Hey All, I need some advice and suggestions on a de safety razor. I am still new to the de razor world and need some help. I bought a Parker -Gun Metal Finish de razor and need to know if I need to stick with this or upgrade to another and maybe a little better razor? I can't believe the finish has flaked off in a very tiny spot....showing the brass.....in only a few weeks use. I'd like to have a quality razor to use and have as a guide-line. One that I can compare and say or think .....its better than what I have ...or my razor is better than that. Quality and a good shave is what I'm looking for......did I mention quality. So....back to the topic. What would you all recommend or suggest I buy, double edge, preferably a twist and the top opens(butterfly open) under $50.00, if possible. I didn't know about this website until...AFTER....my Parker purchase. Thanks!!! Cohiba Sorry if a lot of the words are mis-spelled. I have a new 4g phone and it retypes a lot of my print. It even changes the entire word.....just love this phone....NOT.
Check out this link. You're going to get a ton of different answers, none of which will be wrong. People are offering what works for them. Best to do is try what they recommend, then make your own decisions. The great thing is is that if you buy a razor you don't like, it will be very easy to sell or trade it here at the Den and find another razor to try. If you do like the one you get, great! Now you're ready for your next one!!
I honestly think if you get away from the TTO, you can get a much higher quality razor for the $. I had the same misconception when I first started too. There are some REALLY fine 2 and 3 piece razors out there that are just as easy to use as a TTO. Other than finding a vintage Gillette TTO, there is the Merkur Vision but that is most certainly >$50. Other than that are the Chinese and Indian stuff like Parker, but you get the same qyuality. If, however, you are interested in a 2 or 3 piece, I would whole heartedly recommend the EJ DE 89L. It is a fine instrument of whisker whaking destruction, and is face friendly to boot. Amazon. $28 shipped. Best of luck to you.
EJ89L or Merkur HD would be my reccomendations. Out of curiosity why does it need to be TTO? If you have to go that route, then I'd say find a Schick Krona or a super speed of some sort.
Don't forget.....the new guy.....me.....needs names along with model numbers. Also, cut down on abbreviations.....still new, so I don't know the lingo.....yet!!! TTO....top loader? It doesn't have to be a top/butterfly opener/loader.....I'm open for suggestions!! Thanks for the quick responses and please keep more coming!!!! Cohiba
Given the cost limit (which is reasonable) and desire for high quality and a TTO, I'd recommend a vintage Gillette. For the price you could get a Super Speed, or an Adjustable model (slim, super, or Fatboy). If you go with a newly made razor, I think you'd be happier with a 2 or 3 piece design under your constraints, some good models have already been recommended.
I'd just buy what I like the looks of. As everyone has different opinions on what is a good razor. The performance of a razor has really no correlation to the cost. Truthfully, in a year or so you most likely will acquire a few dozen different razors. So just buy what catches your eye.
+1 on the vintage Super Speed from eBay. My first razor was a Parker 82R and I didn't like it very much. After that I bought a SS and it was great. It works really well for me. The SS is not only in your price range, but you'll get a great shave out of it as well. I think it's a great beginner and advanced user razor.
I have an extra Schick Krona you can have, it's in fine condition. Send me a pm if your interested in it. You need to get in touch with me today as it will be going in the grab box tomorrow morning when I meet up with stingray.
Cohiba, the Krona is a good razor. I would suggest you take up Williams Warrior's fine offer before it goes in the grab box!
Too late, it's in the box. I put 2 in there so maybe he can get in touch with Jeff/Stingray and have him pull 1 out, and send him money for shipping and boxing, before Jeff takes the box Monday to the post.
I yanked a Krona from the box. Waiting on an addresss. The Krona is a good shaver, under appreciated I think.
Way to go Jeff!! Come on Cohiba, I know your out there somewhere. We've got your answer, just waiting for you to respond.
I just started... and my first DE is a Merkur 38C. Did a lot of lurking before I made a purchase and I'm glad I did. I have no complaints with the 38C. It has a great fit and finish; and I'm getting great shaves. To each his own, but I'm very happy with my choice FWIW. Cheers!
I'm with Newb grab the one the looks that best to you and that you want to use, thats the only criteria I've used with razors. If you stick with reputable brands like Merkur, Edwin Jagger, Ikon , Bobs Razor Works,etc. you can't go wrong. The issue with Parker is that forum opinions have always been split. Some say in the past they had quality control issues , some say not , some say thats a thing of the past and like their current offerings. With opinion split on them I've always been a bit wary.
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION (not everybody will agree) Vintage Gillettes, like the Gillette Super Speed, are slowly getting overpriced for their what they are really worth, mainly because many people collect them. For instance, many shavers buy the model made the same year as they were born : their "anniversary" razor That said, they are good performers. The Gillette Rocket, the Gillette Aristocrat, the Gillette Super Speed and the adjustable Gillette Slim and Gillette Fatboy are all good choices if you can get them at a bargain price and in good condition. The Edwin Jagger DE89L (or it's twin, the Muhle R89) is a beautiful razor. The best chrome finish you can find, and a head to suits most shavers. It's the razor that gets the most good reviews. Dovo Merkur is the most well known brand in the world. The finish of their razors is not as pretty as the Edwin Jaggers/Muhles. Their Heavy Duty razors (HD) inspired many clones. The Merkur 34C, the Merkur 38C and the adjustable Merkur Progress are often recommended. Their latest models (Merkur Vision and Merkur Futur) are a little too big and mechanically too complicated. The aggressive Merkur 39C Slant is not recommended for beginners as it requires perfect technique. The new Lord LP1822L is a very affordable (10$), very forgiving razor. It's not well known yet and often mistaken with the older LP1822. The new model has a Merkur type head, while the previous model had a Gillette Tech type head. The finish of the razor is awful, but the performance is often described as superior to the vintage Gillettes and the contemporary Merkurs/Edwin Jaggers. It's the exact opposite of the 39C Slant. Other brands offer razors with not as good quality/price ratios. They are either too cheaply made (Parker, Weishi...) or too pricey (Goodfella, Joris, Feather All Stainless Steel). Still you will find people liking them. All razors can be viewed as only blade holders. If you haven't tried Feather or Personna Medical Prep blades, you are missing something. They can turn an ordinary razor into an exceptional shaving instrument. Finally, no matter how cheap or how well made is a razor, it's the razormanship (skill/technique) of the shaver that is the ultimate factor.
