What is your DE razor "Holy Grail" or "Go-To"?

As stated in the thread title, I would like to know what your holy grail and/or go-to DE razor is. If there is a "why" in there as well, that would be great.

Pics are even better.

 

I have a bunch of holy grails. But here are four that I actually own.

Gillette English 58 Aristocrat
Gillette president
Gillette English Deluxe aristocrat
Gillette American Deluxe aristocrat
The "why", I love the design and aesthetics of each one. The only one I haven't shaved with is the president.. But they shave great!

My go to razors are:


The why: no matter what I get the best shaves with these two. I can always count on them to deliver solid shaves. I love them!

 

Feather AS-D2.

Because it is sooooo smooth with the right blades. I never cut myself with this razor. When I am trying new brushes or soap I use this razor. If I try other razors I rotate this one in-between (so one week off, one week on). About the only other razors that I've tried that are as comfortable as this one is are a Gillette Tech and an New Type Long Comb (I know, open comb; go figure). But, the New Type is more aggressive (read: nicks) and the Tech doesn't seem to shave as close.

 

My go to razor is the Barbasol Floating Head, it is just a fantastic shaver. My current un-obtained grail razor would be a Gillette President.

 

I have no "go to", I don't do favorites. I use whatever comes up next in the rotation. I'm pretty hard core about that.
I have 31 DEs in my rotation and all get used. Of those, three are Merkur HDs - a 34C, a 34G, and a 34C customized with a red mallee burl handle.
The HD is the most consistent in giving my most comfortable shaves. I wouldn't hesitant to say I get BBS most often with an HD.

So why not use my HDs exclusively? I like the variety. I like pondering and contemplating the history of my razors, some near 70-80 years old.
I have achieved BBS with every single one, but none as consistently, as I said, as my HDs.

 

Can't say I regret that my go-to/grail has changed several times over the years...long handle SA, Damaskeene, Senator, Clix EZ Flo, '41 Ranger Tech, LC New, Schick E2, the Rolls...because each still has its place. For my money they're among the best ever.

Currently, though, and perhaps finally (but I always say that), the President.

I'd used contemporary Aristocrats and Diplomats before I got it so I knew what good to expect, but it has still been better than I expected.

The Prez, for me, has it all. Classy, elegant but understated looks, phenomenal finish, quality construction, just the right girth and knurling (not too fine, not too chunky), just the right heft, and very smooth but efficient shaves whatever blade I load.

It's a gentlemen's razor from a more civilized age. I can't recommend it enough. Hail to the Chief, baby.

 

If you tried the Diplomat, it is the same great shave. But for some reason (imo), as with the NEW, gold just does not do it the justice that rhodium or even bright nickel does for that razor.

 

There's a bunch I'd like to have
Toggle
Darwin
Tradere
Double ring
Hone type 15

My go to
Progress
Fatboy
Slim
Stahly head
Futur
Super speed
Matador
Cadet
I've got a bunch of nice ones, want a few as well.

 

Just realized I don't think I have a grail anymore. There are always a few I would like to try if I had the chance, but nothing I must have. Interesting I didn't realize that till just now.

 

My go-too is a Single Ring, I haven't much thought about a grail razor for a while.

Maybe a Goodwill.

 

Hello everyone, I have been pretty fortunate. I have scored many of my most desired razors. Such as;

Double Ring,
46/47 Aristocrat,
48-50 Aristocrat,
Sheraton,
Senator,
34 US Aristocrat,
36-39 US Aristocrat,
40/41 Us Aristocrat,
40/41 Milord,
46/47 Milord,
49-? uS Rocket,
#77 set New RFB,
#44 set New RFB,
55 Diplomat,
#66 English Aristocrat,
New Belmont Deluxe,
Various ABC sets,
Numerous New LC sets,
Numerous Old Type sets,
Numerous Single Ring sets,
And on and on. Each of the razors mentioned were at one time "Holy Grail " razors for me. Once I acquired them, I had a new "Holy Grail" within days that I lusted after.
But through all this, I found a few razors I can use on a regular basis, and consider them my go-to razors. My favorite among them are the 1940's style Super Speed, all the Milords, 1946/47 Aristocrat, 55 Blue Tip, and my father's 52 Black Tip Super Speed, just to name a few.
Needless to say, I like any Gillette! There are a few out there that I don't/haven't had, but I no longer lust after any. I'm pretty happy with my collection the way it stands.

 

I haven't tried the Diplomat either. I thought I was over DE razors after using straights for a while, but getting this Barbasol has made me want to try them again. I may look at the Diplomat as well!

 

Here are some of my favorites.
'47 Aristocrat, '69 Black Beauty, '52 President, 30s English Goodwill, 30s NEW, '47 Superspeed, '47 BulletTip, Schick M Adjustable, Eversharp I Hydro-Magic

 

I am mainly a straight guy. When I pull out a DE for a Sunday I like any of my razors I have kept. They all work well and deliver a good shave. If I had to rank them I am not sure what the criteria would be.

Feather AsD2
Mergress
ATT (I like the M2 plate best)
Fatboy
Slim
New long comb
Muhle R41
Rockwell
Merkur 38c
Black Beauty
Aristocrat
EJ De89

Not in any order.

 

I still love my Merkur long handle. Its just such a nice, smooth shaving razor and I love the way the longer handle feels in my hand.

 

My go-to for my 3x a year DE shave...

 

Muhle R41=efficiency, comfort, dolphin smooth.

 

My daily go-to is an Icon Tech, I really like aggressive razors. But a Holy Grail? I'd choose Hawkeye's from MASH. I don't know what it is, but as a fan it would be an awesome razor for me to own.

 

My current 'go to' razor is a 1930's Velvet which, apparently, is a British tech copy manufactured to be sold in Woolworths. It's an absolutely amazing shave.

 

My holy grail razor (DE) is my 2011 R41 on a thick brass Trieste handle paired with a fresh Super Irridium. It is clearly my first place selection and I have tried almost all of the aggressive razors.

If only I could get some to make a stainless or brass replica of the plate and top cap.