Good razors

[andreyb]

Gentlemen,

Yesterday my "Truefitt & Hill" branded razor eventually broke into pieces; so I'm in a market for a new one. I need a good Mach3-compatible razor. What manufacturers do you suggest?

After a quick web-search, I come with two suspects: Edwin Jagger and Cyril R Salter. What is your opinion on them? Who is better? Are there any other good manufacturers?

If you allow me, another question. I'd like to get a razor with wooden handle, such as this one: http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com ... |user||18|. It looks nice (at least, to my eyes), but is it practical to have a wooden handle in a damp (bathroom) environment?

Andrey

[Costi]

May I suggest it could be a good opportunity to switch to a good safety razor? It will make your shaving experience much richer than the Mach 3 wooden handle alone. And wood is just fine - think of the shaving bowls. Brushes, too.

[JamesT1]

May I suggest it could be a good opportunity to switch to a good safety razor? It will make your shaving experience much richer than the Mach 3 wooden handle alone. And wood is just fine - think of the shaving bowls. Brushes, too.

I second this. I recently made the switch from the mach 3 and it has made quite a difference.

[jekarwoski]

Wood is fine. The handle of an Acca Kappa razor (and its wooden base) I purchaed
in Rome over 10 years ago is still in excellent condition. Can't say the same thing
for the head mechanism, which, like your T&H recently broke.

The handles on safety razors I've seen are all rather short. Are there alternatives?

[mpolanthan]

Gentlemen,
After a quick web-search, I come with two suspects: Edwin Jagger and Cyril R Salter. What is your opinion on them? Who is better? Are there any other good manufacturers?

Andrey

Just in case your web-search did not turn up with the Badger and Blade site, here is their URL: http://www.badgerandblade.com/
Forums and product reviews dedicated to the art of wet shaving. There are a few other sites with similar topics but the URLs escape me right now.

[mpolanthan]

The handles on safety razors I've seen are all rather short. Are there alternatives?

There is the Merkur Long Classic, or you could get the futuristic looking Merkur Vision or the Merkur Futur. Side by side pics of the Vision and Futur alongside a shorter Progress model can be found here:
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=429
I'm sure other manufacturers have similar safety razors with longer handles.

[jekarwoski]

There is the Merkur Long Classic

Thank you mpolanthan. I've just placed an order for one a supply of blades.

[andreyb]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the answers.

I looked at badgerandblade.com -- it seems that mentioning of Mach3 is a sacriledge there. They don't have a single review of a Mach3-compatible product.

Still, Mach3 or safe razor, the question on who is the best manufacturer over there remains. Who is it?

Andrey

[uppercase]

I'm growing a scraggly beard but am tempted to go back to shaving just for the sheer joy of it.

[Costi]

I looked at badgerandblade.com -- it seems that mentioning of Mach3 is a sacriledge there.

I hope they convinced you, too. There are plenty of arguments.

the question on who is the best manufacturer over there remains. Who is it?

I think there are a few good manufacturers and then there are preferences: Merkur, Gilette... Personally I use a relatively cheap Italian safety razor in chromed solid brass (heavy and with good balance in hand) made by a manufacturer that supplies many professional barber shops. Simple and functional - no blade angle adjustment etc. In my opinion, it is better to train your hand to use a simple razor where the blade always has the same angle. Also, the shorter the handle the better for me, because the position of the razor in hand is different from using a Mach3 and it helps to be able to swing the razor in your hand rather than rest the handle in your palm.

Choose a simple model, to get used to handling a safety razor. Get a decent supply of Gilette blades (they are so cheap that you can throw them away after a few shaves and always have a sharp blade). After a few months of practise, if you feel like upgrading to "complications", you'll know exactly what it is that you miss in your current razor and what's BEST for YOU.

[whittaker]

Still, Mach3 or safe razor, the question on who is the best manufacturer over there remains. Who is it?

Since switching to a Merkur Classic a few years ago, I could never go back to Mach3. I get a smoother shave than I thought possible, without the ingrown hairs/bumps I used to get.

It takes a couple of weeks for your skin to get used to a safety razor. It also takes a few weeks for you to appreciate just how light a touch they require. Once you settle into using a Merkur, or similar product, you are unlikely to ever go back to the multi-blade, plastic alternatives.

[masterfred]

I started using a DE razor from Merkur recently, and it took me a while to accustom myself to angling the razor head and really AVOIDING pressure while shaving. The shave from a DE is noticeably closer and stubble-free, but achieving those results without injury, or at the least, razor burn, takes some practice. I don't use the DE every day; indeed, as of right now I still use a cartridge razor most weekdays, because I haven't mustered the energy yet to allot the extra time the Merkur shave requires. It is a nice change of pace. I do, however, use a badger brush and lather up for each shave - getting really thick lather is, in itself, a learned skill. I can certainly see why most guys don't want the bother.

[uppercase]

Have any of you gents thought of foregoing shaving and growing some whiskers, at least for a try out?

I hear that the best people are doing it and it goes great with tweeds and cooler weather!

[iammatt]

Alden is blessed with having a fully grey beard. When I grow a beard, I look a bit like my dog. He is extremely cute, but I fear that it is not as good a look on me. I will not post a picture of my mug on this thread, but here is one of him. When my grey gets less spotty, I will give it another shot.

[uppercase]

That's Alden?!

I thought it was Prince Michael.




As for your dog, Matt, he looks a champion, indeed, distinguished. His grey beard and eyebrows convey a look of gravitas. Is he getting on in years?

Anyway, there is something to be said for wearing a beard as your dog proves.

Don't hesitate , go for it.

Although when I go grey, I will reach for Just for Men and color it a deep, lustrous black.