I need a travel razor. I have the opportunity to get a new Weber with a Bulldog handle for 45. Tradere lightly used SB for 135. Price is not terribly important. Which one to buy?
I'm not familiar with either razor, but myself? I wouldn't spend that much money on a travel razor knowing how things can get lost, damaged, or "repossessed" when traveling. I used to travel with a Tech (easily replaced and inexpensive), but now I use an "L1" injector. Also low cost and easy to replace.
I use a cartridge razor when I have carry on only. For checked luggage (which at my age is becoming more frequent) I want a good blade razor. A good blade razor will also find it's way into my regular rotation as a "change-up" piece.
Same here. Actually I use a cartridge for most travel, carry-on or not. Check out the Indian Gillette Guard system. Inexpensive and quite good, nonetheless!
Haven't tried a Tradere SB yet, but I really like the Weber that I've been using for about a month...
Get a Tech. Those are plentiful and cheap. It won't hurt your wallet as bad if it gets lost, left behind at a hotel, or confiscated by the morons we know as TSA.
OK the decision is made and the order is in. Here is my reasoning. First I wanted a stainless steel razor. Also in all my years of wet shaving I have never even tried an open comb razor. I always believed they would be far too aggressive for me. I started looking at the iKon OSS thinking it has a SB on one side and an OC on the other. If I bought that one I could try the OC and if I didn't like it I could always use it as a single edge razor. Then I noticed they had 5 manufacturer's defect Shavecraft 101 for sale at $57. The razor has a SS bulldog handle with an Aluminum head. The head has the same design as The OSS. Namely, SB one side and OC on the other. The head works out to cost only $19 this way. I figured this is a cheap way to see if I like an OC. When I decide if I like the razor I can keep the SS handle and order the SS iKon head of my choice. As I was making up my mind they started to sell them off.Within an hour there were only 2 left of the original 5. So I pulled the plug and ordered it.
You have me there. I have never tried an OC razor. Please report back. I have been drooling over the iKon Slant, but I'm a broke college student. I'll wait.
Just like the safety bar razor, the OC can be mild or aggressive. It depends on the amount of blade exposure, LBA (loaded blade angle), blade choice, and your methods. I have a Fatip Piccolo (about $35) that I found at first to be a near "lethal weapon" using Astras, (red) Personnas, and Feathers. Strangely enough, loading a Derby blade (green & white) solved the aggression problem and allowed me near BBS shaves with no irritation whatsoever. After some experimentation, I found I could do well with the Merkur blade too, but the Merkur is more critical of the angle at which the razor is held. The Piccolo is now my weapon of choice when I've got 2+ days growth to mow down. Conversely, I also have a Merkur 15C. ($25 -$35 depending on your choice of vendor) It has become my almost every day shaver. I'd compare it to a super speed in the aggression department, meaning it's very mild. In this razor the Feathers and the Astras work best for me. One of the best things about the OC is the fact that it leaves little trails of soap behind as you shave. I find this a very useful trait because I don't usually shave in passes (N-S, E-W, etc.) but rather tend to go over each "zone" on my face more than once from different angles and that remaining soap is a very nice thing to have. I also like that the OC gives me much better feedback on razor angle. Those little teeth are just easier for me to feel than the solid safety bar ever was. So, if the Shavecraft doesn't work out, don't let it sour you on the OC. If you favor modest blade exposure, the Merkur 15C, 25C, or the 1904 Classic (old timey handle) might be your thing. The Fatip is good if you like something more "adventurous". Oh, don't forget the older Gillette OC's! There may be an "Aristocrat" with your name on it!
