Your first De razor

I started off with this Jagen David, which I assume is a Chinese razor. I changed the handle and at a glance, it looks like a bastard child of a Tech. It shaves fractionally closer than a "real Tech", and it's given me great service. These days, it does most of its work shaving my head, but it is still getting the odd run out and is great for touching up under the nose etc.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it as a razor - sure, it lacks the "name" of a R89, a 34c or a Tech as a starter razor. However, it enjoys the same characteristics in terms suitability for a beginner.

I now spend most of my time on a 37c, but have an odd Golddachs that I have been given that goes okay. Right now, I am waiting to give the Parker adjustable that is due out a go.
 
My first DE razor technically speaking was a Gillette TTO around 1955, followed shortly thereafter by a Schick Injector. In 1957 I got to college and immediately grew a beard, which I had for some 30 years or so. About a decade ago, I stumbled in the to traditional wetshaving movement and learned to shave and found that I enjoyed that. The razor I used was at the time highly recommended to novices: the Merkur 34C. Subsequently, I have found other DE razors that are more comfortable and more efficient and just recently sold that 34C. (The first big eye-opener was the new (in 2010) Edwin Jagger head, in this shave.)
 
Parker 96r had a really bad cut and lost my initial confidence (gave it to my best friend, who has a stronger hair growth).

In coming back some years later to DE razors, i bought a a Muhle R89 and later an Edwin Jagger, being a lot more careful with my shaving technique.
 
You guys convinced Hoss to try again the Safety but this thread makin life harder man. You think I should get Edwin Jagger? Is the American thing better this Parker: guys gimme feedBACK! What blade like has smoothness of the cartridge. Yea I know some think cartridge no smooth so I rephrase. What blade glide through skin with no scratchy feeling or irritation. I know sharp can be scratchy coz I been shaved by barbers with shavette and they sharp but can be cratchy and cartridge no feel this way.
 
@Hossyhossyguy I recommend that a DE novice should seek a razor that is quite comfortable and not inclined to nick even when used with imperfect technique (that's the "feel") and also that is quite efficient and moves stubble easily and effectively so that it's not difficult to get a clean shave (assuming 3 passes: WTG XTG ATG, lathering prior to each pass) (that's the "performance").

Is a razor such as I described "mild"? Well, yes and no: mild on the skin but really removes stubble, which is often called "aggressive". And some would describe that sort of razor as "aggressive," focusing on performance and ignoring feel. I don't like the terms "mild" and "aggressive" and prefer to focus on feel (whether comfortable or not) and performance (whether efficient or not).

That said, I can recommend several razors that are both very comfortable and very efficient. But any razor you get will require some blade exploration, to find that brand(s) of blades best for you in that razor. Read this post for more details. Note that Tryablade.com offers flat-rate worldwide shipping.

Two of the razors I generally recommend are really US-only (because of shipping), but two are probably widely available. One is the Dorco PL-602. In the US you find them on eBay, and you can get 2 for ($6.75), but Dorco is Korean, so I imagine they are available internationally.

The other is the Parker 24C/26C (same head, different handles—some say the black handle chips), which is made in India and is pretty widely available.

You might take a look at the four most common mistakes cartridge shavers make when switching to a DE razor.

Remember: light pressure. And keep the razor's handle well away from your face. Muscle memory will work against you, so at first you have to be conscious of both.

Hope this helps.
 
You guys convinced Hoss to try again the Safety but this thread makin life harder man. You think I should get Edwin Jagger? Is the American thing better this Parker: guys gimme feedBACK! What blade like has smoothness of the cartridge. Yea I know some think cartridge no smooth so I rephrase. What blade glide through skin with no scratchy feeling or irritation. I know sharp can be scratchy coz I been shaved by barbers with shavette and they sharp but can be cratchy and cartridge no feel this way.
For a sharp but smooth blade I would start with an Astra Sp blade and see how you get on with that. Good luck with your DE shaving. :)
 
You guys convinced Hoss to try again the Safety but this thread makin life harder man. You think I should get Edwin Jagger? Is the American thing better this Parker: guys gimme feedBACK! What blade like has smoothness of the cartridge. Yea I know some think cartridge no smooth so I rephrase. What blade glide through skin with no scratchy feeling or irritation. I know sharp can be scratchy coz I been shaved by barbers with shavette and they sharp but can be cratchy and cartridge no feel this way.
Hossy, Pm me your UK address and I will send you a mixture of good blades for you to try, I'm sure we can sort you out :)
 
Thanks @Leisureguy and @Blademonkey. The DE89 and the Parker same price at under £20 so looks like good purchase. Don't worry about sending blades Monkey. I am spending Christmas in Belize and coming back in January. I pretty much homeless when in England I stay with family and friends: dossing down like. Blades cheap,sample Pack cheaps from that tryablade. I seen the cheap Dorco plastic here in shops and cheap Chiny razors too so might try one of those for now and get some blades fron the tryablade. Docro make fantastic cartridge razors: better than Gilette I think so will try.
 
Thanks @Leisureguy and @Blademonkey. The DE89 and the Parker same price at under £20 so looks like good purchase. Don't worry about sending blades Monkey. I am spending Christmas in Belize and coming back in January. I pretty much homeless when in England I stay with family and friends: dossing down like. Blades cheap,sample Pack cheaps from that tryablade. I seen the cheap Dorco plastic here in shops and cheap Chiny razors too so might try one of those for now and get some blades fron the tryablade. Docro make fantastic cartridge razors: better than Gilette I think so will try.
Ok Hossy, have a great Christmas in Belize, take care. :)
 
For me Hosster, EJ 89 with a Feather blade and Wickhams super Smooth affords a smooth, unfussed close shave. Once with, oncey against the grain. Good, thick lather, light touch, there's your close shave with no scratch and no drama. Enjoy m8 !

JohnnyO. o/
 
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