Which to Loan a Newbie?

[ShaneC]

I'm probably going to loan out a razor to a friend of mine to try before our Xmas party.

He usually just does an electric "trim" but his wife wants him looking nice.

I figure a C&E badger brush, some decent cream, and.....

I dunno what.

1912 Gem Jr?
Gillette Ball end tech?
Gillette SS?

Which blades? (Got a sampler pack of DE blades)

He has sensitive skin, and I figure the tech is probably the most forgiving. Crystal blades maybe?

[Commander Quan]

If the Xmas party is only a week away I'd give him a Mach 3 and the brush and cream. It's pretty hard to wreck your face with one of those. Yes it might not be the most comfortable shave, (but he's probably used to that, shaving with an electric,) but there really isn't the chance he'll hack himself to death either. Once he sees how nice the brush and cream can be hopefully he'll want to continue with the DE and have time to learn before he needs to go out again.

[thirdeye]

Very nice gesture. I would say go with the SS. It is a great starter intro razor.

[ShaneC]

Well, the Christmas party is tonight, and he was going to use a disposable.

Got him to use the Tech w/ a Crystal Blade, w/ some KMF and Nomad cream (I had a tiny lil' nomad sampler I topped off w/ the KMF).

Apparently it worked well, no cuts, nicks, weepers or razor burn.

We may have a convert.

[Dharion]

Many people are too afraid (or too lazy) to convert so I'd say make his transition comfortable.

Nice gesture!

[pal]

Very nice gesture. I would say go with the SS. It is a great starter intro razor.

I agree the SS is a great little razor to use as a started. Even to this day I keep it in my rotation.

[burnwood]

First time user? loan the SS.

[ShaneC]

errrmmm.....post 4 anyone?

[spoon]

ye, me. glad your friend is happy. I still remember my first de shave, and it wasnt so nice :D

[netsurfr]

I think it was probably a wise decision that he used a disposable just before a Christmas party. Nothing worse than getting ribbed by everyone he knows for inflicting a major bloodletting before such an event.

Beyond the party, seems like the SS would be a good choice given that choice of razors. Congrats on even the potential of getting a new convert. My friends just laugh when I tell them I shave with a straight razor.

[RichGem]

hmmmm ... the superspeed is easier to load, but the Tech is probably a bit less aggressive, and imho, slightly more newbie proof than an SS. YMMV, of course. :wink: Also the lighter head of the Tech might keep him from pressing down a whole lot in a bad way (as compared to the addition of the heavier weight of the SS).

[Ramaniac]

I would go with the Tech before the SS. I can't seem to keep from nicking myself with the SS. I have a Travel Merkur that is supposed to be more aggressive, but it gives me my best shaves. Go figure.