS D2 is not already on this poll.

 

[shawnsel]

@alex2363: The only worry that I have with the ATT Atlas 5 Piece Set is that by reputation, the M1 plate might be too aggressive for my rather sensitive skin. If they offered an extra mild "XM" baseplate in a set, I think the Above The Tie would probably be a clear winner for current and future shaving needs....

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Wow you sound just like an image of me ) Seriously.

I love and still love my EJ89 Head but for some reason when I moved to the weber I got more efficient shaves with the weber theni did with the EJ89, then I moved to the ATT H1 and Got some really nice shaves with just one pass WTG. Then I started doing a two pass WTG, XTG and got me some damn nice shaves.

Seems my face adjusted nicely from mild to aggressive, At this moment my choice is the ATT H1with a weber bulldog handle, Now iI realize once I go back to the Weber or EJ89 with a Bulldog handle I can still get amazing shaves as well, so reallly think that using an aggressive but efficient and smooth razor like the H1 has helped my technique so much that I now get really nice shaves from my weber and EJ89.

Aggressive razors just pave they way for better Technique if you ask me )

I would go with the Titan 5 piece and if you want an extra Razor the is in between EJ89 and H1 then get the Weber. No doubt in my mind that you would be more then happy and set for a few life times to come )

Hope I helped you some )

 

[shawnsel]

@ERVARGASNY: Your experience seems to mirror part of why I would like a baseplate set with different aggressiveness levels. Thank you for your thoughts. Question: Why the Titan over the Atlas? Common thinking seems to be that the lighter handle would be less aggressive? Although I admit that I don't find my RazoRock Slab handle to give more razor burn than lighter handles....

 

[ArNav]

I vote for Weber. Best value for money and a great razor. I've tried other stainless steel razors but they all seemed to have something I disliked, beside Weber that suits me very well.

 

[rxonmymind]

Seriously look into Feather. I too love my EJ and found the Feather to be a great razor in terms of build. Just too mild for me.

 

[shawnsel]

Seriously look into Feather. I too love my EJ and found the Feather to be a great razor in terms of build. Just too mild for me.

@rxonmymind: Thank you very much for your insights. Do you think the chrome plating on the Feather AS D2 would peel or bubble or cause other problems in 20 years? This concern is the only reason that the Feather AS D2 is not already on this poll.

 

[wrinkles2]

I'd buy the weber, it is a little more affordable.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Feather 1 or 2 is milder then EJ89, at least for most of us, but the Feather AS D-2 is a Tad bit more efficient then the AS D-1 , Just a heads up )

@rxonmymind: Thank you very much for your insights. Do you think the chrome plating on the Feather AS D2 would peel or bubble or cause other problems in 20 years? This concern is the only reason that the Feather AS D2 is not already on this poll.

 

[Panama]

Weber is excellent.

 

[Lothar101]

Feather 1 or 2 is milder then EJ89, at least for most of us, but the Feather AS D-2 is a Tad bit more efficient then the AS D-1 , Just a heads up )

The Feather is also all stainless no chrome plating involved as far as I know

 

[DrAwkward]

@rxonmymind: Thank you very much for your insights. Do you think the chrome plating on the Feather AS D2 would peel or bubble or cause other problems in 20 years? This concern is the only reason that the Feather AS D2 is not already on this poll.

What makes you think the Feather AS D2 is plated?
I did not like my Feather because it is soooo mild and I tend to like more aggressive razors. But even I have to admit, the Feather is a nice razor (if you want something mild). I do NOT think the Feather AS D2 is plated in chrome or anything else. It is unplated stainless steel, yes?

 

[shawnsel]

What makes you think the Feather AS D2 is plated?
I did not like my Feather because it is soooo mild and I tend to like more aggressive razors. But even I have to admit, the Feather is a nice razor (if you want something mild). I do NOT think the Feather AS D2 is plated in chrome or anything else. It is unplated stainless steel, yes?

This thread was my source for the Feather razors being chrome plated:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-276524.html

 

[The Accountant]

Although it is not on your list, i heartily recommend the Ikon Slant. At some point you will want to try a slant; the Ikon is the razor in this category. once you are comfortable with it you will not regret buying it. As always, YMMV.

 

[shawnsel]

I've considered the iKon Slant. I have the Merkur 37C Slant, and I find it very efficient, but too harsh for me right now (although it might not be as I gain experience and get older). If I get the iKon 5 Set, I might also get the iKon slant head to go with it. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Stampede]

I got this from the thread that you referred to where implications were made about the Feather being chrome plated. Very informative.

The basic resistance of stainless steel occurs because of its ability to form a protective coating on the metal surface. This coating is a "passive" film which resists further "oxidation" or rusting. The formation of this film is instantaneous in an oxidizing atmosphere such as air, water, or other fluids that contain oxygen. Once the layer has formed, we say that the metal has become "passivated" and the oxidation or "rusting" rate will slow down to less than 0.002" per year (0,05 mm. per year).
Unlike aluminum or silver this passive film is invisible in stainless steel. It's created when oxygen combines with the chrome in the stainless to form chrome oxide which is more commonly called "ceramic". This protective oxide or ceramic coating is common to most corrosion resistant materials.
Halogen salts, especially chlorides easily penetrate this passive film and will allow corrosive attack to occur. The halogens are easy to recognize because they end in the letters "ine". Listed in order of their activity they are:

• fluorine
• chlorine
• bromine
• iodine
• astatine (very unstable.)

These are the same chemicals that will penetrate Teflon and cause trouble with Teflon coated or encapsulated o-rings and/ or similar coated materials. Chlorides are one of the most common elements in nature and if that isn't bad enough, they're also soluble, active ions; the basis for good electrolytes, the best conditions for corrosion or chemical attack.

Here is the link to the reference http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/04-html/4-1.html

 

[xillion]

The Feather is also all stainless no chrome plating involved as far as I know

It is matte chrome plated according to the response from Feather shown below.

My email:

Hello!

I have read on your Japanese website that the Feather AS-D1 is ベロアメッキ. Does this mean the razor is chrome plated-クロムメッキ with つや消し？

Aloha,

Kent


Reply today

Thank you very much for your e-mail dated February 18, 2012 through our
website.

We very much appreciate your interest in our all stainless steel razor, and
we are pleased to inform you that the surface treatment of this razor is
matted chrome-plating just as you mentioned, and that is also what is meant
in Japanese description in the website.

Thank you very much again for your interest in our products.

Best regards,


=================================
Tsuyoshi Ishiyama
FEATHER SAFETY RAZOR CO., LTD.
OVERSEAS TRADE DIVISION