Hi All, I'm new to TSD and i'm looking at reducing my razor bumps by going the DE route. My parents have an old black handle SS from the 70s. Is this a good first razor to start out with? Should I look at getting something heavier? It seems really light and I may need to apply pressure to get it to cut well. Any thoughts?
Those black handled SS have a reputation for being mild. It would probably make a good starter razor. If you're looking for something with more weight, you might look at Merkur's product line (esp. the 34c also known as the HD). I'd suggest you try the razor you've got at hand and see if it works for you. Folks around here can help you find what you need once you figure out what you like.
Agreed, it'd be a decent starter... and what he also neglected to mention is that people here are a bunch of dirty, vicious enablers who will have you spending on all sorts of fancy paraphernalia :happy102 Seriously though, get some decent blades, make sure that SS is clean & disinfected, and give it a go. Welcome to The Shave Den PS. Definitely read up on tips & guides here for doing good beard prep, choosing a good soap or cream, and making proper lather. Going the DE path has brought lot of joy and comfort to shaving for me and so many others here. I hope with a little time and practice it does for you too!
:sihns011 Don't let his nickname fool you, Mike knows what he 's talking about. Kerlo, what say you jump over to the newbie section and give yourself a proper introduction? I'm sure that lots of friendly guys and gals will come out and give you a warm welcome.
if you need blades, please ask. a few of us around here have surplus blades we will give away to new folks.
that is a very capable razor. it is mild, perfect for someone just getting started...heck, I just used mine last night, and I might add that that thing has some good grip, too! I do prefer all-metal handles, but that coating on the black handled razors does help when you have soapy fingers. pair it with a good blade (almost anything besides Merkur blades...Merkur razors = good, Merkur blades = you'd_rather_use_a_weedeater) Wal-Mart personnas should do fine, or if you have a Dollar General nearby, sometimes you can find the store branded Personnas with a silver sticker on back that says "Made in Israel", those are a bit better, in my opinion. Do check in and intro yourself, and I might suggest buying a blade sampler pack, because everyone's different on what they like Howdy from Texas, and Welcome to The Den!
Thanks for the advice guys! I made an intro post here: http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?p=261582
Light razors work just as well as the heavy ones and you definitely do not need to apply pressure. That's the fast route to razor burn. Take it slowly and gently.
Thanks for the tip. I was wondering about that. So if they work just as well as the heavy ones, don't the heavy ones not cut better/faster?
I have a 1967 black handle super speed and I like it.Yes,its a light razor but shaves really good.I think that its blade exposure its close to a Red Tip Super Speed cuz I can get BBS shaves without a lot of effort with it.I also like that it has a flatter head that other previous super speed models.Dont apply too much pressure as others members have pointed and enjoy it!
The weight of the shaver is more about the feel than about it's cutting efficiency, though people with heavier beards often favor heavier razors because the heft of the shaver seems to make the strokes easier. How well it cuts, which I think we usually express as how 'aggressive' the shaver is, tends to be more closely related to blade angle and exposure.
