Need some advice, quick! Please!

[Zephyr]

Hi Guys!

I've just won an auction for some blades, and the seller is offering me some razors as well.

I think I will buy two of them, but as I'm quite new I seek some advice.

The razors is offering is:

1. Merkur Progress Chrome $ 47

2. Merkur Progress Gold $ 67

3. Merkur 1904 $ 27

4. Gillette Flared tip Super Speed $ 27

5. Gillette Slim Adjutable $ 40

6. Swing $ 27

I was thinking maybe the Chrome Progress and the Super Speed?

What do you guys think?

[nate]

The Gillettes are wayyy overpriced. Not sure about the others.

EDIT: You can buy the Merkurs new for pretty much those same prices.

[gaj90027]

They are all over priced in my opinion. I have seen super speeds sell for less than $10.00 this month on our b/s/t right here on B&B :001_smile

The Merkur prices at least on the 1904 are higher than or very close to new prices.

[blackfoot]

I don't know off the top of my head about the Merkur. However, that is a rather high price for a Flare Tip SS. You should be able to get one for almost half that here.

[Navig8tor]

They are all over priced in my opinion. I have seen super speeds sell for less than $10.00 this month on our b/s/t right here on B&B :001_smile

The Merkur prices at least on the 1904 are higher than or very close to new prices.


Ditto on that. I love the SS but not for that price. If you really want one I will send you one. I have a few extra. PM me if you are interested.

[Den]

The only one that I might consider buying out of that loot is the gold Progress. It's vintage and they don't come in gold anymore. Even then, it's a little high for a used razor.

Also, I'm not sure that it's a SS he's got there...looks more like a Rocket to me.

[Zephyr]

Being from Norway, this isn't that expensive, here a new Progress cost $ 87 incl shipping, the 1904 cost $ 47,5

Even if I order from US the total cost will be about the same because of a goverment who LOVE to punish the ones who buy stuff from abroad with some ridiculous taxes.

Sometimes I hate this country.....


Just checked Ebay, the first Flared SS i found would cost me $55 + taxes

[blackfoot]

Being from Norway, this isn't that expensive, here a new Progress cost $ 87 incl shipping, the 1904 cost $ 47,5

Even if I order from US the total cost will be about the same because of a goverment who LOVE to punish the ones who buy stuff from abroad with some ridiculous taxes.

Sometimes I hate this country.....

Ah, that does make a huge difference. :thumbup1:

[Blue58]

I could be wrong but I think I have seen Gillette adjustable in the B/S/T for somewhere around $25

[Zephyr]

Ditto on that. I love the SS but not for that price. If you really want one I will send you one. I have a few extra. PM me if you are interested.

If I lived in US, yes, but only the shipping to Norway would cost almost as much as I will pay for this one.

[Go West Young Man]

I just mailed a package of 3 razors to Australia, and flat rate shipping was $14. I could have fit at least 2 more razors in there comfortably.

You'd be better off making a deal with someone in the US to ship you a bunch of different razors. You'd probably make your money back by selling off the ones you don't end up wanting to keep.

[Zephyr]

I just mailed a package of 3 razors to Australia, and flat rate shipping was $14. I could have fit at least 2 more razors in there comfortably.

You'd be better off making a deal with someone in the US to ship you a bunch of different razors. You'd probably make your money back by selling off the ones you don't end up wanting to keep.


Could be, but the problem is that if the total cost, incl. shipping is more than $31, I will have to pay 25% in taxes, so I guess I would have to buy a bunch of razors.

[Zephyr]

Think it got a little of track here now, as I mentioned earlier, since I'm in this cold county up north the prices isn't too bad, haven't found any cheaper around on any local auction site.
Maybe I shouldn't have put on the prices, but it's intresting to see the differences.
(A pack of tobacco cost almost the same as the SS here.)


But I still need some advice when it comes to which razor(s) I should go for.

[alex2363]

The Gillettes are wayyy overpriced. Not sure about the others.

EDIT: You can buy the Merkurs new for pretty much those same prices.

they all seem wayy over. maybe buying razors here may be more viable option, unless money;s no option.

[kingfisher]

...Also, I'm not sure that it's a SS he's got there...looks more like a Rocket to me.

Well, if it is a Rocket, then the price is actually pretty good.

[kingfisher]

Zephyr, it that's a Rocket (which I think it may be) you should buy it at that price.

[Zephyr]

Well, if it is a Rocket, then the price is actually pretty good.

Checked the Wiki, and when looking into the details of the handle, it looks like it is a Rocket.

Found a similar Rocket on Ebay that would cost me $115

[gaj90027]

Think it got a little of track here now, as I mentioned earlier, since I'm in this cold county up north the prices isn't too bad, haven't found any cheaper around on any local auction site.
Maybe I shouldn't have put on the prices, but it's intresting to see the differences.
(A pack of tobacco cost almost the same as the SS here.)


But I still need some advice when it comes to which razor(s) I should go for.

If the prices are acceptable to you and you are just looking for advice as far as which razors to buy as a new guy - we can help with that as well :thumbup1:

I would recommend the gillette super speed (or rocket if that's what it is) and the Merkur 1904. Both are middle of the road on the scale of aggressiveness and you should experience a DE razor with a safety bar (super speed) and open comb (1904). The adjustables (Progress and Slim) are something you may want to consider after you get your technique down a little better. I never used an adjustable that I liked personally. Lastly, I have never heard of the "swing" razor.

[Zephyr]

If the prices are acceptable to you and you are just looking for advice as far as which razors to buy as a new guy - we can help with that as well :thumbup1:

I would recommend the gillette super speed (or rocket if that's what it is) and the Merkur 1904. Both are middle of the road on the scale of aggressiveness and you should experience a DE razor with a safety bar (super speed) and open comb (1904). The adjustables (Progress and Slim) are something you may want to consider after you get your technique down a little better. I never used an adjustable that I liked personally. Lastly, I have never heard of the "swing" razor.

I've got a Futur, which I started with, but now I've used a Tech ball end for two weeks, and when I tried the Futur again yesterday I'm not so sure I like it that much enjoyed the Tech a lot more. But I like the opportunity to adjust the razor, even though I'm not sure that I need it.

[alex2363]

Well, if it is a Rocket, then the price is actually pretty good.

looks like a flare tip/super speed...

[Zephyr]

Pretty sure it's a Rocket, if you look at the knob on the handle they are different. First picture is of the Rocket, second is Flare Tip

[kingfisher]

looks like a flare tip/super speed...

The razor in your post looks like a Rocket, too, Alex. There is a gap between the knob and the regular knurling that isn't there on regular old flare-tip Superspeeds.

[Navig8tor]

It does look like a Rocket. That makes it a much better deal. I'll save the SS for a PIF. Let me know if you change your mind. I haven't had too much trouble shipping overseas and the rates haven't been too bad.

[Zephyr]

It does look like a Rocket. That makes it a much better deal. I'll save the SS for a PIF. Let me know if you change your mind. I haven't had too much trouble shipping overseas and the rates haven't been too bad.

Thanks for the offer Nick, this is one of the things that make you feel welcome here, I really appreciate it guys!:thumbup::thumbup:

I have now decided to go for the Rocket (hope that's what it is), and I let SWMBO decide the other one, she liked the looks of the gold progress most, but she thought it was a bit expensive, so chrome it is.
(And we got domestic peace a few more days)

[gaj90027]

I've got a Futur, which I started with, but now I've used a Tech ball end for two weeks, and when I tried the Futur again yesterday I'm not so sure I like it that much enjoyed the Tech a lot more. But I like the opportunity to adjust the razor, even though I'm not sure that I need it.

In my opinion, you enjoyed the tech a lot more because it is a far superior razor, elegant and simple in design. I won't slam the futur razor directly because I don't want to offend anyone but it sounds like your face was giving you the answer.

You will learn how much play in the razor angle you can get away with to adjust the aggressiveness of each stroke depending on what part of your face or neck you are shaving. You will also learn a few different fancy strokes like the J-hook and blade buffing to get you even closer with no irritation.

The adjustment feature is just a shortcut or easier method to some of the natural movements you will learn if you stick to a non-adjustable razor.

Adjustable or not, stick with what you like and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. YMMV after all. :thumbup1:

[Zephyr]

In my opinion, you enjoyed the tech a lot more because it is a far superior razor, elegant and simple in design. I won't slam the futur razor directly because I don't want to offend anyone but it sounds like your face was giving you the answer.

You will learn how much play in the razor angle you can get away with to adjust the aggressiveness of each stroke depending on what part of your face or neck you are shaving. You will also learn a few different fancy strokes like the J-hook and blade buffing to get you even closer with no irritation.

The adjustment feature is just a shortcut or easier method to some of the natural movements you will learn if you stick to a non-adjustable razor.

Adjustable or not, stick with what you like and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. YMMV after all. :thumbup1:

Must say I really love to shave with the tech, the first shave i had with it I used a Derby blade, and I had to feel my face after the first stroke because it didn't feel like it did anything, it just glided smoothly over my face, but it did what it's made for. I'll give the Futur a couple more tries, but if the experience are the same, it's up for sale.

[Den]

I have a rocket that I picked up locally at an antique shop. It's in near mint condition. It came with the case but no blades. The case is a little roughed up, but intact with no cracks. I just really lucked out on that one. Cost me $10 since the owner had really no clue what it was except for an old razor.

In case you're unaware the gap above the knob on the rocket is there because when you open the doors it recedes into the handle whereas in the superspeed's case, it doesn't.

This thread (http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9206) is great if you want to read more about rockets.

[Zephyr]

I have a rocket that I picked up locally at an antique shop. It's in near mint condition. It came with the case but no blades. The case is a little roughed up, but intact with no cracks. I just really lucked out on that one. Cost me $10 since the owner had really no clue what it was except for an old razor.

In case you're unaware the gap above the knob on the rocket is there because when you open the doors it recedes into the handle whereas in the superspeed's case, it doesn't.

This thread (http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9206) is great if you want to read more about rockets.

Interesting reading, looking forward to get the razor and do some comparing now.