I just started a couple months ago and went with a vintage super speed, love it so far and just like the appeal of the old razors. I like vintage stuff though, cars and all sorts of stuff. Just my 2 cents though. Happy shaving!
The Lord is good, but an even better cheap razor is the Feather Popular. It goes for about $19, last time I checked. On sale for $3.49 is a very cheap plastic razor that is very mild but does it's job, the Supermax Kwik http://shoeboxshaveshop.com/supermax-kwik-safety-razor.html. I disagree that vintage razors can have more problems. I have had many and had zero problems and 3 pieces aren't any more difficult to load than 1 or 2 piece razors. A piece of cake.
Try vintage, Try modern. Can't go wrong either way. See what you prefer as to how they feel in your hand and how they shave. Easy to sell what you don't wish to keep. I have owned many vintage razors, but have held onto mainly the modern DE razors.
Here's where I'd like to repeat a previous statement, that any sort of advice request will eventually yield every possible response. I like the vintage route. (Disclaimer : I've never used a modern DE.) The vintage razors are just as good as new ones. You do have to check for damage, but you should also inspect a new razor as well. I'll agree with lindyhopper that I've had several pass through my hands and not had a problem, other than the notorious cracked handle on a 1921 Gillette Old. My recommendation is the Super Speed; they're just solid and functional. Yes, YMMV, but that's my M.
I own mostly new razors, but also have a vintage Gillette NEW OC. My personal experience with the Gillette has not been as good as my modern razors. However, I will not judge all vintage razors by my experience with one particular model. I still have plans to score a Slim Adjustable some day- as I've heard nothing but good things about them. There is something inherently cool about shaving with an heirloom. My case for modern razors is two-fold. First, you're helping the economy more by purchasing something that is currently in production. There are great all-stainless steel razor manufacturers who are producing some of the most high quality razors ever made. If you live in the States, you can keep your money here, help out a small business, and end up with a fantastic razor that will last a lifetime. This brings me to my second point. Your modern all-stainless razor will eventually be an heirloom as well, only the first story behind it will be yours! I find this about as cool as using a razor that is already "vintage." All of this is to say, you really can't go wrong either way. Both modern and vintage razors will give you a lifetime of good shaves.
Since a safety razor, the blade and "YOUR" face all need to get along together for you to get "Excellent, Smooth,Irritation free shaves" and be happy, there is "NO" wrong choice, only the better/best choice for you...Unfortunately/fortunately depending on how you look at it the only way to know what works best "for you" is to try it and compare it against others.. That said I'd like to give you my opinion(just as a starting point) on the various safety razor levels if you will, from cheapest to best (I.M.O) order... Cheapest: Lord,Yuma,Weishi,Rapid etc are examples of cheap, usually foriegn, inexpensively made razors..Unless your very careful and have good luck your probably not going to pass any of these razors on as heirlooms..That said these razors can still give good shaves for very affordable prices... MidLevel: Edwin Jagger,Muhle,Merkur,Sabi,Cadet etc. are examples of the mid range level of razors....While the "fit and finish" is usually much better than the cheaper razors, as is customer service, and while costing more, the materials and often the shave quality (smoothness/closeness/comfort which is always subjective) is often times the same(no better or worse) than the cheaper razors... HighEnd: This gets into your more expensive models,Weber, iKon,Tradere,ATT etc they are usually made of stainless steel..While craftsmanship, materials and certainly price are upgraded in these models, shave quality (smoothness/closeness/comfort) is still subjective...I.M.O. the attractiveness and appeal of these razors "in large part" comes from the use of stainsteel steel in their manufacture, also many are made in America!! Vintage: Mostly Gillette DE, but also Gem, EverReady SE's, Shick Injectors etc...This group contains I.M.O. razors of the highest quality "CRAFTSMANSHIP" and "BEST" materials...However as they are no longer made and are sold by individuals in the secondary market(B/S/T, ebay,antique stores) the prices can vary "GREATLY" and can be "VERY" volitile at times based on collector interest, rather than just manufactoring and shaving quality!! So at least in part based on the buyers knowledge(always ask ALOT of questions about condition) and willingness to search for bargains, these razors can represent both the "BEST" and "WORST" safety razor deals out there..... Vintage safety razors like the Gillette Fat Handle Tech,SuperSpeed,Aristocrat or Schick Korona, just to name a few, I.M.O. represent the "HIGHEST" quality materials and "BEST"crafted safety razors ever made and are "STEALS" for under $20-$50 depending on the model (YOU "MUST" DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!) And so after that "TEDIOUS" explanation I.M.O. the safest choice,most variety and best deals are to be found in the MidLevel section of safety razors...The prices in general are very afforable, the quality is acceptable and there is a large selection of models/types to choose from...
Update: I decided to go with the EJ 89lbl and the EJ Best Badger with a blade sampler. It's on the way and I can't wait to get started.
"GREAT" choice, good for you...I think you'll be happy with the EJ, I know I was....The 89 has a "GREAT" shave head!! My only knock on the EJ89 was the handle.. Mine was a gift and came with the completely smooth (bl) handle...Looks real pretty, but it was just too slick for me with wet soapy hands...An easy fix since most 3 piece handles will interchange, I just tried some other handles(Gillette tech Fat Handle,Sabi T2,Cadet,Parker97,griestshaving GS1, Durham Duplex and finally the one I went with the Weber BullDog)....
C'mon in! The water's fine. Just watch out at that end of the pool, 'cuz there's a waterfall. If you go over the edge, you're a goner! Hey!... what did you NOT like about the Parker razor? I started with a Parker (which I didn't like!) and switched to a milder Weishi. Many months later, I dug out the Parker and tried it again. My technique had improved enough that I got a pretty good shave out of it. That experience prompted me to read all the posts on mild vs. aggressive razors. Yep, that's when I went over the edge — no barrel, no nothin' — just a straight drop over RAD Falls. A couple of the best tips I have seen for new addicts: 1. Set a fixed budget amount for your addiction and stick to it. (Does this need explanation?) 2. Because you will be receiving a stream of goodies, make sure to include something nice "for her" every so often. I found that SWMBO was initially delighted with my super smooth face, but the shine wore off of that real quick. She now expects me to have a smooth face (though doesn't mind if I skip a day or seven!) and wants me to schedule my shave time well away from her routine. <sigh> I couldn't get her to switch to the sharp side. Welcome and enjoy!
In all honesty my issues with the parker were probably due to poor technique and/or blade selection (Merkur). Now that my technique has improved and I have acquired a greater blade selection, I'll probably give the Parker another try.
Oh, and yes, I already took a swan dive off RAD Falls and landed on no money rocks. Lesson learned. No current SWMBO, so I at least didn't have to deal with that.
My first was a EJ 89, very nice razor, not ready to try anything else, except a sharper blade on my head
If you are on a really tight budget, this is for you. $9.99 and five blades to start with. Feels much like shaving with a vintage Gillette Super Speed, but won't bend/break if you drop it in the sink. I've given 2 of these as gifts. Both recipients are still shaving with them almost a year later and both claim they are a very nice, comfortable razor. Watch this too:
Interesting how many of us started with the EJ DE89. Mine was the EJDE89L and the 89 might just be the razor you end up using for years as it's a really solid (and beautiful) razor. I 'strayed' from it as I wanted something more aggressive, but all that is very subjective. Good luck.
I started shaving this year with the EJ89 and it is a great razor but I got bit by the RAD bug and now have a Flare tip, Fatboy and a Toggle. I love the shave I get with the Fatboy and the Toggle but the Flare tip shaves as good as the EJ and to be honest if I had to pick just one I would be hard pressed to make a choice. GOOD LUCK .... Resistance is futile!!!
