beginner tto DE safety razor?

Am looking to buy my first safety razor, and thought I had it narrowed down to a Parker 96r 2010 model. The problem is some people have reviewed it as aggressive, while others say its not too aggressive. I dont need to shave too regularly, say once a week, so will not need an aggressive one.

I was going to buy a Merkur Classic, but don't really want a 3-piece razor, I like the way twist-to-open mechanism works.

Does anyone know of a good razor to get? Should be a TTO, good grip, not too long or heavy and not too aggressive. I understand its about personal preference, but could do with a bit of help!

Schick Krona all the way!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I have the parker and works great for me. I started with it, got used to it and like it. I can't say if it is aggressive or not because I have never tried anything else. What I like about it is that the blade sits ever so slightly uneven, so I can use the bigger blade exposure on one side for the sides and chin, and use the smaller exposure, on the other side, for the neck and moustache (which are more sensitive areas).
PS: The exposure difference is, at most, half a millimeter.

fiacobelli said:

Hi, I have the parker and works great for me. I started with it, got used to it and like it. I can't say if it is aggressive or not because I have never tried anything else. What I like about it is that the blade sits ever so slightly uneven, so I can use the bigger blade exposure on one side for the sides and chin, and use the smaller exposure, on the other side, for the neck and moustache (which are more sensitive areas).
PS: The exposure difference is, at most, half a millimeter.

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If this isn't the biggest endorsement for NOT getting a Parker, I don't know what is.

The Schick Krona is a fine razor, as is the Gillette Superspeed in any of its incarnations from 40's to 70's.
The Superspeeds certainly are easily available and can be had for a song.

I probably should have added that I would like a brand new razor, just a personal preference. I did see the Shick Krona, but can't find a new one avaiable from England, is there anywhere that does sell them?

At least try a vintage - they are mostly inexpensive.

The only TTO's you're going to find new are the Weishis and similar Chinese brands and the Indian Parkers.
Merkur does make the Vision and the Futur, which are TTO (and adjustable) if that sort of thing floats your boat.
Consider getting over the "old is icky" factor and find yourself a vintage Gillette or Schick that is in "like new" condition.

EDIT: I have been informed by Sledgehammer39 that the Futur actually isn't a TTO, and has a pop off cap for loading the blade, sorry - but this narrows your selection even more.
The pictures of the Vision and Futur are below;

What I like about it is that the blade sits ever so slightly uneven, so I can use the bigger blade exposure on one side for the sides and chin, and use the smaller exposure, on the other side, for the neck and moustache (which are more sensitive areas).
PS: The exposure difference is, at most, half a millimeter.

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I vote for the SuperSpeed in TTO.

luvmysuper said:

Consider getting over the "old is icky" factor

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I had that same feeling when I first decided to start DE shaving, but now I have 5 vintage razors and use them more then the new EJ89L I bought to start with. The cleaning and disinfecting is easy and you end up with a good reliable razor.

If you buy from the BST, chances are you would be getting a razor that was already cleaned and all that would be needed is to disinfect it, just for piece of mind. You should be doing that with a new razor too, only god knows for sure if the person packaging your new razor washes their hands and what they were doing just before they packaged your new razor

I've just found a website that sells Vintage razors from England and it looks like there in brand new condition.

I've read a bit about the Gillette Super Speed and these two caught my attention:

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=446&idcategory=7

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=383&idcategory=7

Anyone dealt with that site before? Are those two razors good and at the right price?

I've also seen this Timor on their site and thought I might try it out as well

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=400&idcategory=3

acer098 said:

I've just found a website that sells Vintage razors from England and it looks like there in brand new condition.

I've read a bit about the Gillette Super Speed and these two caught my attention:

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=446&idcategory=7

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=383&idcategory=7

Anyone dealt with that site before? Are those two razors good and at the right price?

I've also seen this Timor on their site and thought I might try it out as well

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=400&idcategory=3

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Check out the slim they have there, that way you can have it as aggressive as you want, its sort of like buying 9 razors at once for the price of one. As for the store itself or their quality I have no idea

acer098 said:

I've just found a website that sells Vintage razors from England and it looks like there in brand new condition.

I've read a bit about the Gillette Super Speed and these two caught my attention:

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=446&idcategory=7

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=383&idcategory=7

Anyone dealt with that site before? Are those two razors good and at the right price?

I've also seen this Timor on their site and thought I might try it out as well

http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=400&idcategory=3

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That's the website of one of our members here, a supporting Vendor named Onotoman.

mark_mw said:

Schick Krona all the way!!!!!!!!!

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+1 though you should really consider getting a used one - the new ones are crazy expensive on eBay. The money you spend on a new Krona or one of those replated Superspeeds you're considering could easily buy you a Krona, Superspeed, and Tech (I know you don't want a 3-piece, but if you want a mild, and awesome, razor, consider a Tech), and probably some blades to boot.

I started with a Parker which I used daily for months prior to finding B&B. Eventually, I bought a razor lot off BST (four razors for ~&40. I bought the lot because it had a Slim; I didn't plan on using the 40s Superspeed much). In the past nine months, I've probably used the Parker twice. I now have ten vintage Gillettes and prefer each of them to the Parker. Don't get me wrong, the Parker is a decent razor and I liked it much more than any cartridge razor on the market, but vintage Gillette razors are incredibly well made. The Superspeed, which you can usually find on BST for under $15, is still my favorite. For less than you would spend on a Parker, you can pick up a mint SS. After a year of use, the Gillette will be in better shape than a similarly used Parker and will sell for a higher price on BST should you choose to get rid of it.

Aggressiveness is an over-rated concept. Just get a razor and learn how to use it, it really doesn't matter which one.

Patrik said:

+1 though you should really consider getting a used one - the new ones are crazy expensive on eBay. The money you spend on a new Krona or one of those replated Superspeeds you're considering could easily buy you a Krona, Superspeed, and Tech (I know you don't want a 3-piece, but if you want a mild, and awesome, razor, consider a Tech), and probably some blades to boot.

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That applies to cased, NOS items....Clean Kronas often go thru auctions unbid in the $5 - $10 range. They're the DE counterpart to the GEMS in the overlooked razor world

luvmysuper said:

Consider getting over the "old is icky" factor and find yourself a vintage Gillette or Schick that is in "like new" condition.

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If you really need to go the new route, it is possible to pick up sealed NOS (new old stock) Black Handled Superspeeds on Ebay for around $50. There has been no fewer than a half dozen of them for sale in the last week alone.

That price is on the high side for my preferences, but you would still be getting the Gillette quality, which will be vastly superior to the Parker's as I understand it (Parker TTO's are not held in very high regard).

As for the Chinese made Superspeed clones, I find the Weishi to be way way too mild (so mild it was useless in my hands). The Ming Shi/Derby Razor/Shaving Factory Razor is about the same level of aggressiveness as a normal Superspeed, but the overall quality no where near the same as a Vintage Gillette.

Taylor of Old Bond Street sells a butterfly, which is a TTO. <http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/acatalog/razors-and-sharp-edges.html> This would be a completely new razor, never used.

I, however, am with the majority here who say get a TTO from the BST or Ebay.

There are two new sealed Gillette Super Speeds with the black handle on eBay for $37 each "buy it now". They won't be there long at that price, but would make the perfect starter razor if you can snag one.

Good luck.

rsaltonstall said:

Taylor of Old Bond Street sells a butterfly, which is a TTO. <http://www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk/acatalog/razors-and-sharp-edges.html> This would be a completely new razor, never used.

I, however, am with the majority here who say get a TTO from the BST or Ebay.

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That is pretty expensive at $78 US + shipping.

I wonder who makes that for Taylor?