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Best modern DE

Spider

Spider

"The Cadre Constable"
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The experiment that Chad is going through comparing the Timeless with the Aristocrat has got me thinking.....

I only have 2 modern DEs: A Merkur 34C HD that I love and is pretty my my daily driver, and an EJ 89L that I keep in the shower. I also have 2 modern SEs: A Cobra and a Mongoose. The rest of my 250+ razors are all vintage.

So, am I missing out on not having any of the newer razors? Are any of them must haves? What is your favorite? I really don’t even know what is out there and popular because I never pay attention to those threads.

And for the sake of this thread, no razor “systems”. That is to say razors that have multiple heads and interchangeable pieces. I hate those. I’m just talking about single, whole razors. Unless I should consider? Just seems pointless, once I find the gap I want, I’m never going to use the other pieces. Seems a waste. Convince me otherwise.
 
Razorock puts it some great stuff. But I think aside from my Timeless my favorite DE is the Parker Variant.
 
I’m pretty happy with what I have now also. I’ve got a fairly wide range of types and aggression, and I only have about 10 razors (3 vintage DE, 3 modern DE, 1 modern shavette, 1 vintage SR, 2 modern SRs). There are some I like more than others, but I don’t think there is anything shave-wise I can’t get with what I have. I could cut that number in half and still have the “full range”.

I don’t think there is a “best”, only a “next”, something that catches your eye, reignites the RAD, and happens to give a good shave.
 
I have shaved with a total of 3 different razors. A 34C, a Fatboy, and a short comb.
I cant speak to much as I am still learning but I cannot find the sweet spot on the fat boy at all! (May become a PIF soon.) The short comb I can only use when I haven’t shaved for a couple of days, and then I only use it on the initial pass then switch to my daily driver 34C.
I would love to try out a timeless or a wolfman but I would be worried that they would be a bit too aggressive and I would just be wasting my money. But then I could find the heirloom piece that I would love to own and use on a daily basis.
Looking forward to the comments.
 
G'ville Ute said:
I cant speak to much as I am still learning but I cannot find the sweet spot on the fat boy at all!
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\n\nBest advice I ever got on my Fatboy was to set it to 3 and put a brand new GSB in it. Works like a charm. How folks don’t get a good shave with it is beyond me, but it happens quite a bit!\n\nTimeless and Wolfman certainly have their fans, but that’s a steep entry fee! I feel like you’re paying more for the brand than anything else...like Nike for sports.\n\nThat’s why I appreciate more economical current day companies like Razorock, Maggards, Karve, Rockwell, Parker etc. They give the good shaves at a reasonable price, and their pieces are usually just as classy.\n\nFor my first stainless modern, I’m quite happy with my RR Game Changer; what’s better is that it’s 316L Marine Grade stainless...should last next to forever if I can take care of it properly.
 
Spider said:
I don’t even understand the Timeless.
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It's a razor.......................Did you have a question there? They have a straight bar and smooth cap. They have a scalloped bar and scalloped cap and they have an open comb bottom plate. Different combinations shave differently and give you ways of combining what you want for the shave you want as well as what is pleasing aesthetically to you. It happens to be my favorite and while I can understand if someone isn't able to afford one at this point they may claim it's just paying for the name. I say while a large outlay of funds to me I'm happy I could finally get one. I admired them since they came out and was only recently in a position to get one. I feel no need to convince myself it was worth the price. It simply is to me and happy I have it. If I wasn't happy with it, it would be easy to resell to get my money back. I don't have a desire to. I also enjoy my Karve and Rockwell razors.

As far as razor "systems" all the Fatboy is, is a razor system that is all in one and you dial the gap you want. I understand if you are like me and once you find the setting you want, you just leave it there and shave. That's what I do. I don't change for different passes, I just shave.

The ones you refer to as "systems" such as Rockwell and the newer now brass Karve razors, instead of it being a dial to adjust you use plate changes. It's just how they designed it so you don't have working /moving parts that can get gunked up and need cleaning,adjusting etc. I'm sure it was easier then engineering an adjustable like the marvelous Gillettes.That's why a video on tear down and reassembly was suggested for the super speed with moving parts even though not and adjustable. That's not needed with a modern razor "system". That's just 1 benefit. So it comes with more plates. Find the one you like and use it. Ignore the other plates just like you do the other settings on the dial of a fatboy. I never understood why people get so hung up on that.

Mind you I early on in 2009 had I think it was a Merkur 1904 because it looked similar to the Yuma and I wanted a similar but better built razor. It shaved differently so I sold it. Other then that 1 razor I have had nothing but vintage and enjoyed them and still do. After taking part in a pass around @GlazedBoker did with the 6s Rockwell I was impressed enough with it to buy one on BST. I now have a 6c Gunmetal finish on pre order because it's cheap and woukld be a good candidate for travel. That was my first delving into modern razors and helped me see that yes the "entry price" was worth it on some of these razors at least to me. It convinced me it was worth it to me at least to let go of my hard earned cash to own the ones I desired. Whether that's the case for you, only you can decide. As we have seen, you can get a very good shave with lower grade and cheaper soaps but you've decided to acquire a lot of soaps and more costly ones. You decided it was worth it to you. It's the same with brushes. You don't need a Paladin to get a great shave but some have decided they wanted one and enjoy them. I see these razors as the same. I'm happy with the ones I have bought and will still have and use some vintage because of their history, sentimentality (with some) and just the cool factor of shaving with a 100+ year old tool. I've gotten long winded but trying to cover all the points..........Cheers
 
I definitely understand your frustration on razor systems. Just seems like a buy and try and then when you dial it in, there are a lot of parts that never get used. You almost need a loaner to see what combination you need. I have never tried a Rockwell or a Karve or an Above the Tie...though ATT has some beautiful razors. I was lucky enough to test out a Timeless for a bout five shaves. Hands down, absolutely best razor I have ever used. No joke...I have no idea how one can really be all that better than another...but the Timeless is. If I have to guess...it is just made that much more precise and just making it that much better. I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet...as the price is VERY steep, especially if you have to buy more than one plate. But it is really that good in my opinion. Maybe if I stop buying all these soaps that get used once or twice, I can afford to buy a Timeless!

Great topic KJ!
 
Great topic indeed.

I'm only two shaves in on my new Timeless, so take what follows with a healthy hunk of salt: two of the closest, and more importantly, most comfortable shaves of my wet shaving career. I picked up the the stainless OC .95mm blade gap, i.e., their "most aggressive" or "most efficient" combination (in stainless at least). To me, it is such a friendly shaver. No worries about cuts or weepers, angle is very easy to find and maintain, and the fit and finish is outstanding. Only negatives at this point (and they are small) are (1) the head is on the larger side, so getting under the nose can be challenging, and (2) I wish the knurling on the barberpole handle was a bit deeper, as it can feel a little slippery when wet (although it looks great). I also have the Rockwell 6S--another great shaver and a good price for stainless with multiple gap options. BUT, at this point, I'm planting my flag in the Timeless camp.



Of course, I'd been shaving with the Rx for the last month, so maybe anything would feel friendly after that...
 
I've shaved with a few modern razors, from Ikon Slants(PIF'd), to Merkur 34HD (PIF'd), Maggards VR3 (Parker R89 clone) (PIF'd) and the Merkur Futur. Right now, I also have the Bronze Open Comb from Timeless (.78 blade gap) that I just recently got. Out of all of the razors I currently own, including the vintage razors (red tip, flare tip, Fatboy, 48-51 'crat), as well as no longer own (2x ball end techs, blue tip, ranger SS, black tip) the Timeless is in a class of its own. The only one that remotely comes close is the Aristocrat, and it's not nearly as comfortable a shave, and not as efficient.

The only razor that is as comfortable and efficient as my Timeless is my Colonial General Brass with a Feather Professional Super in it.

Is it worth the $$ you're going to drop on it? Can't answer that, honestly. But, the best shaving safety razors that I own are the General and the Timeless by a wide margin. I've heard really good things about the Karve, but if you don't want to mess with different plates, then it probably isn't the razor for you. (even though it only comes with one plate when you purchase it, unless you order an additional plate.)
 
Dave in KY said:
It's a razor.......................Did you have a question there? They have a straight bar and smooth cap. They have a scalloped bar and scalloped cap and they have an open comb bottom plate. Different combinations shave differently and give you ways of combining what you want for the shave you want.
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Right, so one razor, but 72 different options (maybe slightl exaggeration on my part). It’s very confusing. I just want to buy a razor, not spend years researching to figure out what I want (again....). Chad made a good comment in another thread.....
Cvargo said:
That was the hardest part was picking the base. And now I am stuck wondering if I made the right choice.
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Right, so I finally decide, but did I make the right choice? Who knows. Just too many options. That’s what I’m confused about.

Dave in KY said:
As far as razor "systems" all the Fatboy is, is a razor system that is all in one and you dial the gap you want. I understand if you are like me and once you find the setting you want, you just leave it there and shave. That's what I do. I don't change for different passes, I just shave.
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I get what you are saying about the Fatboy, Don sums it up pretty good.
dangerousdon said:
I definitely understand your frustration on razor systems. Just seems like a buy and try and then when you dial it in, there are a lot of parts that never get used.
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The difference is minor, but a Fatboy is all one piece. I set it and forget it. On the Rockwell, for example, once I set it, I now have two extra pieces that are just waste. I feel like if I don’t need them, then I shouldn’t have to pay for them. Not sure if that option exists....

Dagwoodz said:
The only razor that is as comfortable and efficient as my Timeless is my Colonial General Brass with a Feather Professional Super in it.
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I am curious how the General compares to the Mongoose. I do love that razor.

Dave in KY said:
KJ, sent you a message
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Thanks!

Dave offered me a trial run of three of his modern razors. Really looking forward to that! I will include these in future shave videos!
 
I'll be interested to hear too. I'm in somewhat the same boat. I found the RX and I doubt I'll find a SE I like as much. Now I really want that same level in a DE. Something that's heavy and sexy that demands attention, but isn't too aggressive if you're careful. I guess the one positive about how much these things cost, is if you don't like it, you can recoup a lot of your cost on a BST.
 
NurseDave said:
I'll be interested to hear too. I'm in somewhat the same boat. I found the RX and I doubt I'll find a SE I like as much. Now I really want that same level in a DE. Something that's heavy and sexy that demands attention, but isn't too aggressive if you're careful. I guess the one positive about how much these things cost, is if you don't like it, you can recoup a lot of your cost on a BST.
Click to expand...
All 3 of my moderns were got on a BST at @ 2/3 retail (The Karve while people were still waiting 4 weeks to get a new one)
Complete setup just like Chad's just sold for $175 verses $290 new. Patience pays off when looking
 
You are not missing anything if you are enjoying your shaves, right now. There is, absolutely, no need to spend any more money on modern DEs, SEs, etcetera.

Having said this, I much prefer the modern DEs as I have yet to find a vintage DE and SE razor that can shave me as well as my Blackbirds and Weber DLCs.
The only thing the modern razors might have over the vintage ones is overall effectiveness due to their design, and of course, many are stainless steel.
 
G'ville Ute said:
I have shaved with a total of 3 different razors. A 34C, a Fatboy, and a short comb. \nI cant speak to much as I am still learning but I cannot find the sweet spot on the fat boy at all! (May become a PIF soon.) The short comb I can only use when I haven’t shaved for a couple of days, and then I only use it on the initial pass then switch to my daily driver 34C. \nI would love to try out a timeless or a wolfman but I would be worried that they would be a bit too aggressive and I would just be wasting my money. But then I could find the heirloom piece that I would love to own and use on a daily basis. \nLooking forward to the comments.
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\n\nyou just need to play with the Fatboy a bit and find the blade it likes. Mine on about 5-6 no more than 7 with a GSB is a wonderful thing. Well I will go cry now because mine is at the spa for a while!
 
GlazedBoker is doing a pass around again in the other neighborhood this time with the Rex Ambassador if anyone wanted to sign up. KJ, this would be a modern adjustable according to your description. I'm #2 in line and will do a review here as well.
 
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