1. My fiance wants a decent safety razor (plus accessories) for his birthday. He has been using a cheap one for about a year to see if he likes it, which he does. Help me pick one out!

    He wants:
    • Butterfly/TTO
    • Double Edge
    • Stainless Steel or Ivory/Wooden Handle
    • Good for sensitive skin.
    I'm looking to spend around $30-$50 on the razor itself.

    Thanks!
    RyX likes this.
  2. The Sir shows great restraint keeping to his single razor for a years worth of shaving. I'm not up on New production razors, but folks will be along to offer suggestions.
    Do you know the brand or model number of his current razor? That may help in suggestions for his next one.
  3. For modern (quality, there are many very cheap Chinese razors our there) TTO razors you pretty much only have a couple of options.

    Parker (Made in India) or Weishi or Baili (both made in China). There are many re-branded Weishi razors out there and his "cheap" razor is probably one of them. Baili razors are also very inexpensive but have a different look to them.

    If you start looking at vintage razors you have a lot more options. A Gillette Adjustable (Black Beauty, Slim, or Fatboy) or an Aristocrat or any of the various flavors of Superspeeds would be a good option.

    None of them unfortunately are made from stainless steel, they are all pretty much plated brass.
    BigMark83 likes this.
  4. May be tough to find a TTO with an ivory or wooden handle for less than $50.
  5. Does it have to be new? Or are you open to vintage?

    I'm guessing stainless may eliminate vintage.

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  6. I don't know what brand, but I do know it was only $10 at the beauty store.
  7. I am open to anything! Also, I think he's fine with any metal, he just doesn't want any handles with colors (i.e. Parker has some black handles, pink, etc. He does want anything like that).
  8. You could probably find a nice high user grade fatboy or SS Flare here. Both would be fitting of what you are looking for I think. Only reason I mention FB is many like them and if he wants to increase aggressiveness over time he can.

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  9. A slim or black beauty is a great choice for vintage. They are excellent razors that can be set for a mild or more aggressive shave.

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  10. Whats his birth year?

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    RyX likes this.
  11. I like the Parker 87r, just because it looks like a vintage Aristocrat.
    [​IMG]
    Vintage Gillette Adjustables ( Slim, Black Beauty, Fatboy)
    [​IMG]

    Gillette Super Speed's:
    [​IMG]

    Gillette Aristocrat:
    [​IMG]

    *not my photos
    RyX, CarlfromMO and Demidog like this.
  12. Black Beauty is a good option as well but was trying to stay away from black per her comments

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    Straight razor dandy likes this.
  13. I have a Parker 99r and I really like it, it's one of 9 razors that I have and I use it every 2 weeks.

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  14. Parker Variant. $57.00 can't go wrong with it.
    Adjustable Great Razor.


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    riverrun likes this.
  15. When I got started, I decided I wanted TTO and I cannot remember why. Once I became established, I moved towards three piece. There are a lot more choices out there in the three piece world.
    stuartganis and cliffb599 like this.
  16. Parker has some nice choices that fit your criteria.

    If he would prefer TTO they've got several.

    If he wouldn't mind a three piece razor then they've got wood or "ivory" (white resin) handles.
    Herm2502 likes this.
  17. You will get many opinions on this one. Here's mine: My first real razor (purchased after reading hundreds of reviews on different razors) was the Merkur 34c shown in the photo below. It is an excellent, heavy, and well made razor from Germany. I have many razors now but still use the Merkur 34c more than any other. It is very forgiving and when matched with the right blade for his face, it will provide exceptional shaves. I find that almost any blade will work in this razor. Some other razors can get rather picky. Personally, I do have some vintage razors, but I would not recommend them at this point. They can be expensive and you may not get what you thought you were getting.

    The Merkur 34c goes for $40 on just about any of the main vendor websites such as West Coast Shaving or Maggard. Here is a link to one site: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Merkur-34C-Heavy-Duty-Safety-Razor_p_31.html. There are many reviews of this razor at that link. He's a lucky guy.
    March 24, 2017.jpg

    Attached Files:

    GatorJoe, RetLEO-07 and cliffb599 like this.
  18. The Merkur 34C was my first "real" razor purchase also, and still holds a starting spot on my varsity bench. Daily use and still loving it.

    Very forgiving, easy to find the right angle, well made and great aesthetics. The only downside is that it's a 2-piece, not a TTO.
    Col C likes this.
  19. Modern try a 34C. Vintage Krona (TTO) gives a nice mild shave.
    cliffb599 likes this.