What razor to start with

[stewartu]

Guys,

I have been lurking for a while and during a recent visit back to the US, I was lucky enough to score some nice old DEs from antique stores. As usual with everything I seem to take up, I went overboard and acquired too many razors. Honestly, I couldn't help myself. It is so refreshing to get into a hobby that seems to cost so little.

Now I have a dilemma. I intend to have my first DE shave tomorrow and I am not sure which of the razors I purchased should be first.

From the list below, which razor is best for a beginner?

Gem Micromatic
Gem 1912
Gillette Old
Gillette New
Gillette Super Adjustable (long handle)
Gillette Super Adjustable (short handle)
Gillette Fatboy
Gillette Superspeed Black Handle
Gillette Superspeed Bullet
Gillette Tech
Gillette Arisocrat


By the way, I acquired all of these over the last three weeks for less than $30. All are in great shape and are now as clean as they have been in years.

Thanks.

 

[AlanL]

I would go for the long-handle Super Adjustable, on a mild setting.

 

[Masterblaster]

I vote for the Gillette Tech. It's a nice mild razor that you can learn on.

 

[mretzloff]

Gillette Tech! It is an awesome razor.

 

[nate]

I would say a superspeed or the tech. I'd stay away from the adjustables (too much variation), open combs, and SEs as they typically require a little more technique and experience. YMMV though.

 

[Eclectic]

Tech for the first week, there is something special about a firmly clamped blade, also it is very wieldy.
Then switch to the long handled super adjustable on 1. My current favourite razor and enough for a lifetime of shaving.

 

[Den]

I have not tried all those, but my vote goes to the Tech! There's a reason why there's so many floating around. They're an awesome weapon for mowing down those whiskers!

 

[Kamidanshir]

It is so refreshing to get into a hobby that seems to cost so little.

Hey, keep telling yourself that.

 

[nate]

Hey, keep telling yourself that.

 

[jsrdrnr]

I vote for the tech or the superspeed.

 

[v.bow]

Gillette Super Adjustable (short handle)

 

[mdevine]

Having shaved with Techs, Superspeeds, Slims, a New and an Aristocrat, my advice would be to start with a Superspeed. I found it nearly as mild as a tech or an adjustable set on a low setting (1-3) but easier to get the right angle. Out of all the razors listed, these three are least likely to give you any major blood loss. But from my experience, the SS was the easiest to get a really close shave with.

 

[DrumrMan]

Superspeed

 

[BurkDarkpatches]

Try one of the Gillettes. ;-)

Seriously, you're passing up an opportunity to discover something new for yourself. Nothing bad will happen to you no matter which one you try, though I have no experience with the Gems.

My favorites of the ones listed: Tech, Black Superspeed and Short Handle Super Adjustable, in that order. Here's the story on the Tech: You'll try it, find it to be a mild and adequate shaver, decide to try other razors, think you fall in love with more agressive razors, fall out of love, come back to the Tech who will forgive you, not ask how many other razors you've been with, and provide you with great shaves the rest of your days.

Steve

 

[Gray Wolf]

My vote is for the Tech first, then a Super Speed.

 

[Doug123]

Super speed.

 

[RF1963]

. It is so refreshing to get into a hobby that seems to cost so little.

I used to be like that. Now I look on an array of soaps, creams, razors, straights, aftershave balms, colognes and think back on the day I thought "This could be a cheap hobby"

 

[FL shaver]

Tech.

 

[BroJohn]

As usual with everything I seem to take up, I went overboard and acquired too many razors.

Stewart --

Only newbies have 'too many razors'. The rest of us understand the issue is insufficient storage.

Anyway, you managed to make wonderful acquisitions of some excellent razors. You don't mention which version of Aristocrat you acquired. Presumably it is the late 40's pattern. If so, you've got the best, so you can sell rest of the razors.

Gillette made the Aristocrat of various designs over the years starting about 1910, ending with a gold finished slim adjustable in the early 60's.

Welcome to B&B!

-- John Gehman

 

[pauls51]

Tech or Superspeed... Both forgiving for a newby!