I'm becoming a double edged razor hoarder!

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I wish I weren't so long in coming to the game so to speak... Gillette sent me one of their Sensor Excel razors when I was 18. For the next 18 years, I've always used a Gillette multi-blade cartridge type razor.

After reading thread after thread here, I figured all these people can't be wrong. I also tired of paying through the nose for refills. After receiving my order of razor, blades assortment, brush and shaving cream/soap, I was in love! From that point on I decided that I would never again get bent over the cartridge refills barrel.

Now I'm always looking for another razor... I would like another Mercur, I really like the way they're built! Something that shaves a little closer than the 34c.
 
Some of the guys on Badger & Blade send their razors out for restoration. Mostly, that seems to involve cleaning, stripping, and re-plating. Some of the pics look really nice! (Better, in many cases, than the original factory job)

Also, for you Sensor Excel users, check the Dollar Shave Club web site. Their two blade razor cartridge looks a lot like a Sensor Excel to me (I used one for a few years).
 
Originally Posted By: expat
I wonder if DE razors will again be sold from mainstream retailers in North America?


I'm not sure that there is enough profit in it. There are a few inexpensive Chinese double edge razors available from some of the mainstream retailers, but there simply isn't the profit from the blades. I can buy a package of 100 blades for $15 and that lasts me well over a year. Some of the multi blade razors charge that or more for a single month's supply, so there's far more turnover, profit and incentive.
 
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I'm not sure that there is enough profit in it. There are a few inexpensive Chinese double edge razors available from some of the mainstream retailers, but there simply isn't the profit from the blades. I can buy a package of 100 blades for $15 and that lasts me well over a year. Some of the multi blade razors charge that or more for a single month's supply, so there's far more turnover, profit and incentive.


Agreed. The average US shaving consumer is very advertising driven, and has shown consistent willingness to pay heavily marked up prices for stuff that Tom Brady is shown using on his mug. While DE safety razor shaving is still popular in the EurAsia part of the world (India, Turkey, Pakistan, Russia, etc), their new manufactured DE razors are NOT what companies like Gillette used to make. They make ones with plastic handles with the heads being made out of cheaper pot metal. Most of the blades are made in Russia, with some in Turkey and India as well. Cheaper labor... cheaper product... more profits for that area of the world where $5 is A LOT of money for those folks.
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Is this Feather AS-D2 any good?


Only if you like to brag about how much money has been shaved from your wallet.
 
I used all kinds of razors over the years. One was a straight razor that I wore out, mainly from improper sharpening & taking away too much metal.

I've used electric razors, but they abrade my skin. I used up a bunch of disposable plastic razors, a whole giant bag of them that I bought on sale at a Thrifty Drug Store, and that took over ten years.

So in my drawer I found some Schick safety razors that I got in 1969. You can still get the double edged blades. I am using them again and have found that they give the best combination of a close shave convenience.
 
I just bought a new Merkur Progressive about a month ago and I really like it. I've always wanted an adjustable razor and this one has renewed my interest in DE shaving. Almost any blade can be used in this thing with great success...I can even shave with a Feather now without turning my face into hamburger!
 
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Only if you like to brag about how much money has been shaved from your wallet.


Then what would you recommend? I shaved with a 5-blade Schick the other day and it tore my face to shreds.
 
Originally Posted By: grampi
I've always wanted an adjustable razor and this one has renewed my interest in DE shaving.


What's the advantage of it being adjustable?
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: grampi
I've always wanted an adjustable razor and this one has renewed my interest in DE shaving.


What's the advantage of it being adjustable?


The advantage is that you can adjust from a very mild, non-aggressive shave, to very aggressive with the twist of a dial. I've been using the adjustable Gillette I bought the other day, set on 6 with a Feather blade. It's a bit on the harsh side, but man is my face SMOOTH!

As for recommendations, it's hard to say, since everyone's face is a bit different. What works for me, may not for you. I suggest trolling the antique/collectible/junk stores in search of old razors. One that Pop_Rivit mentions often, the Schick Krona works well. An adjustable Gillette is good too. Heck, even a Lady Gillette is a nice shaver- gives a relatively mild shave...
 
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
The advantage is that you can adjust from a very mild, non-aggressive shave, to very aggressive with the twist of a dial. I've been using the adjustable Gillette I bought the other day, set on 6 with a Feather blade. It's a bit on the harsh side, but man is my face SMOOTH!

As for recommendations, it's hard to say, since everyone's face is a bit different. What works for me, may not for you. I suggest trolling the antique/collectible/junk stores in search of old razors. One that Pop_Rivit mentions often, the Schick Krona works well. An adjustable Gillette is good too. Heck, even a Lady Gillette is a nice shaver- gives a relatively mild shave...


I gotta have my face smooth as glass. No 1/2 assin' when it comes to shaving. I just wish there was a way to do that without all the razor burn.
 
It's been my (limited) experience that the older D/E razors do an excellent job and that all but the adjustable Gillette, cranked up are pretty comfortable.

If you look at the picture I posted on the first page of this thread, you'll see the short handled Mekur (silver) and the short handle Gillette Tech (gold)- those both did a better job than the Gillette Fusion and just as, if not more comfortable too.
 
I have found a vast difference in Quality of shave just depending on the Brand of blade I use.
If I were to add in adjustments to my razor, the options would be overwhelming.

I would suggest sticking to one blade brand in an adjustable razor. Or experiment with a non adjusted razor and different brand blades.

Ultimately I want to get to the point where I can just put a blade in my razor and know I will get the shave I want, reliably.

I think after a couple of months, I'm there.
Rapira razor with Rapira LADAS blade. Arko soap.

I will of course continue to experiment.
I may try a Higher end or vintage razor, and/or other brand blades.
But for the time being the Above will be my GoTo combination.
 
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You guys ever shave horizontally against the grain on your neck?
From my experience, that's those most painful part.
eek.gif
 
I do too, but only in a few places to get the spots that shaving down, then up won't normally get.
 
Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Cross-wise, yes, I do when I want to get smoothly planed off. I do it very carefully, though.


That's the difficult part. Normally I just go Up and down and horizontally along the jaw line.

If I ever get a nick it's usually at the edge of the lip.
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
The advantage is that you can adjust from a very mild, non-aggressive shave, to very aggressive with the twist of a dial. I've been using the adjustable Gillette I bought the other day, set on 6 with a Feather blade. It's a bit on the harsh side, but man is my face SMOOTH!

As for recommendations, it's hard to say, since everyone's face is a bit different. What works for me, may not for you. I suggest trolling the antique/collectible/junk stores in search of old razors. One that Pop_Rivit mentions often, the Schick Krona works well. An adjustable Gillette is good too. Heck, even a Lady Gillette is a nice shaver- gives a relatively mild shave...


I gotta have my face smooth as glass. No 1/2 assin' when it comes to shaving. I just wish there was a way to do that without all the razor burn.


That's where the adjustable razor helps. Set it to the most mild setting and put absolutely no pressure on the razor...let the weight of the razor be the only pressure and your razor burn will diminish...
 
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