What's a good next step?

[gmgaj]

I've tried a lot of razors out. Progress, Futur, new, old, slim, fatboy, SA, tech, superspeed, flairtip, maggard, sabi, razorock and probably some others I've forgotten. So far, my favorite is the New, followed by the progress on 3.5, and then the SA/slim/fatboy on 5-7. I really like these for their ability to give a BBS shave on demand, with minimal irritation. The futur was also good, but the smooth handle was the problem.

I'm looking for another razor that might fit in with my preferences, but don't want to blow a ton of cash on a razor that may or may not work well. Can anyone recommend a higher end razor that will at least match or exceed the Gillette new. If it exists, I want it because the new is so good.

Here are the razors I'm considering but completely unfamiliar with:
Ikon, Feather as-d2, tradere, weber, kronos R1, R41, merkur slant

don't forget to add to the list if I'm overlooking a good option.

 

[The Accountant]

Time to get "slanted"! If your budget can handle it I would suggest the Ikon Slant; if that is more than you want to spend then take a look at the Merkur Slant; 37c (short handle) or 39c (longer handle). Lots of reviews on all suggested equipment; check them out and see what you think. Most of these come up on the B/S/T from time to time if you are not in a hurry; otherwise try the vendors listed in the Market Place section. As always, YMMV.

 

[Kerrplunk]

FaTip.

 

[dcobranchi]

Cross over to the dark side. Try a 1912.

 

[Lakebound]

I concur with the Accountant. I was in your same situation two weeks ago and took the leap to the Slant. I bought the Merkur 39C HD barber pole or sledgehammer slant and I love it.

Go for the slant.

Frank

 

[gmgaj]

Cross over to the dark side. Try a 1912.

I have tried the 1912s, injectors and a shavette/straight, too. SE and straights just don't do anything for me at all. They are OK, but the general feeling was ambivalence when using them. No mojo.

 

[sharpen]

I have an R41. Outstanding product.

What. A. Beast. Seriously, it is quite aggressive. But god does it cut a two-day stubble in a single WTG pass. In fact, it gives me the closest WTG pass of all the razors I've tried (including a Futur set at 6).

Extreme caution and expert technique must be used when going ATG with this stubble mower. It shaves incredibly close, giving the closest shave one can have, but it has no mercy for the smallest technique flaw.

This is a good razor if you want to improve technique, or simply want a veeeeery close shave (I have no 5 o clock shadow when using this one, compared to my EJ DE89).

The finish and craftsmanship are unparalleled also.

 

[alex2363]

Try a Joris, one of the few OC that are aggressive yet yeilds irritation free and effective shave results. Many here have stated positive reviews about the Joris including myself.

 

[SystemaCid]

I say Merkur 37c.

 

[Jeff_H]

I say keep the NEW and get it replated in Rhodium to spruce it up and make it feel like a million dollars. Nothing shaves as well, so why fight it.

Oh, I have several NEW's and an R41. Try the Joris as Alex says. The R41 is nowhere near as smooth or pleasant to use as the NEW. Yes, if you get it right it does give a damn good shave. But it's hard to shave with something every day that requires nearly perfection attention with no lapses in concentration at all.

NEW. Rhodium. Do it.

 

[DrAwkward]

I say keep the NEW and get it replated in Rhodium to spruce it up and make it feel like a million dollars. Nothing shaves as well, so why fight it.

Oh, I have several NEW's and an R41. Try the Joris as Alex says. The R41 is nowhere near as smooth or pleasant to use as the NEW. Yes, if you get it right it does give a damn good shave. But it's hard to shave with something every day that requires nearly perfection attention with no lapses in concentration at all.

NEW. Rhodium. Do it.

+1
I like all of these suggestions. Most importantly, you will never do better than the NEW.
However, one of the best razors I have tried is the Cadet / Razorock OC. Very aggressive, but not in a bad way. Almost as good as a Joris, but it only costs $20. You like the NEW. I like the NEW. I like the Cadet OC, so it stands to reason ...

 

[Frankthetank]

I've never tried the NEW, but I hear the IKon OC compared to a stainless steel, spiffed up Gillette NEW. So at least you know you'll probably like the way it shaves!

 

[rbthum]

Try the iKon slant - it's manageable. For a little more but not too much excitement, try ATT R1.

 

[Dngolden]

Another plus for a slant as it will be the most different from what you've experienced. For me, and others, they just give the smoothest, most efficient shave. My two slants (Merkur 37c and Ikon) are my two favorite razors. This might not be the case for you, but it's worth a try.

 

[gmgaj]

I say keep the NEW and get it replated in Rhodium to spruce it up and make it feel like a million dollars. Nothing shaves as well, so why fight it.
....
NEW. Rhodium. Do it.

I have 2 news I've had replated in nickel, along with a new deluxe and a goodwill. With little bastone/sabi/maggard handles on them. Top end performers. I haven't done rhodium except on a birth quarter slim, and will have to find a new vendor if I am going to go with rhodium again. Do you have a preferred vendor aside from Reliable?

I have to try a slant. It sounds like a good option, too. I'm torn between the Ikon and Kronos also. I've heard a couple of negatives on the Ikon, but don't really remember any specifics though.

I also picked up a 23C in a trade, and put a personna lab in it and shaved with it this morning. Honestly, I got a very nice shave. It was a LOT better than I expected, and I just added another razor to the rotation. The only thing I'll do is add a maggard scratch and dent handle to it for a bit more heft.

I forgot to add the razorock OC to the list of razors I've tried. It didn't do too bad, but it seemed to be a bit more harsh, and wanted to leave weepers/nicks much more easily than my news. It worked it's way out of the rotation, leaving the handle behind for use on the new family.

I haven't really heard much about the Joris. I guess I need to do some research. Any feedback on traderes? There seems to be positive responses, but I haven't seen much on comparisons.

 

[Apex]

+1 on the Fatip. Get a Fatip and see if you like it, same head design as a Joris at a fraction of the cost. I am loving the shaves with my Fatip Grande Chrome and would consider getting a Joris in the future but will first get a heavier handle for the Fatip.

 

[Shutterbug57]

Try a 1930s Aristocrat TTO OC. I like mine just a bit more than my NEW SC. Both are great, but the 'Crat is just so smooth.

 

[Mick]

The Merkur slant and Weber will be the closest to what you say you already like. The others will be on either side of "I like it"