Your Best Bang for the Buck DE Razor

[eric n]

Since I'm at the beginning of my double edged journey and will no doubt have something of a collection soon, I thought I'd gain some insite from the more experienced amoung you. So let me know your Bang for the Buck DE razor in each of the following price ranges. I'm looking for a smooth, comfortable close shave.

LESS than $50

$50.01-$100.00

$100.01-$200.00

$200+

 

[Stampede]

Less than $50 User grade Sheraton

$50.01-$100.00 Near Mint Cased Sheraton

$100.01-$200.01 TTO OC British Aristocrat (I am still looking for one of these)

$200+ Out of my range to even consider

There is a lot of smooth and comfortable razors out there for that under $50 range to consider.

 

[Panama]

Under $100 Weber.

 

[engblom]

I am only able to answer for sub $50 as I have not bought more expensive equipment.

Best bang for the price:
RiMei Sodial. Nothing can beat their price. I bought one (1.70 EUR inkluding the shipping). It is a very mild razor that works well and has well made plating. It is definitely a razor that works well for daily shaving, but longer whiskers might be a problem. The comfort is quite the same as with vintage Tech. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Favorite razor sub $50:
Merkur 15C. I like open comb razors, and this one is really mild.

 

[bosseb]

My two remaining DE razors. I actually paid less than $50 for the cased '47 Aristocrat on the left (admittedly many years ago). The one on the right is my go to razor system, the Ilmarinen ( http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/355024-Stainless-replated-in-black-chrome ). For me it is priceless.

​

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

£6 for a dirty but otherwise immaculate Gillette New short comb, in box with blade holder. The handle might not be to everybody's taste, but the head is lovely and it shaves very well.

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

Both of mine are in the sub $50 realm. The FaTip Grande and the Lord L6

 

[Eeyore]

Are we talking about currently made razors? Or vintage?

 

[Shutterbug57]

LESS than $50 - Ever-Ready 1912 NOS (supposedly, 'twas nearly, but not quite) ~$20 (OK, it's a SE, but it my best in price range). Of my DEs, my 1938 Senator @ just under $30.

$50.01-$100.00 - 1934 Aristocrat $52.50

$100.01-$200.00 - IMHO, there is no reason to go here, YMMV.

$200+ - ibid.

Best In Den - 1934 Aristocrat

 

[kingfisher]

$100-$200. Tradere second-generation SB. Smoothest razor I've ever used, and it's not even close.

 

[gmgaj]

LESS than $50 Gillette new. Hands down the best performing razor I've tried at any point. You can get an old beater and have it replated for less than $50 total. Add a handle from one of the current production razors to make the perfect razor.A The SA/slim/fatboy family is right behind the new.

$50.01-$100.00 I do like the progress. Futur would be up there, too if the grip wasn't so smooth and slick if you get lather on it.
Nothing above this for me. I get BBS consistently with the razors that I have, and don't feel the need to spend more money when my results are as good as I can imagine. The 3 razors I have listed will be all I need.

 

[bryan1980]

Here's another guy who hasn't spent over $50 on a razor. Well, I take that back, I might have spent around $60 for my Fatboy when you factor in shipping.

Anyhow, I'd have to say that my favorite razor would be my short-comb, nickle plated NEW. I found it with the case and everything in the wild for $25. I only thought I was getting great shaves, until I picked up that bad boy a few weeks ago. It's been like a revalation. The flipside of that is that there are now a lot of fine razors that are going to be sitting idle for a while under my sink! It's hard to quit using something that works so well, though.

 

[mistercitizen]

I am going to gear my answers toward "what is my favorite DE razor in the given price range".

Less than $50
Many great DE razors fall into this category..... in fact, I'd say most of them do. I'm going to say a pre WWII (1938-45) Gillette Fat Handle Tech..... although a Gillette 40's style Super Speed could easily take the spot as well.

$50.01-$100.00
I'm going to go with the Weber Polished w/ Bulldog Handle here. Best value in a stainless steel razor by far and a great shaver.

$100.01-$200.01
A Gillette British Aristocrat No. 16. The heaviest of all of them and with the flat baseplate. Incredibly smooth shaver and very nice to look at.

$200+
There is no "bang for the buck" here..... just bucks. The only razor I paid more than $200 for is a cased 1913 ABC Empire Old Type set.... and it's not the best shaver IMO...... in fact, it's very far down on my list in terms of "great shavers". I'm speculating here, but I'd think a Gillette Old Type Flared End Aristocrat from around 1914 would be a great shaver. I like the way a Single Ring and the Old Type Bulldog shave from that era.... and one of the first Aristocrats from Gillette would be a great razor to have in anyone's collection.

Ben

 

[GoodAg]

This is an excellent thread as I'm looking to acquire some additional razors. I have an EJ89 - love it, but like others, find myself wanting to explore other waters.

 

[a Rose's thorn]

I have to throw in the Merkur Progress in the $50.00 - $100.00 range. It can change at a moment's notice from mild to wild, but it is the results - a smooth, comfortable and close shave. (Oh, and check out the Mergress modifications by B & B member Mer.)
I will give a shout out for the Weber stainless ($75.00 shipping included).

 

[LittleLebowski]

Slant HD.

 

[Haggises]

Haven't spent more than 50 bucks on a razor, don't intend to start unless the Huntlee SE is irresistable.

So under 50 bucks - you can get just about any non-pristine, non-British Aristocrat on the bay or on the BST.

Best value in den - a 10 buck Ever Ready 1914 that I PIFFed because I got a replated one. Also got a single lot comprsing a Flare Tip, Milord, 40s Superspeed and a GEM OCMM for under 20. All in good condition.
Best in den - A 25 buck Single Ring

 

[dushea]

< $50 - Gillette NEW

$50-$100 - Weber PH

$100-$150 - Mergress

 

[TacticalPanda]

The Gillette British LC NEW is the best shaving DE razor I've ever used. You can get them for under $50 pretty easily. Shaves better than my #15 or any of the Aristocrats.

 

[bmilcs]

Sub $50 Merkur 37c
Sub $100 Weber PH Bull dog / Futur
Sub $200 currently ikon slant, soon to be Atlas H1 / Cobra Classic