Best Modern TTO?

**LibertyBeta** · 10-18-2011, 07:30 AM

So, I've been hunting around for a Gillette Fatboy and something came to me. While I love old razors, there is something to be said for supporting the industry with the purchase of new items. After all, my first razor was a Merkur 180 Long Handle, brand new. Which means there is still a small but vital bit of the industry left. And while I love my SuperSpeed as a great little shaver I would really love to have something I can accidently leave in a weak Barbicide soak without fear of the plating turning deep gray.

Then there is the ease of replacement should the worse happen. Decent quality TTOs NOT in need of work are rare and expensive. And who really wants to wait for their best shave? Hrm?

So I put for this question to you, B&B; Best Modern TTO? Bonus points for models still in production and models that you personally own/have used.

**JonM** · 10-18-2011, 07:39 AM

The list of modern TTOs is rather short. Off hand, I can think of the Vision, Feather Popular, and Weishi (and I've used none of these).

**KM-instructor** · 10-18-2011, 07:40 AM

Vision would be my choice for a modern TTO razor, it's unique in design hefty adjustable and delivers a wicked shave.
Parker makes one too, not too shabby for the price.

**Den** · 10-18-2011, 08:05 AM

Why not Parker's new "Unisex TTO" which is undoubtedly a Lady Gillette copy.

**Sledgehammer39** · 10-18-2011, 08:16 AM

I really don't think that any modern razor company makes a good TTO razor. The TTO razor highlight was with the old Gillette company and only cheap carbon copies have come out since.

**neo71665** · 10-18-2011, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer39

I really don't think that any modern razor company makes a good TTO razor. The TTO razor highlight was with the old Gillette company and only cheap carbon copies have come out since.

Qft

**michiganlover** · 10-18-2011, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer39

I really don't think that any modern razor company makes a good TTO razor. The TTO razor highlight was with the old Gillette company and only cheap carbon copies have come out since.

+1

I don't think there is a modern TTO that is actually worth buying. The Feather is much too light (and has a lot of plastic in it's construction), the Weishi, and Ming Shi (aka the Derby/ Shaving Factory razor) are really shoddily made, and the Vision is absolutely huge with quality control issues. Which leaves Parker. Their newest design based around the Lady Gillette looks pretty sweet, but it's true quality is yet to be determined.

**LibertyBeta** · 10-19-2011, 08:41 AM

What manner of QC issues are we talking?

**vinisterz** · 10-19-2011, 10:47 AM

I will vouch for the weishi TTO but I'm a newb, so weishi tto for the newb :)

**LiveOak** · 10-19-2011, 03:11 PM

According to the interview with the general manager of Muhle that is still on the front page, they are considering doing a TTO at some point.

**onefallinghope** · 10-19-2011, 03:27 PM

Wow, that parker looks identical to a lady gillette!

**michiganlover** · 10-19-2011, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by onefallinghope

Wow, that parker looks identical to a lady gillette!

I have never owned a Parker, but have been curious about their quality. I pulled the trigger on the Lady Gillette looking Parker. West Coast Shaving should have it to my doorstep by Friday.

**onefallinghope** · 10-19-2011, 06:02 PM

looking forward to pics and review. For less than $30 I was thinking about pulling the trigger too.

**Sledgehammer39** · 10-19-2011, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by michiganlover

I have never owned a Parker, but have been curious about their quality. I pulled the trigger on the Lady Gillette looking Parker. West Coast Shaving should have it to my doorstep by Friday.

Hey John look forward to hearing what your opinion is on the Parker razor. I owned an 82R which was not my cup of tea.

**takeshi** · 10-19-2011, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by LiveOak

According to the interview with the general manager of Muhle that is still on the front page, they are considering doing a TTO at some point.

A Muhle TTO is probably the only one that I would consider.

GLteam · 10-19-2011, 10:12 PM

The Parker TTO's are no Gillette's, but they are a very close second. Nice and hefty, good build quality, brass construction, smooth TTO operation, and most of the TTO models are downright great shavers. The 22R is their newest addition, and the 29L is the Lady Gillette carbon copy. They even offer TTO models in heavyweight handles. And let me tell you, they are quite hefty. I've shaved head-to-head with my Lady Gillette and the Parker 29L, and the shaves were VERY similar. Of course, as a disclaimer, YMMV.

**StripeyType** · 10-20-2011, 01:51 AM

This post is actually the reason I finally up and registered with B&B. My daily driver for a little over a year now has been a Parker 86R. I am quite happy with the razor - it is not terribly aggressive, and is easy to clean. I have only one complaint, and this issue may never rear its ugly head for any of you.

The ferrule where the handle joins the razor head is secured by deforming the metal on one side, much like a rivet. Over the last year - which admittedly has included hardship use during a field-operation-heavy workup and currently an Afghanistan deployment, this deformation has worked loose such thatit becomes possible to turn what is supposed to be the fixed portion of the handle with respect to the razor's head. As a result, the TTO mechanism can become minutely loose during shaving, and allow the head to rotating in the plane perpendicular to the handle itself, thus rocking the razor against the operator's face.

I repaired my own razor with careful application of JB Weld epoxy, and the repair has now been holding for about three months.

I would reccommend this razor as an inexpensive one that conveniently features TTO operation, but for ten or fifteen dollars more, a Merkur or other higher-end manufacturer may have what you're looking for. But for easily-purchased TTO's at least in my experience, Parker has the broadest market coverage.

**TheRazorSleepsForNoOne** · 10-20-2011, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by Den

Why not Parker's new "Unisex TTO" which is undoubtedly a Lady Gillette copy.

For $30+ shipping on that, I'd just rather pay $30+ shipping on the real deal. Lots of Lady Gillette's can be had for that and less.

**Pasha** · 10-20-2011, 02:12 AM

I was looking to pick up another razor and took a look at the shaving factory razor since they had it in store at sally beauty. That thing looked like you would be lucky to get one shave out of it before it broke. And at $15 bucks, not exactly cheap for what it was.