Multi-blade razors

[manic47]

Davie_GLA said:

ETA: Having pretty much decided on a Merkur 34C everywhere seems to be out of stock. Typical.

I picked a 34C as my first DE razor - it could do with a slightly longer handle IMO.

[dazren]

Agree with Manic47. I bought a longer handled 38C as my first mail order DE razor. I wouldn't want to use a shorter razor. Worth trying in preference to a 34C IMHO.

[Bonefish Blues]

...whilst I much prefer a shorter handle. Different strokes etc

[Serendipity72]

Blue62 said:

I'm a feathers man but would be interested in PPI when my stock runs down in 2017, where do you get them from?

PPI blades include Astra, Sputnik, Permasharp, Polsilver, Rotbart, Nacet, Minora and the several different variations of the Gillette brand.
Their discontinued Iridium brand is a legend in shaving circles, there is still stock out there but there are also a lot of fakes.

JUst google the brands to find plenty of online retailers.

[Serendipity72]

Davie_GLA said:

Hmmm. For some reason a smooth handle isn't making sense when thinking about shaving and ridiculous sharp blades. Think I want a textured one.

My DE89L has the lined handle, so is almost totally smooth. In reality this presents no problems whatsoever.

[Serendipity72]

Agrispeed said:

I assume without any detergent? it eats metal like no ones business...

My parents get annoyed at me putting car parts in ours already...

I use the dishwasher when I buy secondhand, classic razors. It does a really good job, even with complex devices like Gillette Toggles. I use liquid detergent which is less abrasive and doesn't even harm thinning gold plate.

Classic razors were made of brass that was chrome plated. There are several places were you can get them replated. In gold or palladium if you want.

Modern razors are made of pot metal (mainly zinc) that is chrome plated. Once the plating wears through they degrade very quickly and cannot be replated.

Very few razors ever have been made of Stainless steel, I can think of 4 brands off the top of my head. The most well known in current production are the ikon and the Feather Stainless, both of which are exceptional razors.

[Serendipity72]

Davie_GLA said:

Never made it today, shall make more of an effort tomorrow.

Just so i know what my viewing range should be i'm thinking:

Razor: Adjustable(1-9)
Blades: Feathers, depending on stock.
Brush: Whatever is there and keenly priced
Cream: LIek the sound of this woolfat stuff but will probably go with bluebeards new one
Pre / Post shave: Open to suggestions.
Cut stick thing: NO idea.... Again open to suggestions.


So, even middle or the road stuff i reckon this isn't far off £100. Sound about right?

Onto method, have been scouring YouTube and there is lots of help on there so will mostly follow that but what about my first EVER shave with this thing. Should i have the wife on standby with my blood group handy?

Most people don't use the adjustability of an adjustable razor. This morning I used my Mergress maxed out for the first pass then on about 3 for the second pass. Had I done a third pass it would have been on 1.
Feathers are not the best blade, really. They are very sharp and a bit rough which makes them feel even sharper. They don't last long.
Brush. Get a Vulfix 404, it looks the business and works well with both soaps and creams. It is exceptional value. After that go to Ian Tang in China on eBay, who gives incredible service with fantastic brushes.
Soaps and creams, these are very different to each other to use. There are many to experiment with, lots from India and Russia that are brilliant, for instance.
For cuts just buy an alum block off eBay. It will last ages, costs very little and is the easiest to use.

[NDA]

Serendipity72 said:

I use the dishwasher when I buy secondhand, classic razors. It does a really good job, even with complex devices like Gillette Toggles. I use liquid detergent which is less abrasive and doesn't even harm thinning gold plate.

I have six, at the last count, vintage Gillettes.... I've put them in an electric jewellery cleaner thing (which vibrates) with some fairy liquid. Seems to work OK. I would like to oil them really, but understand that any oil in the mechanism could clog it. Do you ever lubricate yours with anything?

[Davie_GLA]

Heh. Bit of a result this morning.

Just got notification of winning a £20 amazon voucher through work.

So i can get this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagger-De89bl-Chrome...

For 35p delivered!

[Serendipity72]

NDA said:

I have six, at the last count, vintage Gillettes.... I've put them in an electric jewellery cleaner thing (which vibrates) with some fairy liquid. Seems to work OK. I would like to oil them really, but understand that any oil in the mechanism could clog it. Do you ever lubricate yours with anything?

Lots of keen vintage razor collectors buy an ultrasonic cleaner, they come up every year on Lidl and Aldi. Mine gets used mainly on my wife's jewellery! I never lubricate razors, not even the fat boys and toggles.

[Davie_GLA]

So, went to executive shaving tonight and had a browse. THe razors feel very strange after using mach 3 / fusion for so long.

As predicted there are no 34C's anywhere so had a hold of a 33C which felt a little small in the hand. Had a go of a longer handles one and although it had great weight it felt too long. Harumph.

What i did notice that the prices were quite a bit more than the likes of Amazon but i guess thats the premium paid for using a stall.

So, didn't have time to go through all the stuff but i'm closer now to getting it sorted. Off to get some tips from youtube

[LordGrover]

It would be nice to have something similar down here... all the larger retailers seem to be way up t'north or south east.

I think I got lucky with my Muhle R89, suits me nicely.

[Davie_GLA]

Right, here is my Amazon basket so far:

- Edwin Jagger Chrome-Plated Lined Handle Double-Edge Safety Razor(DE89) - £23.64

- Proraso Shave Cut Healing Gel 10ml - Proraso - £3.95

- Proraso Pre Shave Cream - 100ml - Proraso - £9.39

- Osma Bloc - Alum Block (Soothes Shaving Irritation) - Osma - £6.50

- Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream (150 g) - Taylor of Old Bond Street - £9.45

- Edwin Jagger Ivory-Coloured Plastic Handle Pure Badger Hair Shaving Brush - Edwin Jagger - £16.31

I'm completely undecided on blades and need some guidance. Feathers i've read are out due to me being a newbie and i know it's personal taste but i'm looking for a safe choice.

D.

[Dan_1981]

Get Feathers. Just be careful.

Any razor blade will cut you.

Yes they're sharp but they'll also give you a great shave.

[manic47]

Sounds like it's time for me to upgrade from my current blades - I knew the something with the name Dorco wasn't going to be brilliant
That said, they were selling them off cheap (20 pence for a pack of 10) in my local Sainsburys.

[IanMorewood]

Davie_GLA said:

Right, here is my Amazon basket so far:

- Edwin Jagger Chrome-Plated Lined Handle Double-Edge Safety Razor(DE89) - £23.64

- Proraso Shave Cut Healing Gel 10ml - Proraso - £3.95

- Proraso Pre Shave Cream - 100ml - Proraso - £9.39

- Osma Bloc - Alum Block (Soothes Shaving Irritation) - Osma - £6.50

- Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream (150 g) - Taylor of Old Bond Street - £9.45

- Edwin Jagger Ivory-Coloured Plastic Handle Pure Badger Hair Shaving Brush - Edwin Jagger - £16.31

I'm completely undecided on blades and need some guidance. Feathers i've read are out due to me being a newbie and i know it's personal taste but i'm looking for a safe choice.

D.

The Osma Bloc is overpriced and Alum Bloc will do the job and you can get a similar sized one for less than £2.
Preshave and the shave cut healing gel aren’t really necessary but by all means go ahead.

[HereBeMonsters]

Has anyone tried a DE razor, then gone back to a cartridge?

I left my Merkur at home this weekend and needed a shave - borrowed my brother's Gillette Fusion thingy and it was excellent. Miles better than I remember the old Mach 3 being. Close (not quite as close as a DE, but close enough) and most importantly no razor burn at all on my fragile baby face...

[bicycleshorts]

IanMorewood said:

The Osma Bloc is overpriced and Alum Bloc will do the job and you can get a similar sized one for less than £2.
Preshave and the shave cut healing gel aren’t really necessary but by all means go ahead.

Got a link anywhere for a cheap alum bloc?

[zygalski]

http://tinyurl.com/94v3pnm
That's the one I got & it works a treat.

[Serendipity72]

Davie_GLA said:

Right, here is my Amazon basket so far:

- Edwin Jagger Chrome-Plated Lined Handle Double-Edge Safety Razor(DE89) - £23.64

- Proraso Shave Cut Healing Gel 10ml - Proraso - £3.95

- Proraso Pre Shave Cream - 100ml - Proraso - £9.39

- Osma Bloc - Alum Block (Soothes Shaving Irritation) - Osma - £6.50

- Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream (150 g) - Taylor of Old Bond Street - £9.45

- Edwin Jagger Ivory-Coloured Plastic Handle Pure Badger Hair Shaving Brush - Edwin Jagger - £16.31

I'm completely undecided on blades and need some guidance. Feathers i've read are out due to me being a newbie and i know it's personal taste but i'm looking for a safe choice.

D.

Razor. Good choice. Best all round beginner razor and good enough to last a lifetime.
Proraso cut healing gel. Waste of money.
Proraso pre shave cream. I bought one of these. Can't see the point. Your stubble, dry, is as strong as copper wire. Waterlogged it loses over 80% of its strength. So just make sure your stubble is wet for about 3 minutes before shaving and life will be much easier. Shaving after a shower is ideal.
Osma bloc. Very good idea and very effective. You can buy alum blocks very cheap on eBay. Only use when absolutely necessary as they contain aluminium.
ToBS shaving cream. Fabulous stuff, they have reformulated these to take out the parabens. Best value of the traditional London grooming suppliers. Go to the shop and try the other flavours. Eton College and Avocado are my favourites.
Jagger brush. OK to start with. But look at Ian Tang's eBay store to buy direct from China with superb quality and service. Also the Vulfix 404 is a brilliant all round brush that is perfect for beginners.

All IMHO, of course.

Edited by Serendipity72 on Wednesday 24th October 11:00