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razor choices

post #1 of 26
6/8/10 at 7:44pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all, I have been trying different razors as of late. I found a old Gillette Trac II handle in my closet. So, I got some blades for it, and I thought I would give it a go. I own just about every Gillette handle made except for the atra. The fusion/proglide does an excellent job, but it is a pain for around my nose. It is just to big and clunky for me around that area. I also have a Merkur DE, which I don't use all that much.

So, I was just wondering if anyone uses the old school trac II, atra, or sensors yet?
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post #2 of 26
7/3/10 at 8:37pm
Nope, I've been using Gillette Trac III since the day they came out. Now about that Merkur...
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post #3 of 26
7/5/10 at 10:57pm
I am now of the opinion that the new Schick Hydro 5 razor is better than anything Gillette has on the market. It stays sharp for quite a while and delivers a better shave than the Mach3.You can click to the lubricating strip out of the way for trimming under your nose.
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post #4 of 26
7/6/10 at 6:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by itsjustjim View Post

I also have a Merkur DE, which I don't use all that much.

A crime if there ever was, especially if you have some Super Platinum or Israeli blades lying around, too.

I am interested on your thoughts on the Trac II + new blades.
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post #5 of 26
7/11/10 at 2:38pm
Gilette Mach-3 Power it has vibrations, bought it when it first came out and never bothered to try other products because I'm very satisfied with it.
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post #6 of 26
7/11/10 at 2:47pm
I use an old-fashioned Merkur Progress. It reaches everywhere it needs to.
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post #7 of 26
7/11/10 at 3:58pm
I got hooked on DE shaving over at Badger & Blade. It's a bit of a learning curve though and not for those who want to whip through a shave every day.

I also like the Gillette Proglide with power. It's a good shave and I use it for touch up after my Merkur 38c with Astra blades.
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post #8 of 26
7/13/10 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StylinLA View Post

I got hooked on DE shaving over at Badger & Blade. It's a bit of a learning curve though and not for those who want to whip through a shave every day.

I also like the Gillette Proglide with power. It's a good shave and I use it for touch up after my Merkur 38c with Astra blades.

I still have my father's DE completer with the old Wilkinson DE blades in the dispenser, along with his badger brush. The blades are rusted but I love this memento.

For whipping a quick shave, the cheap Mach 3 blades will work, but for the real experience, the straight blade is supreme.
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post #9 of 26
7/13/10 at 7:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StylinLA View Post

I got hooked on DE shaving over at Badger & Blade. It's a bit of a learning curve though

Well, this is a timely thread! Wall St. Journal just had an article about guys getting tired of having to purchase expensive upgrades to commercial razors. My husband complained about that very thing a few years back and has since switched to a double-edged razor and LOVES it.

(With the money he's saved, he invested in some scented shaving creams! With "flowers" in them, even! He used to recoil at the mere suggestion that he wear "roses." I think I've rubbed off on him. In more ways than one.)

Here's the URL of the article via Yahoo:

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...feeling-nicked
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post #10 of 26
7/22/10 at 9:08pm
I've joined the throng of converts to the old-fashioned DE razor and I've begun evangelizing amongst my friends. They are cheap, have serious retro/old-fashioned style and the results . . .wow. The difference between a good shave and a perfect shave is immense and a very affordable luxury. I found an old Gillette Aristocrat at an antiques store for $5 and have hence renounced my heathen use of disposable blades.

Don't be intimidated by the thought of running real razor blades over your jugular each morning, it takes just a few slow shaves for you to get the hang of it.
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post #11 of 26
7/23/10 at 8:15pm
I agree on the Hydro 5. I got tired of paying a premium for the Gillette Fusion, not to mention that the "lubricating strip" would go dry and make the razor drag well before the blades went dull. So I jumped on the Hydro 5 when it came out. Cheaper, smoother, and longer lasting. It is damned bulky, though. The flip-down "strip" at the top is a nice feature, but it is still a little tough to get under the nose, but it gets the job done.
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post #12 of 26
8/25/10 at 2:45am
In my case, just a regular Mach 3 or Blue 3 Ice would do
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post #13 of 26
8/26/10 at 9:31pm
The Mach 3 takes care of business just fine for me.
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post #14 of 26
9/15/10 at 11:33pm
I also like the Hydro 5. I have two Merkurs, and I like them both, but I'm often in too much of a rush to use them (even though I prefer them).

They just opened a V's barbershop in Houston, and I think next month I'll go for the barbershop shave.
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post #15 of 26
9/16/10 at 12:54am
The Merkur is an excellent DE razor. I use it with Feather blades and D.R. Harris, Truefitt & Hill and other shave creams.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tott View Post

I use an old-fashioned Merkur Progress. It reaches everywhere it needs to.
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post #16 of 26
9/16/10 at 11:29am
Sure, you could just but one of those 5 (or is it 10 now) blade razors and finish shaving in 30 seconds. Or, you could get an old Gillette. Maybe a 40's style Super Speed. You could buy a beautifully fragranced shaving cream, a nice mug and a real Badger Bristle shaving brush. It'll take you 10 times longer to have a shave, but you'll get 10 times more pleasure from it.
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post #17 of 26
9/16/10 at 12:23pm
Exactly! Though my total time to shave with the DE, making lather, etc. is about 15 minutes... sometimes 20 if I'm really being meticulous. That's not too much time considering the result, plus the enjoyment of the shave itself, as you say.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreamofgilgamesh View Post

Sure, you could just but one of those 5 (or is it 10 now) blade razors and finish shaving in 30 seconds. Or, you could get an old Gillette. Maybe a 40's style Super Speed. You could buy a beautifully fragranced shaving cream, a nice mug and a real Badger Bristle shaving brush. It'll take you 10 times longer to have a shave, but you'll get 10 times more pleasure from it.
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post #18 of 26
9/16/10 at 12:30pm
Wow, you guys spend a lot of time shaving... I soak the brush in hot water while I shower, then I pick it up and give it a shake to get rid of some of the water. Swirl it in the shaving cream/soap, lather and shave. Done.
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post #19 of 26
9/21/10 at 8:28pm
I have a gillette late 40s super speed and a merkur hd 34c. These razors do a fine job of trimming around the edges of my beard. I highly recommend them.
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post #20 of 26
9/21/10 at 8:38pm
As a member of shaving forum, I relish my daily shave. I use a Merkur 38C and Astra blades. Makes for a wonderful start to the day. DE razors aren't for everybody though. They take more patience than many men have growing up in the age of disposables and multi-blade razors.

The Gillette Pro Glide is a good razor too. But the blades are costly.
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post #21 of 26
10/28/10 at 6:31pm
As a recent convert to the Hydro 5 (by accident)....got a money saving secret for 'ya the evil razor blade companies DON'T want you to know

It's no secret when new razors come out companies sell the razor dirt cheap in hopes you will buy the very pricy refills.

If you have a Wal Mart near you this week, I saw an endcap selling the razor + 5 refill blades and a full size Schick shaving gel for $9. After I tried it and it worked fine, I went back and bought 4 more.

I get about a month out of most blades with the way I shave, so for $45 I'm set for shaving supplies for about 2 years.
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post #22 of 26
11/13/10 at 2:39pm
Merkur Slant-Bar
Merkur Futur
Feather Blades


When I feel like using a Str8 I go to my Puma 5/8, Dovo 6/8, or my Dubl Duck GoldenEdge 5/8.

If anyone is interested I have some items that are available. Just PM me if interested.
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post #23 of 26
11/14/10 at 8:36am
Schick Quattro. Or whatever with name of Schick!
I had Gillette Mach 3, when i found Schick, i gave up using Gillette.
You can be sure that it never doesn't wound your face (I had very problems is this case with Gillette)
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post #24 of 26
11/15/10 at 3:35pm
Just got a Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5... so impressed that I have retired my Fusion AND my Merkur Vision 2000 (with feather blades).

The Hydro 5 teamed with Kiehl's white eagle shaving cream gives me the best, most comfortable shave ever!
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post #25 of 26
11/15/10 at 4:53pm
  • kbe
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Well all this talk about wet shaves with quality safety razors got me thinking. It has been a hellova long time since I shaved with anything but a single or double edge disposable and I haven't had a really close shave in decades, so..yesterday evening I ordered an 'entry level' Merkur 34C and some Feather platinum coated double edge blades.

We will see...
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post #26 of 26
11/16/10 at 9:35am
kbe please don't view your Merkur 34C as "entry level"

That razor is a pure workhorse and the only way it has been modified is just for peoples personal tastes/beard type (i.e. longer handle, open comb, or slant bar).

You haven't bought an "entry level" razor...... you have bought the world-wide benchmark for all DE razors.
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