Thinking of buying a Goodfella

**BigFoot** · 06-21-2011, 07:04 PM

I love the looks of the Goodfella razor. Who has one and how do they shave? If it is mild I won't like it.

**ShavinBacon** · 06-21-2011, 07:15 PM

Don't have one but all I have ever heard about them is how mild they are. I really liked their looks but I don't like mild razors so I didn't pursue getting one. I am sure someone with first hand knowledge will be along shortly.

**Dpflaum** · 06-21-2011, 07:18 PM

I wanted one for a long time and jumped on it when one came up on the BST. Extremely mild, low build quality, ultra lightweight (particularly the top) and all around not worth the money. I sold it after about three uses.

Might I recommend the 2011 EJ 89?

**waynejitsu** · 06-21-2011, 07:47 PM

Much, much, MUCH better off with an vintage Gillette open comb. The Goodfella..., it is just, I don't know, something about it feels cheap and does not, at least when I tried one, it did not shave good with a lot of different blades. For the price they sell for, you can get a Merkur, Muhle, Gillette, E.J. or a LOT of others and have change left over for razors, soap and a carry case AND have a better shave.
Just my .02 after trying one out- Not at all impressed. Good for $10 - $15, but for $60 plus shipping, there are WAY too many good razors out there to choose from.

**cooncatbob** · 06-21-2011, 08:44 PM

Your better off with a Gillette Old Type, the Good Fella is mild, the spaces between the combs is too small.
I traded for one and opened up the spaces with a Dremel and now it shaves like an Old Type.
I do like the handle design.

**huck1680** · 06-21-2011, 08:54 PM

Hey Scott

I got mine a couple of weeks ago. Used it several times with a Feather blade and ...it's mild. Good looking, but mild. Sorry

**BigFoot** · 06-22-2011, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by cooncatbob

Your better off with a Gillette Old Type, the Good Fella is mild, the spaces between the combs is too small.
I traded for one and opened up the spaces with a Dremel and now it shaves like an Old Type.
I do like the handle design.

Thanks for the info guys, I will stay away. How much is that handle Bob. I would not need a head, I have both a New and an Old Type from you.

**alex2363** · 06-22-2011, 06:56 AM

its a good entry level razor

**ChristopherH10** · 06-26-2011, 11:35 PM

I looked at the Goodfella a little while ago. It has the exact same specs as the Gillette Ball End Old Type ... and I'm pretty sure the weight is close ... I ended up selling my Old Type because it felt too small in my hand ... and it is light as a feather, IMO. I always felt like I got good shaves, but I prefer a little heaviness in my razor.

**guitarslinger** · 07-04-2011, 10:35 PM

Interesting.

I LOVE mine. I enjoy the close teeth. I would say I'm past the honeymoon stage after 20 shaves or so.

It feels solid and compact. The quality is very good on mine.

BUT...............it is mild. The OP will not like it.

**waynejitsu** · 07-05-2011, 08:10 PM

Ya know, I was thinking..., for the price of 1 Goodfella, $60 plus about $10 shipping (just a guess on shipping, handling, packaging, etc) you could buy
1- Gillette Slim Adjustable
1- Super Speed, red tip or blue tip, depending on your needs)
1- Parker 97R (head looks like a Merkur)
1 LORD, new version
Have 4 razors, one of which is adjustable and if you take your time, you would have extra money left for blades also.

IMO, there are way too many razors that shave better. closer, adjustable and hold their value better. You could have 4 razors for the price of the one and maybe some cash for blades left over.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND going for the others. You will have mild, aggressive, adjustable and in-between. With that set, you will be sure to fins a good one or have an automatic "rotation:)

**Azback** · 07-05-2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Dpflaum

I wanted one for a long time and jumped on it when one came up on the BST. Extremely mild, low build quality, ultra lightweight (particularly the top) and all around not worth the money. I sold it after about three uses.

Might I recommend the 2011 EJ 89?

I just can't see how, of all the things to criticise of the Goodfella, people are talking build quality. In my (admittedly limited) experience they are really, really well made. You can get much better shaves from cheaper razors, but there is nothing wrong with the build quality of a Goodfella.

I do regret seeing so much money dropped on one though, now I hardly use it. Good for a quick whip around the face if I need a freshen up or am in a real hurry.

**KM-instructor** · 07-05-2011, 09:14 PM

It's a good little razor, I usually use mine when i travel, even on the bike i slip it in my pocket.

**waynejitsu** · 07-06-2011, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Azback

I just can't see how, of all the things to criticise of the Goodfella, people are talking build quality. In my (admittedly limited) experience they are really, really well made. You can get much better shaves from cheaper razors, but there is nothing wrong with the build quality of a Goodfella.

I do regret seeing so much money dropped on one though, now I hardly use it. Good for a quick whip around the face if I need a freshen up or am in a real hurry.

I got the black (1/2 black) model and the black sure seems to wear off fast. I kinda like the handle, so use the handle on a Gillette NEW that was replated and and old "Ball" handle I tried painting. The "G" on the head is Gold, between the teeth is Gold, where it states "NZ made" is Gold. All the gold can be bought in a tube at Hobby Lobby. It is cool stuff and not expensive. I think it is 18k - 24k, but do not hold me to that, it is not in front of me.

The "Ball" handle is now black to match the head and the machined indentations and rings are also gold. The gold on black giges it a "different" look, kinda reminds me of a Persian look, however, the black I used is coming off, so will have to re-do the handle (reminds me of the Goodfella black coming off too, LOL!!)
Actually, the G-F head appears as though it may have been applied a bit too thin to start with and have been thinking about just stripping it all off, but not sure what is under the black. I see "silver color" under it, but do not know if it is chrome, nickel or just metal.

Then, I also think about selling it, but am using the handle on a different head so at least I am getting some use from it.
It's not that it is made "cheap", the concern is for the price, why not just go to Bob's Razor Works (cooncatbob) and buy a custom razor, I mean, $60 for a razor that performs like a $10 Gillette Tech from the bay or the BST here is I think where people have a problem with the price. For $60 I would expect better results than I can get for $10. For the extra $$$, there is soooo MUCH MORE Performance you can buy, everything from investing in several Gillettes, Custom razors or even a new Muhle cost less than $60 and includes shipping, and E.J. is less than $60, most Merkur's are less. Everything in that "quality range" cost less. I mean, try a Merkur 15c-
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...006-Merkur-15C
Here is a 15c for $29 and free shipping, vs $60 plus shipping for the G-F-
Merkur 15c- http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Merk...ooth_p_66.html
Goodfella- http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Good...ome_p_130.html

I have tried both and the 15c is MUCH better shaver, that is, if you are buying a razor to shave with. I realize people buy "just to have" something different and put it on a shelf, trade, collect, etc. Nothing at all wrong with that, but if actual performance is what you are looking for, many, many better choices.
Also, remember, razors and cream make a difference, it is a "job" getting the "perfect" combination of razor, blade, cream or soap and brush. I wish we were more all the same, it would be so much easier, LOL!!

**guitarslinger** · 07-07-2011, 08:18 AM

The more people hate on Goodfella, the more I love mine.

Seriously, after A/B'ing the GF with a Gillette Tech, I don't understand why it has to be, "Oh, since this is $10, it's automatically a better deal."

Apples & Oranges.

They don't really feel very similar to me. The larger tooth gaps on the Gillette don't agree with my face. That's all.

**waynejitsu** · 07-07-2011, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by guitarslinger

The more people hate on Goodfella, the more I love mine.
Why call it "hating" instead of "truthing"? I am glad you like yours. It is great when someone finds "the one" for then:)

Seriously, after A/B'ing the GF with a Gillette Tech, I don't understand why it has to be, "Oh, since this is $10, it's automatically a better deal."
It is a "better deal" to be because the performance is the same and one is $10 shipped and thee other is $60 Plus shipping and I could buy 4, nice, popular, quality razors for the price of one G-F

Apples & Oranges.
Or, G-F's and Gillettes:)

They don't really feel very similar to me. The larger tooth gaps on the Gillette don't agree with my face. That's all.
Everyone is different, if you like it and it works for you, I would never say for you to get something else, but do recommend you try as many different razors as possible. For me, the G-F, even using a Feather, I can not get a BBS shave. I liked the way it looked, but disappointed in the performance. Remember, it seems like here, EVERYTHING is "YMMV"

Hope that helps:)

**BigFoot** · 07-07-2011, 07:09 PM

I liked the looks of it, but as soon as I found out it was mild I was turned off. So I ordered a couple of new handles from Bob instead.

**guitarslinger** · 07-07-2011, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by waynejitsu

Hope that helps:)

But, the performance isn't the same.

Totally different feel, but, you're right. YMMV.

**mharris127** · 07-08-2011, 12:13 AM

Actually, Sammy the Bull, John Gotti and Vincent Gigante are either too heavy or decomposed to use for shaving my face.

Seriously, there are much better deals than a $60 Goodfella razor. Heck, you can buy a used middle-class Gillette in good condition for less than $20 If you want to go really cheap, there are a couple of sites selling new metal razors for less than $5 (plus shipping, so buy some soap and blades to make it worth paying shipping).