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Safety Razors

Gordon · 2008-12-27 13:59:00

Sorry, I don't have a beard or hat, can I still post a question?! I was reading this thread about razor prices and some helpful chappie mentioned good proper safety razors like Merkurs. Does anyone here use one of these? I use the 3/4 blade razors and am fed up with paying the exorbitant costs of them and am wondering if I…

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#2672 27-06-2011 3:40pm
Corkfeen

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ThisRegard wrote: »

Thinking of picking this up for myself, no need to change blades, which are thinner than a human hair. I might need to decide quickly though as there's only 99 being made
http://www.zafirro.com/products/Zafirro-Iridium.html

Lmao, bargain price of 100 grand. Think i'll get two...

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#2673 28-06-2011 9:27pm
Gran Hermano

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Amalgam wrote: »

Excellent stuff Gran Hermano, that's a real Cattle Grid affair going on there, somewhat similar to vintage UK razors like the Red Stripe and Knockout.

What is the handle like for grip?

No problems with the grip. Razor is nicely balanced and I forgot to mention in earlier post that the design/construction of the razor lends itself to a higher than normal amount of audible feedback as it whisks away the stubble, it almost sings.

I had contemplated using a longer handle from an EJ Chatsworth Barley with the new head but reckon I'll hold off for a while as a heavier handle may make it even more aggressive than I need.

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#2674 29-06-2011 10:41am
ThisRegard

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Corkfeen wrote: »

Lmao, bargain price of 100 grand. Think i'll get two...

Yes, that was my point !

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#2675 04-07-2011 8:29am
hamsterboy

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Hi All
Spotted these in an antique shop in Galway.
Was wondering if they are in any way rare etc.....
Was gonna get thIS gold one as an alternative to my Merkur HD

Also this one, though it looks like standard blades won't fit it

And I know this is a safety razor thread but

Regards

HB

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#2676 04-07-2011 3:41pm
hitemfrank

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hamsterboy wrote: »

Hi All
Spotted these in an antique shop in Galway.
Was wondering if they are in any way rare etc.....
Was gonna get thIS gold one as an alternative to my Merkur HD

Also this one, though it looks like standard blades won't fit it

And I know this is a safety razor thread but

Regards

HB

The top one looks like a Gillette 'Old Type'. The Old Type was made from 1904 until 1929. I think that could be a 'single ring'. You can pin down the date accurately by looking at the serial number on the razor when you take it apart. This shows where the date code is http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old%20Type/1905%20Single%20Ring.jpg and you can compare the date code here http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

The middle one is a single edge razor (I think an Ever-Ready 1912) and takes single edge blades. Cannaught shaving sells those blades. You can only get single edge razor blades online on this side of the Atlantic. Single edge razors can give a very nice shave.

The straight razor is a Ford & Medley Emu (I think - can't see the makers name on the tang). From a site selling a similar one;

The company was started by Albert Medley, born in 1875 and recorded as a cutlery manufacturer in the 1901 census. By 1914 the company acquired the Emu Works and they ceased trading in the 1930s

So it's from between 1914 and 1930ish. It looks to be in decent condition, providing the is no rust on the other side. It will be made from Sheffield steel so it should be a good shaver once honed.

What were the prices on them like?

As far as rarity is concerned I'm not sure. Probably fairly rare to find any of them in Ireland.

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#2677 04-07-2011 4:00pm
hamsterboy

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Wow nice work man.
The prices on them all were under 25, the Gillette Old Type was 22 I think.
Might invest in one or maybe two... the straight caught my fancy.
Would be nice to be shaving with something thats almost 100 years old.....

Thanks for the info

HB

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#2678 04-07-2011 4:24pm
hitemfrank

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If it was me I'd go for the Gillette and the straight razor but I'd try talk them down on the prices. They seem a bit high for my liking - try ask for a deal for 2 of them. The case for the DE looks in pretty bad shape.

If you do go for the straight make sure there is no rust near the edge. Chips on the edge, if there are any, shouldn't be too much of an issue. If there are any chips they will likely be really small and will come out when honed.

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#2679 05-07-2011 4:41pm
Mahatma coat

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Well, the head snapped off my timor

So I ordered another one from Shaving.ie

what did I do wrong wit the first one????

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#2680 05-07-2011 4:53pm
stevenmu

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Mahatma coat wrote: »

what did I do wrong wit the first one????

Use it to shave a bear?

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#2681 05-07-2011 6:19pm
MadsL

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Hi Hamsterboy,

The straight looks well worth getting if you can knock it down to 15 or so.

If you want an edge putting on it, I'd be happy to hone it to shave ready for you (assuming it can be honed, not cracked, warped or twisted) - no charge, the practice with the stone is useful.

If there are any small chips on the edge, I can take them out - but it will need quite a bit of work.

The Every readys can be had online for nothing, and they are a great little shaver - I bought one recently for £3 (shaved with it this morning actually as I was late for work) and I have seen them go for 99p on ebay uk. Use absolutely no pressure though as they can be a bit rough otherwise.

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#2682 05-07-2011 6:36pm
hamsterboy

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MadsL wrote: »

Hi Hamsterboy,

The straight looks well worth getting if you can knock it down to 15 or so.

If you want an edge putting on it, I'd be happy to hone it to shave ready for you (assuming it can be honed, not cracked, warped or twisted) - no charge, the practice with the stone is useful.

If there are any small chips on the edge, I can take them out - but it will need quite a bit of work.

The Every readys can be had online for nothing, and they are a great little shaver - I bought one recently for £3 (shaved with it this morning actually as I was late for work) and I have seen them go for 99p on ebay uk. Use absolutely no pressure though as they can be a bit rough otherwise.

Hey
I'm poppin in tomorrow to pick up the Gillette and the straight.
I would REALLY appreciate it if you could put an edge on it dude.
Are you based in Galway?
If not PM me your address and I'll post it to ye

Regards

HB

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#2683 05-07-2011 8:17pm
Gran Hermano

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hamsterboy wrote: »

Hey
I'm poppin in tomorrow to pick up the Gillette and the straight.
I would REALLY appreciate it if you could put an edge on it dude.
Are you based in Galway?
If not PM me your address and I'll post it to ye

Regards

HB

Those Gillette New open comb razors give a fine shave. I like mine so much
I already picked up a backup one. They are a great introduction to using an open comb and differed enough to the Merkur HD or Progress to give variety. They are great if you have a couple of days of stubble to remove. Like yourself I like the fact I'm using a razor almost a century old. Just watch out for any bent or missing teeth in the comb part. (From your photo it looks all good).

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#2684 05-07-2011 8:58pm
hitemfrank

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Gran Hermano wrote: »

Those Gillette New open comb razors give a fine shave. I like mine so much
I already picked up a backup one. They are a great introduction to using an open comb and differed enough to the Merkur HD or Progress to give variety. They are great if you have a couple of days of stubble to remove. Like yourself I like the fact I'm using a razor almost a century old. Just watch out for any bent or missing teeth in the comb part. (From your photo it looks all good).

You should get into straight razors then

I actually missed out on a Gillette single ring from 1912 on ebay when I first got into DE's. It was really cheap too but I put in the wrong maximum bid I wanted to put in. I wondered what it shaved like for a while after that.

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#2685 05-07-2011 9:23pm
Gran Hermano

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hitemfrank wrote: »

You should get into straight razors then

I actually missed out on a Gillette single ring from 1912 on ebay when I first got into DE's. It was really cheap too but I put in the wrong maximum bid I wanted to put in. I wondered what it shaved like for a while after that.

This is one of my backup open combs, links in my old post still work so will save me re-uploading.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=62381061&postcount=1505
They are a mild open comb razor, no way near as aggressive or harsh as any of the more modern open combs I have tried.

I picked up some straights and a strop over a year ago and try and get a couple of shaves in with them every month but nowhere near as often as I would like. Time commitments and travel means I find DEs suit me better.

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#2686 05-07-2011 10:17pm
hitemfrank

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That set looks to be in great condition.

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#2687 05-07-2011 11:57pm
MadsL

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@hamsterboy PM sent.

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#2688 06-07-2011 12:30am
hamsterboy

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Cheers guys for all the assistance.
BTW, anyone any tips for cleaning the Gillette up a bit...looks a bit ...... well..... old......lol

HB

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#2689 06-07-2011 7:53am
MadsL

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http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=72274172#post72274172

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#2690 06-07-2011 1:56pm
Nemanja91

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Had my first shave with a safety razor this morning and didn't cut myself , how often would I want to change the blades?

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#2691 06-07-2011 2:32pm
hitemfrank

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I used to change blade every 4 or 5 shaves depending on what blade I was using. So I would say just use it until you feel it start to become uncormfortable then change straight away.

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#2692 06-07-2011 2:43pm
Michael G

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I use Feathers and find that three shaves is as many as I can safely get out of them.

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#2693 06-07-2011 7:20pm
hamsterboy

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Hi All
Well I popped into Galway today and purchased the Gillette safety and the Emu straight.
The straight is off to MadsL for some honing (legend).
I disinfected the safety and cleaned it up and promptly convinced myself that I could do with a shave so off I went at it.
From the first WTG stroke...... I knew everything I thought I knew about DE shaving had changed. I reckon that after the second pass (XTG) it had done a better job than the HD would have after the third (ATG)
This is only my second DE razor, my beloved HD being my weapon of choice... but this 100 year old razor WIPED THE FLOOR WITH THE MERKUR.
I cannot stop feelin my cheeks and admiring the job the Gillette did. Something I didn't notice till I got it home today is that it holds the blade at a slight angle.... not as much as a slant bar but noticeable. This could be the reason why I just got THE best shave of my life........feels more like a barbers shave than my own work.
Can't wait to get the Emu back and see can I top it.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience....... and if anyone wants a second hand HD soon..... Watch this space

HB

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#2694 06-07-2011 7:42pm
hitemfrank

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Did you manage to talk them down on the prices of them at all?

Make sure you pick up a cheap strop for that straight razor.

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#2695 06-07-2011 7:43pm
MadsL

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Can't wait to get the Emu back and see can I top it.

Setting the bar high eh? Ah, well I love a challenge. Was the edge in good nick, no chips?

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#2696 06-07-2011 7:51pm
hamsterboy

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@hitemfrank Yep I haggled me ass off and got both for 30 . Strop in the post as I type.

@MadsL Yep, always up for a challenge me. Edge is in quite good nick (no pun)... no chips that I can see. Will pop it into the post to ye tomorrow dude. Cheers again for honing it.

Gave the guy in the shop my number in case anything else interestin comes his way.

Regards

HB

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#2697 06-07-2011 8:06pm
hitemfrank

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30 quid for both is a pretty nice deal. You did well with the haggling.

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#2698 11-07-2011 10:31pm
MadsL

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Which strop did you get? Get a butter knife and practise with it whilst I sharpen

really good video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyV6J4X0-2g

Try to think about balancing a coin on the back of your hand when turning the razor. Turn the razor not your hand.

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#2699 18-07-2011 7:16pm
FreudianSlippers

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I just started using a Merkur Futur and I have to say I love it. Had a bit of blood the first time lol but things are looking up. Great shave, but still not totally used to the adjustment bit. The time I wrecked my neck I was messing around with trying out higher numbers.

Very happy and will definitely be staying with this now.

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#2700 27-07-2011 11:14am
nc6000

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FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I just started using a Merkur Futur and I have to say I love it. Had a bit of blood the first time lol but things are looking up. Great shave, but still not totally used to the adjustment bit. The time I wrecked my neck I was messing around with trying out higher numbers.

Very happy and will definitely be staying with this now.

Not sure if I'll get a Merkur Futur or a Merkur Progress.

I've already got a Merkur 34c but I think I'll treat myself to an adjustable soon.

Decisions decisions........

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#2701 27-07-2011 12:10pm
stevenmu

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nc6000 wrote: »

Not sure if I'll get a Merkur Futur or a Merkur Progress.

I've already got a Merkur 34c but I think I'll treat myself to an adjustable soon.

Decisions decisions........

Am in the same boat myself, can an adjustable be adjusted to be more aggressive than the 34c?

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