What razor did you start out with?

First shave was with a Gillette SS, I do not remember what blade I used.

 

Another EJ89 shaver here - great starter razor as it's forgiving without being toothless (as an example, I couldn't get a decent shave out of a tech until my technique was sorted whereas the EJ had just enough bite to compensate for my cack handed efforts). Personna's were the first blades I really fell for but I tried an assortment until I found them. Despite owning a bunch of other razors I still use the EJ every week and get cracking shaves out of it.

 

I "started" with a black handled super speed. I bought it at Kroger (grocery store). I was a bag boy there making a pretty good 75 cents an hour plus tips. I bought it new, off the display. Blades were Gillette’s that came with the razor. Due to having to send it home my 1st hour of boot camp, I still have the razor (and a pair of orange, bell-bottomed corduroys and a paisley shirt) from 1970. The clothes shrunk horribly over the 35 years in my parent’s attic (not really but, God, I used to have a 29 inch waist). The razor was marginally affected by it storage, cleaned up perfectly, and a nice surprise.

It's still in my user group.

 

Lord L6 and quickly tossed it for an EJ89Lbl and did not really like it either. Well, I shouldn't say I didn't like it at all, becuase it was a beautiful razor and well made. I think the plates may have been just a tiny hair out of allignment, because it always irriated my skin after one or two passes. I really love my old Gillette's and I just recently got a vintage Merkur that is sooo mild and easy to use. Curious to see what my next favorite razor will be.

 

Beautiful collection of razors you have.

 

I started with a Schick Krona and it was all downhill from there! Rad set in and now I have several SSs a couple of Super Adjustables a couple of Injectors even a few old Gems

 

I started with a Merkur 38C and a sampler of blades with Tabac soap. I ended up liking the Feathers best out of that sampler. I have since discovered Polsilver blades and a Merkur Slant. I have recently started shaving with a straight razor, but if I use a DE that's what I go to.

 

'59 Fatboy

 

I started with a Murker CC and a Murker blade. As I recall the Murker blade didn't seem that bad

 

My very first safety razor was in fact an SE; the GEM 1912. Great little shaver.
My first DE came later, and that was a Mergress XL.

 

Used a Gillette Adjustable Black Handle for about 20 yrs with canned goo and store blades. Then about 4 yrs ago I jumped fully into wet shaving doing large stints with the Slim, Fat Boy, Red Tip, and Gems, while migrating into the New, EJ, and 37C, and now str8ts. I still use all of these on occasion, but mostly find myself using the EJ DE86, Gem Push Button, and 37C Slant.

 

41 Gillette Super Speed with heavy plate loss and Personna blades with normal, modern shaving cream - I thought it was cool, but this addiction goes so much deeper. I've also gotten a lot better set up now, but it was fun to learn with and I will break out that super speed every once in awhile.

 

'65 Slim Adjustable.

 

I started with the same razor for the same reason and had the same reaction. The handle is to long for me but it does give me great shaves and is still in the rotation. A great intro razor. For blades I started with a sample pack.

My first soap was Tabac, in hindsight this was a great soap to start with.

 

I started out with a Merkur 34C and Merkur blades. The shaves were awful with the Merkur blade, which was replaced a few days later with a Derby blade. The Derby + Merkur 34C was an outstanding combination, one of the very best I have ever used.

 

I started shaving with a Braun electric, later moved on to a Philips model. Never liked it as they pulled my hairs out more often than less. But it was easy and convenient.

My first wet was with a Gillette Mach3 Turbo. Expensive and not that good - I very often nicked myself and pushed the carts beyond bad due to price.

My first DE was Merkur 15C with Merkur blades. Awful blade but still better than earlier shaves. Loved it.

 

Lothar101, how do your other razors compare to the Krona? Were they significantly better or were you just wanting to try them all? I ask because I have a chance to buy a Krona in excellent condition. It was only $18 and I'm wondering if I should go back and pick it up.

 

Actually the Krona is an excellent shave although mild. I just wanted to try different ones. As of right now I've been shaving with single edge razors for the past 3 weeks or so.Best shave for me so far has been a Gem Damaskeene razor from around 1915 BBS shaves every time and no irritation or weepers

 

Methinks I'm going to pick up that Krona. I've spent more and gotten less.

 

I started out with the Weishi and Derby blades low cost entry.