Hi All, I've decided to take the leap into the safety razor world but need a little advice. I've been reading around for a few weeks now and have decided to go with the following kit: Edwin Jagger Pure Badger Brush Tabac Original Soap 1 pack of Derby & 1 pack of Feather blades However, I can't decide which razor to go with between the Merkur HD34C or the Merkur HD38C Barber Pole. I read good things about both but I think I would like the extra weight of the 38C (even thought I'm coming from plastic disposables) and also the longer handle might suit me better, but I really can't decide. I guess I'm asking if there is any particular reason I would get one over the other. My skin is quite sensitive, but not overly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, what do the numbers 34/38/39 actually represent and also the letters C/D etc...? Thanks everyone!
I would definitely start with a best badger brush or in the case of Shavemac a finest, most pures are scratchy , with the exception of a Rooney pure I have. I find my Omega boars are more comfortable than a pure. I started with a Omega pure and it worked really well for creams and soaps. But when I used other bagder grades I really FELT a difference in comfort .If you think you are going to be a soap user Omega boars work wonderful for me and certain badgers are definitely more for soap use than others. This morning I used a Rooney 3/1 , works well with soaps but sucks with creams. I really like my HD but I have very small hands so big razors I didn't think would be to my liking . I got a long handle Merkur classic and really enjoy the handle length. If you have big hands I would think the long handle would be easier to use. Weight wise I like heftier razors. Tabac is a good soap especially handy in its own bowl. I like the scent and the cologne and aftershave are better than the soap YMMV. Only problem with the soap is its a tad drying but overall ,very good , has legions of slaves. Reading the forums, a lot of guys have a disturbing love for Tabac soap.
Ah. I bought the Merkur 34 C/ HD/ 178 et cetera, et cetera. I'm happy with it but I'm thinking the handle is a mite short for my mitts. (I have used long-handled Bic Sensitive disposables and became accustomed to them.) I'm thinking of going with the 38 C/ barber pole for the longer handle. Bearing in mind that the shave heads are identical, I believe I'd like the 38 C even better. When I switched to DE (the $20 Feather was my first) I let the gorilla in the next bedroom over try it. He fell in love. It was taking him something like 30 minutes every time he shaved; he has a beard-type like a Chasidic rebbe. I bought him a Weishi as an early b'day gift and he's very happy. I'm thinking of giving him the HD and getting that 38 C for myself. He has smaller hands than I; if he likes what he has now, he will prolly go ape over the new one. Think about the size and shape of your hands before taking the plunge. That's the one bit of advice I can give, newbie-to-newbie. Good luck!
I believe they have the same razor head with different handles. Go with the handle you like best. There will be a difference in weight, too. Go with the weight you want. As for the numbers and letters- I don't think there's any real significance. I believe they're just the model designation.
Mike's right on the numbers being model designation. The C means it is a chrome finish. A G means is is a gold finish.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and advice, I finally decided to go for: Merkur HD 38C Edwin Jagger Pure Badger Tabac Original Soap 10x Feather blades 10x Astra Superior Platinum blades 10x Derby 1x Merkur (free with the razor) These were all delivered today from the traditional shaving company. Not a bad kit to start out with I think. The razor was about £4 more expensive than I found anywhere else, but the soap was £4 cheaper than anywhere else, so it balanced it out.. I can't wait to give them a go tomorrow, hopefully I won't lose too much blood...
Me thinks so too! Although I was shocked at the SUPER cheap box the razor came in! The brush arrived in a lovely dark blue, thick, textured cardboard box whereas the razor came in a box that looked more like it was for a set of very cheap playing cards... :S Ah well.. never mind.
Yeah, and try to buy a reasonably-priced case for your new pride-and-joy! I bought a cheap plastic case for a soap bar and will fill it with foam I have. Voila! Custom-made!
I used a Feather for my first DE shave. It came with the razor, fercrine out loud! Thing is, I'd already read up enough to understand what I was getting into; I took it to heart. I was extremely careful every pass I made. And I was rewarded with a BBS result. No nicks, slices, divots, weepers, no blood drawn at all. Caution and respect for the rep Feathers have earned equaled an apparently rare good first shave. :happy088 I'm working my way through the small agglomeration of blades I stack in the medicine chest, but I'm not as scared as I might have been! These forums are a big help to the tyro wet-shaver. I'm lucky to have found others of my kind!
