Morning fellow shavers! I'm about to take the plunge into DE shaving and I'm blown away by the amount of razors available and it's making it extremely tough to choose! As I'm in the UK I'm a bit limited as to what I can buy (from the looks of things) and don't want to have to pay lots of money importing. I'm currently looking at either the Parker 91R or 99R from The Executive Shaving company. I can't find any reviews on the 99R but according to the shop they say it's had great reviews - can anyone comment on it? Just a couple of other questions if you guys don't mind: - Does a butterfly opening give any advantage other than it being easier to change the blades? - Is the 91R a 3-piece razor and does this make it even trickier to replace a blade? - Any other razors you'd recommend? £30 is the max I'd want to spend. - I'm also getting some blades (Wilkinson or Merkur - I assume both will fit any DE razor?) and a styptic pencil but is there anything else I need? I have a synthetic brush which will last me a few weeks until I have more money to spend on a proper badger brush. Thanks for looking guys, I look forward to the feedback! /xni
Welcome to the Den. I have a Parker 80R and like it. There are many who question Parker's quality. As far as butterfly (more commonly know 'round here as TTO - twist to open) being easier than a three piece, it is easier. That being said, changing a blade on a three piece is not a difficult task. With either one you're handling a blade that will cut you to the bone if you're not careful. You're going to get bombarded with what razor to get, so check out item four from this list of "MUST READ" topics. Here's also a list of places to shop - most on line, several in Europe. As for blades, you gotta get a sample pack. That is the only way to go for a new guy. Blades are the most personal piece of gear. I've said that if you ask 99 guys what blade to get, you'll get 100 different answers. Only you will be able to tell what blade works in your razor for your face. And the only way to determine that is to try 'em, as many as you can. I'll say it again, SAMPLE PACK. Again, check the shops to see who carries 'em. Have fun in your search for the perfect set up!
Welcome to TSD! This is the best wet shave board on the planet! Steve has got you pointed in the right direction so start with those links first. As for the TTO vs. 3 piece; both will get you to where you are going. I am starting to favor the 3 piece design over the TTO though...
Since you talk prices in BPS, I'm assuming you're in the UK. Connaught Shaving has some really good deals (unless you have to pay international shipping). Anything from Merkur, Feather, or Muhl would be a quality razor (so would DR Harris which is just a re-branded Muhl with a higher price). If you really want a Parker, I'd recommend sticking to a 3-piece in this brand as the level of quality complaints are much higher with the TTO models.
So confusing! Can't seem to find a 34C anywhere which seems to be the most recommended option for a newbie. How about a 23C?
I have a 23C, it shaves just fine, although I do prefer my Muhle R-106 and EJ DE89L to the Merkur 23C. It is also called the 180, Merkur has a funny numbering thing happening sometimes. It is a long handled razor that delivers a fine shave.
I have both a 91r and 99r. Mine are well built, big and heavy, nice finishes, easy to use and give great shaves. I will say that the 91r is aggressive, about a 8 or 8.5 on a scale of 1-10. The 99r is less aggressive, about a 7 or 7.5 on a scale of 1-10. I know Parkers have gotten a bad reputation in the past but it appears they are making progress in their quality control. I find the newer razors to be up there with the best as far as construction and finish. Just my .02 worth.
Merkur razors have two things that change in the non-adjustable models. 1) The head which is either standard / safety bar, open comb, or slant. I'd recommend sticking to the standard / safety bar option as a beginner. 2) The handle. This is just a matter of size and weight by your personnal preference. Yes, the 34C (HD) is the most popular, but it's nothing to get overly concerned about. If you're searching the archieves for advice, you'll find more Merkur recommendations as the the Muhl and Edwin Jagger (same head, different handles) razors where redesigned just a couple years ago and significantly improved by most accounts. Current opinion seems pretty split between the Merkur and Muhl/EJ razors, maybe a slight leaning toward the Muhl/EJ side. The Muhl heads are also a little milder, so might be better if you have really sensitive skin and don't have a super tough beard. Conversely, if your beard feels like barbed wire and your skin isn't overly sensitive, the Merkur would be the clear choice. Either way, don't let the confusion keep you from picking something and getting started. Any of the razors recommend to this point will work just fine and most will last a lifetime (even those that won't should last a couple decades).
Just pulled the trigger on a Merkur 23C. I did want to look at the 34C/HD but I couldn't find one anywhere. After reading many reviews of the 23C, it sounds like it's the same head with just a longer handle which will probably suit me going from a Gillette Fusion. Had a shave tonight and once again my skin is irritating quite a fair bit so I'm really looking forward to my first DE shave. In a few days I'll be putting in an order for a Badger brush to replace my synthetic brush which appears to be malting and fraying like an old toothbrush. I'll also go for a sample pack of blades and some lovely shaving cream. Can't wait!
I love my 91R. Like others, though, I have noticed a problem with uneven blade exposure. it seems to have gotten worse over time. Still, it's a solid razor. It has great weight and is just about aggressive enoug for me.
Thanks for the Info, I've gone for a Merkur as I've heard much better things about the quality over Parkers. Saying that, may go for a Parker one day @swarden43: ADs? Hopefully this isn't a stupid question, but is there a right and wrong way of putting the blade in the razor? I've seen a video of how to load a Merkur and it looks simple (although it's still a shame it's a 3 piece) but it doesn't seem to show whether there is a certain side of the blade that has to face upwards towards the head. Does it matter? I'm going to use the Merkur blades with my synthetic brush and supermarket brand shaving gel (please don't hurt me :ashamed001) and next week I'll put in an order for a blade sample pack and some soap or cream once I've decided which one. It's such a hard choice to make!
AD = Acquisition Disorder = the incessant need to add shave stuff to your den. There is no top or bottom of the blade; drop it in and shave. Use the shave gel if you must, but since you have a brush, go to the store and spend $4.00 and buy a puck of Williams and a puck of Van Der Hagen (see that is my AD kicking in right there.) Don't forget to enjoy the shave!
AD - acquisition disorder. There are various types: RAD - Razor AD SAD - Soap AD CAD - Cream BAD - Brush AD You get the idea. And soon you'll get the ADs. As for loading the blade, there is no "this side up". Some blades have numbers, but since some don't, I don't worry about it. Just make sure it sits even and everything is tightened down snug. Not gorilla-tight, mind you, but you don't want any kind of play in there that might cause some nasty cuts.
Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately to my knowledge I don't know of anywhere near me that sells good shaving gear so I either decide on some cream or I just pick some some at random although I'm currently looking at some lemon and lime TOBS cream from Connaught Shaving. My razor should be hear on Sat or Tues (Bank Holiday for us this Monday). I definitely have AD with many things as I've also got my eye on a vintage Gillette right now and I haven't even shaved with a DE before!
Shave Brush - If you're local Target happens to stock the brush they sell, it's the best bet locally. Otherwise, you're likely stuck with the servicable, but not much more Van Der Hagen brush sold at Wal-Mart and most drug stores. Shave Soap/Cream - If you live near a Rite-Aid, they stock The Real Shave Company creams which are made my the same company who makes Taylor's and might be the best bargain cream at $5. Other good choices are Van Der Hagen Deluxe or Select (Wal-Mart or drug store), C.O. Bigalow cream (Bath & Body Works), and The Body Shop Shave Cream. You might have a few others depending on where you live, but these are fairly common places to pick up good stuff.
I should add that I'm in the UK and the only places that would sell good shaving gear are possibly the Body Shop (as ChemErik said) and possibly Lush. I did get some shaving cream from them for Christmas but didn't quite know how to use it so didn't get anywhere near a good lather with it as I would get with cheap and nasty shaving cream. I've looked in supermarkets and I've only seen the usual Gillette stuff. Most likely going to order from Connaught as it's the only place I've found that also does blade samples.
Do you have a Boots Chemist nearby? If so I think you should be able to pick up some Boots Cool Cologne Lather Cream (careful, they have both a brush and brushless version), and possibly some of The Real Shaving Co. cream. Of course not being in the UK myself, this is just going by what I have read.
I will check out Boots later today. In the meantime, look what arrived this morning! A Merkur 23C with some spare blades, a styptic pencil and a cheap brush stand. Better pic of the razor: First impressions: Nice weight to the head (same as a 34C/HD I've read), looks gorgeous with a lovely grip but the handle isn't anywhere near as long as I thought which is great. Loading a blade was a doddle and I couldn't believe how thin and bendy the blades are. Just about to have a shower and my first DE shave. Wish me luck!
