Thinking about switching from a cartridge to a DE

Get yourself a GEM Featherweight and a 10 pack of SS PTFE coated blades and side step all the trauma of finding "the right blade for you". The GEM FW or Contour are mild but efficient razors. No pressure, short strokes and take your time. Whether you start with a DE or an SE you will need to rethink the cartridge mentality - the results from DE or SE will be superior but possibly not for a few shaves, at least not until you adapt to the razor and not try to make the razor behave contrary to its design.

 

What do you guys think of starting out with a Gillette Slim? I have heard a lot of good things about it. Also, what are the adjustments, what is it adjusting?

Also, I have tried the wal-mart DE and been using it for a few shaves now and am starting to get it down.

 

When you adjust it you are adjusting the blade exposure. 1 would be very little blade exposure and 9 would be the most blade exposure. If you are just beginning I would start on 3 and work from there. The more blade exposure the more aggressive the shave. Adjustables are a really good way to go since you basically get nine razors in one. Along with the slim you could also try the Super Adjustable (black beauty) with the black handle, or the Fatboy. Of course the fatboys are going to cost you a lot more money. I have all three and think they all do a great job.

 

Is the black beauty the modern day equivalent of the vintage slim?

 

It came after the slim I believe 69 was the first year.

 

I recently picked up a slim after DE shaving for six months. I find it to be a better razor than my EJ de89 and my merkur 34c. All are good, but I like the slim the best. Keep in mind what works for me might not work for you.

 

This was great advice for me!
Like other newbs, since I've recently decided to try the wet shave / DE life, I've been all over the Internet searching for the best razor, best blades, best etc, - and I was just about cross-eyed with it all. Discovered this site and this thread and realized I was making it much too complicated. Just signed up for Gary's Vintage Razor Test Drive Starter Kit. Then I came right back here and signed up as a member.
Thanks to all of the enthusiastic contributors here.

 

Looking back through this thread I see no one linked to this being the razor to buy ---> *click*

 

I would say Merkur 34C HD if you think you're on the more coarse side with the beard and EJ/Muhle DE89/R if you think your beard is pretty regular. The learning curve might differ, but it shouldn't take you more than 10-20 shaves to find your sweet spot.

Some experimentation might help you, with different blades, soaps and creams, but don't go over your head. Get a blade sample pack, a popular cheap cream, like Nivea or Palmolive, an inexpensive razor and give it a shot. You don't get a hang to it, you can always go back to your cartridge and maybe try again later.

 

http://bullgooseshaving.com/blade-sampler-packs/
https://www.razorbladesandmore.com/catalog/blade-sampler-packs
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Sample-Packs_c_1.html
http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/double-edge-razor-blade-sampler-7-blades-12-types/

There are others, including the Shave Den shop (link above).

 

Get a Edwin Jagger DE89, as Merkur QC is spotty. Also get some Proraso, an omega brush and a blade sampler pack.

 

I'll second that recommendation for the EJ and Omega brush.

 

They improved in the last years. Honestly, got my DE89 from the same motive, seeing some photos online. But when i received Merkur HD, the chrome is flawless on the head. Only imperfections are on the handle, and not big ones, just some scratches that you observe if you look closely. Anyway, even on older ones, the performance was not affected, only aesthetics.

Now, yes, DE89 is flawless. You can't spot an error on it. But the functionality is exactly the same as Merkur. Merkur might overlook some aesthetics, but their razors are definitely perfect as long as functionality goes.

 

...and I feel all those symptoms coming on Doc, I think I've got the fever!

 

I started with a EJ DE89L. Very nice fit and finish but very, very mild.
Moved on to Merkur 180/23C long handle. A little more aggressive and fit and finish was very good.

I'd recommend a adjustable, specially the Merkur Progress. Very mild on low and you can dial up as you get better. You can go vintage one you have mastered technique.

Don't overlook Parker. They make some nice models, I have a 92R and love it.
I had to send one back due to finish imperfections but they replaced (Amazon).

Good luck on whatever you choose, limit your variables, don't change more than one thing at a time.

Cheers
John

 

I'll agree with what everyone else has recommended here. As far as the EJ DE89 goes, it's a very good razor and Works well on regular to mild whiskers. It's my second favorite razor currently in my medicine cabinet. It's a 3 piece design, which some newer DE might find cumbersome at first. But I find it to be an excellent razor and a real work of art.

 

Well I bought a progress a month or so ago and the quality was terrible, uneven finishing, and the head had casting imperfections so the blade was wavy. Like I said it is spotty, you either get a good razor or a bad one.

 

If I just bought a vintage gillette slim, how do I sterilize it?

 

Run a search on cleaning razors on this site. There are quite a few threads on it.

Short version- Hot water, toothbrush, scrubbing bubbles, and rinse.