SMF

I now use a Gillette Mach 3. I have used a safety razor before, but the last time was 30 years ago. Am I a beginner?
I have also recently started shaving my head.
I am happy with the shave of the Mach 3 (both face and head), but I am interested in a safety razor.
I think I like the ones that open to remove the blade, I think it's called a butterfly top, over the ones that come apart.
I also don't know if I need an adjustable.
I want a well made quality razor, but don't think I'll get the top of the line just yet. I may hate it and go back to the Mach 3.
I would appreciate any recommendations.

When I was on a forum that has a huge membership and lots of us old farts would weigh in on how rapidly we took to disposable blade shaving it contrasted sharply with younger folks who only had used cart's.

I think you'll take to it like a duck to water if you've previously used a safety razor. The hardest thing is to use no pressure. It's counterintuitive, but no pressure will actually yield a better shave with DE or single edge (SE) razors.

I think vintage Gillette Slims and super adjustables are still available relatively inexpensively on Ebay. But it's been awhile since I've shopped there.

Prices for vintage fixed head Gillettes won't break the bank even if you need to try half a dozen before finding something you like. You can sell the cast-offs anyway and get your $ back.

Don't forget SE razors. They give one heck of a shave. Some of us think they're better than most DE razors.

+1 ....

Oh -- and btw, welcome to SMF.

Hey jd, welcome aboard. I don't think anyone actually needs an adjustable razor but if you're like the rest of us you will want to try one. They're a lot of good new ones on the market (I like the Futur) and an abundance of vintage ones for relatively cheap prices.

Hi JD - I would echo Squires comments - the adjustables I use are set to a point of satisfaction and never adjusted again. By finding a fixed head that works for you, you will accomplish the same.

Like riding a bike...

Enjoy it...

jtpca wrote:Hi JD - I would echo Squires comments - the adjustables I use are set to a point of satisfaction and never adjusted again. By finding a fixed head that works for you, you will accomplish the same.

+2.

Welcome to SMF!

Get a pre-war Gillette Tech for your first DE razor after a long absence.

It cuts the beard pretty efficiently and doesn't bite. It's easy to use and maintain. I prefer the fat-handled version. Pre-war versions have triangular cut-outs in the baseplate; later versions have capsule-shaped cut-outs. The later versions are also fine quality razors, but they are very mild.

Good luck, and have fun.

I'd suggest that during your cruising around and looking for a good razor, if you happen onto a Schick Krona DE razor at a reasonable price, you might consider getting one. The others listed above would be my recommendation also. For a few decades, the Krona served me well, before it finally wore out.

Welcome to SMF, jdl1952!

I, too, used a double-edge razor years ago, but at that time it was just to get the whiskers off with little thought to technique or how well it could actually be done. Picking up a DE razor again the learning to use it skillfully took more time. I think you will become comfortable with it pretty quickly, but your technique is capable or developing gradually for a long time.

- Murray