Looking to get a DE razor and blades to see if it cuts down on the shaving rash I get. Currently looking at a Merkur razor but not sure if it’s a good choice or what blades to get with it.
Any recommendations?
Looking to get a DE razor and blades to see if it cuts down on the shaving rash I get. Currently looking at a Merkur razor but not sure if it’s a good choice or what blades to get with it.
Any recommendations?
I have an Edwin Jagger DE89 with Astra blades. Works well for me :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think that this has been discussed, lots.
I have had a Merkur barber pole for ten years or so, fairly basic model from the shaving shack. If I bought again I would get the one with the longer handle. Initially I bought a few different blades, now use my favourite, I think their called feathers.
I like a DE shave but it is a faf and probably no better than a multi blade, it might be cheaper. I did find that it helped with shaving rash though. As long as you don’t rush. Just don’t expect the perfect shave on the first go.
Merkur 37c Slant and astra blades.
Don't be scared by some claims that it's an aggressive razor, handled lightly it's really a pussycat and delivers an irritation free shave.
Just make sure to use some decent soap/cream like Proraso.
If you have not used a DE before I would not start with a slant model razor.Originally Posted by Rocket Man
Your bathroom will look like you have tried to slaughter a pig.
The Merkur 38c is a good model to start with and may well be the only one you will ever need.
It is closed comb and the handle length and overall design make it easy to use.
Have a basic Merkur and a vintage Gillette Superspeed. Using Astra blades at the moment which seem good after using Wilkinson's for months. All the Russian and german blades seem to be good. I would avoid the Merkur branded blades unless they have changed in the last few years as they were poor for me. Feathers I find over-rated.
Thanks all, I’ll start with some Astra blades seeing as so many of you are using them.
I did what you are doing for a couple of years.
Your face will likely look like a pizza after your first go, then your skin gets used to it.
It think it's the prep that makes the difference, not the razor.
I'm now back on the Gillette as the shave is far faster and closer than a DE. My prep is rubbing my face with coal tar shampoo in the shower and shaving no more than twice a week.
No sensitivity at all these days.
I electric shave at the moment but have several DE razors as I tend to wet shave on holiday (more time in the mornings).
Merkur are fine. I use a Merkur slant.
Try Astra blades or maybe Gilette yellow.
I have a tough beard but fairly sensitive skin.
Don't forget to acquire a styptic pencil - you will need it.
Good luck.
Went over to DE last year, bought a cheap handle off Amazon and some Astra blades and love it, doesn’t need to take much longer than my old Mach 3
I am "in love" with the Mühle Rocca, but that might be a bit expensive for a first DE razor. The Edwin Jagger DE89 is a safe choice. If you are a bit more adventurous, the Fatip Grande would make an affordable and interesting choice.
Regarding blades; Feather, then a long time nothing, and then Personna Platinum Chrome blades. But blades are a very personal choice (e.g. I'm not an Astra fan at all).
Agree with what others above have said: EJ DE89 and Astras are where I started and this seems to be a forgiving but effective combination. I now use Feather blades but these are sharper so probably best not to start with these.
Respectfully disagree ... Feathers are very sharp indeed, but IMHO not something that a new shaver should be afraid of. The hype around them is not really justified, I would say. The key for a beginner is probably a mild razor to start with.
While I love Feathers in my more aggressive razors (e.g. Fatip open comb) that's indeed not a good combination to start with. But with a mild razor, they are very friendly blades, and they quickly teach you that no pressure is needed to get a good shave.
To be slightly controversial, the big thing if you are getting rash is a good post shave balm.
I use a Pall Mall Barbers Clove balm and it is a revelation. I get the same rash regardless of blade, but the balm eliminates it.
Thanks, I’ve tried various aftershaves and balms but nothing works particularly well. I’ll take a look at this.
To be specific, I use a face scrub before a shower, a decent soap and then the balm after. Stopped me being red faced
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Same here. Swapped to Feather at Christmas time, which caused much bleeding! My face must have toughened up because it’s not a problem now... The difference between blades can be surprising.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
I tried quite a few combinations, but in the end I settled for Merkur progress and Polsilver Super Iridium razor blades
o Merkur progress - adjustability is the key - you set it on 3-4 on first passes (wtg&xtg), and finally on 1 for atg pass
o Polsilver - long lasting and perfect sharpness - not as sharp as feather blades, but I enjoyed them more
ps:
Recently I acquired Rockwell safety razor 6S which is by far the best razor I used, but I am not recommending it as I am only using it last few weeks (maybe a new toy syndrome), and I used merkur for two years straight before that.
There is also 6C version which as much cheaper than stainless steel model.
I use Gillette Silver Blue blades but it really does come down to personal preference and what works for you. As others have pointed out, buy the trial packs and see what suits you.
This post is incredibly helpful for me. I’ve been wracking my brains trying to remember some amazing blades I bought on holiday in France a good few years ago (after I had my Feathers taken off me in the airport). I remember thinking they were amazing, even better than Feathers but I had a couple of years supply of Feathers back at home and have been using them up. I then forgot what these excellent holiday blades were. I just Googled Gillette Silver Blue after seeing your post and that’s the ones! My Feather supply runs out in a few weeks so will buy a job lot of these Gillettes next. I see like Feathers you can buy packs of 100 on eBay.
Ive discovered these - and very pleased with them. I have a drawer full of Astras - which are good, but I much prefer the Gillettes.
If you want a try of Astras, drop me a pm..
I tried twenty or so different blades from trial packs and found Gillette Blue to be the best for me. In the end stopped shaving altogether and grew a beard... not only did that infuriate Mrs. B but I was losing blood...... Win/Win!
Rob
I second the choice of Gillette blue. I tried more than a dozen different blades via sample packs before settling on Gillette Blue.
I've just begun using a DE Razor, using a Merkur 25C with Feather blades and Proraso cream.
Very happy with the shave and so far not a single cut.
The DE is the start of a slippery slope !
Sent from my ONEPLUS 5
Christ on a bike, I bet that last one took a steep learning curve!The DE is the start of a slippery slope !
Sent from my ONEPLUS 5
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
ohhh I like that crown king bowl..... where’s that from ??The DE is the start of a slippery slope !
Sent from my ONEPLUS 5
cheers
matt
I've been using an Ikon 101 head on an Ikon handle for three or four years now. I had a few Merkurs and Muehles before that.
The 101 has an open comb on one side and a closed comb on the other. That works quite well for me: being retired I can go a few days between shaves because I don't have to turn up anywhere in the morning looking presentable. The open comb is good for a first pass hacking through the undergrowth, and the closed comb side is good for a second pass against the grain to clean up. It's also good for trimming sideburns off square.
I've used Ingram lather since I first started shaving. Probably because my Dad and Grandad did. Fortunately I didn't inherit their love for Izal toilet paper and Euthymol toothpaste.
I don't have any alum sticks or anything like that, blobs of toilet paper do the job in need.
You can get one from here... https://shavingstation.co.uk/1117-cr...g-scuttle.html
Thanks !
Right for any razor rash / ingrown hairs I use this - it is expensive so you only need a tiny amount so I am still on my first bottle. Brilliant stuff as my neck hair grows in all directions so I constantly do something wrong :)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anthony-Ing...nthony+for+men
Cheers
Matt
I decided to go with this set-up: a Parker steel 42R razor paired with Gillette Mach3 blades. I'm very meticulous about keeping my blades clean during a shave, so that's not an issue for me. I used this combo for the first time yesterday and got the closest shave I've had in many years!
i use DE89L with astra and feather blades and everything from the red line Proraso
Last edited by DimGR; 1st February 2018 at 23:10.
To open another can of worms ... brushes? ;)
A boar (e.g. Omega) is inexpensive to start with, but requires breaking in. Synthetics are getting better each time as well. And if you want to spend real money, there is a whole world of badger grades (from "pure" to "unobtainable").
seamogue 1250 is also a very good one
I never got on with Semogue boars really. OTOH the SOC badger is a great brush.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
DE shaving is probably going to give you more not less irritation, it’s a learning curve and one I found once mastered still wasn’t better than a Mach3!
That said I still enjoy the odd Sunday shave with my vintage TTO Gillet razor.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
It really needn't be another instance of gear acquisition. I've got one soap (cella, by the kilo), one brush (Rooney), and two razors, an open comb Gillette and an adjustable Gillette.
As for blades, do the sample thing then buy your favourite by the 100.
Started with an EJ DE89 but moved on to Fatip with a Gentile and Piccolo. Very pleased with both, fully brass as opposed to the zamak of the Edwin Jagger (and most current DE's that aren't fully SS like Ikon, Weber, Maggards etc).
Whatever you do don't bother with Derby blades, usually freebies when you buy a handle for a reason.
My current blade selection, part of the appeal being the interesting packets they come in. Most of these are Russian.
I bought a trial pack of different blades when I started DE shaving a few years ago.
Most were good, Astra, Gillette etc, but by far the best for me were Feathers.
As has already been said, it does take time to get the technique right, but to me DE blades cut the hairs whereas the multi-blade ones pull them out.
I've found that a hot towel first also helps as does getting the consistency of the cream/soap right.
Was just cleaning my Merkur Futura out today as I had the ultrasonic cleaner left out after doing some bracelets and was thinking I might need to replace it soon its started to get a little sloppy after 10 years use , I have tried a load of creams, soaps, brushes and blades and found out that for me cheap old Derby blades and Gillette sensitive gel applied by hand works just as well. I rarely cut myself nowadays although I tend to go through periods of slicing myself for a few days, thank god for alum bars, I used to cut myself more using multiblades
Its seen the end of ingrown hairs for me and made shaving as pleasant as it can be , saving a fortune along the way.
Getting the lather wet enough (but not too wet) and keeping it long enough on your face to soften the hairs does the trick for me. I don't bother with hot towels or preshave oils.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Agree with the Edwin Jagger. I’m Biased as they’re made in my home town, so I stick with them.
I have a DE89 and use Astra blades (bought about 1000 off amazon for next to nothing). It’s lasted me 5 years so far and hopefully a good 20 more
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by donkertraz; 3rd February 2018 at 05:12.
Are they really made there? So it's true that Mühle and Edwin Jagger only share the design, but not the factory? Interesting!
I have an Edwin Jagger Silvertip Fibre brush that I use for travel; works really well.
I have numerous DE razors, including Edwin Jagger, Merkur (both slant and normal) and Henckels. I’d honestly struggle to find much difference, but tend to prefer the Edwin Jagger for its heft.
The same is largely true with blades, and I personally like Merkur’s own.
Brushes, however, are another thing and I far prefer badger to boar or badger/boar mix. I have a good few, but like Omega and the Simpson Wee Scot for travelling.
I have also bought a few knots direct from China and made up my own brushes using bone and antler.
For cut-throats I like Kropp and Thiers-Issard, but those are reserved for Sunday morning shaves before the first cup of coffee!
I avoid multi-blade disposables where possible, but the amount of travel I do makes them a necessary evil at times.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
@willie_gunn I use a Gillette G2 for travel. Fixed head, twin blades, least "cartridge razor shave like" experience, and you can get the carts almost everywhere.
I'd recommend a 1950's/60's Gillette Tech off ebay. They're old but the Tech is IMO the equal of most modern razors, plus they're fairly cheap so you can see if you like DE without spending a mint (you'll do that later when you decide you like it !)
Sterilise it properly (you can look up how to do that) & get some decent blades (I like Shark or Personna).
Also get a decent shaving brush & a Palmolive or better still Arko shave stick.
DE is far easier on your skin than cartridges & a better shave. There's load of video's on Youtube for technique etc.
I hope that helps.
Dave
Good suggestion, but then don't overlook the Schick Krona as well. The head design must have made Gillette envious at the time!
I use feather platinum plated blades, and a Jagen David DE.....I'm saving for a feather AS-DS2
Also, I rub my face after shaving with an alum block, it's amazing at stopping those little white spots and calms razor rash.
Cheers for that. I'll look one out.
I went back to DE shaving after 40 years.....all of a sudden shaving has become a pleasure rather than a chore. Mine’s an Edwin Jagger and I use Wilkinson Sword blades
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
