With which razor did you learn to wet shave?

[OhioBob]

When I first started shaving in my early teens I used a Remington Electric. In college I bought a Gillette Sensor and used that until the next "New and Improved" cartridge came out. I think I used the Sensor, Astra, Mach 3 and Fusion. Then I got on a Schick kick and used the Quattro then the Hydro 5's. Feeling the price gouge I then tried Dorco's. Finally in my mid 60's I bought an Edwin Jagger DE89 and then I started falling down the Rabbit Hole hunting for the perfect razor. I've had as many as 50 razors and as few as 20. Today I'm at 40 consisting of new DE's, vintage DE's and SE's but I'm planning on thinning the herd in the near future.

My advice to a newbie is pick a DE or SE and stay with it until you get your technique down and have mapped your beard growth. Then if you want to experiment or start a collection, go for it.

 

[garyr714]

Simple as that: What double edge razor did you use when you were first learning to wet shave?

As someone who just got decided to start wet shaving (at age 57), I'm curious to hear what razor you learned with and, looking back on the experience now, if you feel like it was a fantastic razor to use as you learned to wet shave.

I currently have two razors: a Rockwell 6C and a 1967 Gillette Super Speed TTO. Obviously one is adjustable and one is not. When I was trying to decide on what double edge razor to purchase to learn how to wet shave with, some recommended an adjustable razor (Parker Variant, Gillette Slim, Merkur Progress, Rockwell 6, etc), while others recommended a nonadjustable razor (Merkur 34c, Edwin Jagger DE89, Muhle R89, Henson A13med, Gillette Super Speed, etc.).

After shaving a couple times using my two razors, I can see the advantages and disadvantages of each of the types.

Adjustable (R6C):
Advantages: it's adjustable, duh! You can put it on the lowest plate and not have to worry about nicks; if one plate doesn't work you can switch to another plate that will work better; you can adjust the plate based on how many days growth you have on your beard; you can change plates using one plate for the first pass and a different one for the second/third pass; you can change plates based on the blade you're using
Disadvantages: since I can change plates, I think I'm becoming a "lazy learner" at times - with plates 1 and 2 there is basically no chance of a nick so even though I know I should go slow and learn proper technique, I find myself going faster than I should at times (and obviously the lack of hair removing shows my laziness); I tried plate 3 and while it took off more hair (on 3 days growth), I kept wondering if I should move down to plate 2 to reduce the risk of a nick or maybe even move up to plate 4 to allow the razor to cut more "aggressively"; it's almost like I've got too many choices with the adjustable razor; the solution would obviously be to put one of the more "aggressive" plates (4/5/6) in and not change it.

Nonadjustable (SSTTO):
Advantages: it takes the hair off much better than plates 1/2/3 on the R6C; it forces me to go slow and have the proper technique (if I don't the blood is an indication that I didn't); weirdly, being forced to stick with one gap size seems to make shaving a bit more enjoyable (not sure how to explain that one)
Disadvantages: obviously the inability to adjust the razor based on beard growth, whether it's the 1st/2nd/3rd pass, what blade you have in the razor, etc.; more bleeding (for right now)

I know I sort of went off on a tangent with the adjustable/nonadjustable commentary (sorry about that), I really just thought it would be interesting to hear the path you took when you were learning how to wet shave and which specific double edge razor you used.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

TripleB

I started shaving in the 70s with a Schick injector, followed by a Schick Krona.

 

[Margus477]

Hoia hinge kinni – minu esimene DE raseerija oli Muhle R41

 

[Edgelord]

Merkur 38C.

I should pull it out one of these days.

 

[Hercule]

Though I began with my dad's razor (Fatboy), I certainly can't say that he taught me how to shave. I did it all on my own initiative. When he realized I was using his razor, or maybe I told him, he just said something to the effect of be careful. He kept the razor on 9 and claimed that his face was old and leathery, but that I should adjust it down. I grabbed his razor and brush when I went home for the funeral. The razor is actually stuck on 9. It was mom that actually got me the black handled superspeed for Christmas in '77 or '78.

 

[Tirvine]

A Schick injector.

 

[velocityboy]

Gillette Trac II
Gillette Sensor
Gillette Sensor Excel
Edwin Jagger DE87
Cupboard full of various vintage and modern SE and DE razors
Now it's mostly my Lupo 95 SB and Shick Injector E while letting the others have a turn at bat now and then for variety and fun.

 

[SP120K]

It broke on me ages ago. I shaved from the beginning for about 4 years only using the fabled Merkur 34C HD. And by broke I mean the plating started to bubble up under the top cap near the screw post. A fine razor for beginners.

 

[Saltchuck]

I started shaving back in the early 1960's with a Gillette Slim Adjustable that my dad bought for me at the corner drugstore. Still have it these many years later, along with his Fat Boy.

 

[corlay]

I started shaving, late-80s, with a Bic disposable, more than likely.
Progressed to Gillette Mach3 90s-early2000s...
Started DE shaving about 4 years ago - with a vintage Gillette Tech. ;-)

 

[Saxonbowman]

I started with a Slim Adjustable back when it was new.

 

[Calyshaver]

With no clue where to start in a sea of overwhelming options, I went navigated to popular opinion and the Merkur 34C. Two years later, I more so appreciate its venerability. Now I also have a 37C. I love them both.

 

[Albert V]

My first double edge razor was a Van Der Hagen TTO, purchased for $13.00 two years ago.
About a week later, I picked up an Edwin Jagger DE89.

Almost identical for me with the above razors corresponding clones, a little over 2 years ago. More specifically, my first was the Vikings Chieftain TTO, followed (and replaced) about two months later with the Muhle R89.

Today, I use the Rockwell 6S is the only razor I have used for the past 12 months

 

[Major Overkill]

The Major's first safety razor was a Vikings Blade Chieftain Jr. Turns out to have been a good choice, given his mild it's generally seen as being.

-MO

 

[razorfool]

Simple as that: What double edge razor did you use when you were first learning to wet shave?

As someone who just got decided to start wet shaving (at age 57), I'm curious to hear what razor you learned with and, looking back on the experience now, if you feel like it was a fantastic razor to use as you learned to wet shave.

I currently have two razors: a Rockwell 6C and a 1967 Gillette Super Speed TTO. Obviously one is adjustable and one is not. When I was trying to decide on what double edge razor to purchase to learn how to wet shave with, some recommended an adjustable razor (Parker Variant, Gillette Slim, Merkur Progress, Rockwell 6, etc), while others recommended a nonadjustable razor (Merkur 34c, Edwin Jagger DE89, Muhle R89, Henson A13med, Gillette Super Speed, etc.).

After shaving a couple times using my two razors, I can see the advantages and disadvantages of each of the types.

Adjustable (R6C):
Advantages: it's adjustable, duh! You can put it on the lowest plate and not have to worry about nicks; if one plate doesn't work you can switch to another plate that will work better; you can adjust the plate based on how many days growth you have on your beard; you can change plates using one plate for the first pass and a different one for the second/third pass; you can change plates based on the blade you're using
Disadvantages: since I can change plates, I think I'm becoming a "lazy learner" at times - with plates 1 and 2 there is basically no chance of a nick so even though I know I should go slow and learn proper technique, I find myself going faster than I should at times (and obviously the lack of hair removing shows my laziness); I tried plate 3 and while it took off more hair (on 3 days growth), I kept wondering if I should move down to plate 2 to reduce the risk of a nick or maybe even move up to plate 4 to allow the razor to cut more "aggressively"; it's almost like I've got too many choices with the adjustable razor; the solution would obviously be to put one of the more "aggressive" plates (4/5/6) in and not change it.

Nonadjustable (SSTTO):
Advantages: it takes the hair off much better than plates 1/2/3 on the R6C; it forces me to go slow and have the proper technique (if I don't the blood is an indication that I didn't); weirdly, being forced to stick with one gap size seems to make shaving a bit more enjoyable (not sure how to explain that one)
Disadvantages: obviously the inability to adjust the razor based on beard growth, whether it's the 1st/2nd/3rd pass, what blade you have in the razor, etc.; more bleeding (for right now)

I know I sort of went off on a tangent with the adjustable/nonadjustable commentary (sorry about that), I really just thought it would be interesting to hear the path you took when you were learning how to wet shave and which specific double edge razor you used.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

TripleB

I learned to shave with a Gillette Slim, 1962 H series, don't remember which quarter and was in the year 1962, just prior to HS graduation. Lost it when I went into the USAF. Have a couple now in my collection and use them on occasion. I prefer the Gillette SA 109 today, as it just seems a little more comfortable and gives excellent shaves.

 

[razorfool]

Hoia hinge kinni – minu esimene DE raseerija oli Muhle R41

Which year? 2011 or 2013 model.

 

[Margus477]

Which year? 2011 or 2013 model.

2011 razor of the year definitely not,because I only started wet shaving in 2022

 

[Eben Stone]

I started with a Boker butterfly but after 14 shaves I didn't feel like I was learning anything because I couldn't feel the blade. So I switched to a Mühle R41 (bought new from Amazon in 2020, so I'm assuming the 2013 model) and learned more in the first 2 seconds of the first shave with the R41 than I had with my prior 14 shaves with the Boker butterfly. So I technically "started" with the Boker butterfly, but I "started learning" with the Mühle R41.

 

[Juanmosey]

1973 Gillette SuperSpeed purchased new for $1.99 with 5 blades

I used my dad's 1967 yesterday with a lab blue and had the best shave in a long time. I used it for a week until he noticed and told me to buy my own which I did at the Rexall.

 

[Juanmosey]

i

First a Schick injector (my dad's) but the first DE was a Krona

From a post in another thread:

My very first razor ... a Schick Krona! I clearly remember my older brother dragging me down to the local Rexall Drugstore back around 1969 and forcing me to buy my own razor ..... instead of a Gillette Super Speed, I got the Krona. Both had the black handles but the Krona had already gone over to the black knob. It had some brand recognition for me since I'd been using my dad's injector up to that time. Unbelievably, I still have that razor! I think it was 79¢ with some blades.

Santana's first album was on the charts then.

I started in 1969 too. Schick was in Milford then just the next town over.