I am getting ready to buy my first DE razor. I guess I do not know how to decide which one to go with. Is there a good beginner razor? How do yiou decide the handle length? I have many more questions and I will do a lot of searching this forum tonight but any advice would be great!
Firstly Welcome! A lot of people, including myself will recommend; Merkur HD(I started with one about 6months ago) Vintage Gillette Also, I have been hearing a lot of good things about Weishi's, but haven't tried one so I cannot recommend for or against. A couple people around here have started with Parker 22R and seem to have liked it, but there are some mixed reviews about the build quality of the razor. That said, there is no right or wrong and everyone will like something different. So, jump on in and try whatever gives you a tingle. If you buy something you absolutely hate; you can probably find someone who wants to buy it from you over in the classifieds.
The problem is that there are many good razors you could start with, even if you stick with just the DE ones. The first DE razor I had good results with was a Merkur 23C, also sold as the 180 long handle. That, and most of the Merkur 3 piece razors would be good. I've also read good things about the Muhle and Edwin Jagger models. By reputation, I'd say that the Merkur Slant models are probably not good beginner razors, and their adjustable models are a bit pricey. If you would like to try a vintage razor, then the three piece Gillette Tech or the Twist To Open Super Speeds are both excellent. I also like the Schick Krona, the only double edged model that Schick made. You might want to check the Classifieds forum here, as Nick already mentioned, or look in the Shave Den store. Buying on eBay can work out fine, but it's a little iffier. Often the sellers know nothing about razors, and haven't spotted problems with what they're selling, and other buyers may bid the price up higher than it needs to be. Also, if you go that way, you'll want to ask some questions about cleaning a vintage razor, or maybe there's an FAQ for that; I'll have to look. Yes, just jump in. On the whole, I'd say you won't go far wrong with any Merkur, and if you do find something else you like, it never hurts to have a second razor, although you may not want to go as far as some of us around here. [Edit] Oh, you asked about handle length. Some people do prefer a longer handle, around 4 inches, which is like the cartridge razors they're used to. Shorter handles work fine too, unless perhaps you have really big hands. Really a matter of taste. And don't overlook the reviews section here, with member reviews on many razors that you might consider.
Vintage, Merkur, or Edwin Jagger. I really like my Weishi also, but they've had some recent quality issues. Just pick one and go for it. If you go vintage, I recommend getting one from the BST forum here or a local antique shop rather than ebay.
Thanks for the help everybody! I am still trying to figure it out I think I may go with a Merkur as that is what is catching me the most so far but you never know!
razor hi billr gillette tech ,nice easy razor, merkur good too1904 would be a good choice,gillette ss blue tip. fs
I am down to three choices I thought I would go with a Merkur HD for sure - but not sue I can swing the price right now. So I might go with a nice Super Speed if I can find one or I might go with a Weishi. Not sure I want my budget to drive me into buying a razor that I might not like. I read a lot af reviews on the Weishi and found them go to both ways although most of them agreed that it would be a good one for newbies. Still thinking on it! Bill
I would stay away from the Weishi.. Its a good beginners razor but that whats it it - IMHO.. A beginners shaver.. As soon as you get confident in what youre doing Ill guess you want a "better" razor.. I would suggest you save a few extra bucks and start with a Merkur or Edwin Jagger instead.. Those are keepers.. The Weishi is not as I see it..
Seconding the motion to stay away from the Weishi. I had one briefly. It is so mild, that it barely shaves hair; and I like mild razors I shave with a Gillette Tech most of the time. I found it to basically be worthless, as it would require extra passes to accommodate the fact it is so mild. It also rattles when the doors are closed, which points to underlying shoddy construction. If you want a new razor, that is budget minded, take a look at the Ming Shi ($12.99 @ shaveabuck.com), or a Lord Tech ($6.00 @ shaveabuck.com). Both of these are far better razors that the Weishi, and built fairly well.
You could also look at the feather portable, Pauldog was selling those quite cheaply (over on B&B) I paid $10usd posted to me for one in Australia from him, and it's a fine shaver! Alternatively, a tech would also be a good choice. Personally however, I managed to get my hands on a fatboy, and never looked back!
Billr First of all, welcome to the Den A Tech or a SuperSpeed will get you started and serve you well as a travel razor when you've saved enough for the HD. As for the HD, I've never used one, so I can only say that it seems to be well spoken of by people who have. Best Regards, goshawk
I'll throw in another suggestion for the Feather Portable from pauldog. It only cost me $8.50 shipped to Chicago and it is a wonderful shaver. It is, however, a bit more aggressive than a Weishi and I wouldn't recommend the blades that come with it for a beginner; they're very, very sharp. Like many others here, the Weishi was my first DE razor. The Feather Portable was my second, and I haven't looked back since getting it. I was doing 3-4 passes with the Weishi and the Feather Portable has that down to two passes. Probably the best $8.50 I've spent on just about anything.
I don't have the level of issues with the Weishi many here have had, but still don't recommend one. They've had recent quality issues and it's not clear yet if they're an isolated thing or a long term problem.
Save yourself later angst and get an adjustable right now. You can start at 1 which is like most other DE razors such as the Merkur. And once you are comfortable you can ratch it up and up. One razor becomes many.
Like many people, it took a lot of passes for me to get a decent shave with a Weishi. However, my technique has, I think, improved since then. Also, I was using Merkur blades when I started out, and I've wondered if the Weishi might be better with Feathers. I'll get around to trying it one of these days. Yes, the Feather Portable is another good, inexpensive alternative, and if you buy something else later, you can use it as your travel razor. Whatever you buy, figure on some degree of buyer's remorse later. Even if your first razor works fine, you'll read about something else that seems like it might be better. You don't have to succumb to razor acquisition disorder (RAD), but the danger is there.
IMHO, the Weishi and Feather are a terrible combination. But, nearly feather sharp blades such as Astra Superior Plat. and Gillette 7 O'Clock varieties work very well for me.
Well I think for my first DE razor I have decided to go with a good Superspeed. Now to just find one that is in good shape! Thanks for all for you good suggestions. Bill
Good Choice I started in this wetshaving adventure about a week ago and have had three shaves so far. My Razor is a 1954 superspeed i was able to pick up off of ebay for less than $8 shipped. it does a very good job for me, although i am on the look out for a Gillette Slim so i can try it out and try the settings to see what i like or what works the best for me.
