Best Modern TTO? [Archive]

LibertyBeta

10-18-2011, 07:30 AM

So, I've been hunting around for a Gillette Fatboy and something came to me. While I love old razors, there is something to be said for supporting the industry with the purchase of new items. After all, my first razor was a Merkur 180 Long Handle, brand new. Which means there is still a small but vital bit of the industry left. And while I love my SuperSpeed as a great little shaver I would really love to have something I can accidently leave in a weak Barbicide soak without fear of the plating turning deep gray.

Then there is the ease of replacement should the worse happen. Decent quality TTOs NOT in need of work are rare and expensive. And who really wants to wait for their best shave? Hrm?

So I put for this question to you, B&B; Best Modern TTO? Bonus points for models still in production and models that you personally own/have used.

JonM

10-18-2011, 07:39 AM

The list of modern TTOs is rather short. Off hand, I can think of the Vision, Feather Popular, and Weishi (and I've used none of these).

KM-instructor

10-18-2011, 07:40 AM

Vision would be my choice for a modern TTO razor, it's unique in design hefty adjustable and delivers a wicked shave.
Parker makes one too, not too shabby for the price.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/100%20razors/2d5fab47.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/Razors/Badger%20and%20blade%20forum/e6fb6c6d-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/shane1000m/Razors/864b0b7c.jpg

Den

10-18-2011, 08:05 AM

Why not Parker's new "Unisex TTO (http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Parker-29L-Unisex-Butterfly-Double-Edge-Razor_p_1249.html)" which is undoubtedly a Lady Gillette copy. :001_smile

Sledgehammer39

10-18-2011, 08:16 AM

I really don't think that any modern razor company makes a good TTO razor. The TTO razor highlight was with the old Gillette company and only cheap carbon copies have come out since.

neo71665

10-18-2011, 08:38 AM

I really don't think that any modern razor company makes a good TTO razor. The TTO razor highlight was with the old Gillette company and only cheap carbon copies have come out since.

Qft

michiganlover

10-18-2011, 09:45 AM

I really don't think that any modern razor company makes a good TTO razor. The TTO razor highlight was with the old Gillette company and only cheap carbon copies have come out since.

+1

I don't think there is a modern TTO that is actually worth buying. The Feather is much too light (and has a lot of plastic in it's construction), the Weishi, and Ming Shi (aka the Derby/ Shaving Factory razor) are really shoddily made, and the Vision is absolutely huge with quality control issues. Which leaves Parker. Their newest design based around the Lady Gillette looks pretty sweet, but it's true quality is yet to be determined.

LibertyBeta

10-19-2011, 08:41 AM

What manner of QC issues are we talking?

vinisterz

10-19-2011, 10:47 AM

I will vouch for the weishi TTO but I'm a newb, so weishi tto for the newb :)

LiveOak

10-19-2011, 03:11 PM

onefallinghope

10-19-2011, 03:27 PM

Wow, that parker looks identical to a lady gillette!

michiganlover

10-19-2011, 05:59 PM

Wow, that parker looks identical to a lady gillette!

I have never owned a Parker, but have been curious about their quality. I pulled the trigger on the Lady Gillette looking Parker. West Coast Shaving should have it to my doorstep by Friday.

onefallinghope

10-19-2011, 06:02 PM

looking forward to pics and review. For less than $30 I was thinking about pulling the trigger too.

Sledgehammer39

10-19-2011, 06:10 PM

takeshi

10-19-2011, 07:53 PM

According to the interview with the general manager of Muhle that is still on the front page (http://www.badgerandblade.com/content.php/16-Interview-with-Andreas-M%C3%BCller-General-Manager-of-M%C3%9CHLE), they are considering doing a TTO at some point.
A Muhle TTO is probably the only one that I would consider.

GLteam

10-19-2011, 10:12 PM

The Parker TTO's are no Gillette's, but they are a very close second. Nice and hefty, good build quality, brass construction, smooth TTO operation, and most of the TTO models are downright great shavers. The 22R is their newest addition, and the 29L is the Lady Gillette carbon copy. They even offer TTO models in heavyweight handles. And let me tell you, they are quite hefty. I've shaved head-to-head with my Lady Gillette and the Parker 29L, and the shaves were VERY similar. Of course, as a disclaimer, YMMV.

StripeyType

10-20-2011, 01:51 AM

This post is actually the reason I finally up and registered with B&B. My daily driver for a little over a year now has been a Parker 86R. I am quite happy with the razor - it is not terribly aggressive, and is easy to clean. I have only one complaint, and this issue may never rear its ugly head for any of you.

The ferrule where the handle joins the razor head is secured by deforming the metal on one side, much like a rivet. Over the last year - which admittedly has included hardship use during a field-operation-heavy workup and currently an Afghanistan deployment, this deformation has worked loose such thatit becomes possible to turn what is supposed to be the fixed portion of the handle with respect to the razor's head. As a result, the TTO mechanism can become minutely loose during shaving, and allow the head to rotating in the plane perpendicular to the handle itself, thus rocking the razor against the operator's face.

I repaired my own razor with careful application of JB Weld epoxy, and the repair has now been holding for about three months.

I would reccommend this razor as an inexpensive one that conveniently features TTO operation, but for ten or fifteen dollars more, a Merkur or other higher-end manufacturer may have what you're looking for. But for easily-purchased TTO's at least in my experience, Parker has the broadest market coverage.

TheRazorSleepsForNoOne

10-20-2011, 02:09 AM

Why not Parker's new "Unisex TTO (http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Parker-29L-Unisex-Butterfly-Double-Edge-Razor_p_1249.html)" which is undoubtedly a Lady Gillette copy. :001_smile

For $30+ shipping on that, I'd just rather pay $30+ shipping on the real deal. Lots of Lady Gillette's can be had for that and less.

Pasha

10-20-2011, 02:12 AM

I was looking to pick up another razor and took a look at the shaving factory razor since they had it in store at sally beauty. That thing looked like you would be lucky to get one shave out of it before it broke. And at $15 bucks, not exactly cheap for what it was.

TheRazorSleepsForNoOne

10-20-2011, 06:07 AM

According to the interview with the general manager of Muhle that is still on the front page (http://www.badgerandblade.com/content.php/16-Interview-with-Andreas-M%C3%BCller-General-Manager-of-M%C3%9CHLE), they are considering doing a TTO at some point.

A Muhle TTO is probably the only one that I would consider.

A Muhle TTO with the closed comb guard that is on the 2011 R41... that would be sweet. :001_wub:

LibertyBeta

10-20-2011, 06:53 AM

First off, WELCOME TO B&B. I feel some what honored to have intriced you to joining.

Secondly, what you posted it exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. That deformation just won't due. When I'm 50+ miles form the nearest shave shop, deep in the back country, I really don't want to have to repair my razor. But at the same time having a TTO I don't mind trashing is nice to have. So you information was extremely helpful.

And if your razor does give up the ghost before you get back stateside, melt her down and make something useful. Like a bullet casing or some such.

michiganlover

11-01-2011, 06:22 AM

I have never owned a Parker, but have been curious about their quality. I pulled the trigger on the Lady Gillette looking Parker. West Coast Shaving should have it to my doorstep by Friday.

I have used the Parker 29L about a half dozen times so far.

There isn't anything wrong with it, it's a pretty good clone of the Lady Gillette. Seems about as aggressive as a typical Superspeed to me. The blade centers properly with no fuss. I think the shave from the actual Lady Gillette is a little smoother.

Build quality is not up to par of an actual Lady Gillette, but no TTO razor built today is.

I have heard the horrific tales of Parker's build quality in the past, and this is actually a pretty good razor; the only real issue, is that you can buy the actual Lady Gillette for about the same amount of money. The finish is about on par with Merkur; it's nicely finished but not impeccable.

In the end, I am not sure if I will be keeping this long term, as I like the look, and feel of the actual Lady Gillette more.

LibertyBeta

11-01-2011, 06:25 AM

Thanks for reporting back. And I have to agree with the comment about Merkur finish. I've got a 180 lond handle, and while the chrome clean up nicely it does take a beating worse than my superspeed and my slim.

poppi

11-01-2011, 07:36 AM

I have a Parker 99r which is a TTO. The quality on mine is superb and it shaves very well. I find it a little to aggressive for my tastes but that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a mighty fine razor

I also have a Ming Shi TTO. It is not the highest quality built razor in the world. But, surprisingly, I get great close comfortable shaves with it.

Guess that's why we have the disclaimer YMMV