Just 1 DE...

[TJoshX]

Hello Gents,

Now I highly presume I am opening up quite the can of worms here, but I am going to go forth with my question anyway...

If you were to own just 1 DE razor which would you choose?

Now I am a straight razor shaver and I know very well to ask this question warrants a multitude of answers, and a number of "Different, People, Different Faces, Different Preferences..." responses This is exactly what I am looking for. I am not asking what the "Best all around DE" is, rather asking what you personally feel is the best DE you have had experience with.

As mentioned, I am a straight shaver, I have began to consider purchasing 1... just 1 (Haha, yeah right... I say that now... we'll see where I am in a few months ) DE to take with me when I go away for the occasional weekend or on a trip or what not. That and it might be nice to mix it up a little from time to time in my rotation.

So I guess my question is really, if you were going to recommend just one DE shaver to a straight razor shaver to try and potentially use in their rotation which would it be? If you could offer up some explanation that would be great. For the time being I am not concerned with price. I just want your personal answer.

Thanks Gents!

Joshua

[Greyfox]

My personal choice would be the Gillette NEW. It is open comb and gives an incredible shave. I have a very heavy beard and having tried many new razors and as well as vintage Gillettes I find this to be the vest for me.

[gsurko]

A slant.

[taffy]

Well so far i would have to say the mekur hd because it gives me the best shave from the de's i have so far tried (would also say the trac ii but sinse you asked for the de), this razor is well made and simple and does the job well and at a good price and readily available.

[texbilly]

NEW Deluxe

[kevtex]

I would suggest a 40's Super Speed with Super Iridium blades. The razor is middle of the road in terms of aggressiveness and the blades are sharp but smooth. Good luck in your search for that "1 DE".

[HoosierTrooper]

My NEW. No, wait, I mean one of my Old Types. The silver one. Definitely. Well, actually I like the gold one better so, yeah, the gold Old Type. But the Senator is tto which may be better as I get older, less chance of cutting myself, so I'm going with my Senator. Yep, final answer, the Senator.
But the Fat Boy or Slim adjustable might be better since they can adapt to different blades. Can I change my answer? I'll go with the Fat Boy. But if the tto mechanism breaks I'm screwed so I better go with a three piece, but which one? I guess it would probably be best to stick with the NEW. Yep, my replated NEW.

[texbilly]

My NEW. No, wait, I mean one of my Old Types. The silver one. Definitely. Well, actually I like the gold one better so, yeah, the gold Old Type. But the Senator is tto which may be better as I get older, less chance of cutting myself, so I'm going with my Senator. Yep, final answer, the Senator.
But the Fat Boy or Slim adjustable might be better since they can adapt to different blades. Can I change my answer? I'll go with the Fat Boy. But if the tto mechanism breaks I'm screwed so I better go with a three piece, but which one? I guess it would probably be best to stick with the NEW. Yep, my replated NEW.

(But a fine choice)

[Peto]

Definitely Old Type. It gives me the best, the smoothest, the most incredible shave :-). But, YMMV.

[DE Shaver]

I like how my Merkur 39C slant works and likely choose that razor. However, some of the vintage razors work very nicely for me as well.

[Hayden]

Prolly go with merkur 34HD, its all around great shaver.

[Pioneer]

Gillette Tech w/ Feather blades - simple, sturdy, and would last the length of my stay on the desert island (of course, I'd need blades shipped in regularly...oh, this wasn't a "desert island" question? Aw hell).

[nEver-Ready]

NEW Deluxe

Second that, especially the Big Boy version...

[Pumpkin]

Having tried a variety of vintage Gillettes (nothing modern), I'd have to go with my fat handled Tech (loaded with a Feather) as my default razor!

[JoshD]

I would have to say my Aristocrat. Best shave that I have ever had. You can check out my "Holy Grail" thread to see some pics. I love the handle. It is knurled nicely so it won't slip out of your grasp. I live ghe weight of it too. It feels like you have some thing. But not too heavy. The blade gap is not too aggressive, but it gives a close shave. And comforatable, I could not ask for a more comforatable shave. I can get a dfs with two very quick passes. The 'Crat is going to be hard to unseat from it's throne.

Josh

[JoshD]

I would have to say my Aristocrat. Best shave that I have ever had. You can check out my "Holy Grail" thread to see some pics. I love the handle. It is knurled nicely so it won't slip out of your grasp. I live ghe weight of it too. It feels like you have some thing. But not too heavy. The blade gap is not too aggressive, but it gives a close shave. And comforatable, I could not ask for a more comforatable shave. I can get a dfs with two very quick passes. The 'Crat is going to be hard to unseat from it's throne.

Josh

[40boy]

I'd pick one of the Edwin Jagger DEs (86,87,89,89L) with the new Muehle head.

My 86(the black one) is a great shaver.

[iamyourfather]

Most definitely my '69 Slim. The adjustability is a wonderful feature!

[DanInFla]

either my '34 Aristocrat or my '46 Aristocrat...and my fat boy

[mkevenson]

I have to say I CAN'T DO IT!!!!! but I do have a tie, 1921 New Improved Gillette and Merkur slant. I guess due to its age and greatness, but not a better shave, I would go with the Gillette.