Thread: DE safety razor recommendations

I've decided to use DE safety razors and I've seen lots of different razor and razor blades but not sure what to get. Just want to know what are the best DE safety razors? For razor blades I'm just gonna try and get my hands some sample packs and see which are best for my skin.

Rometh,

+1 on the blade sampler pack

DE blade choices are incredibly individual.

The worst blade I have ever used, bar none, is the Treet Blue Special; however there are lots of shavers who love this blade !!

For new build DE razors, I would recommend the Edwin Jagger EJ89, the Muhle R89 (near enough the same as the EJ89) and the Muhle R106/109.

Other choices are from the Merkur range such as the HD, but for the razors I have, the Muhles have a better quality of finish.

For vintage, you cannot go wrong with a Gillette SuperSpeed TTO (twist-to open). Every shaver should have one of these !

The Gillette New open long open comb is also a superb shaver, and my English Gillette #88 is probably the best shaving DE I have.

You might also consider SE (single edge razors) such as the Schicks, Gems & Ever-Readys.

Good luck !

Have fun !

regards

Russ

I personally do not think that there is a "best razor" at all. Like the razors you will need to try a few and decide which is the best for you. Although I can give some guidance here, there are some razors that tend to attract the most people and tend to be the most popular, however this does not mean that they are "best". The Gillette Super Speeds in partiular tend to attract the most shavers. Of those there are four modles, the one that attracts the most shavers tends to be the oldest of all of them the late 40's model. Another shaver that tends to attract a lot of people is the Gillette Tech and the Merkur Vision. Personally I use a late 40s super speed during the week when I must shave 98% asleep and my 7/8 inch dovo during the week ends when I am more awake.

I've only got one DE, a Merkur 34C HD, but thats a great razor, not too pricey and does the job well. I use Gillette blades in mine and that works well!

I agree with Stu, either the Merkur 34C or it's long handled sibling, the 38C, would make a fine first choice. IMHO stick with a fixed head razor to begin with, and learn to shave with the more forgiving blades. If the sample pack includes Feathers save them for LAST.

The HD is also a very popular razor.

You will get many opinions. I think the current EJ/Muhle heads are the best on the market shave wise. I've had a mercur 38c and a futur and didn't like them. A good vintage like a fatboy or tech is very good also. As far as blades go get a sample pack and find what works best for you.

It all becomes personal preference just like with straights. I have 2 Schick Krona DEs one from the 60's and one from the 70's and I like the shave the one from the 60's give me better. I also have different Gillette's from the 20's and 30's as well as some army issue Simplex DE's. Each one shaves differently with the same blade in them and I am still trying to figure out which one I like the best

I just got a new Merkur plain long handled 23c from SRD. I love it! It is a fixed head, screw on head, and feels heavy like a piece of equipment. I never knew that DE could be so fun! My old Sensor razors are going in the trash now! Try DE, you'll like it!

The EJ's are great I used a Feather SS prior to straights. The Feather Portable is cheap and a good shaver. My favorite is a 40's era Super Speed