Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Safety Razor Head Shaving => Topic started by: frangi on June 19, 2013, 08:09:07 PM
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Looking to start using de razor, which model should i buy for a first timer and type of blades
thanks
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Hi Frangi: Glad that you are wanting to try a DE razor for head shaving. All I gotta say is that there are many DE razors. As far as choosing which razor. . . this is very subjective. This is an excellent example of YMMV (your mileage may vary). What one hates the other loves.
With all that said. . . you might want to go vintage and purchase a Gillette Super Speed. You can get a good one on Ebay for about $15. Or you can purchase a modern razor and get a Edwin Jagger razor like the EJ89L. You can get the EJ89L at reputable vendors such as WestCoastShaving, BullGooseShaving, LeeSafetyRazors, or The Italian Barber (in Canada).
I can talk about this all day so I am going to stop to try not to confuse you. But I would go with a Gillette Super Speed or an EJ89L.
If you have any more questions... asks us or you can PM me. Good luck and keep us posted.
WARHAWK O0
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hey warhawk, thanks for the reply, i was looking at the merkur progress adjustable with the long handle
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Hi Frangi: Here you go, straight from the Italian Barber website.
http://www.italianbarber.com/edwin-jagger-double-edge-razor-de89l-lined-chrome-plated
WARHAWK O0
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hey warhawk, thanks for the reply, i was looking at the merkur progress adjustable with the long handle
Hi Frangi: I actually have the Merkur Progress (regular handle). That is an excellent razor and you can adjust the settings for either a mild or aggressive shave. I love how it shaves.
WARHAWK O0
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Hey Warhawk, so is it safe to go with the merkur, italian barber joe recommended the long handle over the short. also any tips for a first time user, what steps should i follow.
thanks again!
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Here is a pic of the Merkur Progress in one of my SOTD pics. Also... our very own Bluebriz owns a Merkur Progress . I hope he can chime in.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F06%2F20%2Fusuremeh.jpg&hash=461e4399238569802229745273aa56ecd4fd2c5c)
WARHAWK
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what blades do you recommend to get bbs, is long handle ok and how do you care for it
thanks
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Hey Warhawk, so is it safe to go with the merkur, italian barber joe recommended the long handle over the short. also any tips for a first time user, what steps should i follow.
thanks again!
Hi Frangi: I anticipate that you will like the Merkur Progress. I prefer the regular handle because I can control it and have better handling compared to the long handle. When I DE shave the face... it doesn't matter if it is a regular or the long handle but I just prefer the regular handle because I get better handling and control on my head shaves.
Joe from the ItalianBarber DE shaves his face but he does not use a DE razor on his dome shaves. Joe is a member of www.badgerandblade.com and he mentioned that he DE shaves his face but not the dome. He actually uses a Gillette Guard which is a disposable cartridge razor.
For me. . . I would go with the regular handle. Again... that is just me. You can do what you want.
WARHAWK O0
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Hi Frangi: As far as blades. . . my favorite blades are the Astra SP, Polsilver Super Iridium, Gillette 7 o'clock Black, and Gillette Silver Blue.
As far as caring for it... after you shave with the Progress just do a cold water rinse and I would spray it with alcohol and let it air dry.
WARHAWK O0
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italian barber short handle out of stock, joe says the long handle the balance is better
have you tried the long handle?
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italian barber short handle out of stock, joe says the long handle the balance is better
have you tried the long handle?
:*)) :*)) There is a reason why the regular handles are out of stock my friend. It is obviously the better razor. Again... Joe face shaves only with a DE razor but does NOT HEAD SHAVE with a DE razor. He head shaves with a disposable. Again... I am an experienced DE face and head shaver. I get better shaves with the regular handles but that is just me. O0
WARHAWK O0
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Here you go.
http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/merkur-progress-razor.html
WARHAWK O0
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he says he does not carry the short one because it does not sell, anyways west coast has them , would it be the same one?
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he says he does not carry the short one because it does not sell, anyways west coast has them , would it be the same one?
I would go with Bull Goose Shaving. Phil (the owner) is a true gentleman and he provides great service.
WARHAWK O0
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Ah, to be new to DEs all over again and to experience them all again new!
Excellent advice from Warhawk of course and not much more I can add!
The Edwin Jaggers are excellent razors, I love my DE89, with which I recently reacquainted myself.
The Merkur Progress is an excellent razor, too. I might have to revisit that soon as well.
Classic Gillette Superspeeds (there are several models) are built to last and will probably outlive any of us! More importantly they give excellent shaves.
At bargain prices are things like the Lord models. I can't remember the model names but at just over ten dollars (if I remember correctly) they're great starter razors.
Italianbarber.com has a bunch of solidly built, aesthetically pleasing DEs at low prices. If you know which model of razor you want in the end also check out connaughtshaving.com
They ship internationally and I believe for some merkurs and EJs it's still cheaper shipped from the UK to USA than it is to buy in the USA.
Amazon has good blade sampler packs do you can try a few before bulk buying your favourites!
Any questions, post here or PM Warhawk or myself!
Good luck and gave fun!
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Hey bluebriz, thanks for the advice. So if i go with the merkur progress, do you suggest the short handle or the long handle, also how do use a de?
thanks
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When you use a DE, just take short, slow strokes.....I got the hang of it on my second shave. It leaves a BBS feeling especially when using a shaving brush and the right mixture.
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Hey bluebriz, thanks for the advice. So if i go with the merkur progress, do you suggest the short handle or the long handle, also how do use a de?
thanks
I've only tried the short handle, but it's a wonderful razor. I'm not entirely sure how the longer handle would change things so I can't help with that.
For learning DE shaving, I strongly recommend you watch the videos of geofatboy and mantic59 on Youtube. The two I've linked below are good places to start. Those guys have been teaching people for years about this kind of thing, and I think watching someone do it helps a great deal more than someone just writing instructions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ymrAEpLsNo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufG1dPmVo8Q&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL1FB35407D37CE8A2
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So as a first -timer, should i get the EJ89L OR THE MERKUR PROGRESS?
Please advise, thanks
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In all honesty, I could recommend one but then you could find that you prefer the other!
I would probably go for the Progress, if only because you can start off with a very mild setting and increase the aggressiveness if and when required.
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I do not get it, so only the progress has settings, so the EJ would compare to what setting on the merkur?
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One of the lower settings, maybe 1 or 2 I'd say.
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he says he does not carry the short one because it does not sell, anyways west coast has them , would it be the same one?
After all that... What did you finally get? Or did you get anything? In about 1936 my American Father was President of the US Chamber of Commerce. Apparently the swag he got came in trucks and was generally useless. However I do have a Gold Gillette DE in a Presentation Case that I've never quite had the courage to use. No reason, save it's over70 years old and I prefer my Merkur short handle with Merkur blades. Badger brush and Geo. Trumper Lime soap. Just not on my head.