suggestions for me?

[dax702]

I'm 26 today, just discovered wet shaving after having used an electric for years now. I have been using my dad's old Schick Krona I think it's called for the last few weeks. I was amazed at how there's very little razor burn, if any when using a DE razor. HOWEVER, the shave itself is not close at all (the electric was a heck of a lot closer). I'm guessing that it's this Krona razor causing me to not get a close shave? I'm only shaving with the direction of growth, so that's part of it too I imagine?

I'm Italian and Greek and my beard grows in several directions, especially on the neck. I have about $40 I can spend on a good razor. I'd like to get some input on the best razor for around that price that is good for people with fast growing, sand-paper like beard that grows in several directions. Also, I should mention that my skin is super sensitive. Wet shaving in general however, has stopped the razor bumps and irritation I used to get with the electric and Mach 3 when I used that. Based on that, I think any modern razor would be a step up from this Krona?

[rtaylor61]

Dax, welcome to B&B! Check the Selling/Trading forum for anyone selling a used razor. They come up all the time. That will be your cheapest route. If you want to go new, check out the Merkur HD Classic. It easily fits into your budget.

Randy

[dax702]

a used razor?? is that safe to do?

[rtaylor61]

a used razor?? is that safe to do?

Absolutely! Since most are metal, they can be sterilized.

Randy

[slcsteve]

a used razor?? is that safe to do?

Yes! Easy to clean and sterilize and will last indefinitely with just a modicum of care.

[roughrider]

You can pick up a new Merkur HD for $19 plus shipping from Chesapeake Knife and Tool.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2966

[dax702]

I contacted that Chesapeake outfit and he sent me this reply:

Greetings,
All we carry now is the standard double edge and the slant bars razors. If you are interested, please provide a quantity and a number I can call you back at. Stock is moving quick because it is our last week of being open.
Shawn

Are either of those good for me based on my first post in the thread?

[rschul2]

Buy yourself a nice Merkur Progress. It's adjustable and a razor you can grow with. As far as a close shave. Try working on the correct blade angle for your face. For me, I learned by holding the razor pependicular to the floor and slowly lowering the razor until I could hear the blade cutting my whiskers. Too shallow of an angle and you will "pull" not cut the hairs....this hurts, and too deep of a razor angle and you will cut yourself. It will take time to figure out the right angle, and don't forget that your angles will change with the terrain of your face. Stick with it, you'll get the hang of it and you will be singing the praises of a DE in no time.

[roughrider]

All we carry now is the standard double edge and the slant bars razors.

Are either of those good for me based on my first post in the thread?


I think Shawn is referring to the HD as the Standard double edge. That is the one you want. $19 + shipping is a great deal. Classic Shaving sells it for $29.99


http://www.classicshaving.com/i/Merkur/34c.jpg

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/284057.htm

[rtaylor61]

RR,

He could be referring to this one, the Merkur Classic:

http://www.classicshaving.com/i/Merkur/33c.jpg

Still a great razor, just not as heavy, and it has a longer handle.

Randy

[roughrider]

From Art's posts, I figured they only had the HD and Slant Bar razors.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=31043&postcount=5

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=31356&postcount=11

[rtaylor61]

From Art's posts, I figured they only had the HD and Slant Bar razors.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=31043&postcount=5

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=31356&postcount=11

RR,

That is possible, but with a phone call, it would be easy to figure out. Long or short handle?

Randy

[dax702]

so as a final thought, the one for me is..............? :confused: :biggrin:
these are "adustable?"

[rtaylor61]

No, neither one is adjustable. You need to move up to the Progress for the adjustable.

Randy

[roughrider]

so as a final thought, the one for me is..............? :confused: :biggrin:
these are "adustable?"


Call Shawn and tell him you want the standard double edge. Jump on it because I hear this is their last week of business.

[letterk]

Either the "standard" classic or "standard" HD would be great at their price. Both are good shavers.

[With The Grain]

....

[dax702]

Do I need an adjustable one such as Progress which Rtaylor said?

[Dennis]

Do I need an adjustable one such as Progress which Rtaylor said?

No. What usually happens when you are new to using a DE and you get an adjustable is that you always screw around with the settings. If you get an adjustable and just leave it at a low setting you will be fine. Otherwise, the fixed razors like the Hefty Classic are juuussssttt fine the way they are. They allow you to learn how to shave with them without the chance to screw anything up by changing something each time you shave. The HD style of razor is the standard to get. I would bet most everyone on this board who shaves with a DE owns the HD or similar razor and still uses it. I have both adjustables and regular and I find myself shaving with the HD and similar more than the adjustables lately.

Dennis

[With The Grain]

.........

[yasuo200365]

Dax,

It has already been said but Adjustability is unnecessary IMO - adjustable DE razors simply didn't exist for the first 50 years - they came in at the tail-end of DE's dominant (golden even) era. The most satisfying designs for me are the fixed blade razors.

If you must have an adjustable I wouldn't personally recommend new - Merkur hasn't got it's act together on the adjustable front, but IMO their cheapest, the Progress is the best of a rum lot. For adjustable you would be better off going 'vintage' Gillette .., 1950's Fat-Boy, 1960's Slim Handle & the late 60's Super Adjustable - all are easily available on eBay & fine razors. Personally I would look out for a long-handled Super Adjustable.

Merkur make three very fine fixed blade razors - the slant bar, HD (Heavy Duty) & the long handled Classic. The slant is more of a second razor as it is very difficult to keep your side-burns straight & level with a slant.The other two are more conventional in shape - the HD would probably just edge it as a first buy razor.

On the 'vintage' fixed blade front ..., a 1940's Superspeed or a 1940's Aristocrat are rated by many as two of the finest razors ever made. There are others of course, but these two are obvious choices.

Regards
John

[Suzuki]

Dax:

I agree generally with the advice given above.

While the HD is the most popular of the Merkur line, the classic is also a great razor - I've had mine for over a decade and it still looks like new. If you can get the HD for $20, go for it - if they only have the classic, go for it - either is a bargain at that price.

Don't get the slant as your first DE - its not for the unexperienced and you should perfect your technique on a standard DE before trying the slant (in particular, you will have to get used to using less pressure than with multi-blade razors - whcih is why people like the HD, as the weight of the razor provides the "right" amount of pressure for most on its own).

As for the adjustible, I don't own any of the Merkurs, but do own a vintage Gillette - its fun, but is not necessary - I use mine only occasionally and personally prefer the fixed-head razors. Also, they are more expensive, and even the Progress is likely more than you want to shell out at this point. A final reason for skipping the adjustibles at this point is that its probably more useful for you to concentrate on your technique than fiddling with your razor's adjustment.

In short, the HD would be my first recommendations, but the classic is also a good choice.

Hope this helps.

[mrob]

I just don't understand this neo-Luddite fascination with fixed head razors. It seems to me that an adjustable provides the best of both worlds--adjustability when you need it, and if you don't--just leave it alone!

Most of the objections I see seem to be aimed at protecting inexperienced DE shavers from themselves, and while well-meaning, I think that they are also depriving newcomers from the enjoyment of mastering an adjustable00finding out what settings work well for one's face, or for different passes, etc.

I find that I get my best shaves from my Vision loaded with a fresh Feather--sometimes I use it wide open, other times I dial it way down--my shaving technique changes with the specific setting and set up, which is part of the allure of the DE experience--just my 2 cents. :smile:

[Dennis]

I just don't understand this neo-Luddite fascination with fixed head razors. It seems to me that an adjustable provides the best of both worlds--adjustability when you need it, and if you don't--just leave it alone!

Most of the objections I see seem to be aimed at protecting inexperienced DE shavers from themselves, and while well-meaning, I think that they are also depriving newcomers from the enjoyment of mastering an adjustable00finding out what settings work well for one's face, or for different passes, etc.

I find that I get my best shaves from my Vision loaded with a fresh Feather--sometimes I use it wide open, other times I dial it way down--my shaving technique changes with the specific setting and set up, which is part of the allure of the DE experience--just my 2 cents. :smile:

That's because you haven't tried a 1940s Gillette Super Speed yet... :w00t:

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
Dennis

[With The Grain]

....

[yasuo200365]

Mitch,

It isn't luddite to prefer fixed blade razors over adjustables - I've owned all Gillettes & Merkurs adjustable razors and none of them IMO are quite as satisfying as simple razor like the HD or 1940's Superspeed ...., OK, the 195 & Toggle get very close, but they're still not quite there.

Adjustability is there to satisfy a male need for fiddling with settings and making things worse.:wink:

Regards
John

[mrob]

Adjustability is there to satisfy a male need for fiddling with settings and making things worse.:wink:

Regards
John

Now that I agree with! :wink:

[Suzuki]

Ditto.

I have nothing against adjustables if that's what floats your boat, I just think that it makes sense for a nebie to use a fixed-head first - that way they concentrate on technique, as opposed to futzing around with the settings on an adjustable.

Also, if you get razor burn with a fixed-head, its related to technique or soap/cream/aftershave treatement, vice razor setting.

[htownmmm]

dax702,



So which razor did u pick-not that it matters anyway; eventually, u will end up buying the other one that u dont own. :wink:





Marty

[dax702]

contacted that guy at Chesapeake Bay so I'm supposed to get a Merkur HD, he said he'd contact me in a couple days which should be tomorrow...
Mike

[AACJ]

Damn, look what I started.