I've converted a colleague to DE shaving, and he now wants to buy his razor. He wants a twist to open, not used/second hand or Weishi or made in China garbage, and has a budget of about $100. We've looked online together and can only see the spin off top type for the top brands (Merkur, etc) or Weishi for the TTOs. Can you please recommend the best TTO produced today. Cheers
I have one Parker TTO and it does not hold a candle to any of my vintage TTOs. I am sure there are some good ones out there. I just do not personally know of one.
Some here http://www.leesrazors.com/categories/Razors-and-Blades/Safety-Razors/Twist-to-Open/ Just Parkers and Weishi though. I think this one is made in Japan, which may be good http://www.mensbiz.com.au/feather-double-edge-razor.html And then there's this pricey fellow http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LY9244/?tag=thshde-20 I assume these are Weishi under a private label.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jagen-David-®-B30-Butterfly/dp/B00PA0PTMO http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K70TS0Q/?tag=thshde-20
(YMMV) The VDH/MTO/Weishi 9306 is actually a solid brass chrome plated copy of a Gillette 50’s SS. It's probably the best modern TTO, and I find it's quality, performance, and value to be excellent. I believe it gets a bad rep because most of the people using it are brand new to DE and lack any idea of how to properly use it. It can be found at Target and many other places...don't let biases fool you, you might miss out on a great value and a solid razor.
Cadet makes some decent razors that aren't super pricey. I have a few of them and like them quite a bit
I have a cadet tto14. it is a very nice razor. it's very nicely built, not cheap feeling at all. I don't know but I think they cost around thirty bucks.
Don't know why you're drinking the Weishi Haterade. Have you ever tried one? IMHO, a Weishi 9306 shaves as well as the Gillette Flare tip they are exactly the same as. Don't get the Feather you linked to. It's plastic and is sold under various names, generally under $10. I haven't tried Cadet's TTO's, but I've heard good things about them.
I would recommend the Mehaz razor. It's made in Germany and costs about $25. It's a mild shaver though, for what that's worth. I used to own one but I pif'd it to my cousin, who now uses it daily. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ILOTR2E/?tag=thshde-20 http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/mehaz-razor-yes-i-do.30086/#post-527527 My review of the razor, with comparison pics. ^^^ As an alternative, with a budget of $100 for the razor, he can look on eBay for a NOS (new old stock) twist to open Gillette razor, which will run $20-70 more than a good used version. Here's one: http://m.ebay.com/itm/141684338342?nav=SEARCH Here's another : http://m.ebay.com/itm/400932542801?nav=SEARCH And another: http://m.ebay.com/itm/141683673274?nav=SEARCH And another: http://m.ebay.com/itm/121671182123?nav=SEARCH You do need to watch out for stuff like this, though: http://m.ebay.com/itm/251832279137?nav=SEARCH It's listed as NOS, but is missing the cardboard insert found with true NOS razors of that vintage. It may or may not be unused.
It's nice looking. I might consider it as a travel razor (not by aeroplane) http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Cadet-TTO-13-Safety-Razor_p_2035.html EDIT - when I tried to purchase says out of stock. Can this razor still be on sale and available?
RazoRock TTO is a great choice, IMHO. Brass razor (rare these days), a bit aggressive but not overboard for a newbie and really nice solid construction, knurling is excellent. Can't complain about it at all. And the price...under $25.
He could have one of my five or so Super Speeds (just not my birth quarter razor). I would guarantee that the razor is shave ready, and no cooties, for free, but shipping from Canada would be a bit pricy.
I know, Ryan. Each to his own. I really enjoy my vintage razors, and don't understand why others would want to limit themselves.....
My first razor was a TTO Parker 29L. I liked it quite a bit. The only reason I switched was that I wanted an adjustable (which is when I went vintage.) But I still keep the Parker as my travel razor.
There have been a few folks who have come and gone that are averse to putting something to their face that someone else has used. They liken it to borrowing someone else's toothbrush or underwear - ya just don't do it.