What's Your Favorite Type Of Safety Razor?

[Lockback]

Of the three types of safety razors, 2-piece, 3-piece or 1-piece (Twist To Open), which one is your favorite type?

 

[Old Navy_1]

I like the 3-piece razor. It's a simple design and very robust. Using modern materials, with CNC tolerances you literally have a razor that will outlive you and a couple of your heirs.

b/r

ON_1

 

[Tanuki]

From a utilitarian, convenience standpoint, I understand why TTOs and DE blades loaded from cartridges came to dominate. I still prefer a 3-piece. Better shaves with less bulk, handles can be changed out, far more of choices among models, both in vintage and modern designs.

 

[Phoenixkh]

Also, you can change handles in many cases . You can go longer or shorter; lighter or heavier. You could choose a style you like or have one custom made. Some people love to combine different metals ………..all done more easily with a 3 piece razor.

Edit: @Tanuki won race……posted while I was checking my post on my phone. I will be so glad to get back to my laptop.

 

[Lockback]

I concur that the 3-piece is rubust, undoubtedly the easiest to manufacture and it would be my choice ...
Sort of.
However, particularly since getting two vintage Gillettes, I have renewed appreciation for TTO types. More complicated, yes, but when done right, they're sublime; easy to use, well-balanced and efficient.

 

[njpaddy]

I voted 3, but I started with a '52 SS. I think I had about 10 SS at one point, before switching to a 2 piece Merkur 34G. For the past several years my favorite has been a 3 piece GC, but occasionally I do switch back to my 2 piece 34G.

 

[Heron]

Only 3-piece for me. I like to change handles and they're much easier to clean.

 

[Lockback]

Wow. I'm a little surprised: 3-piece razors are winning in a walk at this point.

 

[jason2]

I voted for all 3. They each have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Deano]

Voted for TTO and 3 piece. I like both.

 

[slimshavy]

I can see the appeal of the convenience of a one-piece, but less so with a two-piece. So many times I wished I could just unscrew the guard so I could get the thing to store flat, or to pack for travel without adding bulky padding around the handle-guard area to keep it from getting bent.

I suppose a two-piece where the guard is usually attached to the handle but could technically come off would be the best two-piece. I would imagine someone makes something like this.

 

[Mr. Shavington]

Voted for 1-piece. 3-piece razors are fine but rather utilitarian and joyless compared to butterfly doors, don’t you think? It makes me happy every time I open my Gillette Super Speed or Aristocrat. I wish all my razors had that feature or something equally surprising, clever, and fun.

 

[Guido75]

I voted three piece as they are the easiest to clean, but I am with Mr. Shavington that the Aristocrat I used this morning was just such fun to use and a pure joy to look at.

 

[Frito Ray]

Voted 3-piece…easy to clean, swap handles, etc.

TTO heads are generally too big under the nose.

 

[Phil Dumont]

I voted 3-piece but i have to say those TTO razors i have are super easy to load a blade into (Gillette Slim, Gillette Aristocrat #58 and Wilkinson Sword Classic, the metal TTO one).

 

[Northstonehill]

I like all, but is most smitten with the cool mechanics of a TTO. Mr Shavington said it perfectly in post #12

 

[Jim99]

I love TTO razors, but I love a good three piece razor even more. Simplicity, low profile head and I can swap handles and heads as I please.

 

[thombrogan]

GEM Micromatic Open Comb is a TTO, so there I go

 

[Lockback]

Voted for 1-piece. 3-piece razors are fine but rather utilitarian and joyless compared to butterfly doors, don’t you think? It makes me happy every time I open my Gillette Super Speed or Aristocrat. I wish all my razors had that feature or something equally surprising, clever, and fun.

You nailed the way I feel about it too.
Yes, 3-piece razors are utilitarian. My Rockwell 6C is arguably the best razor I have and it never fails to give me a great shave and it's beautifully finished.
But opening those butterfly doors and dropping a blade into the bay on my Gillette Super Speeds or my Emperor Meiji or VDH TTO puts a little smile on my face every, single time. Probably not the most robust design of all time and yet two of them are 70 years old and still working perfectly so there is that ...

 

[lasta]

I voted 3 piece, mostly because I can swap around handles.

But I'll take anything that's shiny.

Some of the TTO Aristocrats and 3-piece fixed handle Gillettes (NI/New Deluxe) are beautiful by themselves too.