Any views on 3 razors I've been considering?

Get a $10 Pre-war Tech and spend your money on boar brushes and hard puck soaps, if you can't get an amazing shave from a Tech the problem is you, and you can't fix that by buying another razor.

If you want another razor "just because" then go for it.
Just out of interest @TobyC why suggest a pre-war Tech? Are they supposed to be the best or is it that they're just cheap and easy to find? The reason I ask is that I have seen some 'ball-end' versions here in the UK fro early 1950's and, based on your post, I thought I might try one but didn't want to go for post-war if pre-war are supposed to be better.
Cheers(y)
 
Just out of interest @TobyC why suggest a pre-war Tech? Are they supposed to be the best or is it that they're just cheap and easy to find? The reason I ask is that I have seen some 'ball-end' versions here in the UK fro early 1950's and, based on your post, I thought I might try one but didn't want to go for post-war if pre-war are supposed to be better.
Cheers(y)
Both pre and post- war are great shavers and everyone has their favorite, mine just happens to be the early one. You can't go wrong with either razor, but I would personally stay away from the later Tech ('63? and later) with the bevel edged cap because it is zamak.

This is the zamak cap with beveled edges.

s-l1600.jpg
 
... which is oddly, my baseline double edge razor (the late model Tech). My favourite Tech is the British flat bottom, from the '40s. It's the same design and geometry as the New aside from the open comb.
Same as the short comb New, but not the long comb New, the blade bed is very different between the two.
 
I've recently been tempted by the following 3 razors:
1. Parker Variant
2. Rockwell 6s
3. Rex Ambassador

Anyone got any direct experience of any or all of these in comparison with the EJDE89 or the Merkur 34C?
I'm basically after an adjustable that offers a setting or that is close to the smoothness of the EJ/Merkur...you know, nothing too aggressive!

Any comments would be appreciated(y)

I vote for the Rex Ambassador. Looks a smashing razor and one I wouldn't mind trying down the line so a as much thoughts on it as possible would be welcomed ;)
 
I vote for the Rex Ambassador. Looks a smashing razor and one I wouldn't mind trying down the line so a as much thoughts on it as possible would be welcomed ;)
Well...here's the thing...I've found this thread incredibly interesting, fruitful and also enjoyable. It has also turned me into a jabbering mass of uncertainty...but that's the business of wet shaving I suppose. Now, although I had first made my mind up to go for the Rockwell 6s, there has been sufficient evidence that makes me question a purchase at this time. Then I was 'groomed' by @Boycie83 to shift towards the Rex Ambassador...and I was tempted...very tempted. But, yet again, the forum dragged me back to reality. A superhero (who probably wears his undies on the outside of his action slacks when in the confines of his shave den) by the name of @TobyC defeated the evil grooming attempts by throwing in the 'Tech Bomb':cool:.
So, the outcome is that instead of going down the more expensive routes of Rockwell or Rex, I have decided to spend some of my cash on a vintage Gillette Tech. My hope is that this razor, legendary for its smoothness/lack of aggression, will provide a different razor head, that has the narrower head profile that perhaps the Rex offers, and yet also will allow me to experiment with many of my existing handles. All this for less than £30. :)
It is already in the mail to me, so now I just want to say a final thanks to all those (even you, Chris, you dirty little Rex-pusher) who threw their comments in and helped me to arrive at a solution.
I look forward to discussing the details of my next PIF...probably a vintage Tech sometime next weeko_O:rolleyes:(y)
 
Well...here's the thing...I've found this thread incredibly interesting, fruitful and also enjoyable. It has also turned me into a jabbering mass of uncertainty...but that's the business of wet shaving I suppose. Now, although I had first made my mind up to go for the Rockwell 6s, there has been sufficient evidence that makes me question a purchase at this time. Then I was 'groomed' by @Boycie83 to shift towards the Rex Ambassador...and I was tempted...very tempted. But, yet again, the forum dragged me back to reality. A superhero (who probably wears his undies on the outside of his action slacks when in the confines of his shave den) by the name of @TobyC defeated the evil grooming attempts by throwing in the 'Tech Bomb':cool:.
So, the outcome is that instead of going down the more expensive routes of Rockwell or Rex, I have decided to spend some of my cash on a vintage Gillette Tech. My hope is that this razor, legendary for its smoothness/lack of aggression, will provide a different razor head, that has the narrower head profile that perhaps the Rex offers, and yet also will allow me to experiment with many of my existing handles. All this for less than £30. :)
It is already in the mail to me, so now I just want to say a final thanks to all those (even you, Chris, you dirty little Rex-pusher) who threw their comments in and helped me to arrive at a solution.
I look forward to discussing the details of my next PIF...probably a vintage Tech sometime next weeko_O:rolleyes:(y)

A positive outcome regardless, you done well to avoid the grooming and luring of other members :LOL: .

Enjoy the new razor, although I still think its only a matter of time before I fall into the trap of an Ambassador. From I started wet shaving its always been the ones thats appealed to me most (aesthetically).
 
It's very easy to fall into the fomo trap with all these shiny new razors. My rad was pretty much cured but recently the little voice in my head has been back and whispering in my ear. Bought the futur and the Fatboy and I'm kind of cured again. Considering actually selling off the progress and my 6c as I'm enjoying the 2 new things I've recently bought. If I couldn't buy anything else I would be perfectly happy with those 2. Rex ambassador is a beautiful razor but I couldn't afford or in good conscience spend that much on yet another razor which may or may not be as good or better than what I already have. Plus I'm Scottish so I'm cheap.
 
Interesting you're opting for the tech. I've been following this and similar threads of members looking for a new razor. Some of those you mentioned were / are in my shortlist. However, I've also started to look a slims. Currently have a bid on one on the bay. I did have a tech, but didn't get on with it. It was an aluminium model, very light.
 
Interesting you're opting for the tech. I've been following this and similar threads of members looking for a new razor. Some of those you mentioned were / are in my shortlist. However, I've also started to look a slims. Currently have a bid on one on the bay. I did have a tech, but didn't get on with it. It was an aluminium model, very light.
Aaaaaaaaaagh....I'm really starting to feel ill now:eek:. I know...I'll give up shaving, grow a beard and become a hermit(y)
 
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