Best safety razor for a noob?

Check your local thrift stores, or antique shops if you decide to try vintage DE's. Yesterday I picked up a 1954 Gillette Superspeed, and two Flare Tips for a total of $25.00.

 

I also started with the RazorRoock Mission from the Italian barber. I routinely use it and it's great. There's a new kid on the block: DeFitch DF 91 that's an absolute steal for about $15. There's a number of reviews a few days back in the razor section. I've been using one since Thanksgiving, and really enjoy the way it shaves. These are good options to see if a de will work for you without breaking the bank

 

about open comb info. I sometimes wish there was a way to completely erase that "all open combs are aggressive" myth.

 

LOTS of great advice so far in this thread ...

+1 for EJDE89, +1 for merkur 23c, +1 for vintage gillette super speed
+1 for tryablade.com's Top 10 Blade Sampler
+1 for the 30 Day Focus

have fun, and enjoy your shave!

 

All good recommendations here, so I'll only pile on to say that whatever you end up buying for a first razor, stick with it for a few weeks before getting tempted by all of the other options out there. And believe me, you will get tempted. The experience you gain by mastering your first razor will pay dividends with any others you pick up in the future.

 

+1

 

Or if you do start getting new stuff devote at least 2 or 3 weeks per new razor so you can learn it well enough to enjoy it.

 

You are correct. The Merkur 41c "1904" is a very mild open comb razor. I've also heard the Maggard OC is mild.

 

+1

 

I use a Gillette Atra handle with generic Atra blades that the seller clams Schick makes. I get really great head shaves. 36 blades for $9.99 on eBay.

 

I have a Gillette vector which I use CVS twin pivot plus cartridges which are atra knockoffs I also use them in my headblade atx with adaptor. They are great but your deal sounds better, do you have a link?

 

Starting with a Tech or Super Speed would make the most economic sense if your not real sure about the DE road.

 

These are some mild safety razors I have used and enjoyed. All these razors are available, affordable and when paired with the correct blade fully capable of BBS shaves.
Gillette "FAT" handle tech
EJ89
Merkur 37C
Parker 97R
Star tech...

Gillette SuperSpeed TTO's are also well made inexpensive razors, but I don't get good shaves from them.
Don't forget a large blade sample pack. The more different blades you can try the better.

 

Here's the seller on eBay sorry I couldn't get a link. You can also get smaller quantities to try out.
They ship pretty fast, I like the cartridges, I can get 5-6 shaves easy per cart.

 

Thank you RaZorBurn123!

 

I found the seller on the bay and he still has the same great deal! Thank you RaZorBurn123

 

Thanks for explaining that to me, PLANofMAN.

You guys have provided a lot of great feedback here, and I really appreciate that. I have some thinking to do before I invest in my first DE safety razor, but the EJDE 89, the Merkur 37C, or the Gillette SuperSpeed seem like my top candidates right now with the SuperSpeed being the front runner based on reviews I've read and the cost.

I'm still a little confused on some of the terminology used when talking about DE safety razors. Can someone explain what it means for a razor to be aggressive vs mild? Is it safe to assume that a more "mild" razor is better for a beginner?

Thanks for all the replies and recommendations, everyone. I appreciate the help.

 

Mild razors have less blade gab and/or blade exposure then more aggressive razors. Some people like one so.e like the other. It's much easier(and safer) for beginners to start on a mild and go more aggressive. That's why adjustables were suggested a few times. You can start low and adjust up as your skill level increases and then find your ideal setting that gives you close but not too close. A super speed is a great choice and one of my first razors. It still gets used as my touch up razor after a straight razor or a shavette. It's one of my easiest shaves requiring no effort to get baby butt smooth shaves.

I cant remember if you said what blades you are thinking of but I would suggest tryablade.com and their top 10 sampler. Get 2 and shave 3 days with each blade then change to the other packs blade so 6 days a blade. Should Las you about 2 months. When you find one you like buy a months worth and Chang nothing I your shave except aftershaves. That will help you master that razor, blade, soap and brush combo. After that change it up some but give all new gear at less 30 days to learn it. All soaps lather differently, all brushes work slightly different, all razors shave different with different angles. Learn what you have and you may not need to chase the next "best" thing.

 

Auto correct hates my fingers on this little phone keyboard.