Lady looking for razor - but on the verge of giving up

[gettingstarted]

Aaaaaaagh! I had no idea this shaving lark could be so complicated! I was intrigued by the idea of using a DE razor, but don't know anyone who has used one before (my boyfriend has a beard and just keeps it in check with an electric). So I've spent literally hours and hours ploughing through all the fantastic information on B&B and now have an idea of what to try initially - I'm thinking of trying a Lady Gilette, with a large Omega brush and soap.

But I live in the UK and it seems to be really difficult to get a Lady Gillette here. The going price on the Bay seems to be about $55 with delivery, which is a lot of money before I've bought anything else, especially when I don't know how I'll get on. Everything seems to come from the states, and I can't seem to work out what the best UK equivalent is. Apparently I can't post a WTB either, because I haven't been a member for long enough.

I started off soooo enthusiastic about trying DE for the first time, but I'm at the point of giving up before I've even started. Which would probably please my other half, who can't believe how long I've been sitting on B&B!

Can anyone provide advice - or at least help motivate me that its worth keeping trying?

[insomniac]

How about a Knack/Slim Twist? It also has a long handle (though it's not as heavy) and is considerably cheaper than a Lady Gillette.

[buma]

Hello there and welcome to B&B. A good cheaper and maybe easier to find alternative would be a vintage Gillette Twist or the Gillette Knack. Both have longer handles and I believe a similar profile head as the Lady Gillette, but has a plastic handle and the TTO knob is at the head vs at the butt end of the razor. They're not as pretty, but it'll get you into trying a DE razor for not a lot of money.

good luck!

[deruitem]

Dont give up yet. I have heard a few women that like short handles too. The lady gillette was just a good way to market the razor. A new razor would work just fine. I think there are a few vendor sites you could order from that are in the UK and close so shipping would not be bad

[drocu]

Schick injectors can also be had for quite cheap. There are some models with long handles that may be better suited for a lady.

[ImTheGluestick]

You'll be really happy you switched--I promise! I personally like modern razors more than the vintage ones (though the man of the house feels exactly opposite). The Lord L6 is a mild razor with a long handle that still provides a great shave and can be had for less than $15 in the states. Parker makes a lady gillette clone, and I've been hearing better things about their quality lately as well.


The omega brush is a good choice!

[Threeme2189]

I you can shave with a plastic disposable, or one of the current cart razors, an inch difference in the handle length isn't going to be too catastrophic.
Find a UK vendor tha has a good price and go for it :)

[Doppelgaenger]

my gf uses my 62 gillette slim with no issues at all, she just uses her own blade. I'd like to get her a Lady but they're not easy to find even here in the states, I know my mom has one she hasn't used in probably 30 years sitting in a box, but she's half a world away

[kingfisher]

Another choice might be the Schick Krona? Otherwise I agree with those that suggested a Slim Twist or a Knack.

[gettingstarted]

Wow, what a lovely group you are. Your advice has been so helpful and I'm feeling inspired again. Its certainly a relief to see there will be something in my budget after all! I can definitely get a Lord L6 or Parker a great price, and there's a Gillette Slim Twist on sale in the UK at the moment, so that could be another good option if the price stays reasonable. There's also a sexy-looking Schick Injector calling my name - I can see how easy it can be to develop the acquisition disorder!
Hopefully I can get something soon - and I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks so much for your help

[dgilman]

The Lord L6 is a mild razor with a long handle that still provides a great shave and can be had for less than $15 in the states.

I second the vote for a Lord L6. Should only cost $15/£10 max, like ITG says. Cheap, effective, and long-handled. It's gotten great reviews so far from a female friend to whom I gifted one, as has a big Omega brush. (The 10048 is a good choice.)

Get comfortable with the essentials, and then you can spend a little more time searching the internet for good deals on vintage razors.

[whavens]

And since you are in England, you can eventually work your way up to one of the great English brushes. Oh the choices you'll have: Simpson, Rooney, Kent and Vulfix.

[Mike_P]

I just purchased my girlfriend a Lady and it was a PAIN to track down without being super used, not to mention in a color she would like. Finding one in almost new condition was super expensive too. =(

Maybe you'll get lucky and someone with an extra Lady will see this post and be able to help you out a bit cheaper! You never know with B&B!

[Speedwell68]

My wife has the choice of a Edwin Jagger DE86 or DE89L, she prefers the DE89L as it is slightly gripper and slightly heavier.

[BallisticBurrito]

Aaaaaaagh! I had no idea this shaving lark could be so complicated! I was intrigued by the idea of using a DE razor, but don't know anyone who has used one before (my boyfriend has a beard and just keeps it in check with an electric). So I've spent literally hours and hours ploughing through all the fantastic information on B&B and now have an idea of what to try initially - I'm thinking of trying a Lady Gilette, with a large Omega brush and soap.

But I live in the UK and it seems to be really difficult to get a Lady Gillette here. The going price on the Bay seems to be about $55 with delivery, which is a lot of money before I've bought anything else, especially when I don't know how I'll get on. Everything seems to come from the states, and I can't seem to work out what the best UK equivalent is. Apparently I can't post a WTB either, because I haven't been a member for long enough.

I started off soooo enthusiastic about trying DE for the first time, but I'm at the point of giving up before I've even started. Which would probably please my other half, who can't believe how long I've been sitting on B&B!

Can anyone provide advice - or at least help motivate me that its worth keeping trying?

If you can't find vintage then perhaps a mild modern-made razor might fit the bill.
Like a Edwin Jagger 89 or 83..made in England too.

[JeffOlson]

My wife loves her Edwin Jagger Chatsworth with Feather blades and nice brushless shaving creams. She made the switch two months ago from cartridge razors and canned goo and hasn't looked back.

[Axebreaker]

My wife has a 40's super speed we found for 10$, and she uses feathers in it and is very happy.
I don't know what the availability is in the UK, but they are common here.

[john.bradburne]

i would post a WTB post in the BST, there are some great people here who arent trying to turn a profit.. maybe you can find your lady gillette there at a good price

[BeeSeeDub]

My wife uses a Merkur 38C - I am sure there are several UK based vendors where you could pick one up.

[Kooze]

If its the long handle you are wanting, the Gillette super adjustable is another option