White Whale DE Safety Razor

[oldmansmoking]

Great razor the Merkur 34. Merkur are true quality.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Some of my collection. Need to get a display cabinet for all of it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

My two most used. A 1963 Gillette "twist to open", and my Merkur 15C.

 

[moses]

Nice, I'm feeling outclassed here, I just face lather some mitchell's wool fat soap and carve away with a shitty entry level dorco. Nicer than a cartridge razor though. Oh and the lucky tiger AS isn't too bad either.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I like Mitchell's. I also use Taylor of Old Bond Street and Doctor Jon's.

 

[torque]

I have a '21-'28 OLD type open comb and a 1940 tech. Both are a little aggressive for me, i'm currently using an adjustable dialed down pretty low. Collecting is pretty fun, and razors are WAY easier to restore than pipes, lol.

 

[filmshooter]

I've only one DE, an Edwin Jagger de89, but I've been tempted to pick up a nice Fatboy. That can become a whole new obsession though. If you are a wet shaver you may want to look at Georgetown pottery. They make fantastic scuttles.

 

[igloo]

I use a Merkur Futur and Feather blades . Best money I ever spent. Some day I want to get the Vision.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The Futur is on my list, as well as the slant.

 

[oldmansmoking]

With the Futur I shave on 3.5 but if you don't turn it to 1 when you finished over time the head distorts and the razor is no longer true.

I had one which distorted and it was higher on one side than the other.

My new one I rinse then wind back to 1.

Just be careful.

 

[tslex]

Agreed on the Merkur. I changed over from disposables a few years ago and I'm a fan. My son soon followed suit. I don't like the twist open variety as much as they seem to have less solid lock up than the two-piece sort.
I can see how they'd have collector appeal, albeit that's not my thing in this case. But yes, a better, cheaper shave for sure. Plus the appeal of something a little old-fashioned, and the satisfaction of something NOT disposable.

 

[jorchamp]

I started using straight razors 5years ago. I use them every time. They have become second nature for me, even the maintaince and keeping them sharp. Nothing compares to the shave you get and the comfort (and the simplicity). Do use a DE when traveling.

 

[filmshooter]

DE razors... They call to me like camera gear, tools, pipes, aftershaves, shave soap, Allen Edmonds, vintage Russian watches, C&R firearms.... The latest obsession is vintage full bottles of avon aftershave.
I started the DE to save money on ridiculous mach three razors. It worked. A 100 pack of blades is cheap. But one DE is not enough. One shave soap does not suffice. Shave soap and aftershave is like pipe tobacco. Can't just have one scent or varietal. So I have not saved a dime with the DE but it is enjoyable and one more indication that progress is not necessarily better or even necessary. My next acquisition will be a 1959 Fatboy and it will work as well as the day it was produced. No one, no one, will be buying and using mach three razors from today in 2075. It makes me wonder what year of car will be the last one people will collect.

 

[didache]

Oh my! I have been an evangelist for safety razors and DE blades for years! I only have the one though: Merkur 38C. I use Derby blades and shaving cream from a tube which I apply with a silver-tip badger brush my wife bought me in Venice about 15 years ago.
I would never go back to over-priced cartridge razors.
Mike

 

[skraps]

I started using a safety razor about 2 years ago and haven't looked back. Closer shave, more economical and it takes a mundane activity and makes it a sort of ritual.
I have an Edwin Jagger Chrome and use Feather Stainless blades. Shave soap is handmade puck from a local soap store, applied with a beautiful beaver hair brush I got for Christmas last year.

 

[bigpond]

Are these practical if you only shave your neck? I imagine safety razors work great when you have a wide swath to cut through but they look like keeping a beard edge cleaning might be tricky.

 

[badbeard]

Are these practical if you only shave your neck? I imagine safety razors work great when you have a wide swath to cut through but they look like keeping a beard edge cleaning might be tricky.

I actually find that they are easier to come right up to the line with than other methods(aside from a straight razor), due to the blade being at the very edge of the razor. No lube strips or useless little rubber flap things before the blades. :D Open comb DE razors come up a little closer even.

My wife thought I was crazy for a long time, as I am always on a tireless quest to obtain various vintage DE razors. But, she is cool with it now after I let her have my travel sized Gillette Tech and she realized how great it was.

 

[nevadablue]

Agreed. Shaving below and above (pesky cheek whiskers) the beard is all I use mine for.

 

[didimauw]

I purchased an inexpensive safety razor a month ago. And then decided I was attempting growing my beard out instead. But when that day comes, I'll be ready to use it. Do they work ok for someone like me that shaves dry? Or will I have to start using cream?

 

[nevadablue]

Shaves dry... you have a leather face? OMG... I at least slather a bit of hand soap on, if I am too lazy to use the cup and brush. Of course, I only shave the edges every month or so. Now momma wants me to play Santa, so the white beard needs to grow until after Christmas. Sigh...
Oh, I use the Israeli blades, like these (ebay pic)