Safety Razor Head question

**jhsgsd** · 11-11-2011, 11:18 AM

Hello, I am new to the forum so thank you everyone for the information you have posted on various threads. This is a great and very helpful site!

I have a question about DE razor heads. I have been DE shaving for around three months now and loving it. I really like that on the Feather Stainless, the razor head covers the non-cutting sides of the blade. I have a Tech and Gillette New and I love them both, but the exposed blade edge on the sides of the head just bother me. I can easily see myself nicking my nose with that edge. I know that the Pils and Ikon both have/offer a closed head, but I really like the look of the older DE heads. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any other razors, similar to the SS Feather that cover the ends of the blade.

Thanks again for all of your information!

**franz** · 11-11-2011, 11:32 AM

Welcome to B&B.

I like the blade tabs being covered too - mostly because I think it looks better.

IIRC, the EJ DE89/Mühle R89 cap extends far enough to cover the blade tabs. While I would not recommend it to a new shaver, the Mühle R41 cap covers the blade tabs as well.

I am not sure about vintage.

**xillion** · 11-11-2011, 11:53 AM

My vintage Probak razor has a cap that covers the blade end tabs.

**OldGreyGuy** · 11-11-2011, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by franz

IIRC, the EJ DE89/Mühle R89 cap extends far enough to cover the blade tabs. While I would not recommend it to a new shaver, the Mühle R41 cap covers the blade tabs as well.

The EJ DE89 and I presume the Mühle R89 does not quite cover the blade tabs.

**doug1066** · 11-11-2011, 12:00 PM

None of my vintage DEs cover the end tabs of the blade.

**onotoman** · 11-11-2011, 12:00 PM

You know, I've never really thought much about the overhanging blade issue - probably because it really isn't an issue at all and in practice, you'll not nick your nose.

I tried a standard blade in all of my vintage razors (about 50 different models) and the few modern DEs and in all but two cases, the blade overhangs at each side - even in vintage TTO razors like the Slim, Fatboy, Superspeed and English Aristocrats, there is some degree of overhang at each end.

The only models that I have that cover the side tabls of the blade entirely are:

Vintage Personna Micromatic (rare, so you'll be hard pushed to find one)
Vintage Wilkinson Sword Sticky TTO (less rare but expect to pay at least £50 upwards)

But as I mention, you'll probably find that the blade side tabs don't cause problems at all.

Enjoy your shaves.

**jhsgsd** · 11-11-2011, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the responses. Xillion...that Probak is gorgeous. Congrats on owning such a beauty.

**xillion** · 11-11-2011, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by OldGreyGuy

The EJ DE89 and I presume the Mühle R89 does not quite cover the blade tabs.

Correct, both the New R41 and the DE89 do not cover the tabs.

**franz** · 11-11-2011, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by OldGreyGuy

The EJ DE89 and I presume the Mühle R89 does not quite cover the blade tabs.

You're right - they stick out about a millimeter or two.

Relative to the vintage DEs I've used (which usually expose the tabs a LOT) it's an improvement!

**cb91710** · 11-11-2011, 01:36 PM

Here's a few more.
Muhle R41 2011
Muhle R41 2010
Muhle R89
Merkur 38C(R)
Gillette Ball-End Gold Tech

Both ends and blade exposure (which is interesting, but doesn't mean much without blade gap)

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**Face&Head** · 11-11-2011, 01:48 PM

Futur is closed and unlike the Pils is adjustable.

**cb91710** · 11-11-2011, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Face&Head

Futur is closed and unlike the Pils is adjustable.

True, but it also has plastic parts and is not stainless.

The Pils and Feather stainless razors will last multiple lifetimes if cared for.
If you're lucky, (discounting RAD) the Futur will be the last razor you buy... but if you're in your teens or even 20s, I wouldn't count on it.

**Oscroft** · 11-11-2011, 03:35 PM

Wilkinson Sword Classic, around £4 in the UK, has the ends covered - but it is plastic.

But I really wouldn't worry - the exposed edges shouldn't go anywhere near your nose.

**cb91710** · 11-11-2011, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Oscroft

But I really wouldn't worry - the exposed edges shouldn't go anywhere near your nose.

XTG on the top lip?
That's how I used to roll with the Fusion. Couldn't get that beast to start properly under my nose to save my soul, and I've never been able to make that single blade on the back "work"... so even back to my Atra and Mach-3 days, the 'stache has always been a simple E-W followed by a W-E.

**Oscroft** · 11-11-2011, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by cb91710

XTG on the top lip?

Hmm, possibly, yes - it's never been a problem for me, but that might be my facial geometry, I guess.

**Face&Head** · 11-11-2011, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by cb91710

True, but it also has plastic parts and is not stainless.

The Pils and Feather stainless razors will last multiple lifetimes if cared for.
If you're lucky, (discounting RAD) the Futur will be the last razor you buy... but if you're in your teens or even 20s, I wouldn't count on it.

My 20's were decades ago. Only my Pils & Mergress hit the rotation more than once every two weeks. My Feather just arrived and after just 2 shaves I feel confident that it will be in weekly rotation as well. I only use the Futur twice a month so I expect it will last a good long time.

**Wrangoleer** · 11-11-2011, 05:50 PM

On my second stroke, literally, I got the worst cut I've ever had in my nearly 40 years of shaving with that "tab" hanging out the ends of my Merkur Slant. Hurt like all get out too! Took me nearly 10 mins. to stop the bleeding. Rookie mistake I know but it IS something to consider.

**Go West Young Man** · 11-11-2011, 06:15 PM

Its a DIY mustache razor, obviously.

**M80** · 11-11-2011, 06:26 PM

You people must have very sensitive skin. In the spirit of experimentation, I just went and found out exactly how much pressure I would need to cut my self with the tab of a blade. (a feather) I pushed into my cheek and dragged sideways. (slicing, not scraping) Nothing. Harder. Nothing. Extremely, ridiculously hard. Tiniest of cuts. I can say for sure there is absolutely no way I could accidentally cut my self with the tab on a blade.

**Go West Young Man** · 11-11-2011, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by M80

You people must have very sensitive skin. In the spirit of experimentation, I just went and found out exactly how much pressure I would need to cut my self with the tab of a blade. (a feather) I pushed into my cheek and dragged sideways. (slicing, not scraping) Nothing. Harder. Nothing. Extremely, ridiculously hard. Tiniest of cuts. I can say for sure there is absolutely no way I could accidentally cut my self with the tab on a blade.

Try nicking the edge of your nostril unexpectedly. Blood will flow!