D/E as a Backup

bevansmw · 06-13-2008, 03:05 AM

So I shave primarily with a straight and have a gilette fusion right now that has only been used a few times since Feb when I began using a straight. I still have a bunch of blades for the fusion but thought I'd maybe invest in a DE as a backup and just have a box of DE blades for when I'm trying to get a quicker shave (I'm assuming one can shave with a DE faster than the straight) or maybe touch up though I don't do that, at all, right now with the fusion.

What should I be looking at when I look for a DE? I've been mulling over maybe another purchase from SRD and so I saw the Murkur ones there and thought I might buy one with some of the blades with my next purchase there, probably just the CF Limes cream and a/s balm but potentially a vintage straight too (just got the CC paid off

). Any suggestions on what would be a good DE to use for such a purpose? What is with the differences on them. Thanks any help appreciated.

Don · 06-13-2008, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevansmw

So I shave primarily with a straight and have a gilette fusion right now that has only been used a few times since Feb when I began using a straight. I still have a bunch of blades for the fusion but thought I'd maybe invest in a DE as a backup and just have a box of DE blades for when I'm trying to get a quicker shave (I'm assuming one can shave with a DE faster than the straight) or maybe touch up though I don't do that, at all, right now with the fusion.

What should I be looking at when I look for a DE? I've been mulling over maybe another purchase from SRD and so I saw the Murkur ones there and thought I might buy one with some of the blades with my next purchase there, probably just the CF Limes cream and a/s balm but potentially a vintage straight too (just got the CC paid off

). Any suggestions on what would be a good DE to use for such a purpose? What is with the differences on them. Thanks any help appreciated.

The HD and the slant seem to get the most positive feedback but all are well made razors. Those are the two I liked the most.

sensei_kyle · 06-13-2008, 03:41 AM

Merkur HD is an great razor. I also have a couple of Gillette DE's that shave a little differently. I don't recommend learning to shave DE-style with Feather blades

Don · 06-13-2008, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Merkur HD is an great razor. I also have a couple of Gillette DE's that shave a little differently. I don't recommend learning to shave DE-style with Feather blades

Second that on the Feathers get the Merkurs to learn then try the Feathers those boys is sharp

jwoods · 06-13-2008, 04:39 AM

i use a de when i am pressed for time. i use a merkur 38c . it is a londhandled version of the heavy, good shaver. also i use a 58 red tip gillette a couple of adjustable superspeeds made in the early 60s i just found a 59 fatboy locally and it shaves nicely also. if your beard isnt too tough i would recommend either a merkur h-d or a vintage superspeed. if it is tough i would go with the slant or the red tip gillette or the vintage fatboy gillette. the fatboy is great for whatever you need in a de, i use derby extra blades as they dont cut me uo and i get a close shave with them

bevansmw · 06-13-2008, 06:46 AM

I bought the slant from classic shaving, with some merkur and feather blades, figure I'll use the merkur ones first but they'll probably last me a long time since I use a straight regularly. I was going to buy a SRP LE from classic but looks like when I went to they were all sold out, I thought I should soon since I saw a post with someone with some in the 200's for their number and think only 300 were made. Guess I was just a little too late, thought I saw them still available a week or two ago.

Viola · 06-25-2008, 06:01 AM

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Doc · 06-25-2008, 06:10 AM

Viola I have edited your post to remove the spam. if you have any questions please drop me a pm.
All the best
Doc

Viola · 07-01-2008, 03:30 AM

No problem, Doc. Thanks for giving that spamming post the boot!

ColbyPants · 07-01-2008, 06:23 AM

Hi guys! I am transitioning from DE user to part time Straight user (my first blade is off being honed). I definitely agree with the suggestion of the Merkur 34C (the Merkur HD) as a great model to begin DE shaving with, though I never really had the negative problems with Feather blades. That said Derby Extra blades are less expensive, and work very well *could possibly be more forgiving) too.

Steelforge · 07-01-2008, 09:46 AM

I just bought (about 2 weeks ago) a Merkur Futur razor, and 100 Derby blades.

I'm primarily a straight razor user, but some days I have to get up at 3am to drive 5 hours to visit a site, and the DE gives me an acceptable shave in quicker time when I'm still half asleep.

I don't find the shave quality of the Futur quite as good as a decent straight, but it looks perfectly acceptable for work. It's my "travelling or in a hurry" razor.