Best in Class

Yeah, we talk about this a lot. But opinions and preferences can change over time and I find it interesting to hear the reasons why.

If it helps make the decision less painful, post your top 2 in each class. If I leave out a class of razor, feel free to add it to your own rundown...

 

I don't have choices in each, but here they are for what it is worth…

SE: no choice here
Injector, non-adj: no choice here
Injector, adj: no choice here
Cartridge: no choice here

DE, non-adj:
1. Mühle R41 —my favorite DE by far, esp. the 2011 version; aggressive, well-engineered, good weight;
2. Gillette fat-handle Tech — smoothest vintage I've used; plain jane but what a timeless razor!

DE, adj:
1. Merkur Futur — Good size, efficient, can be cranked open to hyper-aggressive; well-designed
2. Gillette Model 195 — love the weight, compactness of this model

 

Hmmm...

SE: no choice..
Injector: Schick L-Series
Injector Adjustable: PAL

DE: Maggard Razors MR3 or Gillette Senator
DE Adjustable: Gillette Super Adjustable 109

Runner ups: Merkur 41C 1904 OC, Gillette Adjustable "Fat Boy", Gillette Adjustable "Slim"

 

SE: Gem Featherwight
DE: Slim adjustable
Injector : Adjustable

The trouble is, the blade choice makes such a difference

 

DE R41-2013

 

I can only vote on DEs, but with my limited experience

DE non adj 1 - 37c
DE non adj 2 - NEW LC
DE adj - Fatboy

 

SE
Cobra Classic
GEM Lather Catcher

DE non adjustable
2011 R41
ATT H1 plate

DE adjustable
Futur

 

SE:
1. Ever-Ready Streamline
2. Pre-1919 merger 1912 Damaskeene

Injector, non-adj:
1. Schick Hydro-Magic
2. Schick G8

Injector, adj:
1. Schick
2. Schick

DE, non-adj:
Pass

DE, adj:
Pass

Cartridge (why not):
1. Wilkinson Bonded
2. Trac II

 

As far as my experience goes (which is not that far)

SE:

1. Gem OCMM
2. Star 1912

DE non-adjustable:

1. British Gillette Aristocrat Junior
2. British Gillette Ball End Tech

DE adjustable:
none (never tried)

Injector

1. Schick G1 (if I recall correctly - used it a few times, great quality shaves, but balance not to my liking - PIF-ed along)

 

SE:
1. GEM Junior (It's the only SE I've ever used, but I get great shaves from it and really like it.)

Injector, non-adj:
1. Schick G8
2. Schick E2

Injector, adj:
1. Schick Adjustable M2
2. Pal

DE, non-adj:
1. Edwin Jagger DE89L (I love this razor so much that I got rid of all other non-adj DEs.)

DE, adj:
1: Gillette Slim (It's the only adjustable DE I've ever used.)

I use the Schick Adjustable and EJ DE89 almost exclusively. I will ocassionally use another razor, but not often.

 

Se
Gem Open Comb Micromatic

Injectors
Yet to try

DE Non- adj.
1. Pils DE
2. Gillette Flair Tip Superspeed

DE ADJ.
1. Gillette Slim
2. Black Beauty

 

Don't like SE or injectors and I use a SR but if I were to need to use a DE it would be a Gillette Slim. I have 5 to choose from

 

Here goes:
SE;
EVER-READY 1924 shovelhead(Favorite)
EVER-READY Streamline (UK)
GEM 1912
GEM Pushbutton

DE non-adjustable TTO;
Gillette 47-51 Aristocrat

DE adjustable TTO;
FatBoy
Slim
Super Adjustable(short handle)

DE three piece and two piece non-adjustable,
Weber DLC w/BullDog handle
EJ89 w/ Weber BullDog handle
Gillette Fat Handle Tech
Merkur 34C

Injector;
Schick early E type, where bottom jaw can be opened for cleaning and blade removal

Cut Throat Straight;
No Choice, I'm just too old and lazy to learn proper honing and shaving technique. If absolutely necessary I can shave with one, but I don't find the shave enjoyable and they all hurt me...

 

SE
1-Schick E3
2-1912

DE
1-LC New
2-Tech

Straight
Boker
Genco

 

not necessary to list straights as this post is in the Safety Razor section.

 

Sorry, BaconLord. Instinct

 

I mean, there's nothing wrong with listing them— I love straights—but just trying to keep some form of delineation between the two sections.

 

DE: Merkur 41c 1904 OC

 

SE:
1. MMBT
2. MMCP

Injector, non-adj:
1. Schick I Hydro-Magic
2. Schick L

Injector, adj:
1. Schick
2. Schick

DE, non-adj:
Gillette NEW SC
Merkur 37C

DE, adj:
Slim
Fatboy

Cartridge (why not):
1. Trac II
2. Pass

 

Based on my limited experience:

SE:

1. Pass
2. Pass

DE 2/3/4 piece:

1. Merkur 34C
2. Gillette Pre-war Fat Handle Tech with triangular slots

DE TTO non-adjustable:

1. 1940s Super Speed
2. Schick Krona

DE TTO adjustable:

1. Gillette "195" Fatboy
2. Gillette Slim Adjustable

Injector:

1. Pass
2. Pass