What's your favorite after market handle? Trac II compatible handles are worth a thread of their own. Mach 3 handles appear to be the best value. Sensor's are rare, although I did see a new one on Amazon. Obviously being the latest Fusion's are the most expensive, whilst many seem very similar. Schick's compatible's are virtually non existent... Do you prefer a known brand? Acqua di Parma, Molton Brown, Plisson etc? or something more artisan from Etsy?
I was going to buy a handle on Etsy until I found a really nice Gillette handle, I like supporting artisans.
my Ikon has the bigger handle, I sometimes borrow it to other razors. I've acquired a durham/duplex handle, it's heavy enough to lend weight to lighter razors. the only handle I have that is specifically sold as after market is the maggard mr5.
I have always found it hard to put a Trac II on a Ikon handle. Maybe I will have better luck with the Maggard? Does it take dual purpose Trac II and Atra carts?
Considering that literacy would seem to be a prima facie requirement of participating in a web forum, I would have assumed people here are able to discern the intent of the thread, or at least the subforum in which it is placed. Silly me. But anyway... Favorite handles by cart type: Trac II: Merkur MII. Beautifully crafted, one-piece brass construction, with impeccable chrome plating. Excellent balance and aesthetics. The grip can be a little iffy, sometimes, since there's no texture, but I usually don't find it to be a problem. Atra: Reed & Barton by default, since there aren't very many good aftermarket Atra handles. That said, I think I might actually prefer a '77 stock handle. Tough call. Sensor (Excel): Edwin Jagger Bulbous Lined (if they'd done a barley grip, I would have preferred that, but I don't think they did for the Sensor). Pils gets honorable mention, but it uses an original Sensor head, in black. I prefer to use Excel cartridges, and I prefer them on Excel heads. They don't look right on black Sensor heads. Mach3: Art of Shaving engraved nickel (barley grip). Not only is it a beautiful handle, but AoS actually developed their own M3 head, rather than grafting a stock head onto their handle. I prefer the aesthetics of the AoS head; plus it's unique among aftermarket brands. A runner up would be Bolin Webb, but I'm basing that purely on pictures I've seen, since I've never seen one in person, let alone used one. Fusion: I'm not a Fusion fan, but if I were to pick a handle for one, it would probably be another AoS model, although which one I couldn't say. Chelsea collection, maybe? As with their Mach3 handles, AoS again developed their own custom head for the Fusion, whereas most aftermarket makers are using stock heads. The custom head looks much nicer, imo. Favorite overall: Probably the AoS Mach3.
I've had several T-II handles but a brass no name with really simple, deep knurling is the one I kept. There's a really nice Schick perforated plastic handle (for Atra) that I used for a few years until my dad sent me an original aluminum. That Schick may still be in the last travel box.
My favorite is the rather rare Ralph Lauren Safari collection razor handle. My second favorite is the Schick Bicentennial 'Paul Revere' model by International Silver. They also did an Injector with the same handle design. My third is the Old Spice/Barber Shoppe solid brass teardrop razor handle. More or less the same feel as the Paul Revere, but heavier. My least used Trac II handle is another Ralph Lauren model, this one is Polo. Gold plated brass with a teak handle.
That sounds interesting. What kind of cart did it hold? Got any pics? I tried googling it, but all I came up with were a bunch of random SOTD pics that included Safari cologne.
It takes a Trac II, like all 80's and 90's RL razors. It has the Safari crest engraved on the bottom of the the handle. The handle itself is brass and pewter, quite heavy.
That is a nice handle. I could definitely see that being one of my favorite Trac II handles. Thanks for the pics.
Assuming that this is just for carts - I got these that I rather like: No-name old-style handle: Looks great and I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually metal and not plastic Rating: [Still to be shaved with] The "Deluxe" I honestly don't know if it's a genuine Gillette or not as there is very little to go on. Rating: 8/10. Really enjoyed the weight and shape of this handle Burma-Shave Great copper/bronze look to it. Lighter than what you might think. I have so-so expectations for it. Rating: [Still to be shaved with] Concord, Italy Very heavy handle. feels very nice and comes across as well made. A bit like a cartridge version of the Swing DE. Rating: [Still to be shaved with]. Truefitt&Hill Near perfectly balanced. High quality. Rating: [Still to be shaved with] Crabtree and Evelyn Solid and feels like a good quality handle. I am not so sure about the shape of it though... Rating: [Still to be shaved with] Paul Revere Haven't tried these yet since they are very similar to the injector version of the handle (which I love) I have great hopes for them Rating: [Still to be shaved with]
I have yet to try an aftermarket Atra handle as I like my original all-metal black and silver one so much, but for the Mach 3 my favorite is the Tactile Turn Pruner in stainless steel. They also have a titanium version but I got the stainless steel as it is heavier. I hope they make an Atra variety one day.