re: *DE Razor Shaving thread*

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So I found an old Gillette TTO (twist to open) from the 1950's or 60's in my dad's stuff after he died and I love that razor! It is small and easy to use.

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I am jealous.

It should have a letter and a number (1-4) on underside. That is year and quarter of year codes. A=1955.

They started with X in 1952 for some reason and rolled back around to A in 1955.

Taylor of Old Bond street Almond cream is awesome.

I did my first de shave the other day. I didn't have any trouble with nicks and cuts.

I had maybe a week and a half beard and had a good bit of trouble having to go over it several times to get it all and missing a few hairs here and there. I used an Astra Stainless blade. I bought a variety blade pack like everyone recommend. Is there a better blade to use for longer stubble? Platinum maybe?

I did something I thought I'd never do back around Christmas time. The ol' lady decided to buy some The Art of Shaving shaving cream, pre shave, aftershave for me. She also wanted to buy me a new brush- I had been using the very cheap white synthetic fiber Omega which doesn't even hold its shape for roughly 2 years, mainly because I told myself "the reason you did this was because it was cheaper," but then I went ahead and decided to get a brush that more or less matched my razor cosmetically (Merkur 38hd razor)- the Muhle 31m89. I felt very silly spending so much on a brush, but when compared to the cheap thing I had been using, good gosh. If this thing has so much as a dab of cream, I can lather up about a full cup from it. And it's soft, it keeps its shape, and the handy is very hefty (in a good way).


I did also recently grab a few Feather razors. I, unfortunately, seem to nick myself much more with them than an Astra. And in weird places where I never thought I would cut myself. Jury's still out. It's probably from being accustomed to lazy technique. But mostly I've got a rough patch of neck hair, and after it's been run over by a feather, I feel like I shouldn't go out in public for an hour or two. I still haven't figured out how to shave that damn spot with a DE consistently.

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I had been using the very cheap white synthetic fiber Omega which doesn't even hold its shape for roughly 2 years, mainly because I told myself "the reason you did this was because it was cheaper,"

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Yeah - that's a mistake. You save money on the blades - a lot of it - over the long run. You invest in good durable equipment and that pays off, as well. I just got the starter kit and I have no idea what brand the brush is (could be Merkur). I'm pretty sure it's best badger (maybe super badger), not silvertip. I gave ~$100 for the whole kit, Merkur 180(34C), brush, stand, soap and a single Merkur blade.

I like the brush, I don't love it. I wanted to get a good run out of it, though, because of cost. I'm ready to upgrade this year. The old brush can stay in service as a travel brush for another couple of years or so. Definitely going to get a silvertip - just not sure of brand. I may get a bigger size, too.

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Found one of these last weekend in a local antique shop by the house, paid 14.00 for it. It need to be cleaned up but works and the plating is in really good shape.

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Katy, TX

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I never find anything here. Have to go to Houston. 290 and 610 antique place always has some. But not for $14.

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I never find anything here

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It was a first for me and just got lucky really, My son and I swung into KT Antiques on mothers day weekend because they have some homemade soaps that the wife likes. So I picked some of that stuff up and we just started walking around.

First booth I came to I saw it just sitting on top of a cabinet and I picked it up. First piece of shaving gear that I have found that was in useable condition and not priced 3 times higher than it should be

Awesome find and I agree thinking of the history of these things just adds to the appeal of trying to build a collection for me.

I guess you can't go wrong with a Merker, EJ, or Parker razor?

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Parker razor?

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Parker gets bashed a little. Of those 3 they are 3rd.

Merkur get pricey. Up to $70 I believe for their adjustable. It's a pot metal razor. It WILL fall apart in a few (2-7) years.

You can get a Gillette Slim Adjustable on eBay for $30. And you sons son can use that razor until he's an old man.

I have an EJ 89 and love it. But I know it will break one day. Basically just don't spend over $40 for anything.