Recommendation on model

[Kenyth]

I'll be asking for a DE razor for Xmas and I just wanted to get some opinions on new razor models.

I like the look, price, and feel of the Merkur 38C "Barberpole", but I like the idea of an adjustable razor.

How useful is the adjustable function in reality? Any better recommendations?


I also will be asking for a razor/brush/bowl stand. There are many. Some with bowls, and some without. Are the small bowls very functional, or would it be better to keep a larger ceramic bowl in the cabinet and just get a razor/brush stand?

Last, how do you guys store all the various soaps in your rotation? A seperate bowl for each in the cabinet?

[mantic]

I like the look, price, and feel of the Merkur 38C "Barberpole", but I like the idea of an adjustable razor.

How useful is the adjustable function in reality? Any better recommendations?
You'll have to pry my Progress from my cold, dead hands. :lol: I like adjustables because I can tailor it for each part of my shave, and each part of my face, if I choose to. Or not. For example, I can shave mildly with the grain, dial up then again WTG again for additional beard reduction with the same amount of comfort. Or I can dial down at the end to do some J-hooking on that little patch on my neck I always seem to have trouble with....

I also will be asking for a razor/brush/bowl stand. There are many. Some with bowls, and some without. Are the small bowls very functional, or would it be better to keep a larger ceramic bowl in the cabinet and just get a razor/brush stand?
IMO I never considered the small bowls very functional.

Last, how do you guys store all the various soaps in your rotation? A seperate bowl for each in the cabinet?
Yep, seperate bowl or mug.

--Mark

[Dennis]

I have both adjustable and non-adjustable razors. When I shave with an adjustable, I appreciate the fact that I can adjust it and *sometimes* do, depending on the shave. More often than not, I generally leave my adjustable on one setting, essentially making it a non-adjustable razor. When I shave with non-adjustables, I get just as good shaves or better with them as well and don't miss the fact that I can't change them. For your first DE, I would bypass the adjustables and just get fixed head. One less variable IMO. You can (and probably will) buy an adjustable after while as curiosity will get the better of you.

I don't have a brush/razor/bowl stand and can't foresee myself ever buying one. If you have the space on your counter and want to display your brush and razor, get a stand that does that and bypass the bowls which are about useless. Instead find something to your liking from a local potter, an internet potter, or your local Walmart or what have you. The bowls that come with the stands are generally big enough to hold a puck of soap and that is about it.

As far as storage, I using extra small Ziploc bowls, one puck per, stack then and store them in a cabinet under the sink. Frequently used soaps and creams get a special spot in the drawer above the cabinet. I store my razors in my medicine cabinet. Anchor Hocking bowls from Walmart work well for many members too for soaps - a search on this site will show you pics of of how various guys store their stuff. Best o' luck.

Dennis

[Leisureguy]

The overwhelming recommendation for the novice DE shaver is the Merkur Hefty Classic, aka "HD". It's a fine razor and one that you can continue to use long after you've mastered the technique.

The problem with the adjustable for a novice is that, if a problem shave is experienced, the novice doesn't know whether it's his technique, or the setting on the adjustable razor, or some combination of those (or the lather or blade...). So my recommendation would be to start with HD. Once you've master the skills, you can get an adjustable---and, if you want, sell the HD on the selling/trading forum.

More important than the razor, though, is the blade, and here specific recommendations of brands are useless: you really have to try different brands to find the brand(s) that will work for you. And the differences between brands is surprising. So there are the blade sampler packs, and you definitely should include those in your wishlist:

In the US: here (http://www.westcoastshaving.com) and here (http://www.razorandbrush.com/Sampler.html).
In the UK: here (http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/samplepack.html).

Welcome, and I hope you get all that you ask for. :)

[Kenyth]

Thanks guys! It's as I suspected. The little bowls are useless except for catching brush drips, and adjustables are more novelty than functionality.

My wife has a whole set of deep ceramic bowls unused in an upper cabinet. They nest in each other with (I think) enough room for a puck. I'll just toss them in the cabinet after I'm done.

[Boogie]

Thanks guys! It's as I suspected. The little bowls are useless except for catching brush drips, and adjustables are more novelty than functionality.

My wife has a whole set of deep ceramic bowls unused in an upper cabinet. They nest in each other with (I think) enough room for a puck. I'll just toss them in the cabinet after I'm done.


Progress, PROgress, PROGRESS, PROGRESS!!! I find that an adjustable is the way to go. It can be adjusted to give you a custamized shave every time. For me that comes in very handy if I happen to go a few days without shaving and have a good amount of whiskers to mow down. I can dial up my Progress for the first pass, and then dial down a notch or two for my next pass, or vice versa. I also own an 38C that I really like, but it will never, ever take the place of my Progress. I've been saying lately in my posts that the Progress is THE greatest shaving tool ever invented.

As far as bowls go, i don't use one. I lather on my face so the only thing I keep in the bathroom is a coffee mug that I will let my brush soak in while I shower.

And the small Ziplock bowls are perfect for soap puck storage. They can be found at Wal-Mart, 6 for 3 dollars, or something close to that.

[Leisureguy]

I also love the Progress, and after you master the techniques with the HD, you should consider the Progress. I have one in gold, and I get great shaves with it---though also great shaves with the HD. And (again, once you've mastered the technique) consider the Merkur Slant Bar: an absolutely terrific razor, and one that I think everyone should try as their second razor.

If you give any credence to the "wisdom of crowds", check out these two polls on which razor would you (as an experienced shaver) recommend to the novice:

Poll 1 (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16572&highlight=poll) and Poll 2 (http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9381&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=40).

[Kenyth]

The slant style is a very aggressive razor from what I hear. It's supposed to be the closest shave you can get without using a straight razor.



I also love the Progress, and after you master the techniques with the HD, you should consider the Progress. I have one in gold, and I get great shaves with it---though also great shaves with the HD. And (again, once you've mastered the technique) consider the Merkur Slant Bar: an absolutely terrific razor, and one that I think everyone should try as their second razor.

If you give any credence to the "wisdom of crowds", check out these two polls on which razor would you (as an experienced shaver) recommend to the novice:

Poll 1 (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16572&highlight=poll) and Poll 2 (http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9381&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=40).

[Kenyth]

That settles it then. The Merkur HD 38C barberpole is the one to get! I'm a big guy, so the longer handle will benefit me.

[Leisureguy]

The Slant shaves closely and effortlessly, and it does require technique. But if you use light pressure, maintain a good blade angle, and have the right (sharp) blade, it's an extremely pleasant shave. It doesn't snarl---it purrs.

[Roman414]

Okay, this is just my opinion and others will differ. I like the IDEA of an adjustable razor, but in practise have never tried one I like as much as my non-adjustables. The theory when they first came out was that it was suitable for anyone...the average guy would use a mid-range setting, the guy with peach fuzz the lower settings, the guy with a tough, wire-like beard the higher.
I get an excellent shave from my techs, my '49 SS, or my Merkur HD. An adjustable doesn't give me any added benefit, I just leave it on one setting anyway. Never found it necessary to re-adjust for different parts of my face. As to bowls, I tried it but decided I prefer to build the lather on my face.