Advice from men & women on razor purchase

**artgeek** · 07-29-2009, 04:21 PM

Hi! I'm looking to get some pro advice on a gift for my husband's upcoming birthday. :)

A couple of years ago, I bought him a Parker safety razor on eBay with little to no research; he just said he was interested in abandoning modern razors, being completely fed up with the expense of cartridges and having read a little about wet shaving. Since that time, he's used the Parker, plus blades, soap and brush all purchased at the local market.

I've also used the Parker a few times (sacrilege, I'm sure, but I did use my own blade!) and am almost a convert. I get a great shave, but am likely to nick myself at my heel (I think I just change the pressure when reaching down and need to pay more attention).

Anyway, I recently broke the el cheapo green bowl his original brush came with and started shopping for a new one. Which led to the thought: Could I just upgrade his set up all together? Or finally get myself my own razor?

So, wondrous B&B denizens, this is my dilemma:

* What razor would you recommend to replace the Parker for him?
* What razor would you recommend to replace the Parker for me?
* Any other advice about upgrading a razor and kit? (I'm looking at better brushes, obviously, and purchasing some soaps at Mama Bear's.)

Thanks for reading this and any advice you can offer to make sure my guy has a great birthday. =)

**michiganlover** · 07-29-2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by artgeek

* What razor would you recommend to replace the Parker for him?
* What razor would you recommend to replace the Parker for me?
* Any other advice about upgrading a razor and kit? (I'm looking at better brushes, obviously, and purchasing some soaps at Mama Bear's.)

-Razor for him, it's hard to beat the shininess of a new Merkur HD (aka Merkur 34C).

-For yourself, you would probably benefit from a longer handle. Go with a Merkur 38C (same head as the Merkur HD) The razor is also available in Red, and Blue colors, along with the chrome.

In terms of a new brush, you would be hard pressed to beat the quality, performance, or beauty of these brushes:

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=95015

I purchased the 22mm Finest in Cream about two weeks ago, and absolutely love the brush. A comparable brush in a well known brand name, would probably cost at least double the money.

**Koss** · 07-29-2009, 04:36 PM

Why not try out a Gillette Adjustable, or a Merkur Adjustable like the Futur? That way he can customize his shave... or just find that sweet spot where he likes his razor to feel like all the time.

Merkur's are more aggressive generally then GIllette's.

If you can... there is always the ever so lovely Lady Gillette razor. Very sharp looking. I just bought one recently in blue to give as a present to my mother. Its really stunning in person to see. I almost wanted to keep it for myself!

Ball end tech's are nice too, and are very gentle. That might help with your nick problem on the heel. Or perhaps a blue tip gillette superspeed.

**luvmysuper** · 07-29-2009, 04:44 PM

How about a Lady Gillette for you, and browse the Buy Sell Trade forum here for something that he might like.
There's lots to choose from. It's harder to make a recommendation for a guy who isn't new to this wetshaving because you just don't know what he would like.
Many folks just seem to love the Fatboy adjustable razor. It does look nice, and it offers the opportunity to change blade aggressiveness.
My alltime favorite though has to be the Red Tip Superspeed.
It's got really great handle knurling, it's a nice heavy razor and it can be had for a very reasonable price.
Soaps, creams, scuttles, mugs and bowls are as diverse as sand grains on the beach and you just have to find something that you personally like.
Hope you both find something you like.

Nice Red Tip here
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=100855

**Luc** · 07-29-2009, 04:46 PM

Welcome to B&B!

Razor for you? A lady Gillette, a Gillette Tech or maybe a long handle Merkur HD.

Razor for him? You could go with a Merkur HD, Open comb or Slant. I prefer vintage Gillettes. A Superspeed might be great.

Upgrade: It depends how much you want to invest in this. A brush could be a simple Omega Bristle. You could go with a badger, best badger, silvertip. The price range varies. Soaps? I never tried Mama bear but they have good reviews on this forum. If you want, you could get a sample pack from Geo F. Trumper. Their stuff is usually nice and I was able to use it for almost a month, shaving every day!

**artgeek** · 07-29-2009, 06:46 PM

@michiganlover--Thanks for the advice on the longer handle and the link to Penworks' sale. Those look great. The explanation about the longer handle is also useful, as I am usually wont to avoid buying anything labeled "Lady" if it just means it's the same product in pink! Knowing there's an actual difference in the women's DE razors is quite useful.
@luvmysupper--I'm already addicted to browsing the BST area; it's a great feature of the site to actually buy from people who are knowledgeable about the product and process. Thanks for the Red Tip rec.
@Luc--Unrelated to thread, but so grateful for your link to the Dark Side! Now happily browsing BST and other areas in the Silvertip theme!

Thanks all for your advice and recommendations :)

**michiganlover** · 07-30-2009, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by artgeek

@michiganlover--Thanks for the advice on the longer handle and the link to Penworks' sale. Those look great. The explanation about the longer handle is also useful, as I am usually wont to avoid buying anything labeled "Lady" if it just means it's the same product in pink! Knowing there's an actual difference in the women's DE razors is quite useful.
@luvmysupper--I'm already addicted to browsing the BST area; it's a great feature of the site to actually buy from people who are knowledgeable about the product and process. Thanks for the Red Tip rec.
@Luc--Unrelated to thread, but so grateful for your link to the Dark Side! Now happily browsing BST and other areas in the Silvertip theme!

Thanks all for your advice and recommendations :)

I was browsing some other threads, and saw that you have purchased a Red Tip, and a Penworks Jade brush. You have made some excellent choices, and I am sure your husband is going to love his birthday present!!

**gollum83** · 07-30-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Luc

Upgrade: It depends how much you want to invest in this. A brush could be a simple Omega Bristle. You could go with a badger, best badger, silvertip. The price range varies. Soaps? I never tried Mama bear but they have good reviews on this forum. If you want, you could get a sample pack from Geo F. Trumper. Their stuff is usually nice and I was able to use it for almost a month, shaving every day!

The Geo F. Trumper sample pack is great! If you ask them nice enough when ordering, they'll give you samples of anything you express interest in that's not listed in the description on their website and then some, or at least that my experience.

**krissy** · 07-30-2009, 04:31 PM

I can't say what to buy for your hubby but I got my hubby a gillette superspeed and he really likes it. But for myself I love my Lady Gillette it works great !!! Then we both use the Derby Extra blades.

I also agree on the brush from penworks.
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=95015
there are some great brushes in this bunch. I'm considering getting a second from him.

Both my hubby and I use this brush and we both love it !!! I bought it directly on the web site. But I highly recommend this seller !!!
http://www.penworks.us//index.php?ma...roducts_id=215

**Koss** · 07-30-2009, 05:15 PM

Another Gillette with a long handle is the Knack (Called Twist in Britian I think? Or G1000, various other names).

Its actually my favorite Gillette I've tried so far.

**michiganlover** · 07-30-2009, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Koss

Another Gillette with a long handle is the Knack (Called Twist in Britian I think? Or G1000, various other names).

Its actually my favorite Gillette I've tried so far.

I actually have a Knack that I bought from the B/S/T with the specific purpose of it finding it's way to a newbie. I shaved with it 2-3 times, and it is an excellent shaver. Considering it only cost me $10, it was a great deal.

I keep telling myself I don't need a dozen razors, so I part with the ones that are not my absolute favorites, only to purchase more.

**nodns** · 07-30-2009, 06:01 PM

Hello artgeek!

Personally, I use an eShave brush that I have had for several years with a Merker 38c. My husband has an identical setup, brush is even the same color. He likes the 38c because of the length of the handle, something with his big hands. I like the length because I am not a yoga master and need a longer handle. I know I am in the serious minority here, but I hated the Gillettes I tried (Lady, black handled whatever, black tipped whatever). I also think my barber pole is pretty, so I must be odd.

As for any recommendations on the Mama Bear soaps, I am in love with the violet. Not sure if you saw on the site, but you can order a slice of soap so that you can sniff it and get about 1 shave, give or take, out if it.

**artgeek** · 07-30-2009, 06:20 PM

@michiganlover -- You have it right! The deals here on B&B have really made this gift so easy to put together. I am excited to see the Penworks brush--though I've been using a DE, it's always been with shave gel in the shower. Reading the site and watching mantic's YouTube videos makes me think I'm absolutely missing out on the full experience.
@gollum -- Thanks for pointing out the sample pack. As I said, we've just been using grocery store/pharmacy blades, so I definitely think more exploration is in order.
@Krissy -- As a woman shaving, do you find you need a particularly different or larger brush? I've been reading that the fineness of hair is less crucial on a woman's legs and some people prefer larger brushes, but, as I said above, the whole brush and lather thing is a new idea for me.
@nodns -- Thanks for the recs.

Absolutely loving the B&B community, so appreciative for all the good things that have been shared and pointed out. Thanks a million. I will definitely check back in after the husband gets his gifts and I give this brush and lather thing a go!

**krissy** · 07-30-2009, 06:37 PM

My brush is a 22mm one and that seems to work just fine for lathering up. I also have a smaller one that I think must be a 20mm one. It's the VHD from walmart that comes with the cup and soap. And i like the larger one better but the 20mm one does the job as well. There is a big difference between a boar like you have and the badger.

But would I want something bigger than a 22mm, I don't think I would actually. I think that might just be too big to use even though there is a lot of surface to cover unlike the face.

**Koss** · 07-30-2009, 06:38 PM

Yeah I bought it in a starter kit sale from a member here. I'm giving it to my friend who is getting into wetshaving. I'm going to miss the knack (I couldn't help but try it out myself...

)

Originally Posted by michiganlover

I actually have a Knack that I bought from the B/S/T with the specific purpose of it finding it's way to a newbie. I shaved with it 2-3 times, and it is an excellent shaver. Considering it only cost me $10, it was a great deal.

I keep telling myself I don't need a dozen razors, so I part with the ones that are not my absolute favorites, only to purchase more.

**AJMiami** · 07-30-2009, 06:45 PM

I'm super happy with my Muhle Pinsel R89 (2009 model - closed comb).

It would made a great gift, since the quality of the razor is outstanding and is a great shaver. Check the review section

**guru** · 07-31-2009, 07:36 AM

I like the Gillette razors. I would get him a nice 40's style SuperSpeed, or maybe a nice adjustable or Fatboy. No doubt, get yourself a Lady Gillette. That's what I got my wife and she loves it. Nice long handle, easy to load TTO. You may be able to find them all in the B/S/T in this forum.