Post war Tech, because it is so smooth. 1980 British Tech, because it is so gentle, 1962 Slim because it is a can be both gentle and smooth. Karve because it is so efficient. Gem Junior lather catcher, due to its mega mojo.
I’ve got 2, a 1930 and a 1942, and they both shave great- smooth, no blade feel, efficient.... both in similar condition but I like the 30 a little better because I like the handle more. - Ken
Jeff. For the best results, place the cap directly on your skin with the handle sticking almost straight out. Lower the handle just until you “feel” the blade. This is the shallowest angle you can achieve. Learn to hold this angle throughout your entire shave. As you get more comfortable with the razor you can experiment with a steeper angle. As we “old timers” say: Ride the cap.
The more I think of this, I realize I should have 2 top 5 safety razors lists. One vintage and one modern. So here are, in no particular order my top 5 vintage and modern safety razors. Vintage 1. Leresche no61 2. 1946-47 Gillette Aristocrat 3. 48-50 Gillette Super Speed 4. 1985 Gillette Super Speed 5. Cooper Monobilt Modern 1. PAA The Flight travel DOC 2. Karve Christopher Bradley plate E solid bar 3. Rod George Catacombs 2 4. Razorock Gamechanger .84 5. Rockwell 6C
1. Gillette Old Type (thick cap). Best under the nose. Best blade feel. 2. Gillette NEW LC or SC. Blade alignment is superior to the OT. 3. Gillette '56 Flare Tip. To me, it's a one piece Tech with the best knurling ever. 4. Merkur 34G. More efficient than a Tech, great balance, shaves comfortably. 5. Gillette Tech (pre or post). Solid ball end handle. Tech + Technique = BBS.