The Perfect Overall Razor For Me

Tranquil_Shaves

Tranquil_Shaves

Messages
31
Location
West Midlands
So I'm pretty new to this forum but i just wanted to share my views on my favourite razor as im bored :) I've been DE shaving for many years & tried many razors, cheap to expensive, modern to vintage.

By a certain stage we all realise it's a YMMV thing for us all, with us all having different beard & skin type, different razors work differently for us all.

My beard is coarse i mean extremely coarse and to make matters worse i have sensitive skin beneath the prickly hairs, when mapped you get a rough idea with the image below my growth pattern is very unorthodox.
IMG_20190618_220130.jpg
The squiggly lines on the middle of my chin & adams apple show where hair grows in a swirl in all directions. So this makes things even difficult & frustrating, well it did initially...

For me my perfect overall razor is the bakelite Minora shown below alongside the Gillette 7 o'clock bakelite which is more or less identical.
IMG_20190618_224858_compress88.jpg
So why do i like this razor & why does it work for me?

Well i think for me

° It has the perfect amount of blade feel

° Perfect amount of efficiency

° It is extremely smooth (only razor i can say i never had a nick from)

° The angle is easy to find & most importantly i can shave in the crazy abnormal directions that my face requires in need to get a very close & comfortable shave, with all other razors i can't shave across the grain & even against on certain parts of my face due to what i aforementioned, i get nicks on them spots with other razors even though the rest of my face is fine.

° Every blade works in it & it never misaligns the blade

° It has the perfect amount of rigidity, if you believe in all that, i do believe a rigid razor for my situation is needed, especially for on my neck where the hair grows so close to the skin

° I actually have an preference for a lighter razor so that's not a issue for me, perfectly weighted

° Being bakelite the audio feedback is lovely to hear

° The prominent lines on the baseplate guard do a great job of scooping of the lather & hair. I can shave daily with it & even with 5days beard growth

° Might not look it but it is nibble i can get under & around my nose with ease without getting nicked under my septum like i do with other razors.

The Goldilocks of razors for me. I have 3 of them so they last me throughout my life because it's my best shaver. I have the karve, pils & you can name all the rest, i still get RAD & want to try more lol but this one is just another level for me.
IMG_20190618_223133_compress78.jpg
If you look at the distance of blade gap the minora has slightly less compared to the Gillette 7 o'clock due to the different top cap i believe, the 7 o'clock has the flat bottom slots & the minora has T like pins
IMG_20190618_223835_compress60.jpg
IMG_20190618_222947.jpg
Brass thread
IMG_20190618_225824_compress37.jpg
IMG_20190618_224230_compress19.jpg
IMG_20190618_224524_compress51.jpg
IMG_20190618_224337_compress24.jpg
This wasn't to bash other razors i still love trying them all, i just wanted to show how this one works so well for me, it served me well for many years, This one you can't try once or twice & dismiss it, the geometry of the head make sense why it works so well for me with the type of beard i have.

Happy shaves my friends!
 
Of the few razors i have used, i too gravitate towards the very light ones. In fact, the lighter the better weirdly enough.

I have an Old type bakalite razor which is not pleasant to use with the new blades lol.
 
• I forgot to add this to my thread & it's too late to edit so will post this here, my apologies

It holds the blade exceptionally tight and controlled, no wiggle room hence the always perfectly aligned blade, for shaving them tricky sensitive areas it performs well, I can shaves across my chin area holding the razor horizontally without getting nicked on top where the corners of my mouth are, also with that same stroke the bottom part on the cleft of my chin is never nicked, whereas other razors catch me in them areas with that same stroke, then there are some mild razors that don't nick me on them spots with that stroke but are ineffective in removing the hairs cleanly, with this razor there is just enough blade protruding out, the geometry/shape of the baseplate how it curves up gives me more control and a array of angles to use to force contact with the hair, perfect for the neck area too no more irritation on the very bottom of my neck, it's hard to get nicked with this razor yet very efficient and smooth, you get the perfect amount of blade feel unlike some razors that are deceptive that lead to nicks or over shaving, very hard to find this combination in other DE's, so all that combined with the rigid design the way the blade is clamped for me the true Goldilocks of razors it excels in so many areas it's crazy that's why i love it.
 
Tranquil_Shaves said:
• I forgot to add this to my thread & it's too late to edit so will post this here, my apologies

It holds the blade exceptionally tight and controlled, no wiggle room hence the always perfectly aligned blade, for shaving them tricky sensitive areas it performs well, I can shaves across my chin area holding the razor horizontally without getting nicked on top where the corners of my mouth are, also with that same stroke the bottom part on the cleft of my chin is never nicked, whereas other razors catch me in them areas with that same stroke, then there are some mild razors that don't nick me on them spots with that stroke but are ineffective in removing the hairs cleanly, with this razor there is just enough blade protruding out, the geometry/shape of the baseplate how it curves up gives me more control and a array of angles to use to force contact with the hair, perfect for the neck area too no more irritation on the very bottom of my neck, it's hard to get nicked with this razor yet very efficient and smooth, you get the perfect amount of blade feel unlike some razors that are deceptive that lead to nicks or over shaving, very hard to find this combination in other DE's, so all that combined with the rigid design the way the blade is clamped for me the true Goldilocks of razors it excels in so many areas it's crazy that's why i love it.
Click to expand...
Hi Tranquil_Shaves

I have a very similar beard map, with a coarse/dense beard (wiry too), and ludicrously sensitive skin. However I do think a rigid blade, especially for guys like us, is key. At the moment, I'm enjoying my Schick 'G' Type for this very reason. It has a really small nimble head, and is efficient under/around the nose. I pair it with Schick Proline B-20s for a smooth and efficient DFS (BBS it too much of a stretch for me) shave, its also able to mow down a three/four day beard (my shave cycle), but obviously YMMV.

I have a ton of DE blades, the Karve (I need an A SB plate, possibly AA SB plate too which might make it a great DE razor for me?) and a myriad of other DE razors vintage and modern. Although I've had moderate success in DE land (Fat Boy, PAA Alpha Ecliptic) my skin post shave 48 hours later is usually a tad problematic. But I'm still looking to combine some of my DE blades with a smooth and efficient DE razor which isn't going to irritate me 48 hours later. So I do find your observations with regards to your razors very interesting...
 
@Hedgehog

I think for most people any DE would do the job for example few of my friends who DE shave have a thin fair beard they shave with the just about any razor and get good results but in my case due to my beard growing in all different directions that combined with my coarse beard and sensitive skin i have to be careful, either the outcome of the shaves are average or i could get ingrown hairs or irritation, it's all about trial and error to find out what works for us.

I agree SE razors are amazing for us guys i have an Schick Injector Type J, GEM Micromatic Open Comb the Vector SE very good razors they do the job perfectly for me but i don't know why i just prefer DE's, i think I'm just more accustomed to them, every month or so i do use my SE's.
 
Last edited:
Tranquil_Shaves said:
@Hedgehog

I think for most people any DE would do the job for example few of my friends who DE shave have a thin fair beard they shave with the just about any razor and get good results but in my case due to my beard growing in all different directions that combined with my coarse beard and sensitive skin i have to be careful, either the outcome of the shaves are average or i could get ingrown hairs or irritation, it's all about trial and error to find out what works for us.

I agree SE razors are amazing for us guys i have an Schick Injector Type J, GEM Micromatic Open Comb the Vector SE very good razors they do the job perfectly for me but i don't know why i just prefer DE's, i think I'm just more accustomed to them, every month or so i do use my SE's.
Click to expand...
I do agree. For some guys, shaving is a doddle. And that's OK. I believe there is a blade and a razor for most blokes, it's just a question of finding the right combination for you (and the right prep, technique, shaving soap, post). I do like variety as well, so even though I really enjoy my Schick 'G' Type and Schick Proline B-20 combination, I'd love to have a few more combinations as successful (no ingrown hairs for me 48 hours later YMMV). But that's going to be tough to beat.

I've got a STAR DE Razor on the way which I'm hoping will provide a more efficient shave (and no ingrown hairs) than my Gillette Tech. I'm fond of my Karve Razor, but its not ticking all the boxes on the plates I have (B SB and C SB plates). I'd like to acquire the AA SB and A SB plates (anyone please let me know), as I believe they'd be the sweet spot for me (or they may be... I guess I won't know until I try).
 
Last edited:
@Hedgehog

The star razor is nice but i think the razors you already have are great and good enough, i really recommend you try some Apricot Kernel Oil, it has many benefits for the skin, it tones, it moisturises and much much more, i don't use aftershave as it dries my skin out & many other post shave balms and creams strip away the natural oils in our skin and have all sorts of chemicals in them, it has no shine to it absorbs in to your skin also no smell to it, i mix some with nivea cream to make the most of it and use it on its own on a night a day before shaving, i use this oil for everyday moisturising and as a post shave. You can look it up and do your research on how much benefits it has. This product work wonders and is underlooked in the wet shaving scene. Doesn't work over night but with continued use you will find it works wonders.
Screenshot_20190619-211738_Chrome.jpg
Screenshot_20190619-214919_Gallery.jpg
20190619_214838.jpg
 
Last edited:
Tranquil_Shaves said:
@Hedgehog

The star razor is nice but i think the razors you already have are great and good enough, i really recommend you try some Apricot Kernel Oil, it has many benefits for the skin, it tones, it moisturises and much much more, i don't use aftershave as it dries my skin out & many other post shave balms and creams strip away the natural oils in our skin and have all sorts of chemicals in them, it has no shine to it absorbs in to your skin also no smell to it, i mix some with nivea cream to make the most of it and use it on its own on a night a day before shaving, i use this oil for everyday moisturising and as a post shave. You can look it up and do your research on how much benefits it has. This product work wonders and is underlooked in the wet shaving scene. Doesn't work over night but with continued use you will find it works wonders.
View attachment 44929
View attachment 44931
View attachment 44932
Click to expand...
Hi Tranquil_Shaves

Thanks for the information on Apricot Kernel Oil. I'm not adverse to it, but as such I'm quite happy using Aloe Vera Gel, directly from the plant. I cut a small slice from the leaf, split it open exposing the gel, and rub directly on my face. I've been doing this for a couple of years, using it as a general moisturizer, but also as a aftershave balm (very soothing, and is very good at sealing up any small nicks). More information here if you're interested https://www.happyandraw.com/top-12-benefits-of-aloe-vera/

Either of the above are a great alternative. Not everyone's cup of tea, but whatever works for you and helps is enough. Just curious, do you have a natural alternative to shaving soap?
 
Rhubarb said:
Of the few razors i have used, i too gravitate towards the very light ones. In fact, the lighter the better weirdly enough.

I have an Old type bakalite razor which is not pleasant to use with the new blades lol.
Click to expand...

They didn't make a Bakelite OLD type, you must mean Bakelite Tech, which is the same as the 7 o'clock in the OP.

1940%20(K4%20on%20blade)%20Bakelite%20Tech%20England.JPG
 
Tranquil_Shaves said:
@Hedgehog

I don't have any alternative to natural shaving soap but i do sometimes use natural shaving soaps like this one i got from here: https://allnaturalsoap.co.uk/shop/men/all-natural-traditional-shaving-soap/

I'm not too fussy with soaps as i like trying different ones.
Click to expand...
Hi Tranquil_Shaves

Thanks for the recommend.

I know All Natural Soaps only too well. I buy my everyday soap https://allnaturalsoap.co.uk/shop/bars/coco-castile/

I've seen their shaving soap before, but I might give it a go if you think its worth it. Although there are others on my list to buy first!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom