And so I have discovered TSD!! Just one month ago, I strolled into a AOS shop to just "browse". That browse turned into a purchase of AOS cream, PUre badger brush, after shave balm and a Futur razor. I had no idea what I was doing! I started using the products with my usual Mach 3. ....very good shave. I kept staring at the Futur, not really knowing how to use it. Finally tried it and used it for 4 shaves. What misery. Ohhhh the blood. Went back to AOS and returned the razor. But....I still have the bug to use a DE its just that I dont know what is the proper razor to start with. I am looking at the products on this forum and hope to get a razor soon. Looking forward to obtaining a wealth of information from you all and this site. Bob
Welcome again there Bob! I see you sent a PM for that Tech in the classifieds, I hope you end up with it, it really is a great choice. What have you currently got for blades? A sample pack is always recommended to help you find the right one. West Coast Shaving and Connaught Shaving are 2 places to get some great sample packs if needed. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek help if you have troubles. Also don't be surprised if you end up with multiple razors. Most of all, enjoy your new hobby! :happy088
Welcome to TSD! I see Bill sent you a PM about a Tech...Techs are very nice, mild razors to start with. Also a Gillette NEW wouldn't be bad, Gillette Super Speeds are generally considered good starting places, or maybe a Gillette Adjustable (Slim, Fatboy, or Super) - although adjustables are sometimes advised to stay away from for newbies - my opinion is they're fine as long as you keep it set at on setting until you get some time under your belt. Those are all vintage razors, if you want to go with a new razor, Merkur, Parker, Weishi are the names I can think of off hand...The Merkur HD seems to be the most popular and are nice mild shavers (I tried one, but don't own one)... Good luck, welcome again, and don't be shy with questions!
Hi Bob. Welcome to the Den. You can't go wrong with the Tech as a starting place. The one you're looking at is not only extremely cool, it looks almost new (and the seller is a good guy). I've got mostly the same recommendations as Truckman, but I avoid newer razors. Some folks love them, I don't care much for them. SuperSpeed, Fat Boy, Super Adjustable, and Techs are my favorites, although I enjoy Gillette New, old style, and New Improved. I like Single Edge razors too - my favorite is the Pat'd 1912 GEM.
Hiya Bob, and welcome to this place, Actually, there really is no tried and true 'best first razor'. That's something you'll get a lot of different answers to, and all of em may be right.....heh. Believe it or not, (and you probably do by now), many razors will shave differently. There's mild ones, aggressive ones, and most are in between somewhere. The thing is, there's no real way of telling which one's gonna be your perfect razor....not till you try some. It's all a matter of comparing tools to ones used previously, and right now you're starting at zero. To me, a milder type such as a fixed head Tech or an adjustable set on a low number(like 3) will make the process a bit less uncomfortable than it can be. However, just about any razor will be fine to start with, since it's being used to learn your technique. Whichever one you decide on first will be used to compare your NEXT razor with.......heh. Yeah, that's how this works. For example, I started DE shaving using a blade that was bad for me. Of course, I didn't know that at the time, but have since learned that was the case. Still, I began to learn and refine my technique over a few week period, which was the goal. Yeah, the shaves were rough, but I was clueless as to what I was missing. Once I switched to a different type blade more suitable for me, the change was amazing and immediate! Right away I started getting more comfortable shaves, and I could actually feel the difference pretty well. The same is true for certain razors I've tried. Some will give me a rough shave, even with good technique and the right blades. I had to try a bunch of razors.........same as blades. I guess what I'm saying is that to truly get the most from this 'hobby', you're probably gonna have to travel down the rabbit hole a ways...heh. Pick a razor, and stay with it for 3-4 weeks before even considering trying another. Stay with the same blade also(try and avoid a Merkur or Feather). Whatever razor you decide on now will very possibly not be the one you end up loving the most. It's a start though.........don't say you weren't warned.....heh. Martin
Welcome to the Den. My first D/E was a Merkur 34C and I had a time trying to get good shaves with it. Bill recommended that I try a tech and it did marvels for me. I bought a fat handle tech not too long after that and that is the one razor that I can not live with out. I can shave well with the 34C but I just love my fat handled tech. I agree with Martin in that your favorite razor could be any type. But if you are bleeding from a Mach 3 then i would recommend starting with a tech and learn to use no pressure.
Welcome to the den! Oooohhhh...It's a shame about the Futur. A little practice, and you'd have all the razor you'll ever need. A Tech will serve you just fine, though. Enjoy yoru shaves!
Don't know anything about the future so I will not say about them. I do, however have a Tech at home and I love it. I think that its an excellent razor for a beginner, it was my first safety. Have you seen mantic59's videos on youtube?
Welcome! Come on in and have some fun. I would also recommend checking out mantic59's videos on youtube. Some fantastic info there that will be very helpful. Many have mentioned the Tech razor as a starter. It's a great razor and could be all you'll ever need, they are that good. That said, I have a Gillette slim adjustable for you if you would like. It's a shaver, not a looker but works well. Just drop me a PM.
